Vvedensky Cathedral (Cheboksary). History, photos, main shrines

Vvedensky Cathedral (Cheboksary) is a monumental monument of architecture and is the main symbol of the clergy in the entire Chuvash Republic. The construction of the temple was completed in 1657. The cathedral is the only monument of the XVII century, preserved to this day. The interior decoration of the temple impresses with its splendor. The iconostasis and some of the frescoes were preserved from the XVII-XVIII centuries. Of particular value is a freestanding bell tower. And although it has been repaired many times, the basic outlines have remained intact until our time.

History

May 26, 1555 Russian Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible adopted the decree, having previously received the blessing of Metropolitan Macarius of Moscow that the Archbishop of Kazan and Sviazhsky Gury began to conduct divine services in Cheboksary and built a temple there. The next day, Guri and his close companions went to the newly opened Kazan diocese. In all the villages that the ministers passed, they were greeted with their magnificent triumph and the procession of the cross.

At the end of July 1555, the archbishop and his companions arrived at the place where Cheboksary should be located. The first order, which Guriy gave, was the erection of the cathedral church on top of the mountain. He himself installed a canvas church here and sprinkled holy water around the future city, thereby indicating its horizons. The Vvedensky Cathedral (Cheboksary) became the basis for the creation of the city.

In the marching church of Guria was the only icon of the Mother of God. The Archbishop served her first Divine Liturgy. After that, all the inhabitants could receive the blessing of the Virgin. The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Vladimir with the baby is still on the territory of the cathedral and is the most important and revered shrine of the church.

Start of construction

Later the linen church was replaced by a wooden cathedral. Almost nothing is known about the interior of the temple. In the center stood a small iconostasis. The main object of worship was the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir. Also there were several icons of Stroganov letters. Church utensils consisted of two chalices, one of which was donated by Archbishop Guriy, and the other was brought from Persia. Inside the temple was decorated with wooden crowns. One of the walls was decorated with an image of an angel with a casket full of relics of holy saints carved into the wall. Virtually none of the above was not saved.

Interior decoration

In 1651 a stone cathedral was erected on this site. He was consecrated by the supposedly metropolitan of Kazan Cornelius I. At first they built only a cold church with the throne of the introduction of the Blessed Virgin to the temple. Later in 1657, warm extensions were built, dedicated to St. Sergius of Radonezh and St. Alexius. Near the church a bell-tower was built in the form of a tent. The Vvedensky Cathedral at that time was built of brick and rubble stone. It was built by local masons, which were run by Nizhny Novgorod masters. Walls and arches have decided to paint images of holy personalities. Also depicted events from the New Testament. At that time it was the only stone structure in the city. Vvedensky Cathedral (Cheboksary) experienced many difficulties. Its history is unusual.

Later, the services in the temple had to be suspended, and the cathedral itself - to close. But already in 1943 divine services again resumed. In 1945, a large sum was donated to the fund of defense by the rector of the church. This money was used to build a tank column of Dmitry Donskoy.

Until 1985, within the boundaries of Alexy and Kharlampy, the Holy Martyr was a local history museum.

Temple today

The Vvedensky Cathedral (Cheboksary) has undergone overhaul over the course of its existence. But nevertheless, its original form has survived to this day. Of course, there were still small losses. For example, the first tier of the façade was eventually walled up with porches.

The interior of the church is decorated with frescoes dating from the era of classicism. The iconostasis is also made in this style. The bell-tower in the form of a tent refers to the buildings of the architecture of the 18th century. It also underwent many changes to perestroika, but it retained its original outlines.

The Vvedensky Cathedral (Cheboksary) became a burial place for two bishops of Cheboksary - Hilarion and Benjamin.

Temple Shrines

A particularly revered icon of the Vvedensky Cathedral was and remains the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir. Today it is framed by a silver and gold rhizome. The shrine is located to the left of the royal gate.

Also in the cathedral appeared other, no less significant shrines. The icon of Christ the Savior was donated to the Cathedral by Metropolitan Tikhon of Kazan and Sviyazh. The icon is framed with silver and pearls. In 1687, the Georgian king Archil presented Metropolitan Tikhon with the image of the Smolensk Mother of God, which he, in turn, presented to the Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin. Part of the relics of the saints Archbishop Guria and his original companions were invested in silver pockets and placed in the icon.

The Vvedensky Cathedral (Cheboksary) is incredibly beautiful. The photo can not fully convey its greatness.