The history of the Don Cossacks, which went through a difficult and dramatic path, was embodied in a magnificent monument, which is the Novocherkassk Ascension Cathedral. It is rightfully considered one of the masterpieces of Russian temple architecture. Everything in it is unusual - and the history of its creation, and even the size by which it is second only to the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior and St. Petersburg St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Temple - the same age as the city
The founding date of Novocherkassk is 1805. Then the laying of the future cathedral took place, which was to become the pride of the entire Cossacks. However, as this often happens in Russia, the matter dragged on, and work began only after six years, in 1811. The author of the project was a talented Italian architect Aloysius Rusk - a staunch adherent of the classical style in architecture. But it so happened that, having become a victim of bureaucratic intrigues, he was forced to leave Russia, and our compatriot P.N. took his place. Amvrosimov.
The collapse of an almost finished building
Construction has been ongoing for thirty-five years and was nearing completion when the unexpected happened - when the dome was reduced, a significant part of the facade collapsed. By a lucky coincidence, there were no victims, as there was a misfortune on the day off, and there were no workers inside the church, but the result of the accident was terrible - the almost finished Novocherkassk Cathedral turned into ruins.
An urgent message was sent to St. Petersburg about what had happened, and Nicholas I, then reigning at that time, sent a commission to Novocherkassk to identify the perpetrators of the incident.
Arriving at the place, statesmen discovered gross violations committed during the construction work, as well as engineering errors in the project itself. A special place in their report was taken by the unacceptably low quality of building materials. Apparently, there was a theft of funds released from the treasury, but the case was hushed up, and for some time the work was suspended.
Another failure
When the Ascension Cathedral was being built in Novocherkassk, it seemed as if some kind of evil rock hindered the success of the undertaking. The fact is that when, after several years after the accident, construction was resumed and in 1863 was already approaching its final phase, the story of seventeen years ago was repeated with amazing accuracy. Everything went well, but at the moment when they began to reduce the dome, a deep crack suddenly appeared on the facade, and it collapsed. Once again, as before, the building close to completion turned into a pile of construction waste.
Again flew to the capital of the dispatch, and the investigation began again. The commission arriving from St. Petersburg saw the main cause of the collapse as technological violations resulting from an unacceptable rush during work.
This time the construction was led by architect I.O. Valprede is an experienced specialist and a very circumspect person. He was not blamed for what happened, since he presented the commission with copies of reports in which he repeatedly pointed out to the city authorities and Cossack chieftains the danger of unjustifiably fast pace of work.
Start of new construction
But the city of Novocherkassk could not live without the temple of God, and Cossacks are not without reason known as stubborn people. The failures that pursued the construction of the cathedral did not diminish their determination to bring the matter to an end, and in 1889 in the capital the project of a new - the third - temple was highly approved. Its author was a resident of Novocherkassk, a Don military architect A.A. Yashchenko. Shortly before that, he became an academician, and this work was his debut in the new rank. However, even here the interference of evil rock was not complete. When they started laying the foundation, the Don architect suddenly died, and Novocherkassk Cathedral continued to be built without it.
The same rock played a cruel joke to the next head of work - A.P. Zlobin. He, like his predecessors, had to give evidence to the commission of inquiry. All the same violations of technological standards and a suspiciously low quality of materials were found. This time only a miracle saved the builders from a new collapse. Fearing eternal torment in a future life and a criminal court, the high city authorities took action, and the case finally entered the right track.
Building Epic Finale
But sooner or later everything comes to an end. Ended and all the many years of ordeal associated with the construction of the temple. The completion and consecration of the Novocherkassk Cathedral took place at the very beginning of the new XX century - in 1901. The size of this third largest cathedral in Russia is admirable. Its dome ascended to a height of seventy-five meters, and the area was almost four and a half thousand square meters.
To build a building of this size, it was necessary to build a brick factory, a power station and a water supply line for its needs. In order to avoid the risk of a new collapse, a special laboratory was created in which all building material was tested for strength. The amount spent on the work turned out to be record-breaking, it amounted to two million rubles.
The former splendor of the temple
Everyone who saw the Novocherkassk Cathedral noted the extraordinary beauty of its domes covered with pure gold. The impression was complemented by the main cross, the decoration of which was crystal inlay made by Bohemian craftsmen.
Many recollections of witnesses of its former splendor have been preserved. They paint a picture of how, on sunny days, the bright radiance of the main cross, visible for many kilometers, served as a living beacon on the way to God.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Novocherkassk Cathedral was equipped with a unique ventilation and heating system, which at that time was a real breakthrough in technical thought. Thanks to bold engineering developments, not only a comfortable atmosphere was created inside the church, but, which is very important, the painting of the iconostasis and wall frescoes were preserved. Unfortunately, now it is lost.
In addition, Novocherkassk Cathedral was famous for its interior decoration. Its floor was covered with marble slabs specially made in France and Italy. An original addition to the building’s construction was an underground passage connecting the church with the nearby bishop’s house. Today, the House of Officers is located within its walls.
Years of total atheism
Novocherkassk Cathedral, whose history is inextricably linked with all Russian events of the 20th century, fully shared the fate of most churches in our country. In the thirties, the atheistic authorities closed it and put an end to the services held in it.
Crosses were removed from such magnificent once-domes and gilded copper sheets were barbarously stripped. The building itself - a monument of architecture and a work of art - was used as a warehouse of fuel and lubricants.
During the Great Patriotic War, the city of Novocherkassk was in the zone of temporary occupation. The Germans opened the temple, and worship in it resumed. Residents of the city in those years prayed for the victory over the enemy and asked for God's blessing and intercession. When the Nazis were expelled, the Soviet authorities did not close the temple and did not interfere with the conduct of services, but all the basements of the cathedral were still used as a warehouse.
Return to Spiritual Origins
When the time came for democratic changes in the country, and the people woke up from atheistic obsession, many churches and monasteries were returned to the church. It was a joyful, but very difficult period. Most of the temple buildings, after decades of barbaric ruin, required restoration or at least a serious restoration. Among them was Novocherkassk Cathedral. The Patriarch of All Russia Alexy II blessed the work, and many leading restorers were invited to the funds allocated by the city authorities.
Reborn cathedral
In 2005, residents of Novocherkassk celebrated a double anniversary - the bicentennial of the city and the laying of the temple in it. The celebration of the restoration of the cathedral facade was timed to coincide with these celebrations. Its appearance was restored in accordance with the drawings and drawings of the beginning of the last century. The next step is the gilding of the domes and the installation of crystal inlay, so famous in previous years.
Service in the Novocherkassk Cathedral today is carried out with the same piety and the observance of church canons that throughout the Orthodox world. The gospel of his bells again spreads far around and calls for prayer to everyone whose heart is open to God. In conclusion, information for those who would like to visit Novocherkassk Cathedral. Address: Rostov Region, Novocherkassk, pl. Ermak, d. 2.