Znamensky Cathedral, Kursk: photo and description

Orthodox churches in Russia are a national and cultural heritage, they embody the history of the country and the people. It has its own symbol of faith and unity and the ancient Russian city of Kursk. Znamensky Cathedral, whose schedule of divine services today is an example of regularity, has gone through many happy and bitter times together with the people. At the beginning of the 21st century, he again fully fulfills his mission: he gathers people and gives them strength and hope.

Place History

Since the 16th century, the place where the Znamensky Cathedral stands today (Kursk) was noteworthy. The history of the habitation of this territory began with the construction of the city fortress, which stood here at the very beginning of the 17th century. In 1612 Kursk was captured and ravaged by the Polish-Lithuanian army, but the fortress stood. And this was attributed to the intercession of the Mother of God. During the defense of the fortress, a collective vow was given: in case of victory, build a monastery in honor of the Moscow icon of the Mother of God "The Sign". The fortress was defended, and for three years the wooden church of the Nativity of the Virgin was built here. In this temple, at the behest of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the icon "The Sign" returned from Moscow, later it "settled" in the created monastery. However, in 1631 there was a terrible fire that destroyed all the wooden buildings, but the icon was saved. In 1649, the king ordered the erection of a stone church in honor of the icon. The prototype for the cathedral was the temple in the Conception of the Convent. The church was made in Baroque style, with a bell tower and a large dome. But the building began to deteriorate rapidly and in 1815 was dismantled. There was a need to build a new cathedral.

The Purpose of the Temple

June 4, 1816 was laid Znamensky Cathedral (Kursk) as a monument in honor of the victory of Russian weapons in the Patriotic War of 1812. The construction of the temple was carried out by the provincial architect P. Shmit in close cooperation with Archimandrite Palladius. The church was built on the donations of parishioners and the investment of the Znamensky Monastery. The name of the architect who created the original project is not preserved in history. Some researchers attribute the authorship to AI Melnikov, the St. Petersburg architect-classicist, but there is no exact information about this. Schmid finalized the project, adapting it to the needs of the functioning church. The cathedral was to become a city dominant, so he needed a tall bell tower and a spectacular façade.

Years of construction

In the summer of 1816 the main excavations began, it was necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the ground and the mistakes that led to the rapid destruction of the previous church in this place. The work was carried out for 10 years. A large number of different workers and craftsmen were involved in the construction. In addition to the main building, it was decided to build a refectory. The belfry was built on the model of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, the ringing of its bells had to be heard throughout the district. For the casting and lifting of the bells, a separate brigade of masters was required. For the tower, a German watch with a large dial and a beautiful chime was purchased. In all, the construction of the temple cost a colossal amount - 600 thousand rubles.

In 1826, despite the incompleteness of the finishing works, the church was solemnly consecrated in order to have time to serve on the deceased Alexander the First. Since that time, regular services began in the Znamensky Cathedral (Kursk). And only in 6 years was installed in the temple an amazing cast-iron iconostasis, for the manufacture of which the masters took more than 6 years. Later, various modifications and adjustments were made. In 1866, on the bell towers raised large bells, cast at the expense of donations of the Belgorod merchant.

Architecture

Znamensky Cathedral (Kursk) is designed in the style of classicism, in its appearance reflected the trend of the West European Renaissance. In the plan the building has the form of a cross with an elongated western wing. The square base in the corners is decorated with small domes. His light drum is decorated with columns and is crowned with a large dome. The dome has a height of 48 m. Its structure is closest to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The building is made of strong bricks, most of it has survived today. Decorative details of the facade are made of "ballak" stone. The main entrance is decorated with a portico with six columns with Corinthian capitals. In the original view to the right of the main building, above the refectory, there was a bell tower with spectacular twin towers. The building of the cathedral has a majestic and laconic look characteristic for classicism. Such a reserved appearance is in a harmonious balance with a spectacular and luxurious interior decoration.

Interior

To design the interior of the cathedral was invited to a team of artists from the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. This group, led by A. Bystrov, previously worked on decorating the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The interior of the temple, like the exterior, is in the style of classicism. A unique cast-iron iconostasis is decorated with icons of the work of St. Petersburg masters. The walls are decorated with paintings and stained-glass icons. Under the dome hangs a spectacular chandelier weighing 2.5 tons, covered with gold leaf. The light drum is decorated with figures of prophets from the Old Testament.

