Who built the Annunciation Cathedral in Moscow?

To answer the question about who built the Annunciation Cathedral is not easy. On this occasion, there are different opinions. In the descriptions of the cathedral dating back to the 19th century, a legend was published (not confirmed, however, by other sources) about the construction in 1291 of the wooden church of the Annunciation by Andrey Alexandrovich, the prince who is the son of Alexander Nevsky. Since at that time there was a prince's court in Moscow, a temple was to be built on it. So the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin appeared. The photo of this building in its present form is presented in our article.

Different points of view

However, the Annunciation cathedral mentions in the Russian chronicles only appears in 1397, when an icon was brought from Byzantium to Moscow under the title "Savior in the White Sauerose". Researchers therefore attributed the construction of the stone building of this cathedral by the end of the 14th century. It was dated either in 1397 (Zabelin, Izvekov), or in 1393 (Skvortsov, Krasovsky).

The cause of the second date was information that Princess Evdokia was established in 1395 the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God (house). It was believed that a little earlier had to appear prince's temple. In 1405, according to chronicles, the church began to paint the master Feofan Grechin, "the elder from the City" Prokhor and Andrei Rublev. We graduated in the same year.

Construction of a stone cathedral

Appears in 1416 a new entry, which refers to the creation of the stone church of the Annunciation on July 18.

Other evidence of this monument is based on the reorganization of the Kremlin ensemble, which took place at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. The laying of the new building of the cathedral took place on May 6, 1484. Ivan III at the time of construction ordered to put a tent near the grand duke's palace for his confessor, that he was permanently at the temple. After 5 years, in 1489 (August 9), the new church was consecrated by Metropolitan Gerontius.

Ivan III in the late 15th century began construction of a new magnificent residence of the prince. New walls of the Kremlin, the Assumption Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Annunciation are being built at this time. The architects Myshkin and Krivtsov, who built Uspensky, failed, however, to fail. The first attempt, undertaken by them, resulted in the destruction of the walls of the building during the earthquake.

Pskov masters

And yet, who built the Annunciation Cathedral? We do not know the name of the chief architect. However, according to one of the records of the chronicler, in 1474, one can judge that the Annunciation Cathedral (stone) was built by the Pskov masters. Of the other buildings that are listed in this intelligence, preserved Dukhovskaya (Trinity in the annals) church, as well as repositions, located in the Kremlin. In all of them there are characteristic features that distinguish Pskov architecture: pillars, square in plan, elevated arches. Based on these data, one can judge who built the Annunciation Cathedral. These were Pskov masters. However, early Moscow elements are also found: the portals are of a keel shape, and the walls are decorated with patterned belts. Therefore, it is impossible to say unequivocally about who built the Annunciation Cathedral. It, in addition, was made of bricks, although the main material for the construction in Pskov at that time was a white stone. So, despite the fact that most of the researchers attribute the Annunciation Cathedral to the Pskov buildings, some still consider it the creation of Moscow masters.

The Annunciation Cathedral today

Today the Annunciation Cathedral in Moscow consists of three parts, which were built at different times. The basis of it is a cross-domed temple, four-pillar three-pedestal. Built at the end of the 15th century, the main volume repeated the plan, as well as, perhaps, the dimensions of the temple that existed earlier, at the beginning of the same century. The difference between the two buildings was that in the later church surrounded the gallery-porch from all sides. It was believed that all of them, except the eastern one, were created together with the cathedral, but were open until the middle of the 16th century. Studies related to the 60th years of the 20th century show that the vaults of the western and northern galleries are lined with the same brick as the cathedral. Based on this, it can be assumed that they are close in time or at the same time the main massif of the temple. To him from the eastern side adjoined the State Chamber, which was built with the cathedral, and in the 18th century was dismantled.

The cathedral becomes nine-headed

The Annunciation Cathedral in Moscow originally was crowned by three chapters - two were located above the eastern corners of the building and one - in the center. On the arches of the galleries in the second half of the 16th century four chapels were built, which also had chapters. In addition, two more have been added to the main volume. The cathedral eventually became nine-headed. Thus, a pyramidal completion was made from the central chapter to chapel chapters. It is emphasized by the kokoshniki and keeled zakomars located at the central drum. The central chapter in 1508 was gadiated, and a little later, in the second half of the 16th century, this was done with the other nine. The roof was also covered with gilded copper. Because of this, the cathedral became known as the "golden-haired". The image of the Blessed Virgin symbolizes the nine-headed - nine angelic ranks and the Righteous of Heaven.

Features of the Annunciation Cathedral

The Kremlin's Annunciation Cathedral is small in size. This is due to the fact that it was intended primarily for the family of the prince. Initially, to the eastern pillars adjoined the iconostasis of the Annunciation Cathedral, which was only slightly below the existing one. The underlined verticality of proportions distinguishes its central space. This is a high drum, crocheted stepped arches. On the vertical, this movement was intensified by illumination. The lower part was darkened, and a stream of light from the windows of the drum poured from above.

