Every person who travels along the Golden Ring of Russia knows that in many ancient cities there are majestic monuments of architecture. Among them is the Nativity Cathedral (Ryazan).
Let's talk more about this amazing structure today.
History of the Cathedral
The Nativity Cathedral has seen many different historical events in its lifetime. Ryazan is an ancient city that arose in the era of Kievan Rus.
Today this temple is the oldest building in the Ryazan Kremlin. According to historians, the stone cathedral was erected on the high bank of the Trubezh River around 1483, in the same year the Ryazan princess Anna, the sister of the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan Vasilyevich, presented this temple with the “air” embroidered by her for worship.
Initially, the cathedral was called the Assumption Cathedral - in honor of the most revered holiday in Russia, the Assumption of the Mother of God, and only after the construction of the huge Assumption Cathedral in 1680 by Yakov Bukhvostov, the old small cathedral was renamed Christmas.
The purpose of the cathedral
Initially, the cathedral was built not only as the most important temple in the Ryazan diocese, but also as the tomb of the Ryazan princes. All the Ryazan princes and their wives were buried here, starting with the son of Oleg Ryazansky, Fedor Olegovich. However, in the 18th century, after the roof collapsed in the cathedral, the tombs were destroyed (only today their remains have been discovered by modern archaeologists).
The cathedral has changed, but the Ryazan bishops sought to ensure that it also carried out the burial of the highest ministers of the church. And so it happened.
But the most important Ryazan saint, whose relics rest here, is, of course, Vasily Ryazansky. His relics lie in the left kliros, anyone who enters the temple can bow to this glorified saint, known for his righteous life and the miracles that he performed during his lifetime.
The Nativity Cathedral keeps a lot of amazing things. After all, Ryazan itself is a unique city, located on the outskirts of Russian land, which is why raids by foreigners and other tragic events so often happened here.
The fate of the cathedral in Soviet times
Like many of the greatest churches in Russia, after the arrival of the Bolsheviks, this temple was closed, which is not surprising.
Just as the small churches of the Ryazan land suffered during the years of persecution of the faith, so the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ was desecrated. Ryazan as a whole, its Orthodox population was having a hard time with the closure of this church.
In addition, a huge and valuable iconostasis was badly damagedcathedral. One of the main shrines of the temple - the Murom Icon of the Mother of God - disappeared without a trace.
The Ryazan archive was created in the temple itself. Now every day, instead of worship, the walls of the cathedral felt the echoing steps of the archive staff, doing their daily work.
After the collapse of the USSR and the rejection of the atheistic communist ideology, the cathedral remained in the possession of the Ryazan Museum of Local Lore. It took a long 11 years to agree with the museum management on the right of the Russian Orthodox Church to use this temple for its intended purpose. The first liturgy was held here in 2002, and since 2007 the cathedral has completely returned to the bosom of the church.
Christ Nativity Cathedral (Ryazan): schedule of church services
Today this cathedral is one of the leading churches of the Ryazan diocese. Metropolitan services are held here.
The temple is open every day, and services are held here every day.
Everyone can visit this amazing cathedral and see with their own eyes at its interior decoration, partially restored frescoes and paintings of the 19th century.
The ancient Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (Ryazan) looks new today, the schedule of services is posted on a special stand near the temple. From this schedule, you can find out what time services are held, what services can be ordered, and which priest from the priesthood of the cathedral will serve.
Moreover, the clergy of the cathedral is actively engaged in educational work among the inhabitants of the city. There is a big one herelibrary and media library.
Citizens really fell in love with the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (Ryazan), services here are a real sacred ceremony: beautiful and solemn.
The ancient cathedral looks surprisingly new today. It is modest, architecturally sustained and beautiful both outside and inside. The cathedral is a real gem of Ryazan, its treasure and object of true reverence.
