Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov): history, description, reviews

In this article we will describe in detail the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov). It is rightfully considered one of the key attractions of the Lower Volga region. Find this architectural masterpiece Baroque Naryshkinsky period is not difficult. The cathedral stands on the high bank of the Volga, in the greenest part of Saratov, not far from the beautiful embankment and the glorious bridge to the whole world. The golden domes play in the sun, which, in contrast to the blue of the sky, makes them look like lights. Honey bell chimes pour far above the expanses of the river. This temple is visited not only by tourists. Due to the abundance of relics and icons, pilgrims from all over Russia flock here. The church continues to hold divine services. What should an independent traveler know about this most important cathedral in the city? We will tell you everything about the oldest church in the Lower Volga region in this article.

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And do you know that the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov) changed the address? And not just the street on which it is located, was renamed. No! He literally moved from one bank of the Volga to another. And it happened in the late seventeenth century. How? The history of the cathedral is inextricably linked with the life of the city. Saratov, as you know, was built as a fortress by the Moscow archers. They chose the place for the defense structure unsuccessfully. And already in the first flood this was felt. In addition, the gentle left bank of the Volga was accessible for attacks of enemies, which in that turbulent age could not be counted. Nevertheless, Saratov and his Holy Trinity wooden church patiently stood on such a strategically uncomfortable place for almost a hundred years. When the city took a right-bank position, in it in 1674 a similar temple was built. He was consecrated by Metropolitan Parthenius, but this building did not bring any special protection, because as early as 1684 a wooden church burned to the ground with a considerable part of the city.

Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov): History

According to legend, the Moscow archers brought with them two miraculous icons: the Savior and the Kazan Mother of God. Two churches were built for them, first on the left bank, and then on the right bank. In the fire of 1684, both churches were burnt. Protopope Ignatius, left without a parish, began sending petitions to metropolitan Tersky and Astrakhan Savvaty, so that he allowed to build a temple "in the same name." However, the bishop mysteriously remained silent for five years. Probably, petitions were eventually supported by gifts, and in 1689 a building permit was obtained. At the same time, the Metropolitan pointed to some architectural details of the future church. The Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov) was built by means of citizens. For the waste of funds were vigilantly watched, so the construction was carried out quickly. Already in 1695 the church was ready. On the consecration of the cathedral, Archimandrite Joseph arrived from Astrakhan. He appointed the first abbot - Grigory Spiridonov.

New Cathedral

But the blessing of Archimandrite Joseph did not bring the expected results. In the fire of the fire that happened in May 1712, the Holy Trinity Cathedral completely burned down. Saratov was like an ashes. The city burned to the ground. From the documents we only know that the former temple had a roof covered with "crooks and lubim", and with it there was a bell tower on the pillars. But even then the cathedral was two-tiered. The lower one was consecrated in the name of the Assumption of Our Lady, and the upper one - in honor of the Holy Trinity. At the same time, the Saratov Cathedral was the first sacred building that was heated. In the refectory of the lower tier there was a Dutch stove with tiles. Thus, in the winter services were held there, and in the summer - in the unheated upper church. After the fire, both floors were elongated and provided with parallel arches. The upper gallery and the bell tower were also attached. In addition to its direct purpose, it served as a watchtower and a fire tower.

Moscow Baroque

The Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov) and its bell-tower first stood apart from each other. The temple was a semicircular, ship type, with an altar part in the form of an apse. According to the layout, the building was an "octagon, installed on a four-legged". This form is often found in the Russian architecture of churches. The stocky, static and massive "fourfold" is balanced by the "eight" aimed at the sky. The rich decor and plasticity of the forms include the Saratov Holy Trinity Cathedral in the style of the Moscow Baroque. The belltower was connected to the church only after the perestroika of 1837. She also represented in the layout of the octagon on the quad. The octagonal tent crowned the bell tower. This tower seems light and elegant thanks to the windows in the shape of a cross with equal rounded ends. In the twenties of the eighteenth century, the belfry, besides bells, also acquired chimes.

Forced reconstruction of the temple

The Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov) played a significant role in the life of the city. Here Peter the Great visited with his wife Catherine I. Before they went to the Persian campaign, they listened to the sermon preaching in the cathedral. And in the seventy-fourth year, Saratov was occupied by Pugachev's troops. Repeatedly the cathedral experienced fires. From 1774 to 1781, worship services were held only in the lower church, as the top floor was completely burnt. And time took its toll. Through the end of the eighteenth century, through the walls of the cathedral were found through cracks. The bishop ordered to dismantle the emergency building and build a new temple in its place. But, according to Russian tradition, this prescription was ignored. Divine services continued to be conducted, until in 1795 the authorities sealed the cathedral. It stood closed until 1800. But no work was done. In the end, a wealthy citizen of the city M. Ustinov, the manager of the salt company, built its own buttresses for the support of the walls. To make the building look ugly, a covered gallery was erected above it. In the western part it was completed by a powerful two-storeyed porch, crowned with a triangular pediment. At the same time, the roof was dressed in roofing iron.

