The ancient city of Nizhny Novgorod has experienced many ups and downs in its difficult history. The city is built at the confluence of two major rivers - the Volga and the Oka. Today Nizhny is the largest industrial and economic regional center. With a population of more than one million people, it is naturally the largest religious center. The city united 123 religious denominations, but we will turn to the original Russian - Orthodoxy.
History of Nizhny Novgorod
Getting into the center of Nizhny Novgorod, on the banks of the Oka and Volga rivers, we run into the walls of an old brick building - this is the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. It was founded to protect the city in the early 16th century. However, the city itself was founded in 1221, and the forerunner of the massive stone fortress was a wooden fortress.
Later this Kremlin will play a key role in the militia against the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. In royalAt the time, the city was a major trading center. It has been restored many times. The city grew, acquired new cathedrals, houses, parks and architectural monuments.
In Soviet times, Nizhny Novgorod was renamed Gorky, and it became a major industrial center. The ancient city became the center of Russian Orthodoxy, and in the post-Soviet period it revived the lost monuments of its cultural and religious heritage.
Temples and churches of Nizhny Novgorod are unique, beautiful and unique in their kind. In this article, you will learn about the main ones.
Religious city
Nizhny Novgorod, as mentioned above, has gathered 123 religious associations. On its territory there are 60 Orthodox churches, an Armenian church, a Catholic church, a Lutheran, a Buddhist, a Muslim, a Jewish synagogue, as well as a Baptist church.
Temples and churches of Nizhny Novgorod can rightly be called symbols of the city. For more than 90% of the Russian population, they play an important role in life.
Orthodox Nizhny Novgorod
Orthodoxy came to Russia in 988. Today it is the official religion of the Russian population. Nizhny Novgorod is the oldest Russian city, and it is not surprising that, after a long historical journey, indelible imprints of religiosity remained on its "body".
The most famous and certainly significant temple is the Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God in Nizhny Novgorod. This temple is also called the Sorrowful Church. The building of the modern temple was erected under Catherine II, and by no meansas a church institution. It was originally a hospital. In those years, according to the decree of the queen, a church was to be located at each hospital. The lack of finances did not allow the city to build a separate church building, and for a long time it was right on the second floor of the hospital. The situation changed in 1893 - a year later the temple was opened.
In Soviet times it was closed, but in 1963 it resumed its work and was refurbished. When is it worth visiting the Church of Sorrows in Nizhny Novgorod? The service schedule is shown below.
Churches and temples of the city
Speaking of the most beautiful temples of Nizhny Novgorod, one cannot fail to mention the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The architectural ensemble of this amazing structure stands out like a scarlet spot against the backdrop of the snow-covered beauties of Nizhny Novgorod. A massive building on the bank of the river rises above the city, presenting itself in all its glory to the residents and guests of the city.
The temple was built in 1719. In Soviet times, it was closed, and only in 1992 it began to be restored. In 2005, a clock was installed on the church tower.
The Transfiguration Cathedral is distinguished by its power and grandeur. The cathedral can accommodate over 2,000 people! In Soviet times, the townspeople almost lost the church relic, but, fortunately, the building was saved, although it lost its elegant appearance. Only in 1990 the temple was returned to the Orthodox Church and restored, as a result of which it acquired a newunique look.
Temples and churches of Nizhny Novgorod survived hard times, and the stronger their value for the people. Today the temples are being actively restored, restored and delight everyone with their golden domes.
Another amazing temple - the Temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Quick Hearing". Unlike previous church buildings, this gentle heavenly temple is very young - the parish was opened in 2004. Simple and concise, it blends in harmoniously with the extraordinary landscape of the city.
Service Schedule
Services in the church in Nizhny Novgorod are held according to the following schedule:
- Monday - Saturday: 7:30 - Divine Liturgy.
- Sundays and holidays: 6:00 am - early liturgy, 8:00 am - late liturgy.
- Prayers: daily, after Liturgy.
- Baptism (adults, children): Saturday, Sunday at 9:00.
Churches of Nizhny Novgorod, the schedule of which can be found on the official websites, work daily, seven days a week. In churches, morning prayers usually begin at 7:30 - 8:00. On weekends - at 6 am. Baptisms take place every Saturday and Sunday, excluding holidays, from 9 am, after morning prayers.
Conclusion
Indeed, the divine beauty of each temple in Nizhny Novgorod has saved souls more than once and inspired the lost hearts of citizens and guests of the city. The Orthodox life of the city, although it went into oblivion during the years of Soviet power, was always revived with renewed vigor and a desire to live. Temples destroyed during this period have been rebuilt today.
Great feasts are always held with restrained pomp in the halo of holy simplicity. There are 60 associations of the Russian Orthodox Church in Nizhny Novgorod. This can only say that people need faith, and her house should be condescendingly majestic.
Temples and churches of Nizhny Novgorod have always played an important role in the life of the Orthodox city, and today we admire these unique and divine houses with great love and respect.
