St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel is the most famous religious building in the Republic of Belarus. This temple is a real monument of Orthodox architecture, miraculously preserved to this day in all its splendor.
Story
The idea of building the temple belonged to Count N. Rumyantsev, who, being in high positions, financed the construction of churches, libraries, schools and other buildings in Gomel. In 1908, he turned to the Archbishop of Mogilev with a request for the construction of a stone church in the city.
After receiving the church’s certificate in 1809, the foundation stone of the future cathedral was laid on the banks of the Sozh River, the construction of which lasted for many years. The reason for this was the rapid rise of Rumyantsev's career, and the war that began in 1812.
In 1815, suspended construction resumed. In 1816, the masonry of the walls was completely completed, after which the building was covered with sheet metal. Finally, in 1819, they started the interior decoration, which was given special attention.
In 1824, the Peter and Paul Cathedral (Gomel) was consecrated.
After the death of N. Rumyantsev in 1826, and then his brother in 1831, the Rumyantsev clan ended. In 1837, their estate, together with the church, was acquired by Field Marshal I.F. Paskevich. In 1857, the estate was visited by Emperor Alexander II with his wife. He was in the Peter and Paul Church. Here, at one time, the great princes Konstantin and Mikhail came.
In 1872, the church of Peter and Paul was approved by the cathedral. In 1907, the cathedral received the bishop and acquired the status of a cathedral.
Description
Conceiving the construction of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel, Count Rumyantsev was inspired by such architectural examples as the St. Petersburg Kazan Cathedral, the Paris Church of St. Genevieve and the London St. Paul Cathedral.
The cathedral is a traditional example of a cross-domed church, crowned with a dome on a high, with windows, drum. Performed in the style of mature classicism, the building reaches a height of 25 meters.
In the decoration of the facades of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel (photo), classical elements of decor were used: semicircular cornices on the windows, compositions in the form of horizontal ribbons and metopes with bizarre reliefs between triglyphs.
Unfortunately, the interior of the temple, carefully thought out and brought personally by Rumyantsev from St. Petersburg, has not survived to this day. The main iconostasis was decorated with columns made in the Doric style, as well as the icons that the count donated for his brainchild.
The shrine of the temple were particles of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, located in a rimmed gold, pearl ark. These relics were bought by Rumyantsev from Princess E. Kantakkuzenoy and donated to the Cathedral. They, like many other holy relics, are lost forever.
Soviet period
After the October Revolution, the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel was still open for some time, but the storms of communist time did not pass by it. In 1923, the Soviet authorities seized all temple values, and in 1929 the cathedral was closed.
In 1935, the historical museum was located in the cathedral building, and then the anti-religious department. To do this, crosses and bells were removed, the bell tower was destroyed, the mural was erased.
During the years of German occupation, through the efforts of believing parishioners, the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel was opened and renovated. In the period from 1949-1951, a small bell tower was erected, the preserved paintings were washed and restored.
In 1960, when the anti-religious campaign reached its peak, the cathedral was closed. It was rebuilt as a planetarium, launching the Foucault pendulum there. In 1985, the planetarium was declared unprofitable and closed. The temple building stood abandoned for several years, gradually becoming worthless.
Shrine revival
Since 1987, believers in the city have been actively collecting signatures and sending many documents to various authorities requesting the opening of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel. Finally, in the fall of 1989, the resistance of the authorities was broken, and the temple returned to the bosom of the Gomel diocese.
But only after a few months, after carrying out the necessary improvement works, it became possible to conduct services here. The first service was held on the feast of the Nativity of Christ on January 7, 1990.
In 1992, the restoration of the bell tower was completed. In 1996, a baptismal church was built. Currently, restoration of the iconostasis and updating of the mural have been completed.
In the cathedral, to the left of the main throne, its creator Count N. Rumyantsev is buried. Above his grave there is a pedestal made of black marble, on which there is a bust depicting the count. Nearby is a statue of the Goddess of Peace with a rod and an Pancake week branch in her hands.
Also in the cathedral there is a crayfish with relics, especially venerated by local parishioners, St. Manefe of Gomel, built in 2007 in the face of the reverend. Here is the especially venerated Manefeh icon of the Virgin, “The Search for the Dead,” with which the saint never parted.
Opening hours and schedule of services
Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel is open to parishioners daily. Services are held as follows:
- 8:00 - liturgy.
- 17:00 - evening service.
The sacrament of baptism is performed every day (upon request).
On weekends and holidays, the service schedule may be changed.
Address
Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel is located at: st. Lenin, house 6.
The current phone number of the clergy of the cathedral can be found on the official website of the Gomel diocese. There, by filling out the feedback form, you can ask a personal question to the priest.