PALACE CHURCH

In the middle of the 17th century, during the time of Patriarch Nikon new patriarchal chambers were erected with the patriarchal church - the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. When the patriarch relocated there, the Church of the Deposition of the Virgin’s Robe became one more private church. The galleries were seemingly built to connect the temple with tsarinas and tsarevnas' chambers, located in the part of the royal palace close to the church. Since that time, the temple's gallery served as a passage to the Assumption Cathedral for the royal family women. The emperor often used the passage of the Church of the Deposition of the Virgin's Robe to the Assumption Cathedral up to the beginning of the 20th century.

After the October Revolution, in 1918, all Kremlin churches and monasteries were closed and turned into museums. Later than the other cathedrals of the Kremlin, in 1965 the Church of the Deposition of the Virgin's Robe was also opened to the public, preceded by extensive restoration work of the building itself, wall paintings and icons.

 In 1933 church services were resumed. Patriarchal services are held once a year, on the 15th of July, the church feast day.