The Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) is made in the Siberian baroque style. This is one of the most ancient temples in the city, built in the 18th century. Located in the historical part and cultural center of the city - "Sands".
The temple is of historical importance for the region: it was in it that the decision to form the Tomsk province was announced in 1804.
The first wooden church
The forerunner of the modern building was a small church, built in 1633. It was called Christ's Baptism - a two- altar church made of wood. One of the thrones was erected in honor of the Baptism of the Lord, the second is dedicated to Mikhail Malein, the patron of one of the Russian tsars.
The temple was often exposed to fire, however, every time the parishioners restored it. A hundred years after the construction, the third chapel appeared in the church - in the name of the Epiphany.
In 1741, in the presence of Johann Gmelin, a famous Russian traveler, the church burned down completely. After it they built a four- altarchurch.
Even 30 years later, fires broke out again in the city - merchants' shops were blazing near the cathedral. Thus, this building was also lost. In a year, a wooden cathedral was built, named after the Archangel Michael.
On the last day of 1776, a decision was made to replace the aged block walls with a stone building.
Masonry
The two-storey stone cathedral was laid 50 meters from where the log church used to be. On the same site, according to custom, a brick monument was erected. Later, in 1858, it was removed and the Iberian Chapel was installed.
The Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) was built without the use of state investments, only thanks to donations. For this reason, it was built for a very long time and unevenly.
The lower floor was consecrated in 1784. The upper floor was equipped for more than 40 years, it was completely ready only by 1817
Thanks to the investment of a merchant from Yelabuga, the first floor received a chapel, which was consecrated by the Bishop of Tomsk.
In 1892, the Tomsk diocese founded a parish guardianship. After 6 years, a parochial school was opened from one class. In 1911, eighty-seven people studied here, three years later - 84. There was not only a Sunday school - at the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) there was also a library. In 1911 there were about 400 books. In 1914, according to some sources, there were about 850 of them. The temple took care of the men's gymnasium.
Temple during the Soviet years
April 1921 was marked by the nationalization of the temple, which was given to the parish community without any deadlines and free of charge. At the same time, just two years later, the property of the church was confiscated, and the rector went to prison for hiding valuables.
Later the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) came under the control of the Tomsk Diocesan Renovation Department.
By 1924 Archbishop Dmitry appeared in the city. As a result of his arrival, it was decided to return the cathedral to the authority of the canonical hierarchy.
Until 1930, things in the church continued as before, however, in January of that year, Sibzheldorstroy courses were held there.
In wartime, the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) was given to the workshops of the Krasny Bogatyr enterprise, evacuated from the capital.
After the end of the war and until 1994, the premises of the cathedral housed an enterprise for the production of rubber shoes.
During the time that outside organizations were housed in the building, its interior was badly damaged: the church lost its bells, the crosses were torn off, the dome was lost. The bell tower and the temple part were completely destroyed, additional buildings were added to the side walls, the decor on the facade was removed and the windows were modernized.
Return to life
In May 1993, the Cathedral of the Epiphany (Tomsk) was again given to the church for perpetual use without any payment.
Four years later, the temple was put on the state. registration as an identified monument of culture and history.
From thisFrom the moment the dismantling of the factory premises and the release of the walls from the suffocating embrace of the outbuildings began. It took more than one year to completely clear the building of debris. The administration of Tomsk was engaged in financing. The governor said that since the government destroyed and destroyed religious objects, it will return them to believers. Private and municipal organizations took part in the restoration. Funding again, as at the time of the initial construction of the temple, was uneven, so construction progressed extremely slowly, however, never completely fading.
Architectural Solutions
The building, covered with plaster, belongs to the Siberian baroque style, the scheme of its construction is traditional. The bell tower and the temple are highlighted in the structure, they are connected by a refectory.
From the inside, the space of the cathedral is divided into two floors. The lower tier has a closed vaulted ceiling, while the upper one has an eight-tray vault. The refectory is separated from the main area of the church by an opening, which is decorated with a cylindrical vault. It is also connected to the bell tower.
The upper tier of the quadrangle is a single room, the floor in which is two-level.
The porch has a large baptismal font that can accommodate even an adult.
The interior is decorated with stock finish vaults. They are decorated with stucco rosettes.
Shrines of the Cathedral
Tomsk Diocese is pleased to present the following sacred items in the church:
- Part of the holy relics of Pantleimon the Healer. Herdelivered from Moscow in 2001 by the Bishop of Tomsk.
- Crucifixion, with a star attached to it. It contains a piece of the cross, on which the most significant crucifixion took place 2000 years ago.
- Staff of St. Theodosius. His Grace Agapit brought him to the city. The staff was kept in the city museum of local lore for almost 80 years. In 2002, this shrine returned to its proper place.
- Particles of the relics of several apostles.
- A copy of the icon of Rublev's hand - the image of the Life-Giving Trinity.
Contacts
Those who are going to visit the Cathedral of the Epiphany (Tomsk) need an address. The temple is located on Lenin Square. House number - 7. In order not to get lost or find out the opening hours, you should call the Epiphany Cathedral (Tomsk) in advance. Temple phone number - +7(3822)512605.
Services in the cathedral, which is today the Cathedral, are held daily.
Virtual tour
Not so long ago, Archbishop Rostislav of Asinov and Tomsk blessed the creation of a 3D tour of the temple. Six views are illuminated in it: the courtyard, the quadrangle, the refectory, the altar, the vestibule, the bell tower. Thanks to modern technology, a complete impression of presence is created. The quality of shooting allows you to see the smallest details of the interior.
The project has more than 80 descriptions, including the decoration of the temple, the Sacraments of Orthodoxy, the purpose of a particular church, its functionality, a report on the main Orthodox holidays. You can move around inside the cathedral using the mouse or the functional arrows onkeyboard.
The creators have developed a quest that can interest the young participants of the tour - you need to go through five levels, receiving various rewards.
