Kolomna, Assumption Cathedral Cathedral: description, history and interesting facts

The Uspensky Cathedral in Kolomna, located on the territory of the Kolomna Kremlin, admires its strict beauty, an easy flying form. It stands like a candle, directed by flame to heaven, burning with prayers for Russia and its people.

The cathedral was repeatedly destroyed and recovered, rising from the ruins along with his country. He has celestial prayer books, saints who served here, great love of the people, who always collected huge funds for the repair of the church.

Who built the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna?

When the Russian troops won the battle with the Golden Horde on the River Vozhe, the whole Rus rejoiced. St. Dmitry Donskoy laid in memory of this event the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna. In the 14th century there was another great victory in the Kulikovo battle over Mamai. And just by this time the construction of the church was completed.

During this period, the cathedral was served by the spiritual father and guardian of the press of St. Dmitry Donskoy, Metropolitan Michael. An unusually gifted man, elected head of the Russian Church, died of a mysterious death on his way to Constantinople. The erection of the church became symbolic of the deliverance of the people from the Tatar-Mongol yoke.

The chapels of the Assumption Cathedral

One parish was dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, as it was on this holiday that the troops returned to the city with a victory, which showed her prayerful intercession. After all, she was so much prayed for victory and blessed the army with a great shrine - her Don icon.

Another lower parish was consecrated in honor of Dmitry Solunsky, as his Dmitry Donskoi considered his heavenly patron.

For the two upper chapels, St. Nikita, known for many miracles, was chosen, and St. Leonty of Rostov, who preached in Rostov and was killed by pagans.

Temple at Dmitri Donskoy

At that time, the two-storeyed multi-domed Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna seemed huge, compared to other churches in Moscow.

The temple created at Dmitriy Donskoe stood in this form until 1672. He was painted after his death, the work was organized by his wife, who took over the management of many affairs.

Inside the cathedral had a rich decoration. The Don's icon of the Virgin was located in the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna (the author was Theophanes the Greek), the relics of John the Baptist. A large library was assembled in the temple.

The whole history of the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna is closely connected with the history of Russia, its victories and dramatic events.

Kolomna church and John the Terrible

During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, on June 23, 1552, in the Assumption Cathedral of Kolomna, Vladyka Theodosius, blessing the army for military operations with the Tatars at Tula, ordered everyone not to leave the church until God shows his will. After that, the enemies retreated.

Ten days later, the Russian regiments marched on Kazan, the lord handed over to King John the shrine of the temple - the icon of the Donskoi Mother of God. Ivan the Terrible then took the icon to Moscow, sending two good lists in return for the temple.

Paul of Aleppo about the temple

The white stone church made an indelible impression on Paul of Aleppo, he enthusiastically described it in detail in his book. In it he admires his majestic view, airiness, the decoration of domes, wooden figures and gilded crosses. He detailed the altars, windows, cellars and crypts. Of course, the delightful belfry of the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna, richly decorated with arches, fine carvings, twelve bells of different sizes, especially pleased the hearts of believers. The festive ringing of the big bells was like a thunder, to which melodic overflows were added and floated for many kilometers, and people, hearing the bells ringing, bowed to the temple and were baptized.

Belfry of the Cathedral

The separate building of the large bell tower was built in the 17th century. A tall rectangular structure is crowned by a conical dome.

The strict appearance of the building emphasizes the importance of what is happening in it. After the closure of the cathedral in 1929, all bells were destroyed, now the belfry is restored, and the biggest heavy bell was named Pimen in honor of the Patriarch.

Restoration and restoration of the temple

The Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna, built by St. Dimitry Donskoy and stood for several centuries, it was decided to completely rebuild. For this, it was dismantled in 1672, the work was entrusted to the architect Meleti Alexeyev.

At the base of the new building of the cathedral were laid white stones of the disassembled temple, partially left the ancient foundation, rebuilt with brick walls, well-preserved materials were used in the new construction. The work took about ten years. Repeated repairs and restorations constantly changed the face of the temple.

The wooden roof at the end of the 18th century was replaced with an iron one, then a new iconostasis was installed, half a century later the shape of the chapters was changed. In the beginning of the 19th century the cathedral was painted. At this time, the archpriest in the cathedral was Mikhail Drozdov, the father of the future saint Philaret of Moscow.

