Church of St. John the Warrior in Yakimanka Street
A church consecrated in honor of the Christian martyr John the Warrior was first mentioned in 1625 when it was situated closer to the Moscow River and was flooded during its overflows. In 1709, the temple was washed away by a flood. According to the legend, when Peter I saw the church flooded by spring high water, he ordered to build it on another site, sent money and an approved design (or, according to another source, his own drawing).
A new stone church began to be built in the year of the victory of the Russian troops over the Swedes at Poltava (1709). This is probably why a legend appeared that the church was dedicated to this victory which was a turning point in the Northern War. The church was consecrated in 1717.
The Church of St. John the Warrior is a rare monument of Petrine Baroque. A traditional stepped composition of the church is combined with architectural techniques and details of the new style, such as pediments, dormer windows in volutes, and order pilasters. The exterior decorations of the church are complemented by multi-colored painting on both octagonal domes.
The church forged openwork fence was built in 1754. Several times, the fence was restored and moved due to the expansion of the street.
In 1779 – 1785, the church was decorated with fresco paintings by Gavriil Domozhirov (the frescoes did not survive).
The church was never closed, but the church valuables were seized in 1922. A carved iconostasis dating from the early 18th century from the demolished Church of Three Saints at the Red Gate was brought and installed here in 1928.
