Tsarskoe Selo, a favorite place of many generations of St. Petersburg residents, has developed its own unique style of cultural life. This is the city of Pushkin, Annensky, Gumilyov and Akhmatova. The city of mischievous poems and spiritual lyrics, touching sonnets and biographies of Russian saints. Elegant palaces and green parks, hospitable oak forests and mysterious ponds - all this calls people for a calm and quiet walk in order to get away from the hustle and bustle. He calls to the heavenly world, to prayer in numerous Tsarskoye Selo churches, small parish churches and majestic cathedrals. One of these temples, the Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin, was built specifically for the royal family. It embodies the greatness of Orthodoxy and the solemnity of the Romanov dynasty.
Foundation of the Cathedral
Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin. Its history began at the beginning of the 20th century: in 1909 under the patronage of Nicholas II. His Majesty loved Ancient Orthodox Russia with all his heart, her God-seeking and prayer, her architecture and icon painting. He felt a connection with the history of Russia through his brilliantancestors, and saw his way in the multiplication of the traditions laid down in antiquity. Since Nicholas II and his family settled in the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoye Selo in 1905, he had the idea of building an ancient town reminiscent of the mythical city of Kitezh.
His Majesty himself found a place for future buildings, and in 1909 he created a committee for the construction of the Fedorovsky Cathedral. The initial drawings were made by the famous architect Alexander Nikanorovich Pomerantsev in those years, a great connoisseur of the Old Russian and Neo-Byzantine style in architecture.
At the laying ceremony, which took place on August 20 (old style), 1909, Bishop Feofan of Yamburg served the rank for the foundation of the temple. The emperor himself laid the first stone in the foundation of the new cathedral.
Construction progress
During the construction, it was decided to rework the idea of the external appearance of the temple, which seemed too cumbersome, another architect and urban planner, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Pokrovsky, a brilliant representative of the neoclassical school, joined the work. The new architect, taking the Annunciation Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin as a model, reworked the drawings, changed the concept of the cathedral, making it lighter, and brought it closer to the ancient traditions of Pskov and Novgorod masters.
The emperor personally invested a large amount in the construction estimate, and followed the construction of the cathedral with great interest, being present at all important stages of construction, and also often communicated with architects andexpressed his wishes to them.
The cathedral was built over three years and in August 1912 the main aisle was consecrated in honor of the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God, the side aisle was consecrated in honor of St. Alexei, and in December 1912 the lower aisle was consecrated in honor of St. Seraphim of Sarov.
Specially for the new cathedral, a list of the revered Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God was reproduced, because the icon itself was traditionally the patroness of the Romanov family, it was to her that the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, the first tsar of the Romanov dynasty, was consecrated.
The Emperor needed a parish church for his family and for numerous guards. And, conceptually, the Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin fully corresponded to the tasks set, and in 1914 it became known as the Sovereign Cathedral. It was here that the holy Tsar-martyr, who proved his devotion to the Orthodox faith and the Motherland, was a favorite place for prayer.
Gradually, buildings for the church clergy and a refectory were built around the cathedral. Fedorovsky town grew over the course of three years - from 1914 to 1917. The new buildings were also designed in the style of ancient Russian architecture and harmoniously fit into the surroundings of the temple.
Soviet period
After 1917, the temple was partially looted and turned into an ordinary parish church. Rector Fathers often changed, many were repressed and ended their lives in prison.
In 1933, the temple was closed, the remaining utensils were distributed to museums, and the upper chapel was redonein the movie theaters. During World War II, Fedorovskiy Gorodok was badly damaged, especially the cathedral itself. So, in ruins and in complete desolation, he stood until the beginning of perestroika. Only in 1991 it was handed over to the church, and the believers were able to come to pray at the Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin. At the beginning of the 1990s, divine services began again in the church.
Our time
Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin is a majestic monumental building that makes a grand impression. The interior decoration impresses with its sophistication, peace, and the columns going up form a feeling of airiness and fill believers with the joy of spiritual quest and aspirations.
There is no external lighting in the lower, cave temple, twilight reigns there, only lamps and candles illuminate ancient icons and add mystery to the frescoes covering the low ceilings. The huge iconostasis, numbering five tiers, is 11 meters high. It personifies the entire course of the history of the Orthodox Church - this mighty tree that grew on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Schedule of services in the Fedorovsky Cathedral (Pushkin)
Services are held every day except Monday.
Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin schedule of services:
- On weekdays at 10:00 a liturgy is served (come to confession at half past eight).
- On Sundays early liturgy at 7:00 and late at 10:00.
- Evening services are held at 17:00.
Fedorovsky Cathedral in Pushkin. Baptism of children
The Sacrament of Baptism of children and adults is performed every day in the cathedral. General Baptism begins at 12:00. Individual - from 13:00 to 16:00. Pre-registration required.
