Among the sights of Kazan, St. Nicholas Cathedral, which received the status of a cathedral in 1946 and combines several buildings, occupies a special place. Over the centuries that have passed since its foundation, this temple complex has witnessed and participated in many outstanding events in Russian history.
Evidence of historical documents
The chronicle of the St. Nicholas Cathedral (Kazan) dates back to 1565, when, according to the scribe books that have come down to us, in its present place stood the wooden St. Nicholas Church. About a century later, at the end of the 17th century, it was demolished due to extreme disrepair, and with the blessing of the diocesan lord, a stone single-domed church was built, which was also consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and was popularly called the Church of St. Nicholas of Niza. This period was marked by active construction carried out on the territory of Kazan, and St. Nicholas Cathedral became one of the new and bright buildings of that era.
The construction of another building, which eventually became part of the general temple complex, belongs to the indicated period. This is a stone, but unheated and therefore used only in the summer Pokrovskaya church. It was a rather impressive structure, the roof of which rested on six pillars, and three apses were attached to the eastern side - oval ledges, behind which the altars were located. The construction of the Intercession Church, almost adjacent to St. Nicholas Cathedral (Kazan), was the beginning of the creation of a common temple complex.
Completion of major construction
In the 20s of the XVIII century, another building was added to the previously erected buildings - a five-tier bell tower, and in the middle of the next century, thanks to the efforts and cares of the then abbot of the church, Archpriest Father Michael (Poletaev), a two-story brick clergy house appeared. In general, the creation of the architectural complex was completed, but over the next decades, right up to the tragic events connected with the Bolshevik revolution, it was rebuilt and renovated several times.
The generosity of pious donors
From archival documents of that era it is known about the difficulties that involved all the work carried out in St. Nicholas Cathedral. Kazan, as you know, was one of the largest Volga cities in those years, but the area in which the temple complex was located was inhabited mainly by poor people. Being his main parishioners, they could not make any significant donations necessary to finance the construction. Their pennies were barely enough for running costs and the maintenance of clergy.
It was possible to find a way out of the situation thanks to the initiative of the parish priest, Father Nikolai (Varushkin), a man very respected and famous among the Orthodox Christians of Kazan. Remembering that from time immemorial the most generous donors in Russia were trading people, he appealed to prominent representatives of the Volga merchants with an appeal to provide assistance in such an important and charitable cause. His words were heard, and funds for the reconstruction of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Kazan began to flow in the right amount.
Thanks to this, a large amount of work was carried out. In particular, the church of Nikola-Nizsky was completely dismantled, and in its place in 1885 a new stone church was built, made in the style of classicism. In addition, significant changes were made to the appearance of the Intercession Church, the roof of which was crowned with a five-domed roof traditional for the architecture of the Volga cities.
During the years of militant atheism
After the Bolsheviks came to power, pursuing an active anti-religious policy, persecution of the Church began throughout the country. They touched Kazan. St. Nicholas Cathedral, unlike other temple buildings of the city, continued to operate until the beginning of the 30s. Note that after its closure, only one small church remained at the disposal of Kazan believers, which was located at the Arsky cemetery.
Only in 1942, when Stalin ordered the people to lower the intensity of the anti-religious struggle to raise the patriotic spirit among the people, the doors of several more churches opened in Kazan. As for St. Nicholas Cathedral, it was returned to believers in 1946, and then received the status of the diocesan. Together with him at the disposal of the parishioners passed also the Intercession Church.
Reborn shrine
Today, this restored temple complex is again one of the largest centers of Orthodoxy on the Volga, to which pilgrims come from all over Russia. Its structure, in addition to St. Nicholas Cathedral, which until now has retained its former name of St. Nicholas among the people, includes the Intercession Church, as well as a free-standing chapel, bell tower and several administrative buildings of an old building, well known in Kazan. The iconostasis of St. Nicholas Cathedral, restored by high-class masters and complemented by the works of modern artists, amazes with its splendor and gives the whole interior a solemn and ceremonial look.
Information on services
The schedule of services for St. Nicholas Cathedral in Kazan can be found both on its website and on the booth placed at the entrance. It practically does not differ from the work schedules of most Russian Orthodox churches. On weekdays, services are held twice - morning at 8:00, and evening at 17:00. On Sundays and holidays, services are added to them at 7:00 and 9:00. Some of them are held in the Intercession Church.
As for the question of whether there are any reprimands in the St. Nicholas Cathedral of Kazan, there is no information on this either on the official website or in any print media. So all interested parties need to contact the rector of the temple directly. Recall that it is customary to call a special church rank in which the spirited prayers expel the unclean spirit from the person possessed by it.