St. Stephen's Cathedral in the city of Syktyvkar is the most famous church and center of Orthodoxy in the Komi Republic. The church, snow-white with golden domes, is visible from anywhere in the city. The cathedral makes a particularly unforgettable impression in clear weather, when the gold of the domes shimmers in the rays of the sun with extraordinary light.
Story
In 1852, Emperor Nicholas I approved the project for the construction of a church in Ust-Sysolsk (now Syktyvkar) in honor of the first Orthodox preacher of these places, Stephen Perm. This man is revered now.
In 1856, the foundation of the Stefanovsky Cathedral was laid on the central square of the city, but due to lack of funds, the construction took 40 years. The opening and great consecration of the temple took place in 1896.
The temple at that time was the tallest building in the city and outwardly differed from the current restraint in design. It was a five-domed church, 35 meters high. The temple was 47 meters long and 26 meters wide.
The cathedral was made according to the models of ancient Russian buildings, and in terms of architectural performance did not make much impression. The masters of the pre-revolutionary Ust-Sysolsk simply lacked professionalism.
Under Soviet rule, in 1929, the Stefanovsky Cathedral was closed and converted into a working club and a canteen. In 1932, by order of the authorities, the temple was completely demolished, and the bricks from the building were used to build new houses in the city.
The former temple was located in the center of the Jubilee (Red) Square of Syktyvkar. In 1991, the square was returned to its historical name - Stefanovskaya. Now on this place is a monument to V. Lenin.
Restoration of Stefanovsky Cathedral
The reconstruction of the cathedral began in 1993. For this, a competition was created for the best project of the new St. Stephen’s Church. Among the 26 contestants, a preference was given to the Menam Kerka studio of architectural and construction design.
The foundation was laid in 1996. Due to the fact that there were already modern buildings on the former site of the temple, the location of the current cathedral was moved 1 kilometer to the intersection of Lenin and Svobody Streets.
The Stefanovsky Cathedral in Syktyvkar was restored as a sign of repentance of the previously destroyed shrine and in memory of compatriots who suffered during the Stalinist repressions.
The temple was supposed to be commissioned in 2001, to the anniversary - the 80th anniversary of the Komi Republic. The builders did not meet the deadlines, and in a hurry several design and construction mistakes were made, which were identified as the building was operated.
Improper waterproofing of the building and the lack of drains led in 2007 to two large-scale floods. Due to the fact that water flowed directly along the walls, unique murals of the interior of the temple were damaged.
In 2008, due to a hole in the dome of the cathedral, the building was again in danger of flooding. It was possible to carry out high-quality repair work with the help of the head of the republic of Komi V. Torlopov.
The great consecration of the Stefanovsky Cathedral took place in October 2013.
Temple description
Unlike the previous one, the modern Stefanovsky cathedral is striking in its splendor and sophistication. The walls are made of white solid brick. The roof is covered with sheet copper, the domes are gilded.
The new temple has a height of 56 meters, and with a cross - 64 m. Even against the background of the surrounding high-rise buildings, the cathedral looks monumental. 140 million rubles were spent on its restoration.
A monument to the patron saint of the cathedral, Stephanie of Perm, was erected on the territory of the temple. The sculpture was executed by a prisoner of one of the colonies of the Komi Republic.
Nearby is another monument - an architectural composition dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius, in memory of how Stefan Permsky, who settled in these parts, taught the indigenous population of the republic the alphabet.
Later, a sculpture was installed of the patrons of the family and marriage - Saints Peter and Fevronia. There is also an arch of Faith, Hope and Love. This place is very popular with honeymooners.
In 2011, a single-domed brick chapel, made in the Russian style and lit in honor of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, was installed on the western side of the cathedral.
Planned construction of a large belfry. Now there is a small belfry with bells.
Interior decoration
The lower floor consists of three aisles. The first is consecrated in honor of St. Procopius of Ustyug, the second is dedicated to the Nativity of Christ, and the third to the Theotokos image “unfading color”. Here you can see the main shrine of the temple - cancer with a particle of the relics of Stephen Perm.
On the second floor is the main aisle of the cathedral, consecrated in honor of Stephanius of Perm. This is a summer temple. Mostly services are held here in the warm season.
The white walls of the parish are decorated with unique academic paintings of Bulgarian artists. There are many icons of the New Martyrs in the temple. There is a well-known image of the healer Panteleimon, who for several years begins to myrrh in June.
The floors in the temple are made of polished granite. The iconostases are covered with gilding. Inside the cathedral is very magnificent and impresses with its rich decoration.
Schedule of Divine Services
St. Stephen’s Cathedral conducts services daily:
- 7:00 - early Divine Liturgy.
- 9:00 - Divine Liturgy.
- 15:00 - reading an akathist.
- 17:00 - evening service.
- 23:30 - night Divine Liturgy.
Baptism, funeral services for the deceased and other needs are held daily (if necessary).
On Saturdays and Sundays, the church has a Sunday school for children from 4 to 16 years old. Classes begin at 11:00 a.m. Young children are engaged on Saturday, and on Sundays the senior group receives church training.
The Cathedral organizes pilgrimage trips, social work is carried out, Sunday school pupils perform at charity concerts in hospitals and hospices of the republic.
Stefanovsky Cathedral: address and opening hours
St. Stephen’s Cathedral is located on the street. Liberty, 60.
Typically, temple doors are open for parishioners from 7:00 to 19:00 hours, with the exception of holidays, when all-night services are held.
The current phone number is listed on the official website of the cathedral.
The temple can be reached by bus: No. 3, 4, 18, 44. Get off at the stop “st. Freedom. "