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.
History
The idea of building a 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 to build a stone church in the city.
After receiving a charter of church building in 1809, on the banks of the Sozh River, the first stone was laid in the foundation of the future cathedral, the construction of which stretched for many years. The reason for this was the rapid rise of Rumyantsev's career, and the war that began in 1812.
In 1815, the suspended construction resumed. In 1816, the laying of the walls was completed, after which the building was covered with sheet iron. Finally, in 1819, they began interior decoration, which was given special attention.
In 1824 Peter and PaulCathedral (Gomel) was consecrated.
After the death of N. Rumyantsev in 1826, and then his brother in 1831, the Rumyantsev family ended. In 1837, Field Marshal I. F. Paskevich acquired their estate along with the church. In 1857, Emperor Alexander II and his wife visited the estate. He was also in the Peter and Paul Church. The Grand Dukes Konstantin and Mikhail also came here, at one time.
In 1872, the Church of Peter and Paul was approved by the cathedral. In 1907, the cathedral received a bishop and acquired the status of a cathedral.
Description
When planning the construction of the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel, Count Rumyantsev was inspired by such examples of architecture as the St. Petersburg Kazan Cathedral, the Parisian Church of St. Genevieve and St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
The cathedral is a traditional example of a cross-domed church crowned with a dome on a high drum with windows. Made in the style of mature classicism, the building reaches a height of 25 meters.
In the design of the facades of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel (photo) classical decor elements 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 personally brought by Rumyantsev from St. Petersburg, has not survived to this day. The main iconostasis was decorated with Doric columns and icons donated by the Count for his brainchild.
The shrine of the temple was the relics of NicholasWonderworker, located in a gold-framed, mother-of-pearl ark. These relics were bought by Rumyantsev from Princess E. Kantakkuzena and presented as a gift 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 times did not bypass it either. In 1923, the Soviet authorities seized all the temple valuables, and in 1929 the cathedral was closed.
In 1935, the historical museum was placed in the building of the cathedral, and then the anti-religious department. For this, crosses and bells were removed, the bell tower was destroyed, and the wall painting was erased.
During the years of the German occupation, through the efforts of the faithful 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 surviving murals 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 a Foucault pendulum there. In 1985, the planetarium was declared unprofitable and closed. The temple building stood abandoned for several years, gradually falling into disrepair.
Revival of the shrine
Since 1987, believing residents of the city have been actively collecting signatures and sending many documents to various authorities with a request to open the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel. Finally, in the fall of 1989, the resistance of the authorities was broken, and the templereturned to the bosom of the Gomel diocese.
But only after a few months, after the necessary improvement work, it became possible to hold 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. The baptismal church was built in 1996. At present, the work on the restoration of the iconostasis and the renovation of the wall painting has been fully completed.
In the cathedral, to the left of the main altar, its creator Count N. Rumyantsev is buried. Above his grave is a pedestal of black marble, on which is a bust depicting a count. Nearby is a statue of the Goddess of Peace with a rod and a Shrovetide branch in her hands.
Also in the cathedral there is a shrine with relics, especially revered by local parishioners, St. Manefa of Gomel, erected in 2007 as a reverend. There is also the icon of the Mother of God “Search for the Lost”, which the saint never parted with, especially revered by Manetha.
Opening hours and worship schedule
The Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel is open to parishioners every day. Services are held according to the following schedule:
- 8:00 - liturgy.
- 17:00 - Evening Service.
The Sacrament of Baptism is performed every day (on demand).
On weekends and holidays, the schedule of services may change.
Address
The Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gomel is located at: st. Lenina, house 6.
The actual 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.
