One of the "youngest" of the Orthodox churches of Vilnius - Orthodox Church of St. Michael and St. Constantine, also called Romanov. The church has a very interesting history. Vilnius residents long nurtured the idea of ​​building a church in honor of Prince Constantine of Ostrog, who in the 16th century, promoted and otherwise promote the development of the Orthodox faith in the province. In the early 20th century the Romanov dynasty was going to celebrate the tercentenary of his reign in Russia. For this event everywhere prepared and erected temples. Five years earlier, in 1908, it celebrated its three hundred years since the death of K.Ostrozhskogo. It was decided to build a temple dedicated to the Romanov dynasty, and, and philanthropist Constantine Ostrog.

Location chosen for the church for a long time, but eventually decided to build it on Zakretnoy area. From this place, which was the highest in the city, offers spectacular views of the entire old Vilnius.

The temple project was designed by architect V.Adamovichem Moscow, in the style of ancient temple construction Rostov-Suzdal. Stucco fulfilled Vilnius master Woźnicki. From Moscow brought a carved wooden iconostasis and thirteen bells. The large bell was huge, weighing in at 517 pounds.

The church was named St. Michael Constantine in honor of St. Michael and St. Malein Apostolic Emperor Constantine. The church was consecrated in 1913, May 13, old style. This day was very significant for the city of Vilna Orthodox. Believers all over the city and visitors from other places religious procession marched through the streets of the city from various Orthodox churches - the new Church. At the consecration ceremony attended Elizabeth Feodorovna Romanova, Grand Duchess.

In August 1915, when it was clear that the Vilna will not be able to resist the invasion of the Germans, Archbishop Tikhon decided to evacuate into Russia church valuables. The hastily removed from the gilt domes and all 13 bells. On the way to the ultimate goal of two wagons, which carried the bells Constantine and St. Michael's Church, completely lost.

In 1915, in September, the Germans occupied the city. The church building German authorities staged a collector for violators of the curfew. Every night, dozens of detained residents slept on the tiled floor of the church, pending a decision by the German authorities for their fate.

After the Germans left and short reign of the Bolsheviks, Vilnius region passed to Rzeczpospolita. These were difficult times for the Orthodox churches, their ministers and parishioners. After many petitions addressed Archpriest John Levitsky in various institutions and charities, came a joyous day. In June 1921 the American Benevolent Society was received a large number of products. They were distributed to parishioners and saved the lives of many of them.

After the Second World War, when the Soviet authorities stormed the city, a bomb blast blew the door of the church. Within a few days the church was left open and unattended. But, surprisingly, from the premises of the temple nothing is missing.

Currently, Orthodox Church of St. Michael and St. Constantine is at the intersection of several major streets in the center of the sprawling city of Vilnius. Orthodox believers come here from around the city.

Gilding the domes of Suzdal and has not been restored. They are painted with oil paint in green. This unusual color combination with cream high walls of the temple, decorated with white stucco arches and narrow tall windows and niches, looks extraordinary and majestic. At the moment, the former interior decoration of the church, unfortunately, lost. Of all the relics was only carved wooden iconostasis of the 19th century.