Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) is made in the style of Siberian Baroque. This is one of the most ancient temples of the city - built in the XVIII century. Located in the historical part and cultural center of the city - "Sands".
For the region, the temple has historical significance: it was in it in 1804 that the decision on the formation of the Tomsk province was announced .
The first church of wood
The predecessor of the modern building was a small church, built in 1633. It was called Christ Baptism - it is a two-altered church made of wood. One of the thrones was erected in honor of the Epiphany, the second is dedicated to Mikhail Malein, the patron saint of one of the Russian tsars.
The temple was often exposed to fire, however, each time the parishioners restored it. A hundred years after construction, a third chapel appeared in the church - in the name of the Epiphany.
In 1741, in the presence of Johann Gmelin, a famous Russian traveler, the church burned down without a trace. After it, a four-altered church was built.
After another 30 years, fires broke out again in the city - merchant shops flashed near the cathedral. Thus, this building turned out to be lost. In a year, a wooden cathedral was built, named after the Archangel Michael.
On the last day of 1776, it was decided to replace the aged tiled walls with a stone building.
Masonry
The stone cathedral, consisting of two floors, was laid 50 meters from the place where the log church used to be. On the same site, according to custom, a brick monument was erected. Later, in 1858, it was removed and the Iversky Chapel was erected.
Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) was built without the use of state investments, only thanks to donations. For this reason, it was built for a very long time and unevenly.
The lower floor was consecrated in 1784. The upper floor was equipped for more than 40 years, it was completely ready only by 1817.
Thanks to the investments of the merchant from Elabuga, the first floor received a chapel, which was consecrated by the Bishop of Tomsk.
In 1892, the Tomsk diocese founded parish trusteeship. After 6 years, a parish school was opened from one class. Eighty-seven people studied here in 1911, 84 in three years. There was not only a Sunday school - there was also a library at the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk). By 1911 there were about 400 books. In 1914, according to some sources, there were about 850 of them. The temple was under the care of a male gymnasium.
Temple in the years of advice
April 1921 was marked by the nationalization of the church, which was given to the parish community without a deadline and free of charge. However, only two years later, the property of the church was confiscated, and the abbot went to prison for hiding valuable things.
Subsequently, the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) came under the control of the Tomsk Diocesan Renovationist Administration.
By 1924, Archbishop Dmitry appeared in the city. As a result of his arrival, it was decided to return the cathedral to the beginning of the canonical hierarchy.
Until 1930, things were still going on in the church, however, in January of that year, they organized Sibzheldorstroy courses.
In wartime, the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) was given to the shops of the Krasny Bogatyr enterprise, evacuated from the capital.
After the war ended, and until 1994, a rubber shoe manufacturing enterprise was located on the premises of the cathedral.
During the time that outside organizations were located in the building, its interior was badly damaged: the church lost its bells, the crosses were torn down, and the dome was lost. The bell tower and the temple part were completely destroyed, additional buildings were completed to the side walls, the decor was removed on the facade and the windows were modernized.
Back to life
In May 1993, the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) was again given to the church for eternal use without any payment.
Four years later, the temple was put on state. registration as a revealed monument of culture and history.
From that moment, the dismantling of factory premises and the liberation of the walls from the suffocating embrace of the outbuildings began. It took several years to completely clear the building of debris. Financed by the administration of Tomsk. The governor said that since the government destroyed and destroyed religious objects, it will return them to believers. The restoration was attended by private and municipal organizations. Financing again, as at the time of the initial construction of the temple, was uneven, so the construction progressed extremely slowly, never, however, without stopping completely.
Architectural solutions
The building, covered with plaster, belongs to the style of the Siberian Baroque, the scheme of its structure is traditional. The bell tower and the temple are highlighted in the structure; they are connected by the refectory.
Inside the cathedral space is divided into two floors. The lower tier has a closed vaulted ceiling, while the top is eight-vaulted. The refectory is separated from the main square of the church by an opening, which is decorated with a cylindrical vault. It is connected to the bell tower.
The upper tier of the quadruple is a single room, the floor of which is two-level.
The porch has a large baptismal font, which can accommodate even an adult.
The interior is decorated with stock trim arches. They are decorated with stucco rosettes.
Shrines of the Cathedral
The Tomsk Diocese is pleased to present the following sacred objects in the church:
- Part of the holy relics of Pantleimon the Healer. She was brought from Moscow in 2001 by the Tomsk bishop.
- Crucifix, with a star fixed on it. It contains a piece of the cross, on which the most significant crucifix occurred 2000 years ago.
- Staff of St. Theodosius. His Grace Agapit brought him to the city. The staff was kept in the city museum of local lore for almost 80 years. In 2002, this shrine returned to its proper place.
- Particles of the relics of several apostles.
- A copy of the Rublev’s hand icon is an image of the Life-Giving Trinity.
Contacts
Those who are going to visit the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk), the address is simply necessary. The temple is located on Lenin Square. The house number is 7. In order not to get lost or find out the opening hours, you should call the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) in advance. The phone of the temple is +7 (3822) 512605.
Divine services in the cathedral, which is today the Cathedral, are held daily.
Virtual tour
Not so long ago, the Archbishop of Asinovsky and Tomsk Rostislav blessed the creation of 3D - tours of the temple. Six types are illuminated in it: courtyard, quadrangle, refectory, altar, narthex, bell tower. Thanks to modern technology, a complete impression of presence is created. The quality of shooting allows you to consider the smallest details of the interior.
The project has more than 80 descriptions, including the decoration of the temple, the Sacraments of Orthodoxy, the purpose of a particular church, its functionality, and a report on the main Orthodox holidays. You can move inside the cathedral using the mouse or the functional arrows on the keyboard.
The creators have developed a quest that can interest young participants of the tour - you must go through five levels, receiving various awards.