Until now, in some surprising and unusual way in Central Asia in the capital of Tajikistan, the city of Dushanbe, St. Nicholas Cathedral, belonging to the Dushanbe diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, has been preserved.
Role in religious life
It is located next to the city cemetery, which is called Russian, but people of different nationalities are buried there. In the forefront of the entrance are the graves of famous figures of the republic. The cemetery has been operating since 1937. Its area is 160 hectares of land.
Once upon a time on Easter, city people flowed to the graves of their deceased relatives and friends.
When the Soviet Union collapsed and the Civil War broke out, the population of the republic rushed to seek a quiet life throughout great Russia and other states that took refugees from hot spots by tens, or even hundreds of thousands.
Now, everyone who comes to their hometown is trying to visit St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe to pray, praise the Lord for everything and remember the ancestors who died on this earth. There are very few Russians in the city, but the parish is still working.
Story
The main throne of the cathedral is consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. In honor of John of Russia, the right throne is named, in honor of the icon of the Virgin, called the "Life-giving Spring", - the left.
Permission to establish St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe was obtained in 1943. This became possible due to the fact that by this time there was a softening of the government structures of the USSR in relation to the Patriarchal Church.
For many years, St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe was not restored, and only in the spring of 2005 began a major reconstruction of buildings, which lasted until 2011.
Temple decoration
During the reconstruction, gilded domes were installed, the roof was re-closed, floors were laid. The altar of the main temple was also rebuilt, the territory was ennobled by the installation of benches, arbors and new paths. A new bell tower was also built near the facade of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe. The walls of the temple were decorated with sculptures of the Savior and the Virgin. Where formerly stood the capital walls that shared the three limits, original arched openings appeared, connecting the square into a single room.
The marble iconostasis formed three arcades filled with a light decorative carved panel. In addition to the written icons, mosaic canvases of the main nave’s iconostasis, created in the form of images of Jesus Christ, Mother of God, Archangels Michael and Gabriel, appeared in the church. up Peter and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Photo of St. Nicholas Cathedral inside and out is available in the article.
Mosaic
In St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe, an original mosaic made the icon case of temple icons - the Crucifixion of Christ and the face of St. Nicholas. The altar wall of the main nave is decorated with a beautiful panel "The Last Supper". Re-built and decorated choir. In the limit of John of Russia also established a new iconostasis. Wood ornaments of both limits were created by wood craftsman Bobojanov Alisher, who studied the art of cabinetmakers in the city of Bukhara. He also made the throne of the Most Holy Theotokos and icon cases for the icons of the Three Saints and Xenia of Petersburg.
The holy relics of St. Nicholas Church
After the founding of the Dushanbe and Tajikistan diocese, thanks to the prayers and efforts of Bishop Pitirim, relics began to gradually arrive there, most of which are now in the cathedral.
The Lord gave us holy relics, as saving sources that exude the beneficences necessary for human life. Through them, the weak are healed, demons are driven out, everyday problems are solved. Any such beneficence from the Father descends upon those who ask with undeniable faith.
If you go into the temple, you can immediately see that on the right side of the central part of the chapel, next to the icon of St. Nicholas the Ugodnik, there are two reliquaries: a large one and a small one.
In a large reliquary, particles of 24 holy saints of God are stored. Among them are particles of John the Baptist, the apostles Andrew, Peter, Thomas, Matthew, the righteous Lazarus four-day.
In a small box are 16 particles of holy relics: the great martyr George the Victorious, the martyr Domian, the holy martyr Catherine, the martyr Secund, the great martyr Anastasia the Decisive, the blessed prince Andrei Bogolyubsky and Gleb, St. Ambrose of Mediolana, Irakliyotsyurtsyotsky Dissyk Rostov, Nicholas of Alma-Ata, the holy martyr Alexander Malinovsky.
In the same central part of the limit on the left side there are icons with the relics of the blessed Matrona of Moscow and St. Luke of Crimea (Voino-Yasenetsky).
In the limit of John of Russia in the central lectern you can see the icon with the relics of this holy saint of God.
Schedule of services in St. Nicholas Cathedral
Although any non-Muslim religious activity is prohibited in Tajikistan, nevertheless, this Orthodox church is considered active.
Many are interested in the schedule of St. Nicholas Cathedral. In this matter, it is imperative to focus on holidays that may occur during the week, so you need to look at the church service schedule. On weekdays, service is performed daily. The time is set in advance according to the usual schedule, the morning liturgy begins at 8:00, the evening service at 16:00. On Wednesday and Friday, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is served.
Address: 34024 Tajikistan, Dushanbe, st. Friendship of Peoples, 58.