What are the Catholic churches in St. Petersburg today

Catholicism is the direction of Christianity, which has many followers around the world. Everyone knows that during the construction of St. Petersburg, Peter the Great often turned to his German friends, whose culture and life he admired. For German Catholics, so that they feel comfortable, for many years the city was built, Catholic churches in St. Petersburg were built. Today in the city there are 6 large temples of the catalytic confession.

History of Catholicism in Russia

For many centuries, before and after the adoption of Christianity in Russia, Russia collaborated with Rome. Political relations, the split of the Orthodox Church and the economic influence of the Catholic West left their mark on the formation of the Catholic faith in Russia.

However, the first monasteries and Catholic churches in Russia appeared only under Peter the Great. Obsessed with everything western, he actively attracted specialists from Europe. Most of them were Catholics.

The number of representatives of the Catholic denomination grew rapidly. This was due to the fact that many Europeans emigrated to the Russian Empire. Catholic churches appeared in St. Petersburg, which are still active. Their unusual architecture blends harmoniously with the architecture of the city on the Neva.

Basilica of St. Catherine

The very first Catholic church and the longest-term project is the Basilica of St. Catherine. The construction of this church began in 1716, and was completed only after 66 years. This is a unique building on Nevsky Prospekt (in the very center of St. Petersburg), designed by three architects. It so harmoniously blended with the architectural ensemble of the city that it deservedly became its national treasure.

In Soviet times, like all religious buildings, the building was nationalized, plundered and destroyed. Only in the 90s of the XX century he was given the original look, reconstructed and returned to the church.

The Catholic Church in St. Petersburg on Nevsky is the largest and most significant, it was she who was awarded the honorary title of the Small Basilica in 2013. Today, this temple adorns the central street of the city.

The Catholic churches in St. Petersburg have long become public domain and architectural monuments, with their difficult fate.

Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The relatively young Roman Catholic Church of St. Petersburg is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. An unusual building in the Nevsky district attracts attention. This is an architectural construction of 1907 made of red brick, it looks angular and rough, but its significance for the city is huge.

In the difficult atheistic times of the Soviet Union, the church building was used as a warehouse, and even a kindergarten. Like many other religious relics, it was returned to the city only in the 90s of the last century. Today the temple has been restored, but its appearance has undergone significant changes. Having survived several restorations, the cathedral lost its beauty a little, but it pleases with its rich interior decoration.

Temple of Our Lady of Lourdes

Opened in 1909, the temple is made in a typical Romanesque architectural style. A small chapel was erected in 1891, where the French brought a statue of the Virgin Mary directly from the Louvre. There was no money for the construction of the temple, so its construction dragged on for almost 18 years.

The Greek Catholic Church in St. Petersburg stands out from the background of St. Petersburg buildings. A strict red brick facade creates a gloomy impression in the style of Gothic art. However, everything changes as soon as you get inside the building.

Initially, the altar was decorated with a copy of Madonna Raphael, later it was replaced by a painting of the Virgin with a baby in her hands. The room is also decorated with statues and sculptures, and the soft light from beautiful chandeliers is scattered throughout the room.

After the collapse of the USSR, the building was restored several times. Especially from Latvia, painters were invited to breathe new life into the cathedral, tired of the war.

Church of St. Stanislav

This is the second Catholic church erected in St. Petersburg. Nothing remarkable in appearance, made in the style of strict classicism, it was founded in 1825. However, the interior of the temple is striking in its beauty. During the Soviet era, the church was also looted and damaged, all the amazing beauty created by the famous architect Visconti was destroyed. Only during the time of Gorbachev’s democracy he was returned to his religious status, restored and allowed to work for his parishioners. A lot of effort was spent to recreate the original decoration of the temple.

Today, the cathedral simultaneously accommodates about seven hundred parishioners. This is the second largest church belonging to the Catholic churches in St. Petersburg.

You can visit and simply admire these cathedrals at the addresses below.

Location

Catholic churches in St. Petersburg, addresses:

There have always been Catholics in Russia, this is connected both with the political sphere and with the economic one. Despite the fact that the Orthodox were forbidden to switch to a different faith, many cases of such violations have been recorded in history. Among those who converted to Catholicism are many noblemen, Decembrists, and even clergy.

The influence of this religion weakened during the years of the Polish uprising, but this event influenced the spread of European religion inland. It was the Poles and Lithuanians who were exiled to Siberia that were the first builders of Catholic churches in the outback.

Today, according to unofficial data, in Russia there are about 800 thousand representatives of this denomination.