In the western part there are wide choirs, which are supported by low massive vaults. Their device for the end of the 15th century is already archaic. It is connected, most likely, with the purpose of the building as a family temple. It is possible that this is due to the desire to preserve the plan, which had the previous construction. It was also suggested (in the 19th century) that the choirs were intended for the representatives of the royal family during the services. However it was found out that they were initially separated by a wall about two meters high, and also two brick thick. The choirs turned, therefore, into a closed space, which was unsuitable for listening to the liturgy. On them, which was more likely, the chapels could be located. Two courses lead to them: a spiral staircase from below in the south-west corner of the building, which is in the thickness of the masonry; As well as directly from the palace, which rests on the arch.

Paperti

The building of the cathedral was surrounded on all sides by porches. Their initial appearance and time of origin have not been sufficiently studied. The Eastern (together with the Treasury Chamber) was dismantled, while the southern one lost almost its original appearance. The porch, decorated with carvings, leads to the southern porch. According to legend, it was built for Tsar Ivan the Terrible, since he, after the fourth marriage, deprived of the right to attend the temple, ordered to attach to the building a porch on which he stood during the service.

Floor and porch

Tradition also links Ivan the Terrible with the appearance of sex, which still exists today. It consists of small silicon blocks with inclusions of jasper and agate. It is believed that the floor was brought from Rostov the Great by this king, where he once got from Byzantium. The porch that faces the northeast square was a ceremonial one. When a vestibule was built in the vaults in 1564, pillars were brought under him to strengthen the structure, so ancient forms were lost. The porch was originally similar to the south, it was easier. Its vaults were supported by columns with carved capitals. In the thickness of the pillar, one of them is preserved. The staircase was also rebuilt - initially it was steeper and shorter.

The portals lead to the church with the porches. The western and northern are executed by the Italian carvers. Southern during the alterations in 1836, the southern porch was destroyed, rebuilt in 1949 according to the surviving remains.

Cathedral painting

Basil III, the Grand Duke, who was the heir of Ivan III, ordered at the very beginning of the board to decorate the cathedral's icons with silver and gold salaries, and paint it. There is a suggestion that icons of Andrei Rublev (from the old wooden one) were transferred to the cathedral and that a new painting was performed according to the exact pattern of the earlier one. Fedor Yedikeev carried out this work.

As a result, the images of various ancient Greek sages who lived before the birth of Christ (Socrates, Plato, Plutarch, Zeno, Ptolemy, Thucydides, Aristotle) with scrolls in their hands that contain sayings close to Christian ideas appeared as a result on the porch. There are many versions about this painting. According to one of them, this is the innovation of Fedor Yedikeev. Others believe that the first metropolitans in Russia by origin were Greeks and honored the saints of their sages, not even Christians.

Shrine of the Annunciation Cathedral

Many shrines were kept in the Annunciation Cathedral. The image of the Annunciation, the rarest in its iconographic type, was made on the wall of the temple. He reflected the eastern tradition, according to which the Most Holy Virgin appeared Archangel Gabriel at the well in Nazareth and brought her the Good News that she would have a Savior.

The image of the All-Merciful Savior was in the porch of the cathedral. According to the legend of the people, from him one dignitary received wonderful help. This man, who brought royal wrath to himself, received a prayer for service and forgiveness by prayer. After this, people, waiting for mercy and good news, began to come to the image.

The Don Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary was also preserved here, which was presented to Dmitry Donskoy after the Battle of Kulikovo. He was blessed in this way, according to legend, Sergius of Radonezh. In honor of this icon in the 17th century the Don monastery was built in Moscow. Now she is in the Tretyakov Gallery.

Cathedral and Kremlin chimes

The history of the chimes in the Kremlin also began with the Annunciation Cathedral. Moscow first began to learn as early as 1404 the exact time. Then Lazar Serbin, an Athonite monk, at the wooden (old) Annunciation Cathedral, installed a clock on the tower of the palace, marking time every hour with a hammer blow. In 1624 the Russian masters Shumilo and Zhdan, as well as Christopher Galovei (Englishman) on the Spassky Tower established the main clock in our country.

In 1917, in November, the Moscow Cathedral of the Annunciation was badly damaged during the shelling. His porch was destroyed by a shell. After the transfer to Moscow of the Bolshevik government, the building was closed. Now in the area where the Annunciation Cathedral is located, there is a museum. You can get here, as well as to the Kremlin, on an excursion. Sometimes, however, services are held, because the place is holy. The Annunciation Cathedral on April 7 (since 1993) is visited by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. On this date is celebrated the feast of the Annunciation. The patriarch is holding a divine service here.