There are several Catholic churches in Moscow. The church on Malaya Gruzinskaya street is perhaps the largest of them. The decision to build it was made in 1894. In those days, just a huge number of Catholics lived in Moscow. These were the French, Poles, etc. (30 thousand people). Two Catholic churches (St. Louis and St. Apostles Peter and Paul), already available in the capital in the 19th century, were simply not enough. Parishioners themselves raised money for the new church, both Muscovites and residents of other regions of Russia. Donations were coming from abroad. For example, 50 thousand rubles were sent from Warsaw.
Church building
The construction of the Roman Catholic Cathedral began in the early twentieth century. - In 1901, the project was developed by one of the most famous architects of the capital and the whole country - Bogdanovich-Dvorzhetsky. Thomas Iosifovich was a parishioner of the Church of St. Peter and Paul and taught painting, architecture and sculpture at the Moscow School. In order to build a new church, believers had to apply for permission to Nicholas II and the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. Under the cathedral, 10 hectares of land were purchased. Its construction took about three hundred thousand rubles in gold.
Church after the revolution
The opening of the new church took place in December 1911. Masses in the temple were held both before the revolution and after it. In 1937, the church on Malaya Gruzinskaya was the first of all operating in Moscow to be closed. After that, virtually all church supplies disappeared without a trace. They even took out the organ and the altar. The beautiful facade was disfigured. Various secular organizations began their work in the church. A huge number of partitions were erected inside the temple and redeveloped, as a result of which the interior changed beyond recognition.
Church after the war
During the Second World War, a bomb hit the Roman Catholic Cathedral. However, too much damage was not caused to this building. In the early days of the war, the turrets of the church were dismantled, as they could serve as a good guide for German pilots. As a result, the building completely lost its charm. After the war, the main spire of the church was also destroyed.
In 1976 they wanted to give the temple to the organ music hall. However, these plans were not destined to come true. At that time, about 15 secular organizations were operating within the walls of the church. Of course, no one wanted to move to a new place.
Until the 90s, the church was also used as a warehouse. The need for his return to believers was discussed in 1989. On December 8, 1990, the priest Tadeusz Pikus celebrated a mass on the steps of the church. Despite the frost, a huge number of believers came to the church. They all prayed for the return of the temple. The first official mass after 1937 was held in the cathedral on June 7, 1991.
Church on Malaya Gruzinskaya today
In 1992, Yu. M. Luzhkov signed a decision on the gradual transfer of the premises of the church to Moscow Catholics. However, for a long time it was not possible to evict the Mosspetspromproekt Research Institute occupying the temple. In 1995, believers independently dismantled the wall separating this secular institution from the parish, and tried to free the room from office furniture. However, the intervention of riot police destroyed the plans of the Catholics. Believers were expelled from the church. Some of them even got injured.
After this incident, the Catholic archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz asked Boris Yeltsin to resolve the conflict between the parish and the research institute. As a result, Mosspetspromproekt was transferred to another building. By the end of 1995, the temple was completely handed over to believers. He was consecrated on 12.12.1999 by the legate of Pope John Paul II , Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. By the end of the century, the cathedral was completely restored. Parishioners raised money for the reconstruction, as in the construction of the temple. The work was supervised by Andrzej Stetskiewicz. As a result, the cathedral became a real decoration even for such a city rich in architectural monuments as Moscow. The Church on Malaya Gruzinskaya looks great these days, you can see this from the photos posted in the article.
In 2005, the Basler Munster Cathedral (Basel, Sweden) donated the organ to the church. This instrument allows you to perfectly perform musical compositions of various eras.
Today, as once, masses are held in the church in Armenian, English, Polish, French and other languages. Priests crown the newlyweds, baptize newborns, escort the dead to the last journey. As in all Catholic churches, an organ sounds in the church.
Temple interior
Entering the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Malaya Gruzinskaya, the believer immediately sees a cross hanging on the wall, decorated with flowers. There are no icons in the church, as in all Catholic churches. But there is an altar, near which masses are held. The interior of the church is unusually beautiful. Stained-glass windows give it a special charm - colored panels collected from pieces of glass. Darkness, high arches, flickering candles and organ music set believers in an appropriate manner.
Architectural features
The building was built of red brick in neo-Gothic style. This architectural trend can be considered to some extent traditional for Catholic cathedrals. The Gothic style was born in France and spread very quickly throughout Europe. Its main distinguishing feature is the monumentality and the desire of all elements to rise. Many Catholic cathedrals, including the church on Malaya Gruzinskaya, are decorated with a huge number of towers with thin spiers. The main axis of the temple is located strictly on the North – South line. This is one of the differences between the church and the Orthodox church, in which the main entrance is usually located in the west.
The temple on Malaya Gruzinskaya is a basilica built in the shape of a Latin cross. The eastern facade of the church is very similar to the facade of the famous Westminster Cathedral in the UK. Exactly 11 steps lead to the main gate of the temple. This means the 10 commandments, plus the symbol of Christ himself. Only by observing the commandments of Jesus, you can enter the kingdom of heaven.
What is the difference between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
Temples are built by both Catholics and Orthodox. The difference between these two areas of Christianity, however, is quite significant. But first, let's talk about their similarities. Both churches are distinguished by the presence of a rigid hierarchical structure, their laws, as well as religious and cultural traditions. Of course, the main object of worship here and there is Jesus Christ, as well as the one God the Father. Both Catholics and Orthodox especially venerate the Virgin Mary and all the apostles. In both these directions there are great martyrs and saints.
What is the difference? The division of Christianity into Catholicism and Orthodoxy occurred a very long time ago - in the 11th century. In 1054, the Patriarch of Constantinople anathematized the representatives of the Pope, who answered him the same. Since then, Catholics and Orthodox services have not been held together. The unification of these two areas of Christianity seems extremely problematic in our days. Too big changes in the original traditions have occurred over centuries of schism.
Catholicism is first and foremost a holistic church. All its members and components are rigidly subordinate to the Pope. The Orthodox Church is not so monolithic. In this regard, it is more democratic. There are Constantinople, Russian, Georgian, Serbian and other Orthodox churches. There are differences in religious canons. For example, Catholics are convinced that the Holy Spirit can come from both the Father and the Son. The Orthodox believe that only from the Father. Differences exist in the attitude of churches to their parishioners. In Catholicism, for example, divorce is strictly prohibited. The Orthodox Church sometimes permits them.
What other Catholic churches are operating in Moscow at the moment?
The Georgian Church is not the only Catholic church in the capital. There are others:
- Church of St. Louis. This church was founded in 1791. At the beginning of the 19th century (1827–1830), a new one was built on the site of the old building in the style of a basilica. The church was erected according to the project of architects D.I. and A.O. Gilardi. After 1917 this temple did not close, and the masses in it continued to serve. In 1992, all the buildings belonging to the church until 1917 were returned to believers, including the building of the lyceum.
- Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul. This is another church in Moscow, founded a very long time ago - in 1817. The new building was built in 1903-1913. designed by architect V.F. Valkot. After the revolution, the temple was closed, and various secular organizations were located in it. Today, this church is again handed over to believers.
- St. Anglican Church Andrey. This church was founded in 1814. The current building was erected in 1882-1884. The design of the temple was developed by the Englishman R.K. Freeman. In 1920, the church was closed. At the moment, it is handed over to believers.
Churches of Moscow. Addresses
Catholic churches of the capital can be visited at the following addresses:
- Roman Catholic Cathedral: ul. Malaya Gruzinskaya, d. 27.
- Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul: Per. Milyutinsky, d. 19, apt. eighteen.
- Church of st. Louis: M. Lubyanka, 12.