The Transfiguration Cathedral in Gubkin is the second largest in size, second only to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Acquaintance with this attraction will be fascinating and informative. Below is information for visiting the shrine.
The beginning of a wonderful story
The construction of the cathedral was initiated by the leadership and administration of the Lebedinsky GOK in the person of General Director Anatoly Timofeevich Kalashnikov. He was a great organizer, so the project was successfully realized.
The temple was built in honor of the soldiers who died in the Great Patriotic War on the territory of the Black Earth Region. The duration of the construction stretched from 1993 to 1996.
Brotherly help
The Transfiguration Cathedral in Gubkin was built with the support of Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Czech and Greek specialists. The ceremonial consecration of the structure took place on September 26, 1996. It was carried out by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II.
Shrine Description
The building of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Gubkin consists of:
- from five thrones;
- the main Transfiguration Altar;
- two aisles: Onufrievsky and Starooskolsky;
- chapel of the Peschanskaya icon of the Mother of God;
- All Saints chapel (on the territory of the baptismal church);
- an altar dedicated to Hierarch Anatoly and the Patriarch of Constantinople (in the territory of the lower church).
It is noteworthy that the cathedral bell tower includes 11 bells, which were made by the Dutch royal firm Petit and Fritzen. The mass of the largest of them is 6.2 tons, and the smallest - 10 kg.
The splendor of the interior
Having passed the main altar, in the left part of it you can see the deeply revered icon of the Mother of God, whose name is "Help in childbirth." Its consecration dates from the 17th century. At that time, the shrine was in Novgorod.
On Sunday, this icon holds a prayer service on Sunday, accompanied by the blessing of water. Believers turn to the Mother of God with entreaties for intercession. The icon has a lot of jewelry. They are gratefully left by those whose prayers have been answered.
Everything is more beautiful and more beautiful
In the fall of 2004, the walls of the temple began to be re-painted. A large role in the organization of these works belongs to the managing director of OEMK, Andrei Alekseevich Ugarov. The work of the masters of art painting was led by Alexander Rabotnov.
Modernity
Today the Transfiguration Cathedral in Gubkin is decorated with fresh wall paintings, which will tell about events from the Savior's earthly life, about His Divine Transfiguration. Many stories are connected with the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God, Old Testament and New Testament events, stories about the life of saints.
The interior continues to change thanks to wood carvings, new icons and icon cases, church utensils. The forces of Sofrinsky masters created a new solid chair.
The spiritual development of the younger generation
In 1997, the Archbishop of Belgorod and Starooskolsky blessed the parishioners of the Cathedral of Gubkin for the opening of the Sunday School, which today is actively attended by about 100 students.
Priests
The Transfiguration Cathedral of Gubkin attracts all clergy of the diocese, pilgrims from different parts of the country. His Eminence Archbishop John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol in 2000 blessed the clergy of the clergy to perform general diocesan services. About three hundred priests are involved in celebratory Christmas divine services and communions.
But the most significant are the joint services, which contribute to the strengthening of collegiality, the unity of believers.
Spirituality Center
Today the significance of this cathedral is that it has concentrated all the spirituality of Gubkin territory in itself. Conducting morning and evening services, performing the Sacraments, spiritual nourishment of believers and fostering the spirit of Christian morality among the parishioners help strengthen the foundations of Orthodoxy, instill a love of their culture and homeland.
Tips for visitors
It is impossible to revive spirituality without fulfilling the daily mission of the church’s social ministry. Scheduled services in the Transfiguration Cathedral of Gubkin are held as follows:
- On Sundays at 8:30, the Divine Liturgy begins, after which a moleben is served at the icon of the Mother of God “The Assistant in Childbirth”.
- At 16:30, a prayer service and an akathist are held in honor of St. Joasaph of Belgorod.
- On Mondays at 9:30 a funeral service is served.
- On weekdays, from Tuesday to Saturday, the service of the Divine Liturgy begins at 8 a.m. The evening service time is 16:30.
- Tuesday - read an akathist in front of the Peschanskaya icon.
- Wednesday - Akathist to St. Nicholas.
- Thursday - an akathist at the icon of the Inexhaustible Chalice.
- Saturday - the all-night vigil begins at 4:30 p.m.
To summarize
A visit to the Transfiguration Cathedral in Gubkin fills the soul with bright energy. Enjoy the splendor of the country's second largest temple!