Khristorozhdestvensky Cathedral (Ryazan) - a miracle of history and architecture

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

A number of different historical events have been witnessed by the Nativity Cathedral. Ryazan is an ancient city, originated in the era of Kievan Rus.

Today this temple is the oldest structure of the Ryazan Kremlin. According to historians, the stone cathedral was placed 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 Vasilievich, gave this temple embroidered with her "air" for the performance of divine services.

Initially, the cathedral was called Uspensky - in honor of the most revered feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God in Russia, and only after the construction of the huge Uspensky Cathedral by Jacob Bukhvostov in 1680 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 burial vault of the Ryazan princes. Here all the Ryazan princes and their wives were buried, beginning with the son of Oleg Ryazansky, Fedor Olegovich. However, in the 18th century, after the vault collapsed in the cathedral, the tombs were destroyed (only today their remains were discovered by modern archaeologists).

The cathedral changed, but the Ryazan bishops aspired to the fact that it also produced the burials of the higher ministers of the church. So it was happening.

But the most important Ryazan saint, whose relics rest here, is, of course, Vasily Ryazansky. His relics lie in the left choir, worship this glorified saint, known for his righteous life and miracles, which he performed during his lifetime, anyone who enters the temple can.

The Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ is much amazing. Ryazan itself is a unique city, located on the outskirts of the Russian land, so here so often happened and the raids of foreigners, and other tragic events.

The fate of the cathedral in the Soviet era

Like many of the greatest temples in Russia, after the arrival of the Bolsheviks, this temple was closed, which is not surprising.

Like the small churches of the Ryazan land suffered during the years of persecution for faith, so was the Khristrozhdestvensky cathedral. Ryazan as a whole, its Orthodox population had a hard time surviving the closure of this temple.

In addition, the huge and most valuable iconostasis of the cathedral was badly damaged. One of the main shrines of the temple - the Murom Icon of the Mother of God - disappeared without a trace.

In the temple itself was created the Ryazan archive. Every day, instead of worship services, the walls of the cathedral were felt by the echoing steps of the archive staff, who are engaged in 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 History. It took a long 11 years to agree with the museum's management about 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.

Nativity Cathedral (Ryazan): Schedule of Temple Services

Today this cathedral is one of the leading temples of the Ryazan diocese. Here the services of the Metropolitan are held.

The temple is open every day, and every day there are services.

Visit this amazing cathedral and see for yourself its interior, partially restored frescoes and murals of the 19th century are available to all.

The ancient Nativity Cathedral (Ryazan) looks new today, the schedule of services is posted on a special stand near the temple. From this schedule it is possible to find out at what time the services are being held, what kind of requests can be ordered and which priest from the priesthood of the cathedral will serve.

Moreover, the clergy of the cathedral conducts an active educational work among the inhabitants of the city. There is a large library and a library.

The Christ-sobor cathedral (Ryazan) really fell in love with the townspeople, the divine services here represent a real sacred action: beautiful and solemn.

The ancient cathedral looks amazingly new today. It is modest, architecturally designed and beautiful both outside and inside. The cathedral is a real pearl of Ryazan, its treasure and the object of true worship.