Not far from Moscow, on the banks of the Klyazma River, there is an old Russian city that was called Bogorodsky in the old days - this was ordered by Empress Catherine II in 1781, and long before that there was a Yamskaya Sloboda Rogozhskaya in its place, from where dashing coachmen drove their triples with official mail . And only in the thirties of the past century, the then rulers gave him a name in honor of their Bolshevik comrade-in-arms - Noginsk. The Epiphany Cathedral - the center of the religious life of the city - shared with him all its troubles and joys. Our story is about him.
Settlement of government coachmen
The first information about the village, which was destined to become the cradle of the future city, dates to the end of the XIV century. It was called in those years Rogozhi. This gave rise to modern researchers to suggest that its inhabitants were engaged in the production of matting - a craft that was very common in that era. However, some historians see in the name only a derivative of the word Rogoz - the name of a river flowing nearby. The issue is controversial, and in the absence of documentary information is hardly solvable.
More specific information dates back to the beginning of the 16th century, when Rogozhi received the status of a Yamskaya settlement, that is, a village whose inhabitants were obliged to perform the sovereign's service - to carry official mail in winter and summer through endless Russian roads. Thus, the Epiphany Cathedral (Noginsk) appeared in those parts not by chance - the villagers were engaged in important public affairs, but without God's help, what could happen?
The construction of a new temple and the grace of the empress
Prior to its construction in 1755, a church stood in those places in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was built on a plot of land given to the church by the pious Prince of Moscow Vasily III - the father of the future Tsar Ivan the Terrible. By the middle of the 18th century, the church had become quite dilapidated, and a new Epiphany Cathedral (Noginsk) was built in its place with donations from Christ-loving parishioners. In memory of Nicholas the Wonderworker, one of its limits was consecrated.
Rogozh coachmen regularly served Russia, for which Empress Catherine II noted their labors. With her personal decree, she ordered to rename the former village of Rogozhi into the city of Bogorodsk and make it the administrative center of the county. Since then, life on the banks of the Klyazma has changed beyond recognition. In a large number of officials came there, the center of the newly-minted city was built up with government buildings, and a certain solidity appeared in the bearing of the townspeople from the awareness of their own involvement in state affairs.
Reconstruction of the cathedral
So the city of Bogorodsk — the future Noginsk — appeared on the map of the Russian Empire. The Epiphany Cathedral by that time significantly increased its status. Being placed in the provincial center, it regularly became the place of bishop's ministry, which attracted the attention of the Moscow Synod. The result of this was the large-scale work on its reconstruction, begun in 1822 and lasting for two years.
At the end of the work in 1824, the spacious refectory rebuilt from the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and Nicholas the Wonderworker was consecrated. In addition, a bell tower, a stone chapel and a guard room appeared.
In the middle of the century, donations from the owners of the large textile enterprise of the industrialist A. Elagin and his sons, which opened in the city, became a significant financial aid. Also a significant role was played by a rich entrepreneur - manufacturer Shibaev. Thanks to their contributions, the cathedral was expanded, decorated with rich paintings and surrounded by a decorative fence. To accommodate the Bogorodsk Spiritual Government, a special two-story building was erected, made in the best architectural traditions of the time.
Enterprises grew and the future Noginsk expanded
The Epiphany Cathedral in the middle of the 19th century, during the period of the most active growth of the city’s industry, was not only reconstructed, but was completely rebuilt. The population of Bogorodsk during these years significantly increased due to wage workers who gathered at his enterprises from other provinces. The temple could not accommodate everyone. In 1853, with the blessing of the ruling bishop, Metropolitan Innocent, his building was dismantled and the construction of a more spacious and roomy cathedral began.
Construction lasted until 1876, and on September 5, the new temple was solemnly consecrated. However, at this work on its improvement were not completed. Already at the beginning of the 20th century, it was once again reconstructed by the architect N. Strukov. At the celebration on the occasion of its opening, all of Bogorodsk (Noginsk) gathered. The Epiphany Cathedral stood in all its splendor.
The ordeal that fell to the temple in the XX century
In the thirties, the city of Bogorodsk was renamed Noginsk. The Epiphany Cathedral, like most churches in the country, was closed, and many of its ministers became victims of repression. Industrial premises were placed in its premises, but, fortunately, the building itself was not destroyed. Only in 1989 the Epiphany Cathedral (Noginsk), the photo of which is presented in the article, was returned to the church, and after the restoration work divine services were resumed.
Reborn shrine
Today, among the many religious centers of the country, Noginsk occupies a worthy place. Epiphany Cathedral - the center of his spiritual life - over the years that have passed under the sign of the revival of Russian Orthodoxy, has regained its former greatness. Many well-known Moscow masters were involved in the restoration work.
It is especially gratifying that among the variety of icons represented in it there are many ancient ones that miraculously survived from pre-revolutionary times and adorn the Epiphany Cathedral (Noginsk) today. The schedule of services, as well as the list of priests required, testifies that the spiritual life within its walls has returned to the old channel established by centuries.