The Assumption Cathedral of the Astana Diocese was recently built. It was consecrated in 2010. The White Marble Cathedral in the Russian-Byzantine style became a real Orthodox shrine and the spiritual and cultural center of the Kazakhstan Metropolis.
Construction history
Back in 1998, Archbishop Alexy wrote a petition addressed to the President on the allocation of a plot of land for the construction of the main Orthodox church in Kazakhstan, which was approved. The construction itself began immediately when Metropolitan Methodius came to the department.
In 2004, the design of the cathedral was completed. At the site of the future temple, a construction site was deployed.
At the request of future parishioners, a small temporary wooden church in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was installed on the territory of the cathedral under construction, in which services were held on Sundays and trebes were performed.
By the spring of 2006, the lower church premises, located in the basement, were ready to receive parishioners. The first service was held in Easter 2006, after which services in the cathedral under construction became regular.
In 2007, domes were delivered from Russia. The belfry was installed on the site of the Nikolaev wooden church, which was transported to the village of Malotimofeevka near Astana.
By the beginning of 2009, the building acquired a recognizable magnificent view of the Orthodox church. The construction of the walls was completed, arches with five domed drums and semicircular apses on the east side were installed.
Simultaneously with the construction of the Assumption Cathedral in Astana, work was also carried out to improve the territory of the Orthodox complex: a stone fence with lattices was installed, paving stones were laid, a water-sanctuary chapel was installed.
Description
The Holy Assumption Cathedral has become the largest and most significant Orthodox church not only in Kazakhstan, but throughout Central Asia. Its height from the base of the building to the top of the central cross is 68 meters. The area of the cathedral is 2000 m2 and can accommodate 4000 people at a time.
The temple has high window openings through which much sunlight always penetrates the building. The cathedral is crowned by five gilded domes that symbolize Jesus Christ and the apostles evangelists.
The cathedral includes 4 thrones: the main one is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, the southern aisle - to the Archangel Michael, the northern - to St. Cyril and Methodius, the throne of the lower church - in honor of the new martyrs and confessors of Kazakhstan.
In 2011, a new iconostasis with a width of 37 meters was installed in the Assumption Cathedral of Astana, including 170 icons. All of them are written on linden boards and are distinguished by multicolor color and precision of drawing details.
30 masters worked on the painting of the temple. Frescoes cover the walls of the temple with a continuous decorative carpet and harmoniously combine with the iconostasis. The wall painting was made according to the sketches of V. Kurilov and painted in the manner of Palekh masters on sky-blue and gold backgrounds.
Temple activities
A Sunday school is open in the church for children from 3 to 15 years old, in which young parishioners learn the discipline of the spiritual and moral direction, as well as engage in artistic and applied art.
In order to gain knowledge about the Orthodox faith, evening educational courses for adult lay people are held at the cathedral. Also, those who have musical abilities have the opportunity to attend classes in teaching church singing.
The Orthodox Youth Movement (APMD) is conducting its work at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Assumption Cathedral. Boys and girls carry out their activities in several areas: social, family, pilgrimage and missionary.
The cathedral publishes its own journal, "Orthodox Herald". Various exhibitions, concerts, theological seminars are organized. There are sports clubs and English courses.
A pilgrimage department is actively working at the church, which organizes trips to the spiritual Orthodox shrines of near and far abroad.
Schedule of Divine Services
The temple is open daily from 8:00 to 19:00.
Orthodox services are performed as follows:
- 8:30 - confession;
- 9:00 - morning service;
- 17:00 - evening service.
The sacrament of baptism takes place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 13:00.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a charity clothing store is open for those in need from 14:00 to 17:00.
On Sundays from 11:00 to 13:00, the cathedral has a historical Orthodox museum.
In the Assumption Cathedral of Astana, there is a church shop where you can purchase the necessary church goods: spiritual literature, icons, candles, as well as order spiritual treasure.
Address
The Assumption Cathedral in Astana is located at: 6 microdistrict, st. Kuisha Dina, house 27.
The current phone number of the Holy Assumption Church can be found on the official website of the organization. There you can ask a question to the priest.
You can get to the Assumption Cathedral in Astana:
- buses No. 3, 11, 18, 23, 28;
- minibus number 101, 107, 108.
Exit should be at the stop "School number 22".