Among the churches of Samara, and here there are about thirty of them, most of them were founded in the second half of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 2000s. Over twenty temples were built before the revolution. They are architectural monuments and are included in the list of the main attractions of Samara.
Churches and monasteries in the twenties of the last century, as you know, were closed as part of an anti-religious campaign. Many were completely destroyed. Churches of Samara founded before 1917:
- Ascension Cathedral.
- Protection Cathedral.
- Church of Peter and Paul.
- St. Sophia Church.
- Church of the Archangel Michael.
Ascension Cathedral
This church is the oldest in Samara. It was built in the forties of the XIX century. From other temples of Samara, the church differs not only in age, but also in its architectural appearance. The building is designed in the style of classicism.
Construction began in 1841. Prior to this, for several years, local residents raised funds for the construction of the temple. This process was accelerated by one of the Samara merchants, who made a contribution of ten thousand rubles.
A few years after the completion of construction, the Ascension Cathedral was given the status of a cathedral church. However, the question of building a new church was immediately raised. This temple did not fully correspond to the honorary status, although it lost it only in 1849, after the consecration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
In 1918, a decree was signed on the nationalization of buildings belonging to the Church. Representatives of the new government confiscated temple valuables. At the end of the twenties, many priests and deacons renounced their priesthood, among them were those who served in the Ascension Cathedral. The temple was closed, the dome was destroyed. For a long time, a club of handicraftsmen was located within the walls of the church. The restoration of the temple began in 1990.
Church address: Samara, Stepan Razin street, house 78.
Pokrovsky Cathedral
At the beginning of the 19th century, that is, about fifty years before the construction of this church, Samara, of course, looked completely different. There were few residential buildings where the Intercession Cathedral is located. True, there was a small wooden church here. A few decades later, new quarters appeared. There was a need for a larger church.
Local residents raised funds for the construction of a stone church and applied to the local bishop for a building permit. The initiative came from we althy merchants who donated more than thirty thousand rubles. The request was granted. The construction of the temple was completed four years later.
In 1917, the Pokrovsky Cathedral becameone of the centers of the "renovationism" heresy. Over the next ten years, all churches in Samara were closed or destroyed. Only the Intercession Cathedral remained.
In 1977, one of the participants in a festive demonstration held in honor of the October Revolution threw a Bengal fire into the window of the temple. A fire broke out, after which the church was restored for four years.
The Church of the Protection of the Intercession is designed in the style typical of the samples of Moscow architecture of the 17th century. This is a five-domed church with a hipped bell tower at the entrance. Accommodates up to two thousand people. Church address: Samara, Leninskaya street, 70 A.
Church of Peter and Paul
The temple was built in 1865. And here, of course, not without we althy citizens. The merchant Andrey Golovachev took on all the expenses.
15 years after the completion of construction, a parochial school for boys was opened on the temple grounds. A little later, the main building was completely restored at the expense of the son of the main patron. In 1939, the temple was closed and used as a military warehouse.
Services in the Church of Peter and Paul were resumed in 1990. The temple is located at the address: Buyanova street, house 135 A.
Sofia Cathedral
Where this church is located, an orphanage was established in the 1970s. Later, the trustee of this organization bought the land. On it they built a temple for a shelter.
In 1918 the orphanage was closed. The church was abolished 10 years later. ATThe walls of the temple housed the Museum of the Revolution. In November 1991, the church was returned to believers. Temple address: Sokolova street, house 1 A.
Church of the Archangel Michael
According to one of the urban legends, John of Kronstadt, arriving in Samara in 1902, consecrated the place where a church was soon built. This event was long-awaited for the residents of the village of Novy Orenburg. The nearest church was far away.
History The Church of the Archangel Michael begins in 1905. The first church here was wooden, small. After 10 years, a stone temple was built in its place, which was able to accommodate everyone.
In 1929 the temple was closed. Within its walls was a school. During the Great Patriotic War there was a hospital here. Restoration work began in 1993 and continues to this day.
New temples
In the nineties of the last century, eight churches were built in Samara. Among them are the Holy Resurrection Cathedral, the Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh. In 2000, six churches were consecrated. Temple of Spyridon Trimifuntsky - the youngest in Samara. Located at the address: Soviet Army Street, 251 B.
