The capital of the Russian state has long been the center of Orthodoxy. Each important and significant event in the history of the country was marked by the construction of temples, churches and chapels. During the years of wars and Soviet atheism, many temples were destroyed, but those that have survived to this day are the decoration of the capital. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists flock here to admire the craftsmanship of architects and worship the shrines.
Moscow, whose cathedrals are the hallmark of the city, has become the capital of Orthodoxy.
Patriarchal Cathedral
In Moscow, throughout history, many cathedrals have been built. Many of them operate today, others are monuments of architecture or museums. The main temple of the country is the Patriarchal Cathedral. In the Soviet years, this honor was assigned to different churches. Now it is the Assumption Cathedral, which was erected in 1475 by the architect Aristotle Fioravanti. It was built on the site of an older church, which was laid down by Ivan Kalita. That is, at this place the church was from the very foundation of the city of Moscow. Cathedrals were built here and will cost. For four centuries, the Assumption was the main temple of Russia. In it kings were crowned kingdom, metropolitans were elected and other important historical events were held. The cathedral was repeatedly plundered and destroyed, and was even closed for a long time. At the end of the 20th century, he was returned to the Orthodox Church. Great shrines are stored here: the Nail of the Lord, miraculous icons, relics of the Moscow hierarchs.
Epiphany Elokhov Cathedral
It is located in the Basmanny district of Moscow. It was built in 1845 on the site of an old wooden church, which was baptized after the birth of the future poet Alexander Pushkin. Due to the increased number of parishioners, the small church did not accommodate all worshipers, and a magnificent five-domed church was erected. The Elokhov Cathedral is known for never closing, even during the years of Soviet rule.
The decision to close the temple was repeatedly made, but every time there were obstacles to this. So, a decree was issued to close the church on June 22, 1941 immediately after the liturgy. But the war began, and the patriarch from the pulpit urged the parishioners to defend their homeland. After that, the question of closing was no longer raised.
Elokhov Cathedral until 1991 was patriarchal. Now it is a cathedral. Many saints and patriarchs are buried in it. Among them is Patriarch Alexy II.
St Basil's Church
One of the visiting cards of the capital, and of all of Russia, is the Intercession Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed in Moscow. This temple, amazing in beauty and grace, is a pearl in the Orthodox treasury.
The church was erected in honor of the victory over the Tatars by Ivan the Terrible in 1555. On Red Square in those days stood the Trinity Church. After each victory, a new tree was erected next to it, consecrated in honor of the saint on whose day the victory took place.
After the triumphant return of the troops, the king ordered the construction of a grandiose structure of stone and brick on this place, which the world had not seen more beautifully. The construction of the Intercession on the moat was completed in 1561. And in 1588, an extension was added in honor of St. Basil the Blessed, and the whole complex was called by the people that way.
Not once throughout the history of the temple was on the verge of destruction, but it was still preserved and restored. Until 1991, he worked exclusively as a museum, and now he is in the joint use of the historical museum and the church.
Pokrovsky Cathedral is an ensemble of eight separate churches, each of which is crowned with a dome. All of them are built around the central - Pokrovskaya. There are eleven domes in total. From the height of this temple is an eight-pointed star - the Orthodox symbol of the Virgin.
Catholic temple
In a city like Moscow, cathedrals were also erected by representatives of other faiths. It has long been lived here not only Orthodox, but also representatives of other concessions. The largest Catholic church in Russia is also located here - this is the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (Moscow).
It was built at the request of Catholics at the beginning of the last century. Permission was granted provided that the new church would not be Gothic and would be erected away from Orthodox shrines. The architect was Bogdanovich-Dvorzhetsky, the building was designed for 5,000 parishioners. During the years of Soviet rule, this holy place was closed, and only at the end of the 20th century it was returned to the church. Now it is a cathedral.
Moscow is famous for its architecture . Cathedrals and churches, amazing in their beauty, delight the eyes of casual passers-by and are a place of pilgrimage for believers.