Izki — a small village in Volovetsky district of Transcarpathian region, famous as a health resort with the same name, attracts tourists for one more reason. Here from the distant XVII century has been preserved the beautiful Nikolayevskaya wooden church — one of several wooden churches, which are considered as special wonders of Transcarpathia.
The three-brick wooden church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, built in the XVII century (the exact years of its construction are unknown), in 1751 was one of the three churches in the village of Izki and is believed to be the oldest of them, because in that year it was already restored. This means that the temple is already more than three centuries old, and such a solid age for any landmark is a real dignity, thanks to which, among other things, such buildings attract tourists. But, unfortunately, the church has not reached our time in its original appearance — it is known that in 1798 it was partially rebuilt, due to which it acquired features of the Baroque style.
Thanks to some elements preserved in the interior, it was established that in its original version the church was built of spruce beams with three domes in the Boikovsky folk architectural style, characteristic of many temples of Boikivshchyna, which covered the northern and southern slopes of the Ukrainian Carpathians within the Zakarpattya, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions of Ukraine. A bell tower was also built next to the church, the roof of which, like the roof of the temple, is now covered with a plaque, which covers the original wooden masonry, unfortunately disturbing the harmony of its perception. However, even the damage caused does not detract from its merits — this church is one of the most beautiful examples of Transcarpathian or Verkhovyna Baroque. Its nave, chancel and the high tower above the main entrance are harmoniously composed, the bars on which the girdle rests are interestingly profiled.
In the interior of St. Nicholas Church from the beginning of the XVIII century. carved iconostasis, candlesticks and wooden chandelier have been preserved, but the most important treasure of the church is the icon of the Virgin Mary, which the famous art historian Grigory Logvin called «Transcarpathian Madonna». The old paintings on the walls of the temple could not be preserved — already in modern times they were painted over. But to this day the old tree keeps the carved names of people who were involved in the arrangement of the monastery: priest Gregory Luchintsa created an icon of the Last Supper here on September 25, 1730, priest priest Maxim Marusinich painted the icons of the festive row, priest priest priest with his family Petr Krivanich created an icon of St. Nicholas, bought for the temple an icon of the Mother of God for the absolution of his sins Petr Kelechinsky.
Being in the temple, even though its original interiors, as well as part of its external appearance, have been lost, it is impossible not to feel the amazing atmosphere, which is inherent only in such ancient molten places as wooden churches of the Carpathians and other ancient temples. Few sights of Pilipets, which in the XVI century was only a village of Izok, can compare with St. Nicholas Church. Today, all those who spend their holiday in Pilipets come to Izki to see the ancient church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which welcomes them with light and warmth, being a truly bright place where the soul finds peace.