Noginsk. Epiphany Cathedral and its history

Not far from Moscow, on the shore of Klyazma, is an ancient Russian city, which was called in the old days of Bogorodsky - as Empress Catherine II commanded in 1781, and long before that was the Yamskaya Sloboda of Rogozhskaya, from where the dashing coachmen drove their troikas with state mail . And only in the thirties of the last century the then rulers gave him a name in honor of his fellow Bolshevik-Noginsk. Epiphany Cathedral - the center of the religious life of the city - shared with him all his troubles and joys. About him is our story.

Sloboda kazhennyh coachmen

The first information about the village, which was destined to become the cradle of the future city, belong to the end of the XIV century. It was called in those years Rogozhi. This gave an opportunity for modern researchers to assume that its inhabitants were engaged in the production of bogs - a trade very common in that era. However, some historians see in the name only a derivative of the word Rogoz - the name of the nearby river. The question is controversial, and for lack of documentary information it is hardly solvable.

More specific information refers to the beginning of the XVI century, when Rogozhi received the status of the Yamskaya Sloboda, that is, the village, whose residents were required to perform the tsar's service - to carry in the winter and summer the state mail through the endless Russian tracts. Thus, the Epiphany Cathedral (Noginsk) appeared in those parts not accidentally - important villagers engaged in agriculture, and without God's help, unless it turns out?

Construction of a new church and the grace of the sovereign

Before the construction began in 1755 there was a temple in those places in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was built on a piece of land given to the church by the pious Moscow Prince Vasily III, the father of the future Tsar Ivan the Terrible. By the middle of the XVIII century, the temple was dilapidated, and the donation of Christ-loving parishioners was replaced by a new one - the Epiphany Cathedral (Noginsk). In memory of Nicholas the Wonderworker, one of its limits was consecrated.

Russian Rogozhsky coachmen served Russia well, for which Empress Catherine II noted their works. By her personal decree she ordered to rename the former village of Rogozha to the city of Bogorodsk and make it the administrative center of the district. Since then, life on the banks of the Klyazma has changed beyond recognition. Numerous officials came in large numbers, the center of the newly-born city was built up by government buildings, and some sort of solidity appeared in the citizens' posture from the consciousness of their own involvement in state affairs.

Reconstruction of the Cathedral

Thus appeared on the map of the Russian Empire the city of Bogorodsk - the future Noginsk. By that time the Epiphany Cathedral had significantly increased its status. Placing in the provincial center, he regularly became a place of bishop's service, which attracted the attention of the Moscow Synod. The result of this was a large-scale reconstruction work begun in 1822 and lasting for two years.

At the end of the works in 1824 the newly refurbished spacious refectory was consecrated with the confines of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin and Nicholas the Wonderworker. In addition, there was a bell tower, a stone chapel and a guard room.

In the middle of the century, a significant financial help to the temple was donations from the owners of the large textile enterprise of the industrialist A. Elagin, who opened in the city, and his sons. Also, a significant role in this was played by a wealthy entrepreneur - manufacturer Shibaev. Thanks to their contributions, the cathedral was expanded, decorated with rich paintings and surrounded by a decorative fence. For accommodation Bogorodskogo spiritual government was erected a special two-story building, made in the best architectural traditions of the time.

The enterprises grew and the future Noginsk

Epiphany Cathedral in the middle of the XIX century, during the most active growth of the city's industry, not only was reconstructed, but was completely rebuilt. The population of Bogorodsk in these years increased significantly due to wage workers, who came to his enterprise from other provinces. The temple could not already accommodate all comers. In 1853, with the blessing of the ruling bishop, Metropolitan Innokentii, his building was dismantled and the construction of a more spacious and roomy cathedral began.

The construction lasted until 1876, and on September 5 the new church was solemnly consecrated. However, this work on its improvement has not been completed. Already at the beginning of the 20th century it was once again reconstructed by the architect N. Strukov. All the Bogorodsk (Noginsk) gathered for the celebrations on the occasion of its opening. The Epiphany Cathedral stood in all its splendor.

Torture, which fell to the share of the temple in the XX century

In the thirties the city of Bogorodsk was renamed into Noginsk. Epiphany Cathedral, like most of the country's churches, was closed, and many of its ministers became victims of repression. In its premises there were industrial enterprises, but, fortunately, the building itself was not destroyed. Only in 1989 the Epiphany Cathedral (Noginsk), a photo of which is presented in the article, was returned to the church, and after it the restoration work the divine services were resumed.

Reborn shrine

Today Noginsk occupies a worthy place among the numerous religious centers of the country. Epiphany Cathedral - the focus of his spiritual life - for the years that passed under the sign of the revival of Russian Orthodoxy, has found its former grandeur. Many of the famous Moscow masters were involved in the restoration works.

It is especially gratifying that among the variety of icons represented in it there are many ancient, miraculously preserved from pre-revolutionary times and adorning the Epiphany Cathedral today (Noginsk). The schedule of services, as well as the list of the prayers performed by the priests, indicate that the spiritual life within its walls has returned to the old course established by centuries.