Paradoxical as it may seem, the Znamensky Cathedral in Kemerovo was built at a time when an anti-religious campaign was being waged throughout the country. But the temple did not last long. In the sixties, another struggle "with obscurantism" began. The community was removed from registration, and the temple was destroyed. You can learn more about the history of the Cathedral of the Sign in Kemerovo from this article.
Restoration of the temple
After the Znamensky Cathedral was destroyed, only one functioning church remained in Kemerovo. Residents of the city visited St. Nicholas Church. In the mid-eighties, the authorities somewhat revised their attitude towards the Church. The voices of believers were heard. However, the issue of restoring the Cathedral of the Sign in Kemerovo was considered for at least five years.
In 1990 services resumed. However, the new church had not yet been rebuilt by that time. Divine services were held in the building of the former shop. The first stone waslaid in the same year.
Construction proceeded at a rapid pace. Already in May 1992, a bell rang over Kemerovo. The former shop building was now a Sunday school.
Alexy II and the Cathedral of the Sign
In 1993, the Kemerovo diocese was established. From now on, divine services were performed according to a more precise schedule. Alexy II visited the Cathedral of the Sign in Kemerovo in September 1993.
In 1995, Archpriest Vladimir Kurlyuta began to provide care for Kemerovo hospitals. Orthodox libraries and church rooms were opened in the city. In 1996, Alexy II once again visited Kemerovo. This time he consecrated the Cathedral of the Sign. The ceremony was attended by the mayor and other representatives of the city authorities. In addition, His Holiness the Patriarch donated several icons to the Kemerovo church.
Charity activities
In 1996, a new building was built near the Cathedral of the Sign. Sunday school is located on the first floor. On the second - the diocesan administration. Since the late nineties, the Znamensky Cathedral has played an important role in the life of Orthodox Kemerovo residents. The cathedral contributes to the construction of temples in the vicinity of the city.
Almost from the first day after the restoration of the cathedral, a charity refectory has been operating here. The temple provides assistance to needy citizens in conjunction with the social services of the city. Children from low-income and dysfunctional families, pensioners, the disabled, people in difficult situations come to the refectory.
Painting
Work on improving the interior decoration does not stop to this day. Fresco painting is regularly supplemented with new subjects. In the nineties, professional artists, graduates of the Stroganov School, worked here. Several frescoes that can be seen in the Znamensky Cathedral are dedicated to Seraphim of Sarov. In recent years, artists from Tomsk have been painting the temple.
In 1999, the Cathedral of the Sign was included in the list of monuments of regional significance. This temple is included in the tourist routes, excursions are regularly held here. The cathedral is often visited by Sunday school students from neighboring towns. This temple is a real monument of architecture. The frescoes here are of high artistic value.
Service Schedule
Znamensky Cathedral in Kemerovo opens every day at eight in the morning. Closes at seven o'clock in the evening. Morning worship begins at 8:30. On public holidays, the schedule changes slightly. The first liturgy is celebrated at 6:30, the second - at 9:30. On ordinary days, the evening service begins at five o'clock.
In the summer of 2018, the construction of a new library began. It will be located at the northern facade of the building. Sunday meetings are regularly held on the territory of the cathedral, where important issues of Orthodoxy are discussed.
The most famous Kemerovo temple is located at: Cathedral street, house 24
