Novo-Nikolsky Cathedral (Mozhaisk): description, history, relics and shrines

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

Orthodox churches in Russia are of special cultural value. Under the majestic architecture, clean and inspiring atmosphere, stories are often hidden, full of mysteries, disputes and bloody struggle for faith. St. Nicholas Cathedral (Mozhaisk) is a vivid confirmation of this. Despite the vagaries of nature and historical unrest, it has withstood the centuries and still sanctifies the Russian land. What is its history? And what secrets and shrines does the temple keep within its walls?

Location

The city where St. Nicholas Cathedral is located is Mozhaisk. It occupies the western part of the Moscow region and is one of the ancient cities of Russia. The first mention of it in chronicles dates back to the 13th-14th centuries. In the course of archaeological excavations, finds dating back to the 3rd millennium BC were discovered. e. Settlements and fortifications were based on a hill (now Cathedral Mountain)in the area of the lower reaches of the Mozhaika River. A little later, the Mozhaisk Kremlin was built here. At first it was wooden. However, at the beginning of the 16th century there was a fire. The reason for it, according to some sources, could be robberies and riots during the period of the lip reform. After that, earthen ramparts and a burnt stone tower remained from the fortress. Later, on the orders of Ivan the Terrible, the Mozhaisk Kremlin was rebuilt.

Temple History

According to the annalistic data, St. Nicholas Cathedral was founded at about the same time as the fortress, in the 12th century, and was located at the St. Nicholas Gate. Initially wooden, it did not survive the fire, so in the 15th century a white-stone temple was erected. At that time it was called the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. During the period of the Polish-Lithuanian invasion, the temple was plundered, but the building survived. At the end of the 17th century the cathedral was rebuilt. The gate (upper) church with the Nikolsky gates formed the New Nikolsky Cathedral, and below, respectively, the Old Nikolsky Cathedral was located. The second one, after several rebuildings and reconstructions, became known as the Peter and Paul Church.

Description

Outwardly, the Novo-Nikolsky Cathedral is only partly similar to a traditional Orthodox building. It is made in pseudo-Gothic style, which is called Russian Gothic. This can be easily guessed by the bizarre architectural forms and the Star of David on the pediment. Inside, the temple is decorated with two carved columns and wooden (!) statues of saints. The strangeness of style in relation to the usual (Orthodox) is also reinforced by a sharp contrast with Staro-NikolskyCathedral (now Peter and Paul Church).

The Novo-Nikolsky Church stands at the Nikolsky Gate on a hill and is perfectly visible at the entrance to the city. Archival data and construction drawings have not been preserved. However, some sources claim that the Russian architect and artist Alexei Bakarev was the author of the cathedral project.

It is believed that the construction of the temple began in 1779, and was completed only in 1814. It went on with interruptions and a periodic change of customers and performers, with additions and restructuring. On its walls there is an unusual symbolism. It is she who gives historians grounds to argue about the "Masonic" version of the construction. This is also indicated by the Masonic influence that was present in Russia in those years. In addition, some scholars associate the completion date with the 500th anniversary of the death of the last master of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay. In 1314 he was burned at the stake.

The temple also includes the 11-meter wall of the Mozhaisk Kremlin, which Polish guns could not destroy at one time. And as a foundation, ancient masonry was used, which is distinguished by its special strength and reliability.

Cathedral closing

From 1933 to 1994 - a rather vague and uncertain period in the religious life of the city. For unknown reasons, St. Nicholas Cathedral was closed. Mozhaisk was badly damaged during the Great Patriotic War. And although the temple was restored (without the central domed rotunda), in the 60s a knitting factory was located here. And twenty years later the cathedral and stillseveral buildings were transferred to the department of the Borodino Military History Museum. Only in 1994 did divine services begin again in the church.

