Novo-Nikolsky Cathedral (Mozhaisk): description, history, relics and shrines

Orthodox churches in Russia represent a special cultural value. Under the majestic architecture, pure and spiritualizing atmosphere, stories full of mysteries, disputes and bloody struggle for faith are often hidden. A striking confirmation of this is the St. Nicholas Cathedral (Mozhaisk). Despite the natural whims and historical unrest, he stood for centuries and still consecrates the Russian land. What is its history? And what secrets and relics does the temple keep in its walls?

Location

The city where the St. Nicholas Cathedral is located is Mozhaisk. It occupies the western part of the Moscow region and is one of the ancient cities of Russia. The first mention of him in the annals refer to the 13-14th centuries. In the course of archaeological excavations, finds dating from the 3rd millennium BC were discovered. E. Settlements and fortifications were based on a hill (now the Cathedral Mountain) in the lower reaches of the Mozhaika River. A little later the Mozhaisk Kremlin was built here. At first it was wooden. However, in the beginning of the 16th century there was a fire. The reason for it according to some data could be robberies and riots during the period of lip reform. After that, from the fortress there were earthen ramparts and a charred stone tower. Later, on the orders of Ivan the Terrible, the Mozhaisk Kremlin was rebuilt.

History of the temple

According to annalistic data, St. Nicholas Cathedral was founded around the same time as the fortress, in the 12th century, and was located at the Nikolsky Gates. Wooden originally, it did not survive after the fire, so in the 15th century a white-stone church was erected. At this time he carried the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker's Cathedral. During the Polish-Lithuanian invasion the temple was plundered, but the building survived. At the end of the 17th century the cathedral was rebuilt. The gate (upper) church with the Nikolsky Gates formed the New Cathedral of St. Nicholas, and below it, accordingly, the Old St. Nicholas Cathedral is located. The second after several rebuilding and reconstruction became known as the Peter and Paul Church.

Description

Outwardly the Novo-Nikolsky cathedral is only partly similar to the traditional Orthodox building. It is made in a pseudo-Gothic style, which received the name of Russian Gothic. This can easily be guessed by the bizarre architectural forms and the star of David on the pediment. Inside the temple is decorated with two carved columns and wooden (!) Statues of saints. The strangeness of the style in relation to the customary (orthodox) is reinforced by a sharp contrast with the Old-Nicholas Cathedral (now the Peter and Paul Church).

The Novo-Nikolsky temple stands at the Nikolsky gate on a hill and is perfectly visible on the entrance to the city. Archival data and construction drawings are not preserved. However, some sources claim that the author of the cathedral project was a Russian architect and artist Alexei Bakarev.

It is believed that the construction of the temple began in 1779, and ended only in 1814. It came with interruptions and periodic change of customers and executors, with additions and restructuring. On its walls there is an unusual symbolism. It is she who gives ground to historians to assert about the "Masonic" version of the construction. This is also indicated by the Masonic influence that was present in Russia in those years. In addition, some scholars associate the completion date with the 500th anniversary of the death of the last Master of the Order of the Knights Templar - Jacques de Molay. In 1314 he was burned at the stake.

The temple also includes an 11-meter wall of the Mozhaisk Kremlin, which Polish guns could not destroy at the time. And as the foundation was used ancient masonry, featuring a special fortress and reliability.

Closing of the Cathedral

From 1933 to 1994 - a rather vague and uncertain period in the religious life of the city. For unknown reasons, the St. Nicholas Cathedral was closed. Mozhaysk during the Great Patriotic War suffered a lot. And although the temple was restored (without a central dome rotunda), in the 60s a knitting factory was located here. And twenty years later the cathedral and several other buildings were transferred to the department of the Borodino Military History Museum. Only in 1994 the church began to go to worship again.

