The modern cathedral of Christ the Savior was re-recreated in the 90s. The first construction of the cathedral dates back to the XIX century, it was built in memory of the soldiers of the Russian tsarist army, who died in foreign campaigns and the Patriotic War of 1812. Further we will examine in detail the working hours of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior โ, but for now we will plunge a little into its history to understand what historical events took place around this monastery.
Construction
The original was designed by the architect K.A. Ton. The first stone was laid at the end of September 1839. The temple was built for 44 years. They consecrated it at the end of May 1883. In the very beginning of the 30s, when the Stalinist reconstruction of the city began, the temple was blown up. It was rebuilt again in 3 years (from 1994 to 1997).
Now he stands in all his splendor and is the Patriarchal Compound. This temple is the largest in Russia, it can accommodate up to 10,000 people. The cathedral has the shape of an equilateral cross with a width of 80 m. Height with a dome is 103 meters. He was determined to be built in the Russian-Byzantine style. It has three limits. The temple was consecrated on August 6, 1996.
The idea
Any parishioner is free to visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The working hours of this cathedral will be convenient for everyone. It should be noted that the idea was to recreate the old tradition of votive temples, which were created as a sign of thanksgiving and eternal remembrance of the dead.
Emperor Alexander I, when the Napoleonic soldiers were expelled, signed a decree dated December 25, 1812 that a church should be built in the destroyed Moscow first. In 1814, the project set deadlines to build a church in the name of Christ the Savior within 10-12 years. The project was drawn up by 28-year-old Karl Witberg - not an architect, but an artist, a freemason and a Lutheran. It turned out to be very beautiful. To be able to deal with this project, Vitberg became Orthodox. The place was prepared on the Sparrow Hills, where formerly the royal royal residence - the Vorobyov Palace was located. It was decided to spend 16 million rubles on the construction. In mid-October 1817, in honor of the victory over the French (on the fifth anniversary), the first church on the Sparrow Hills was laid.
Result
The construction involved 20,000 serfs. At first, the pace of construction was high, but then, due to Vitbergโs gullibility, who did not have the experience of a manager, construction began to be delayed, money began to go unknown, and embezzlement amounted to approximately one million rubles.
When Tsar Nicholas I came to the throne in 1825, the construction was suspended allegedly due to instability of the soil, and the leaders went on trial for embezzlement and were fined 1 million rubles. Vitberg was expelled, confiscating all his property. Some historians, however, consider Witberg an honest man; he was only to blame for his indiscretion. He did not stay in exile for long, later his projects were used in the construction of Orthodox cathedrals in Tiflis and Perm.
New project
Meanwhile, Nicholas I in 1831 appoints the architect K. Ton. The new place was chosen Volkhonka (Chertolye). At this place then stood the Alekseevsky convent, which was transferred to the Red Village. Then there was a rumor that the dissatisfied abbess of the monastery predicted: "This place should be empty."
In May 1883, the church was consecrated by the Metropolitan of Moscow Ioannikii in the presence of Tsar Alexander III. Years passed, and in 1922 the new government gave the temple to the Renovationists. In 1931 there was a meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, where it was decided to destroy the temple and build the Palace of Soviets in its place. A few decades passed, and the attitude of the state towards the church softened. By the 1000th anniversary of Russia, it was decided to rebuild a new cathedral. And he was erected in the shortest possible time. On August 6, 1996, Patriarch Alexy II consecrated the church and held the first liturgy in it. Now we can admire this ingenious masterpiece.
Cathedral of Christ the Savior: relics, working hours
Today, many tourists, believers and unbelievers, go to the cathedral, because its scale and history are really impressive. Many are interested in the opening hours of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. He works seven days a week, and divine services are held taking into account the holidays and appointed celebrations.
- The opening hours of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior for worship are from 9-00 to 19-00.
- Liturgy on ordinary days begins at 8-00, and the evening - at 17-00.
- On Saturday morning service - at 9-00; all-night vigil - at 17-00.
- Sunday morning - at 10-00; all-night vigil - 17-00.
To get to know exactly the opening hours of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you need to go to its official website. There are many shrines in the church, among which there are particles of the robes of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, a particle of the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called, the head of John Chrysostom.