Our Church
Chapel of Santo Medero
The Church of the Prophet Elijah is located in the chapel of Santo Medero — an ancient rural chapel in the parish of Latores, near Oviedo. Its name comes from the Latin Sancti Emetherii, in honour of the holy martyr Emeterius. A chapel is known to have stood here as early as the 15th century; the present building dates from the 17th century.
A parish record from 1961 reads: “This chapel is most ancient, and for many years it was venerated by a great number of pilgrims.” The shrine drew the faithful from neighbouring dioceses, and a pilgrims' hostel operated beside it.
The chapel is built of rough stone, with a rectangular plan and a single nave, a wooden gabled roof and a portico of four Tuscan columns. In 1998 the building was thoroughly restored, and on 23 February 1999 it was consecrated anew.
Today the chapel serves two communities: Catholic services in honour of Saint Emeterius are held here, as well as the Orthodox services of our parish. Every Sunday the Orthodox community gathers here for Confession and the Divine Liturgy.
Rector
Archpriest Peter Dynnikov
Rector of the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Santo Medero since 2026.
Born 30 June 1958. Name day: 12 July.
Secular education: higher; 2001 — Moscow Institute of International Economic Relations; degree in organisational management (2001).
Ordained deacon on 9 May 1991 by Archbishop Gregory of Mozhaisk at St Vladimir Cathedral of the Spaso-Borodino Monastery.
Ordained priest on 12 May 1991 by Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna at Novodevichy Convent.
Awards
- 1993 — nabedrennik (liturgical award)
- 1994 — kamilavka
- 1998 — pectoral cross
- 2002 — rank of archpriest
- 2003 — Order of St Sergius of Radonezh, 3rd class
- 2007 — palitsa
- 2011 — medal “For Diligent Service”, 3rd class
- 2013 — jewelled cross
- 2016 — medal “For Diligent Service”, 2nd class
- 2017 — medal commemorating the centenary of the restoration of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church
- 2018 — medal “For Sacrificial Labours”, 2nd class
- 2020 — right to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Royal Doors open until the Cherubic Hymn
- 2023 — Order of St Seraphim of Sarov, 3rd class