Assumption Cathedral (Khabarovsk) - a revived relic of the province

In 2002, the majestic Assumption Cathedral was built in Khabarovsk. He rose in the very place where, seventy years before, in the theomachistic frenzy, the crowd had turned the former temple into ruins, which was the largest and most famous spiritual center of the region. About this lost and newly reborn shrine is our story.

God-pleasing works of Khabarovsk merchant

The history of Russian Orthodoxy knows many cases when the initiators of the erection of churches and the laying of monasteries were people of merchant's title. This was promoted by the efficiency and energy peculiar to them, multiplied by religiousness. In addition, for the implementation of their plans they had a material opportunity, which sometimes played a decisive role.

One of these people was the Khabarovsk merchant of the first guild, A. F. Plyusnin, who organized in 1877 the collection of funds for the construction of the city church in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. On his pious initiative, not only did the representatives of the private capital gain in those years respond, but also the most ordinary people. In a year the amount necessary to start the work was collected by common efforts, and in 1876 after the solemn prayer service the Assumption Cathedral (Khabarovsk) was laid.

The construction of the temple and the attendant difficulties

However, the available money was enough only for laying the foundation, after which AF Plyusnin died unexpectedly, and the construction site was emptied for six whole years. And the good end would be a great embarrassment, but, fortunately, the Lord blessed his heirs with excellent perseverance and zeal. By copeck they collected the missing funds, sacrificing a large part of their own fortune.

In 1884, the work resumed, and two years later the Grado-Uspensky Cathedral (Khabarovsk), built on the design of engineer S.O. Bera, was consecrated. Then the first Christmas service was held in it. A significant event in the history of the temple was his visit to the future tsar, and at that time the crown prince and heir to the throne, Nikolai Romanov. In memory of this, an additional limit was added to the church in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Construction of the cathedral bell tower

In 1894, the church began the work of the parish school, which was attended by children from low-income families. At the same time, the city authorities also took care of the construction of the bell tower. The Uspensky Cathedral (Khabarovsk), whose images were widely replicated in newspapers and on postcards, became a kind of visiting card of the city, and, of course, it was necessary to bring its construction to the end.

However, there was a previous problem - there is no money. As the city's men were not attached, they were forced to admit this fact, and limited themselves only to building a temporary wooden bell tower, with which the whole three-ton bell swept the city over the next decade.

In 1905, this gap was filled, and despite all the hardships associated with the war that broke out in the Far East, the wooden bell tower was replaced by a stone bell tower. At the same time, two side aisles were added to the temple building and significantly expanded the space of its central part.

Destruction of the First Temple

After the coming to power of the godless government, the Assumption Cathedral in Khabarovsk remained active for more than ten years, but in 1929 the city executive committee decided to dismantle it and use bricks to build the Press House. A year later, after the contract with the community members for the lease of the building was terminated, the church was closed. After this, bells and crosses were cut off by the special unit of the soldiers.

Soon a number of subbotniks were announced, at which the Komsomol enthusiasts, as well as all those who wished to quickly rid the city of this "remnant of the past," the temple was dismantled into bricks. Completed their work excavator, with the help of which razed the ground with the hill, which served as the foundation of the temple.

Later, on the site of the destroyed shrine, the gates of the city park were built, the square in front of which was called Komsomolskaya. In 1956, she was decorated with a monument to the heroes of the Civil War. Thus, the Assumption Cathedral (Khabarovsk) was wiped from the face of the earth. The city lost not only its spiritual center, but also the most beautiful building, rightfully considered an architectural landmark.

Construction of the second temple

During the years of perestroika, spiritually enlightened, realizing and repenting, the public of Khabarovsk led by its administration began to restore the cathedral that was destroyed before. He was raised as quickly and with the same enthusiasm as they destroyed. Construction work took only a year, after which the interior was finished for several months. In 2002, the newly constructed Uspensky Cathedral (Khabarovsk) was consecrated.

Outwardly, it is largely different from its predecessor, although it has common features with it. For example, from the old version, the shapes of domes and arches were taken. In general, as noted by art historians, the cathedral is built in the Russian style, but complemented by elements of other directions.

The shrines of the temple and the services held in it

The newly built Uspensky Cathedral (Khabarovsk) is famous for its shrines. Among them is the icon of the Savior, which in olden years was donated to the temple by VF Plyusnin, the brother of his founder. In addition, the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God, which is kept in the cathedral, enjoys the worship of the faithful. It is also a gift to the temple, but it has already been accomplished in our time.

There is no need to talk about how necessary and important for the spiritual life of Khabarovsk was the Assumption Cathedral (Khabarovsk). The schedule of services held in it can be seen at the entrance to it and on its own website. Morning services on weekdays begin at 7:45, and on Sundays and holidays - at 8:45. The beginning of evening services is at 16:45.