The Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Novosibirsk is conveniently located in the center, near Lenin Square, but a short distance from noisy roads.
Here is the episcopal department: the bishop leads the liturgy on solemn days, celebrates Mass, ordains priests and deacons. Under the arches of the cathedral, the Christian community listens to the word of God and prays under the canopy and the protection of the cathedral walls.
Historical background: from the house of worship to the Cathedral
Before the Great October Revolution, the Novosibirsk Catholic community of Novosibirsk consisted of 4 thousand parishioners, a prayer house was built for them (in 1902).
In 1905, the construction of a stone building began, the erected building was then closed (in the 1930s), and subsequently completely destroyed (in the 1960s).
For many years, parishioners gathered secretly, and only in the 1980s were able to build the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which is still operating.
In 1992-1997, the local Catholic community initiated the construction of a new large cathedral. In 1997, an important event took place: the city of Novosibirsk took the Catholic community under its wing - the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord was consecrated. Perhaps the most significant milestone on the historical path that the Catholics of Siberia have traveled over several decades is this event.
Architectural solution: unique look
The Cathedral of the Transfiguration has an amazing appearance. Novosibirsk is a city whose architectural style is quite traditional for the Soviet and post-Soviet period. Novosibirsk architect V.V. Borodkin created a unique project: the temple is significantly different in its forms from other urban buildings, while it looks organically and naturally among the high-rise buildings surrounding it.
Made of red brick, he combined stylized Romanesque, Gothic and modernist features with the Catholic canons. The buildings of the Curia (administration of the Siberian diocese) and Sunday school, the church library, the dining room and church services are adjacent to the main building.
The symmetrical composition consists of three portals with semicircular arches on the facade facing west.
The interior is illuminated through a stained-glass window located in the central part. Staircase - through windows located in the side portals.
Cathedral: nobility, dignity, modesty
The roof of the building, consisting of three different-level parts of a pointed form, as if it is a material embodiment of the words from the speech of the Apostle Peter, delivered by him on the day of the Transfiguration. He spoke of three tabernacles built for prayer by the work of human hands.
The highest roof soared to a height of twenty meters above the altar as a symbol of prayer.
The roof is covered with metal; this gives the appearance of the cathedral a bright appearance due to the play of light and texture.
However, the unusual structure does not make it pretentious. On the contrary, with all its spectacularity and brightness, the Catholic Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord looks modest, noble and dignified. Due to this building, Novosibirsk acquired the special charm of an element of the medieval era.
The gable roof shape is also of purely practical importance: in the conditions of snowy Siberian winters this makes it possible to remove snow from the roof surface in a timely manner.
The interior of the temple
At the entrance to the arches of the temple, a reflection of a Siberian character is felt in its interior. It seems that the administrative center of Siberia - the city of Novosibirsk - left its imprint on it: the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord inside is modest, strict, pious, without flashy pretentiousness and luxury.
The interior is strictly delimited into certain zones. The entrance (porch) leading to the vestibule through the main portal looks west. The altar opposite is oriented east. Between them is a spacious room.
Bell ringing floats above the city
A covered gallery stretches along the walls, where religious processions and solemn processions take place. The corners of the gallery are crowned with three towers with bells, which in a ceremonial ringing announce that it is noon, the time has come for the prayer “Angel of the Lord”, and invite believers to celebrate Mass.
Novosibirsk hears a bell ring daily: the Transfiguration Cathedral is famous for the presence of the only watch in the city with a fight.
At the very bottom of the cathedral are choirs with an organ. Divine services are held to the sounds of the organ.
Sometimes residents of a city such as Novosibirsk can also listen to classical music: the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord makes it possible to touch organ music performed by famous organists under the arches of the church.