Landslide

In 2013, a strong landslide occurred in Mozhaisk. The ground from the hill collapsed, where the Novo-Nikolsky Cathedral is located. It's amazing, but true. From serious damage, the building was saved by the fact that the landslide stopped at some 17 meters from the temple. According to other sources, minor damage was still inflicted on his western wall. There stucco moldings and bricks fell out. The inhabitants of the city always knew about the natural danger and vulnerability of the cathedral, but continued to attend divine services. And soon they wrote a letter to the Ministry of Culture of Russia explaining the unstable situation of the Orthodox church in Mozhaisk and asking for its strengthening. In 2014, all restoration work was completed.

Mysterious disappearance

It is known that St. Nicholas Cathedral before the revolutionary period preserved the relics of saints (Sergius of Radonezh, Prince Vladimir, Lavrenty-sharpener, holy martyrs Makarii and Varvara, St. Michael of Stadsky and Nikon Sukhoi). However, in 1919 they mysteriously and completely disappeared.

Another mysterious disappearance occurred in the spring of 1922. This time, the loss was more significant, both spiritually and materially. Two ubrushes with the image of the Virgin, two stars, a chalice with images of saints, gold crosses and a token of Peter I were confiscated. All subjects were decorated with diamonds and precious stones. Also, the miter and the garment disappeared from the image of Nicholas of Mozhaisk. Who was taken away the shrine, it is unknown. They disappeared without a trace.

However, despite numerous testimonies, in 1925 local historian NI Vlasyev, representing the Mozhaisk region, in his notebooks described in detail the necklace of Nikolai Mozhaisky with a note that it is kept in the Kremlin Armory.

Icon

The icon of Nikolai Mozhaisky, the patron saint of his inhabitants, was always of special value for Mozhaysk. The first mention of him is found in the epic "Sadko", "Mikhailo Potyk". There is also an ancient tradition. According to him, the city was once besieged by enemies. Sensing danger, residents of Mozhaisk began to pray fervently to Nicholas the Wonderworker. Soon a majestic image of a saint appeared over the fortress. A shining sword and a formidable look frightened the enemies. This is how St. Nicholas became the patron of the city of Mozhay. After that, a wooden statue was created. The image depicts a saint with a sword in his right hand and a Mozhaisk fortress in the left.

The sculpture was decorated with a silver hammered chasuble and a miter with large pearls, a gold cross and precious stones. The cross on the chest and the crown were made of red gold, and the wooden sword and the castle Mozhaj are polished.

The image of St. Nicholas was placed in St. Nicholas Cathedral. During the war of 1812 the temple (still unfinished) suffered significantly, but the sculpture and other precious church utensils survived, since they were hidden in basements. Today the relic is kept in Moscow, in the Tretyakov Gallery. And in the St. Nicholas Cathedral there is an icon of the Holy Hierarch.

Interesting Facts

• The miraculous image of St. Nicholas, installed on the Nikolsky gates, protected Mozhaisk from enemies. Coincidence or divine providence, but when the icon was taken from the city, he was immediately captured by the enemy. This is a city legend, but exact dates and events are not indicated.
• It is known that in Russia there are more than a dozen Nikolsky churches. One of the largest is in St. Petersburg, in Orenburg - one of the most visited. And St. Nicholas Cathedral (Mozhaisk) is perhaps the oldest among its "brethren" and unusual in style of architecture.
• At the end of the 19th century, a wonderful phenomenon occurred during the fairs in Mozhaisk. Over the Nicholas Cathedral for several nights in a row, a bright glow was seen. The townspeople at first took this for a fire, and having understood it, they considered it a miracle and a blessing to the Lord.

Today

Currently Mozhaisky district is famous for more than a dozen attractions. Among them, the Orthodox churches are of particular importance. The first place in this list is occupied by St. Nicholas Cathedral. Mozhaysk keeps his rich and vague history. Until now, scientists are arguing whether it is truly Russian cultural value or another Masonic symbol. But for orthodox parishioners it does not matter. From all over Russia, believers come here to worship the holy images and relics and imbue with a pure and spiritualizing atmosphere. St. Nicholas Cathedral is a real historical monument, which, along with other ancient temples, reminds us of the strength of the Orthodox faith, thereby encouraging and uniting the Russian people.