Church of the Epiphany in the famous village of Chelmuzhi is one of the national monuments of temple architecture that speaks of inexhaustible talent Zaonezhye ancestors. The Church has more than 350 years stands on the sandy shore of the bay and Povenets like a beacon, visible from afar.

Historical events that accompany the development of the church took place in Russia in the late 16th - early 17th centuries, which are associated with the names of Boris Godunov, the priest Ermolay Gerasimov, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. In 1605, the village was founded Chelmuzhi church, called "Epiphany." In the same year the church was rebuilt thanks to donations before the former nun (nun) Marfa. Compared with the same views, the church has become more expressive silhouette as a consequence of the superstructure of the church room and dining room in the form of low octagon, which culminated with a marquee covering the enlarged bulbous head.

With regard to the considerable size of the refectory, he caused by certain peculiarities concerning the social life of former times. After the collapse of the Republic of Novgorod peasants gained some freedom, which gave a favorable ground for the Zemsky management, activation of which came in the period of construction of the temple Chelmuzhsky. At this time, the special role of community centers served the church refectory, and in which people gathered. For this reason, the refectory is uncharacteristically large room.

Known fact secondary reconstruction of the church in the 18th century, in which the temple has got some structural and architectural features. For example, the refectory was still extended, appeared belfry, bell tower of the vestibule were rastesany door and window openings. This kind of changes have severely affected the artistic image of the church that has lost its former balance and rigor.

During World War II, it was decided to make out the bell tower and the tent that could serve as a benchmark for long-range weapons of the enemy. But in the 1950s, in the church of the Epiphany started restoration works that in some way changed the habitual view of the Church: it was checked to the porch and hipped cupola became covered with aspen shingles, changed its shape and the lower edge of a small barreled altar coverings were restored carved pricheliny .

Interior composition of the temple was built on the principle of the suite. All areas of the church to form a rectangle, and the main walls are present only between the vestibule and the refectory. During a visit to the church of the Epiphany comes the effect of the psychological impact on the present, because the increase in emotional stress occurs as the promotion of "the light" - the path of the low and poorly lit passage to a high and bright dining room. Most church lit room has a height of 4 to 15 meters, the central compositional role is fulfilled by the iconostasis.

From the old iconostasis remained only traces of cuttings. It consisted of the tiers were divided tyablami-shelf-beams, which were installed icons. Tyabla themselves were beautifully painted floral patterns, alternating with eight-colors light ocher background; all the petals through one were decorated with ocher and green. Ornament is surrounded by a black line.

The greatest number of icons were taken in 1963 by the expedition Museum of Fine Arts, located in Karelia - reservists are stored here. The lower tier of the iconostasis icons are located "local" series, which depicts the most revered saints in Zaonezhie; the second number is the "Deesis" series, presented by icons depicting angels and saints; third "prophecy" consists of a series of icons with the image of the bottom of the holidays, and at the top - the prophets. We can say that in general, the iconostasis had a canonical structure. Among the representatives of the first row survived only two icons of the 17th century, with the second and third tiers reached us on 12 icons each.

The fate of the Church of the Epiphany brings alive history of not only the people and the art of building, but also the state of the time, making the temple even more interesting to explore.