One of the sights of the city of Orenburg, a precious monument of architecture of the late 19th century and a shrine, miraculously preserved and completely restored, is St. Nicholas Cathedral. Orenburg lost more than 40 churches and temples during the Soviet era, but the majestic building of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, fortunately, was not destroyed, although it was used for completely different purposes.
Construction of St. Nicholas Church
The history of St. Nicholas Cathedral began in the late eighties of the nineteenth century. In the eastern suburb of Orenburg, the Cossack village of Forstadt, a great disaster happened. A series of powerful fires broke out, destroying most of the village. During the restoration of the burnt settlement, the whole world decided to build a stone church on the site of the conflagration. For bookmarking, the villagers identified a large area on a hill. The care of fundraising and the construction of the temple was taken over by local residents, as they would say today,"initiative group", led by the headman E. G. Kolokoltsev. On May 4, 1886, the Cossack church, built with the money of parishioners, was solemnly consecrated.
So, on the site of a great misfortune, St. Nicholas Church, the future St. Nicholas Cathedral, was built. Orenburg, like most cities, grew over time, and the Cossack village of Forstadt became part of the city. Today it is known as V. P. Chkalov. In memory of the village, its legacy remains - a temple founded by the Orenburg Cossacks. Here, next to St. Nicholas Cathedral, a monument to the Orenburg Cossacks was erected, no less beloved by the residents and guests of the city.
Nikolsky Cathedral in the XX century: trials, war and new life of the temple
Before the revolution, at the beginning of the 20th century, St. Nicholas Church was actively built up and expanded. In addition to the two side aisles, in the name of the holy healer Great Martyr Panteleimon and the Assumption of the Mother of God, three schools and a large refectory appeared at the temple.
The situation changed dramatically after the Bolsheviks came to power. The ongoing anti-religious policy led to the fact that St. Nicholas Church was closed in 1935. All priceless shrines were taken out or destroyed. Subsequently, the building of the temple, fortunately surviving, was used by the new owners, first as a hostel, and later - to store the archives of the NKVD.
Changes began during the ordeal - the Great Patriotic War, when prayer houses and churches began to open throughout the country. Believers of Orenburg appealed to Patriarch Sergius of Moscow with a request for assistance in the restoration of Nikolskayachurches. In 1944 the building was returned to the Orenburg (Chkalov) diocese. From that moment on, St. Nicholas Church becomes the center of spiritual life for the inhabitants of Orenburg, and also provides active support to the state, carrying out patriotic work among believers and arranging collections for the Defense Fund.
But the final revival of the temple begins only in the late 80-90s. In the year of the millennium of the baptism of Russia, active construction and restoration work begins in St. Nicholas Cathedral. St. Nicholas Cathedral was restored by 1996, on its territory were built the Blessed Chapel, a new bell tower, a large garden appeared.
Saint patrons and miraculous icon
Initially, as the name implies, St. Nicholas Church was erected in the name of the most revered saint on Russian soil - Archbishop Nicholas of Myra, or Nicholas the Wonderworker. Until 1910, the Church of St. Nicholas was single- altar, but later the church was listed as three- altar, in the name of the Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon and the Assumption of the Mother of God.
In addition, Nikolsky Cathedral (Orenburg) is known for its main shrine. Here is stored a list from an ancient icon - the miraculous Tabynsk Icon of the Mother of God.
How to visit St. Nicholas Cathedral in the city of Orenburg
There is an opinion that visiting temples and churches can be interesting only for believing Orthodox people. And this is far from the case: the cathedral in Orenburg is not only a place forprayers. This temple is both an invaluable architectural monument and a part of Russian history. Of course, everyone who is lucky enough to visit this picturesque old city in the south of the Urals should include Nikolsky Cathedral (Orenburg) in the sightseeing tour. Church address: St. V. P. Chkalova, house 8.
Nicholas Cathedral opening hours: 7.00–20.00 daily.
If this excursion is also a pilgrimage trip, planning to visit St. Nicholas Cathedral (Orenburg), you can find out the schedule of services in advance.
Services on ordinary days (except for the days of great and twelfth holidays) are as follows:
- Monday - Friday: from 8-.00 - morning liturgy, 17.00 - daily evening service;
- every Saturday from 17.00 an all-night vigil is held.
On the days of the great and twelfth feasts and on Sunday, Divine Liturgies are held in the cathedral: at 7.00 - early, 9.30 - late.
For more information, please contact St. Nicholas Cathedral (Orenburg). Administration phone (3532) 31-17-45 or 31-48-68.
