The Orthodox churches of Russia are of particular cultural value. Under the majestic architecture, clean and spiritualistic atmosphere, often hidden stories full of mysteries, disputes and a bloody struggle for faith. A vivid confirmation of this is St. Nicholas Cathedral (Mozhaysk). Despite the natural vagaries and historical unrest, he has stood for centuries and still sanctifies the Russian land. What is his story? And what secrets and shrines does the temple keep within its walls?
Location
The city where St. Nicholas Cathedral is located is Mozhaisk. It occupies the western part of the Moscow region and is one of the ancient cities of Russia. The first mention of him in the annals dates back to the 13-14th centuries. In the course of archaeological excavations, finds dating back to the 3rd millennium BC were discovered. e. Settlements and fortifications were based on a hill (now Sobornaya Gora) in the area of the lower reaches of the Mozhaika River. A little later, the Mozhaisk Kremlin was built here. At first it was wooden. However, a fire broke out in the early 16th century. According to some sources, the reason for it could have been robberies and riots during the period of labial reform. After that, earthen ramparts and a charred stone tower remained from the fortress. Later, by order of Ivan the Terrible, the Mozhaisk Kremlin was rebuilt.
Temple history
According to the annals, St. Nicholas Cathedral was founded at about the same time as the fortress, in the 12th century, and was located at St. Nicholas Gate. Wooden initially, it did not survive after the fire, so in the 15th century a white stone temple was erected. At this time, he bore the name of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. During the Polish-Lithuanian invasion, the temple was looted, but the building survived. At the end of the 17th century, the cathedral was rebuilt. The gate (upper) church with St. Nicholas Gate formed the New St. Nicholas Cathedral, and below, respectively, is the Old St. Nicholas Cathedral. The second after several reconstructions and reconstructions became known as the Peter and Paul Church.
Description
Externally, the Novo-Nikolsky Cathedral is only partly similar to a traditional Orthodox building. It is made in a pseudo-Gothic style, which was called Russian Gothic. This can be easily guessed by the bizarre architectural forms and the star of David on the pediment. Inside the temple, two carved columns and wooden (!) Statues of saints adorn. The strangeness of the style in relation to the usual (Orthodox) is supported by a sharp contrast with the Old St. Nicholas Cathedral (now the Peter and Paul Church).
Novo-Nikolsky Church stands at the Nikolsky Gate on an elevation and is perfectly visible at the entrance to the city. Archival data and construction drawings were not preserved. However, some sources claim that the author of the cathedral project was Russian architect and artist Alexei Bakarev.
It is believed that the construction of the temple began in 1779, and was completed only in 1814. It came with interruptions and periodic changes of customers and performers, with additions and adjustments. On its walls there is an unusual symbolism. It is it that gives historians the basis to argue about the "Masonic" version of construction. This is also indicated by the Masonic influence that was present in Russia in those years. In addition, some scholars associate the completion date with the 500th anniversary of the death of the last master of the Knights Templar - Jacques de Molay. In 1314, he was burned at the stake.
The temple also includes an 11-meter wall of the Mozhaisk Kremlin, which Polish guns could not destroy in their time. And as the foundation was used ancient masonry, which is distinguished by its special strength and reliability.
Closing of the cathedral
From 1933 to 1994 - a rather vague and indefinite period in the religious life of the city. For unknown reasons, St. Nicholas Cathedral was closed. Mozhaysk was badly damaged during World War II. And although the temple was restored (without a central dome rotunda), in the 60s a knitting factory was located here. And twenty years later, the cathedral and several other buildings were transferred to the department of the Borodino Military History Museum. Only in 1994, services began to be held in the church again.