Life of the Cathedral

The construction received the highest appreciation not only of priests and residents of Kursk, but also artists, members of the Academy of Arts, architects. The cathedral was recognized as a true masterpiece of late Russian classicism. Since the consecration of the temple began his happy life, which lasted almost 100 years. Twice the cathedral was visited by Emperor Nicholas II, for him the famous icon "The Sign" was brought here from the Root Desert. In 1898, here served the divine liturgy Father John Sergeev, better known as the holy righteous John of Kronstadt.

But there were sad days in the life of the cathedral. So, in 1898 the temple shook the night explosion. It turned out that a terrorist act was carried out to destroy the main shrine of the cathedral - the icon "Sign". Fortunately, the relic did not suffer from the explosion, although the destruction in the cathedral was colossal. In the morning a moleben was honored for the happy preservation of the icon. The perpetrators of the explosion were found and punished.

Since the October Revolution of 1917 until 1932, the temple continued to function, although the clouds around it thickened. In 1918 the miraculous icon "The Sign" was stolen, but it was quickly found in a well nearby. In 1919, the relic, together with the troops of the volunteer army, "left" to the south of Russia, and then left the country. In 1932, the Soviet government closed the parish, and in the building of the church was equipped with a cinema "October", for which part of the buildings were rebuilt, the bell towers were demolished. During the Second World War, the temple was badly damaged, after the Victory the cinema began to work again.

Recovery

In 1992 the church was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. A year later the cathedral received the exact list of the icon "Sign", executed in 1902 and consecrated on the original. In 1999, the ROC began reconstruction work on the return of the historical image to the temple. The work went on in several stages. It was necessary to conduct a constructive restoration, then the interior of the church was filled, icons were collected, and mural paintings were made. During the reconstruction, the former appearance of the refectory was not returned, and it remained a two-story, with a spectacular painted caisson ceiling. During the restoration it was decided not to make the twin towers of the bell tower, since this would require a significant refurbishment of the refectory. Therefore today the cathedral is decorated with a bell tower with one tower with a spire. In 2000, the throne of the Cathedral of Znamensky Cathedral was consecrated. In 2006, the perpetrators attempted to steal the main relic of the temple - the list of the icon "Sign", but the crime was quickly solved. Since 2007, when the temple acquired its original appearance, many famous priests from Russia and abroad conducted services there. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife visited the city.

Monastic complex

Znamensky Cathedral (Kursk) is located on the territory of the monastery and is part of a large architectural complex. The monastery exists from the end of the 17th century, its architectural ensemble formed gradually. The oldest surviving part of the former buildings is the monastery's fence tower, built in the late 17th century. The center of the composition is Znamensky Cathedral. In 1875, the Church of the Nativity of Christ appeared to his left. This building in eclectic style in the form of a Byzantine cross with a wide dome effectively complemented the strict Znamensky temple. The Church of the Nativity looks more elegant due to its two-colored decoration, rhythmic rows of windows and decorative elements on the facade. Later in the monastery the bishop's house was built, today it houses a museum of local lore. Monastic cells of old buildings are not preserved, today novices live in modern houses.

Today's Day

Currently, the Znamensky Cathedral (Kursk), whose photo is part of any guidebook on the central strip of Russia, is a museum and a functioning temple at the same time. In the monastery there is a lot of enlightening work, icons are being written, and young people are being trained. Today, the Znamensky Cathedral (Kursk), whose services schedule corresponds to its status, daily conducts its work. Here, services are provided for all calendar holidays, as well as for special occasions.

Shrines

During the years of its existence the Znamensky Cathedral (Kursk) has collected a good collection of holy relics. The most precious thing is the list with the icon "Sign", the original of which can not be returned to the Motherland. She "lives" in New York and once a year is brought to the Cathedral of the Sign. To the shrines of the monastery belong the image of St. John of Shanghai with the particles of his relics, the image of Seraphim of Sarov (also with relics). In addition, here you can worship the relics and images of such saints as Matrona Moscow and Saint Sylvester.

Practical information

You can find the phone number and address of the Znamensky Cathedral in Kursk in any directory. The church is located on Lunacharsky Street, house 4. Nearby are other buildings of the monastery. Liturgies in the church are held on weekdays from 8 am, on Saturdays - from 8.30, on holidays and Sundays - from 9 o'clock. On Fridays at 7 am a moleben is performed in front of the icon "Sign".