The main stage of the rescue and restoration of a unique monument of wooden architecture, the church of Paraskeva Friday, built in 1856, has been completed in the village of Barabanovo near Krasnoyarsk.
According to the ancient guardian of the diocese, Priest Alexey Yazov, the object of cultural heritage of federal significance was preserved in its former dimensions, carefully replenishing all the lost elements, which prevented its total destruction.
The process of saving the temple, which was used as a granary after being closed in the late 1950s and then abandoned, began several decades ago. In 1986, on the initiative of local residents, the first volunteer expedition was held to preserve the building. Large-scale professional restoration work began in March 2023 after the project, developed by the Archrest Project company from the Moscow Region, received a positive state expert opinion. The specialists not only reinforced the structures, but also worked to restore the unique ancient painting inside the temple. According to experts, in particular, Olga Zinina, a researcher at the Institute of Theory and History of Architecture, the quality of the work carried out, especially on the preservation of the walls themselves, deserves the highest praise.
The church, which is already called the "Siberian Kizhi" for its architectural value, is located in a picturesque location on the banks of the Yenisei River, about 60 kilometers from Krasnoyarsk, and is clearly visible both from the river and at the entrance to the village. The plans include the development of a tourist route on this basis. It is not possible to enter the historic building yet: the issue of installing the iconostasis and landscaping remains to be resolved. As Father Alexey noted, the opening dates can be determined in the summer. While waiting for this moment, tourists and pilgrims can explore the church from the outside, and a new Peter and Paul Church has already been built in the village for prayer and services, where services are held on Saturdays.