Landslide
In 2013, a severe landslide occurred in Mozhaisk. The soil collapsed from the hill where the Novo-Nikolsky Cathedral is located. Amazing, but true. The building was saved from serious damage by the fact that the landslide stopped at some 17 meters from the temple. According to other sources, minor damage was nevertheless inflicted on its western wall. The stucco collapsed there and the bricks fell out. Residents of the city always knew about the natural danger and vulnerability of the cathedral, but continued to attend divine services. And soon they drew up a letter to the Russian Ministry of Culture explaining the unstable situation of the Orthodox church in Mozhaisk and asking for it to be strengthened. In 2014, all restoration work was completed.
Mysterious disappearance
It is known that St. Nicholas Cathedral until the revolutionary period kept the relics of saints (St. Sergius of Radonezh, Prince Vladimir, Lawrence the Sharpener, Hieromartyrs Macarius and Barbara, Rev. Michael Stadsky and Nikon Sukhoi). However, in 1919 they mysteriously and completely disappeared.
Another mysterious disappearance occurred in the spring of 1922. This time the loss turned out to be more significant both spiritually and materially. Two seals with the image of the Virgin, two stars, a chalice with the images of saints, gold crosses and a token of Peter I were seized. All objects were decorated with diamonds and precious stones. Miter and Robe from the image of Nikola Mozhaisky also disappeared. Who seized the shrines is unknown. They disappeared without a trace.
However, despite numerous evidence, in 1925, the local historian N.I. Vlasyev, representing the Mozhaisk district, in his notebooks described in detail the clothes of Nikola Mozhaisky with a note that it is stored in the Kremlin Armory.
Icon
Of particular value to the city of Mozhaisk has always been the icon of Nikolai Mozhaisk, the patron saint of its inhabitants. The first mention of it is found in the epics of "Sadko", "Mikhailo Potyk." There is also an ancient tradition. According to him, once the city was besieged by enemies. Feeling danger, the inhabitants of Mozhaisk began to earnestly pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker. Soon a magnificent image of the saint appeared over the fortress. A sparkling sword and a menacing look frightened the enemies. This is how St. Nicholas became the patron saint of the city of Mozhai. After that, a wooden statue was created. The image depicts a saint with a sword in his right hand and Mozhaisk fortress in his left.
The sculpture was decorated with silver minted robe and miter with large pearls, a golden cross and precious stones. The cross on the chest and the crown were made of pure gold, and the wooden sword and hail of Mozhai were sweetened.
The image of St. Nicholas was placed in St. Nicholas Cathedral. During the war of 1812, the temple (still unfinished) was significantly damaged, but the sculpture and other precious church utensils survived, as they were hidden in the basements. Today, the relic is kept in Moscow, in the Tretyakov Gallery. And in the St. Nicholas Cathedral placed the icon of the Prelate.
Interesting Facts
- The miraculous image of St. Nicholas, installed on the Nikolsky Gate, guarded Mozhaisk from enemies. Coincidence or divine providence, but when the icon was taken away from the city, it was immediately captured by the enemy. The urban legend says this, but the exact dates and events are not indicated.
- It is known that in Russia there are more than a dozen St. Nicholas churches. One of the largest is located in St. Petersburg, in Orenburg - one of the most visited. And St. Nicholas Cathedral (Mozhaysk) is perhaps the oldest among its "brothers" and unusual in style of architecture.
- At the end of the 19th century, a wonderful event took place during the festivities in Mozhaisk. Over the St. Nicholas Cathedral for several nights in a row a bright shine was noticed. The townspeople at first mistook this for a fire, and having understood it, they considered it a miracle and blessing of the Lord.
Today
Currently, the Mozhaisk district is famous for more than a dozen attractions. Among them, Orthodox churches are of particular importance. First place on this list is St. Nicholas Cathedral. Mozhaysk keeps its rich and foggy history. Scientists still argue whether it is a true Russian cultural value or another Masonic symbol. But for Orthodox parishioners this does not matter. Believers come here from all over Russia to bow to holy images and relics and to imbue with a clean and spiritualistic atmosphere. St. Nicholas Cathedral is a real historical monument, which, along with other ancient temples, recalls the strength of the Orthodox faith, thereby inspiring and uniting the Russian people.