Every person who travels along the Golden Ring of Russia knows that in many ancient cities there are magnificent architectural monuments. Among them is the Nativity of Christ Cathedral (Ryazan).
Let's talk today in more detail about this amazing building.
History of the Cathedral
The Nativity of Christ Cathedral has seen many different historical events. Ryazan is an ancient city that arose in the era of Kievan Rus.
Today this temple is the oldest building in the Ryazan Kremlin. According to historians, the stone cathedral was erected on the high bank of the Trubezh River around 1483, in the same year, Ryazan Princess Anna, the sister of the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan Vasilyevich, presented this church with embroidered “air” for worship.
Initially, the Cathedral was called the Assumption - in honor of the most revered holiday in Russia of the Assumption of the Mother of God, and only after the construction of the huge Assumption Cathedral by Yakov Bukhvostov in 1680, the old small cathedral was renamed Rozhdestvensky.
The purpose of the cathedral
Initially, the cathedral was built not only as the most important church in the Ryazan diocese, but also as the tomb of the Ryazan princes. All Ryazan princes and their wives were buried here, starting with the son of Oleg Ryazansky - Fedor Olegovich. However, in the 18th century, after the arch collapsed in the cathedral, the tombs were destroyed (only today their remains were discovered by modern archaeologists).
The cathedral changed, but the Ryazan bishops strove for the burial of high church officials. And so it happened.
But the most important saint of Ryazan, whose relics rest here, is, of course, Vasily Ryazansky. His relics lie in the left choir, anyone who enters the temple can bow to this glorious saint, known for his righteous living and the miracles that he performed during his lifetime.
The Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ holds many wonderful things. Ryazan itself is a unique city, located on the outskirts of Russian land, therefore, raids by foreigners and other tragic events have so often happened here.
The fate of the cathedral in Soviet times
Like many of Russia's greatest temples, after the Bolsheviks came this temple was closed, which is not surprising.
Like the small churches of Ryazan’s land suffered during the years of persecution on faith, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ was desecrated. Ryazan as a whole, its Orthodox population was very worried about the closure of this temple.
In addition, the huge and most valuable iconostasis of the cathedral was badly damaged. One of the main shrines of the temple - the Murom icon of the Mother of God - disappeared without a trace.
The Ryazan archive was created in the temple itself. Now every day, instead of divine services, the walls of the cathedral felt the booming steps of archive employees engaged in their daily work.
After the collapse of the USSR and the rejection of atheist communist ideology, the cathedral remained in the possession of the Ryazan Museum of Local Lore. It took a long 11 years to agree with the leadership of the museum on the right of the Russian Orthodox Church to use this temple for its intended purpose. The first liturgy was held here in 2002, and since 2007 the cathedral has completely returned to the bosom of the church.
Nativity of Christ Cathedral (Ryazan): temple services schedule
Today this cathedral is one of the leading temples of the Ryazan diocese. Here are the services of the Metropolitan.
The temple is open every day, and services are held here every day.
Everyone can visit this amazing cathedral and see with its own eyes its interior decoration, partially restored frescoes and murals of the 19th century.
The ancient Christ Nativity Cathedral (Ryazan) looks today in a new way, the schedule of services is hung out on a special stand near the church. From this schedule you can find out what time services are held, what requirements can be ordered, and which priest from the priesthood of the cathedral will serve.
Moreover, the clergy of the cathedral conducts active educational work among the residents of the city. There is a large library and a media library.
The Christ Nativity Cathedral (Ryazan) really fell in love with the city dwellers, divine services here are a real sacred action: beautiful and solemn.
The ancient cathedral today looks surprisingly new. He is modest, architecturally sustained and beautiful both outside and inside. The cathedral is a real pearl of Ryazan, its treasure and the subject of true veneration.