The capital of the Russian state has long been the center of Orthodoxy. Every important and significant event in the history of the country was marked by the construction of temples, churches and chapels. During the years of wars and Soviet atheism, many churches were destroyed, but those that have survived to this day are the decoration of the capital. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists flock here to admire the skill of architects and bow to shrines.
Moscow, whose cathedrals are the hallmark of the city, has become the capital of Orthodoxy.
Patriarchal Cathedral
In Moscow, many cathedrals have been built throughout history. Many of them are still active today, others are architectural monuments or museums. The main temple of the country is the Patriarchal Cathedral. In the Soviet years, this honor was conferred on various churches. Now it is the Assumption Cathedral, which was erected in 1475 by the architect Aristotle Fioravanti. It was built on the site of an older church, which was founded by Ivan Kalita. That is, the church was on this place from the very foundation of the city of Moscow. Cathedrals were built here and will cost. For four centuries, Uspensky was the main temple of Russia. In it, kings were crowned, metropolitans were elected and other important historical events were held.developments. The cathedral was repeatedly plundered and destroyed and was even closed for a long time. At the end of the 20th century, it was returned to the Orthodox Church. Great shrines are kept here: the Nail of the Lord, miraculous icons, the relics of Moscow saints.
Elokhovsky Epiphany Cathedral
He is located in the Basmanny district of Moscow. It was built in 1845 on the site of an old wooden church, in which the future poet Alexander Pushkin was baptized after the birth. Due to the increased number of parishioners, the small church could not accommodate all the worshipers, and a majestic five-domed temple was erected. Yelokhovsky Cathedral is known for never being closed, even during the Soviet era.
The decision to close the temple was repeatedly made, but every time there were obstacles to this. So, a decree was issued to close the temple on June 22, 1941, immediately after the liturgy. But the war began, and the patriarch from the pulpit called on the parishioners to defend their homeland. After that, the issue of closure was no longer raised.
Elokhovsky Cathedral until 1991 was patriarchal. Now it is a cathedral. Many saints and patriarchs are buried in it. Among them is Patriarch Alexy II.
St. Basil's Cathedral
One of the hallmarks of the capital, and of the whole of Russia, is St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. This temple, amazing in beauty and grace, is a pearl in the Orthodox treasury.
The church was erected in honor of the victory over the Tatars by Ivan the Terrible in 1555. On Red Square in those days stoodTrinity Church. After each victory, a new one of wood was erected next to it, consecrated in honor of the saint on whose day the victory took place.
After the triumphant return of the troops, the king ordered the erection of a grandiose structure of stone and brick on this site, more beautiful than which the world has ever seen. The construction of the Pokrov on the moat was completed in 1561. And in 1588 an extension was added in honor of St. Basil the Blessed, and the whole complex began to be called that way among the people.
More than once throughout history the temple was on the verge of destruction, but nevertheless it was preserved and restored. Until 1991, it worked exclusively as a museum, and now it is in the joint use of the historical museum and the church.
The Intercession Cathedral is an ensemble of eight separate churches, each topped with a dome. All of them are built around the central one - Pokrovskaya. There are eleven domes in total. From a height, this temple is an eight-pointed star - the Orthodox symbol of the Virgin.
Catholic Church
In a city like Moscow, cathedrals were erected by representatives of other faiths. Since ancient times, not only Orthodox, but also representatives of other concessions lived here. The largest Catholic church in Russia is also located here - this is the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (Moscow).
It was built at the request of the Catholics at the beginning of the last century. Permission was granted on the condition that the new church be non-Gothic and be erected away from the Orthodoxshrines. The architect was Bogdanovich-Dvorzhetsky, the building was designed for 5,000 parishioners. During the years of Soviet power, this holy place was also closed, and only at the end of the 20th century was it returned to the church. It is now a cathedral.
Moscow is famous for its architecture. Cathedrals and churches, amazing in their beauty, delight the eye of casual passers-by and are a place of pilgrimage for believers.
