Novosibirsk: Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord - Cathedral in the heart of Siberia

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The Cathedral of the Transfiguration in Novosibirsk is conveniently located in the center, near Lenin Square, but a short distance from noisy roads.

Here is the episcopal chair: the bishop leads the liturgy on solemn days, celebrates mass, ordains priests and deacons. Under the vaults of the cathedral, the Christian community listens to the word of God and prays under the shade and protection of the cathedral walls.

Historical information: from prayer house to Cathedral

Before the Great October Revolution, the Novosibirsk Catholic community of Novosibirsk consisted of 4 thousand parishioners, a prayer house was erected for them (in 1902).

In 1905, the construction of a stone building began, the erected building was then closed (in the 1930s), and subsequently completely destroyed (in the 1960s).

For many years parishioners gathered in secret, and only in the 1980s were they able to build the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which is still operating.

In 1992-1997, loc althe Catholic community initiated the construction of a new large cathedral. In 1997, an important event happened: the city of Novosibirsk took under its wing the Catholic community - the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord was consecrated. Perhaps the most significant milestone on the historical path that the Catholics of Siberia have traveled for several decades was this event.

Architectural solution: a unique look

The Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord has an amazing appearance. Novosibirsk is a city whose architectural style is quite traditional for the Soviet and post-Soviet period. Novosibirsk architect V. V. Borodkin created a unique project: the temple differs significantly in its form from other city buildings, while looking organically and naturally among the high-rise buildings surrounding it.

Made of red brick, it combines stylized Romanesque, Gothic and modernist features, taking into account Catholic canons. The buildings of the Curia (administration of the Siberian diocese) and the Sunday school, the church library, the canteen and church services adjoin the main building.

The symmetrical composition consists of three portals with semicircular arches on the west-facing facade.

The interior is illuminated through a stained glass window located in the central part. Staircase - through the windows located in the side portals.

Cathedral: nobility, dignity, modesty

The roof of the building, consisting of three parts of different levelspointed shape, as if it is a material embodiment of the words from the speech of the Apostle Peter, delivered by him on the day of the Transfiguration. He spoke about three tabernacles built for prayer by the labors of human hands.

The highest roof soared twenty meters above the chancel like a symbol of prayer.

The roof is covered with metal tiles; this gives the appearance of the cathedral a bright look due to the play of light and texture.

At the same time, the unusual structure does not make it pretentious. On the contrary, for all its showiness and brightness, the Catholic Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord looks modest, noble and dignified. Thanks to this building, Novosibirsk acquired a special charm of an element of the medieval era.

The gable shape of the roof also has a purely practical meaning: in the conditions of snowy Siberian winters, this makes it possible to remove snow from the roof surface in a timely manner.

The interior of the temple

When you enter under the vaults of the temple, you can feel the reflection of the Siberian character in its interior decoration. It seems that the administrative center of Siberia, the city of Novosibirsk, left its mark on it: the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord inside is modest, strict, pious, without flashy pretentiousness and luxury.

The interior is strictly delimited into certain zones. The entrance (porch), leading to the vestibule through the main portal, looks to the west. The altar located opposite is oriented to the east. Between them is a spacious room.

The bells float over the city

A covered gallery stretches along the walls, where religious processions and solemn processions take place. The corners of the gallery are crowned with three towers with bells, which solemnly announce that noon has come, the time has come for the Angel of the Lord prayer, and invite the faithful to celebrate Mass.

Novosibirsk hears the bells every day: the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord is also famous for the presence of the only striking clock in the city.

In the lowest part of the cathedral there are choirs with an organ. Divine services are held to the sounds of the organ.

Sometimes residents of a city like Novosibirsk can also listen to classical music here: the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord gives you the opportunity to touch with your heart the organ music performed by famous organists under the vaults of the temple.