The October Revolution and the new government

After all the rebuilding, the temple was decided to be a regular parish church dedicated to Alexander Nevsky. The status of the cathedral was returned to him by the vicar bishop Hermogen (Dolganov). In the early twentieth century, he began a grandiose reconstruction and expansion of the temple. But the repair work was not destined to end. The October revolution was met with little enthusiasm by the Saratov people. Moreover, in 1919 repression against the clergy began. Bishop Herman, rector of the church Gennady Makhrovsky and other priests were shot. The Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov), whose photo, fortunately, survived, was plundered. In atheistic frenzy, they wanted to demolish it, but the public insisted on preserving the historic building. In 1934, the funds of the local history museum were located within its walls. At the beginning of the Patriotic War, the authorities sent a new clergy to Saratov. The services in the church resumed in 1942. But after the war the cathedral again fell into decay. Only in 2006 there was a large-scale reconstruction of the temple.

Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov): description of the Assumption (lower) church

This tier was completely replaced. From the cultural layer were removed the socle of the building. Also new communications were made, floors were replaced. The paintings of the mid-twentieth century, which lacked artistic and historical value, were completely cleared from the walls. To create new frescoes, an artel of icon painters from Palekh was invited. Painted the temple of the master, relying on the preserved old photographs, trying to stick to the style of the eighteenth century. In the same way, the iconostasis of the Assumption Church was recreated. A lot of attention restorers paid to the walls of the building. The counter forms were repaired, brickwork was fragmentarily replaced. The church was consecrated in December 2006.

Description of the upper tier

Restoration work here lasted much longer. It was necessary to put in order the "eight", as well as a covered gallery over the buttresses, domes and bell tower. The work was completed only in 2014. The upper church was, as before, consecrated in honor of the Life-giving Trinity. Here, as in the lower tier, the iconostasis was completely replaced, the walls were painted. All small architectural details of the interior were redone. Patriarch Cyril came to the consecration in the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov). This was during the visit of the First Hierarch. After the service, Kirill issued a patriarchal decree. In it, he returned to the temple the status of the cathedral of Saratov. But now it is officially called the "Descent of the Holy Spirit." Inside the cathedral are two churches. The upper one carries the former name of the church - Holy Trinity, while the lower one is called Uspenskaya.

Choir

The main reason why many people come from far away to visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov) is Christmas services. The choir of this church is famous far beyond the region. Even after the October Revolution, the traditions of church Orthodox singing were not forgotten, but carefully preserved and developed. Despite the troubles at work, many musicians of Saratov considered it their Christian duty to sing in the choir of the cathedral. Now in the temple there are several singing groups: amateur (male and female) and two professional. One performs the choir on weekdays, and the second - only on church holidays. Even the atheists come to listen to this last one. The choir's staff consists of thirty people. All the singers have a higher musical education. The choir often performs with tours in other cities of Russia and abroad. But on holidays always comes back to the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Saratov). Christmas, Easter services on the occasion of the Dormition of the Mother of God and the Descent of the Holy Spirit pass under their mellifluous singing.

Shrines of the temple

Not only tourists and music lovers are attracted to the Saratov Cathedral. According to legend, the city was founded by the Moscow archers. The warriors brought a banner with the image of the Savior. This oriflamma once led the streltsy into battle. Later, the canvas was glued to the board and hidden under a silver gilt frame. Another sacred object of the cathedral is the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Kazan. No less revered are the relics of Seraphim of Sarov and Theodosius of Chernigov. A lot of paintings are of artistic value. This miraculous face of the Iberian and Augustine Mother of God, "Skoroposlushnitsy", Trinity, Panteleimon and "The Execution of the Dead."

Reviews of the temple

What do travelers say about the Holy Trinity Cathedral? Saratov, whose reviews are mostly positive, is famous primarily for this church, built in the Moscow Baroque style. For a believing person, this is the House of God. Parishioners and pilgrims come here to worship numerous shrines. But also to people who are far from believing in the other world, it will also be interesting to look at the icons of Christ the Savior and Our Lady of Kazan - they are a historical and cultural value. Around the cathedral is a beautiful garden with pink bushes and a pond in which goldfish swim.