Landslide

In 2013, a strong landslide occurred in Mozhaisk. The soil collapsed from the hill where the Novo-Nikolsky Cathedral is located. Amazing, but true. The building was saved from serious destruction by the fact that the landslide stopped some 17 meters from the temple. According to other sources, minor damage was still done to its western wall. Stucco has collapsed and bricks have fallen out. Residents of the city have always been aware of the natural danger and vulnerability of the cathedral, but continued to attend services. And soon they wrote a letter to the Ministry of Culture of Russia explaining the precarious position of the Orthodox church in Mozhaisk and asking to strengthen it. In 2014, all restoration work was completed.

Mysterious Disappearance

It is known that the St. Nicholas Cathedral before the revolutionary period kept the relics of saints (Sergius of Radonezh, Prince Vladimir, Lavrenty the Sharpener, Hieromartyrs Macarius and Barbara, St. Michael of Stadsky and Nikon Sukhoi). However, in 1919 they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

Another mysterious disappearance occurred in the spring of 1922. This time the loss turned out to be more significant both spiritually and materially. Two ubrus with the image of the Mother of God, two stars, a chalice with images of saints, golden crosses and a token of Peter I were seized. All items were decorated with diamonds and precious stones. Alsothe miter and riza disappeared from the image of Nikola Mozhaisky. Who seized the shrines is unknown. They disappeared without a trace.

However, despite numerous testimonies, in 1925, local historian N. I. Vlasyev, representing the Mozhaisky district, described in detail the riza of Nikola Mozhaisky in his notebooks with a note that it was kept in the Kremlin Armory.

Icon

The icon of Nikolai Mozhaisk, the patron saint of its inhabitants, has always been of particular value for the city of Mozhaisk. The first mentions of him are found in the epics "Sadko", "Mikhailo Potyk". There is also an ancient legend. According to him, once the city was besieged by enemies. Feeling the danger, the inhabitants of Mozhaisk began to earnestly pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker. Soon a majestic image of the saint appeared over the fortress. The sparkling sword and formidable appearance frightened the enemies. This is how St. Nicholas became the patron saint of the city of Mozhai. After that, a wooden statue was created. The image depicts a saint with a sword in his right hand and the Mozhaisk fortress in his left.

The sculpture was decorated with a chased silver riza and a miter with large pearls, a golden cross and precious stones. The cross on the chest and the crown were made of pure gold, and the wooden sword and hail of Mozhai were gilded.

The image of St. Nicholas was placed in St. Nicholas Cathedral. During the war of 1812, the temple (still unfinished) was significantly damaged, but the sculpture and other precious church utensils survived, as they were hidden in the cellars. Today the relic is kept in Moscow, in the Tretyakov Gallery. And inSt. Nicholas Cathedral placed the icon of the Saint.

Interesting facts

• The miraculous image of St. Nicholas, installed on the Nikolsky Gate, protected Mozhaisk from enemies. Coincidence or divine providence, but when the icon was taken away from the city, it was immediately captured by the enemy. This is an urban legend, but the exact dates and events are not indicated.
• It is known that in Russia there are more than a dozen St. Nicholas churches. One of the largest is located in St. Petersburg, in Orenburg - one of the most visited. And Nikolsky Cathedral (Mozhaisk) is perhaps the oldest among its "brothers" and unusual in style of architecture.
• A miraculous phenomenon happened at the end of the 19th century during fair festivities in Mozhaisk. Over the Nikolsky Cathedral for several nights in a row, a bright glow was noticed. The townspeople at first mistook it for a fire, and having figured it out, they considered it a miracle and a blessing from the Lord.

Today

Currently Mozhaisk district is famous for more than a dozen attractions. Orthodox churches are of particular importance among them. Nikolsky Cathedral occupies the first place in this list. Mozhaisk keeps its rich and foggy history. Until now, scientists are arguing whether it is a truly Russian cultural value or another Masonic symbol. But for Orthodox parishioners, this does not matter. Believers come here from all over Russia to venerate the holy images and relics and feel the pure andinspiring atmosphere. Nikolsky Cathedral is a real historical monument, which, along with other ancient temples, reminds of the power of the Orthodox faith, thereby inspiring and uniting the Russian people.