In Tsarskoye Selo, the favorite place of many generations of Petersburgers, has developed its own unique style of cultural life. This is the city of Pushkin, Annensky, Gumilyov and Akhmatova. The city of mischievous verses and spiritual lyrics, touching sonnets and biographies of Russian saints. Elegant palaces and green parks, hospitable oak forests and mysterious ponds - all this calls people for a calm and quiet walk in order to get away from the hustle and bustle. Calls to the highlands, to prayer in numerous royal churches, small parish churches and magnificent cathedrals. One of these temples, Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin, was built specifically for the royal family. It embodied the greatness of Orthodoxy and the solemnity of the Romanov dynasty.
The base of the cathedral
Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin. Its history began at the beginning of the 20th century: in 1909, under the patronage of Nicholas II. His Majesty wholeheartedly loved Ancient Orthodox Russia, its God-seeking and prayer, its architecture and icon painting. He felt connected with the history of Russia through his brilliant ancestors, and saw his way in the multiplication of traditions laid down in antiquity. Since Nicholas II and his family settled in the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoye Selo in 1905, he had the idea of building an ancient town resembling the mythical city of Kitezh.
His Majesty himself found a place for future buildings, and in 1909 created a committee for the construction of the Fedorov Cathedral. The initial drawings were made by the famous architect Alexander Nikanorovich Pomerantsev in those years, a great connoisseur of the Old Russian and Neo-Byzantine style in architecture.
At the bookmarking ceremony, which took place on August 20 (old style) in 1909, the bishop Feofan served the rank for the foundation of the temple. The emperor himself laid the first stone in the foundation of the new cathedral.
Construction progress
During the construction, they decided to rework the idea of the appearance of the temple, which seemed too cumbersome, another architect and city planner Vladimir Alexandrovich Pokrovsky, a brilliant representative of the neoclassical school, joined in the work. The new architect, taking the Annunciation Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin as a model, revised the drawings, changed the concept of the cathedral, making it easier, and brought it closer to the ancient traditions of the Pskov and Novgorod masters.
The emperor personally invested a large sum in the construction estimate, and monitored the construction of the cathedral with great interest, being present at all important stages of construction, and also often communicated with architects and expressed his wishes to them.
The cathedral was built over three years and in August 1912 the main aisle was consecrated in honor of the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God, the side aisle in honor of St. Alexei, and in December 1912 the lower aisle was also consecrated in memory of St. Seraphim of Sarov.
Especially for the new cathedral, the list of the venerated Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God was reproduced, because the icon itself was traditionally the patroness of the Romanov family, it was she who consecrated the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, the first king of the Romanov dynasty.
The emperor needed a parish church for his family and for numerous guards. And, conceptually, Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin was fully consistent with its tasks, and in 1914 it became known as the Sovereign Cathedral. It was here that there was a favorite place for the prayer of the holy Tsar Martyr, who, with his terrible death, proved his devotion to the Orthodox faith and homeland.
Gradually, buildings were erected around the cathedral for the church clergy and refectory. Fedorovsky town grew for three years - from 1914 to 1917. New buildings were also designed in the style of ancient Russian architecture and harmoniously fit into the surroundings of the temple.
Soviet period
After 1917, the temple was partially looted and turned into an ordinary parish church. Abbot fathers often changed, many were repressed and ended their lives in custody.
In 1933, the temple was closed, the remaining utensils handed out to museums, and the upper aisle was converted into a cinema. During World War II, Fedorovsky town was badly damaged, especially the cathedral itself. So, in ruins and in complete desolation, he stood before the beginning of perestroika. Only in 1991 he was handed over to the church, and believers were able to come to pray at the Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin. At the beginning of the 90s, services began again in the temple.
Nowadays
The Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin is a magnificent monumental building that produces a grandiose impression. The interior is striking in its sophistication, peace, and the columns going up form a feeling of airiness and fill believers with the joy of spiritual quests and aspirations.
There is no external lighting in the lower cave temple, twilight reigns there, only lamps and candles illuminate ancient icons and add mystery to frescoes covering low ceilings. The huge iconostasis, numbering five tiers, has a height of 11 meters. He personifies the entire course of the history of the Orthodox Church - this mighty tree that grew up on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Schedule of services in Fedorovsky Cathedral (Pushkin)
Divine services are held every day except Monday.
Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin service schedule:
- On weekdays at 10:00 a liturgy is served (come to confession at half past eight).
- On Sundays, the early liturgy is at 7:00 and the late at 10:00.
- Evening services are held at 17:00.
Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin. Baptism of children
The Sacrament of the Baptism of children and adults is performed every day in the cathedral. General Baptism begins at 12:00. Individual - from 13:00 to 16:00. Advance booking required.