Some changes that occurred at the end of the 19th century were corrected and restored in the course of major restoration works in 1963. By 1999, the cathedral was completely renovated and re-consecrated by Patriarch Alexy II.

The Patriotic War of 1812 and the feat of Father John

During the fire in Moscow in 1812 the inhabitants of Kolomna saw a great glow. Everyone who could, in a panic, left the city: residents, officials who threw the wounded, including many priests, fled. In the Assumption Cathedral there remained archpriest John Tverdovsky with the mayor Fedor Andreevich Dashkov. They called daily to the beginning of the divine service and performed sacraments.

Morning chimes were familiar to thousands of people. They heard them and understood that Kolomna was safe. It was a real feat of loyalty to the ministry.

Saints of the Temple

The history of the Uspensky Cathedral in Kolomna is inextricably linked with the history of Russia, its people and the clergy. Dmitry Donskoy and John the Terrible received a blessing here and led to the victory of the troops with the image of the Don Icon of the Mother of God.

In this church Saint Iov served, bishop of Kolomna - the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. He received a good religious education, early reached for monasticism, took it against the will of his parents, so that nothing would prevent him from devoting his life to serving God and the Fatherland. Tsar Ivan the Terrible drew attention to him during his trips to the monasteries. Soon he became the last metropolitan and first patriarch of all Russia. He was engaged in church reform and missionary activity, organized printing of liturgical books.

Here the great Russian saint John of Kronstadt prayed during his visit to Kolomna, thousands of believers welcomed him, a grand procession was held. Many ministers performed their spiritual deeds here, were honored to become saints, and many undoubtedly deserve it, and their names are known to God.

New martyrs of the temple

Tens of thousands of clerics after the revolution were subjected to terrible torture, executions and exile.

The host of saints was replenished with the names of those who accepted the grace of martyrdom for Christ, did not deny and died with prayer on their lips.

Dimitry Vdovin was born and raised in a simple family, was engaged in trade and served in the church of the elder. From 1922 to 1927, when it was dangerous for life even to admit that you are a Christian, he served as a prefect in the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna. Briefly, if we talk about his fate, we should note the main thing: he was charged with anti-Soviet propaganda. He was arrested along with other clergy. In 1937, during interrogations, he confirmed that the believer, therefore, was sent to a camp where he died of tuberculosis.

After graduating from the seminary, he served in the Uspensky Cathedral in Kolomna as a deacon until 1918, Sergei (Bazhanov), then was ordained a priest, transferred to the village of Troitsky lakes. The first time he was arrested, held for 2 years in prison, and then sent to a forced labor camp. When he was released, he continued his ministry. But in 1937, Sergius's father was again taken to Taganskaya prison, and two weeks later they were shot and buried in an unknown grave.

From 1920 to 1929, Bishop Fedosy (Ganitsky) served in the church. By the time he came to Kolomna, he had already experienced persecution and arrests, he was followed by constant surveillance. Despite everything, he served, preached and enlightened. He was 2 years in Butyrka prison, then 5 years in Kolomenskaya. He was listed as a saint in 2006 as a priest.

Parishioners actively defended the ministers, collected signatures, appealed to the NKVD. It is possible that one of them also paid for it with life and freedom. After the arrest of Bishop Theodosius in 1929, the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna was closed, which could, looted and desecrated, destroyed all the icons, part of the carved iconostasis. But what can be compared with the blood of the righteous, to which the commissars have flooded the Russian land.

Revival of the spiritual life of Kolomna

The spiritual life of Kolomna began to develop rapidly since 1989 under the leadership and prayers of Nikolai Kachankin.

A Sunday school was opened in which children and adults can study the Gospel and the Scriptures, the law of God, the order of worship, hymns.

The creation of the Orthodox brotherhood of the name of St. Prince Dimitri Donskoy in 1991 was a significant event in the Moscow diocese. It is engaged in educational activities and charity. Organized a youth Orthodox movement, the club operates a variety of courses, patriotic club, educational medical center "Life". In a charitable canteen hundreds of families eat. The Brotherhood publishes the "Blagovestnik" newspaper.

On Easter days, there is a festival of sacred music, wonderful concerts, where you can get acquainted with the church singing heritage, author's works and interesting collectives.

Thanks to popular love, prayers, and deeds of the saints, the temple exists today and is open to all those wishing to attend divine services, listen to wonderful church singing, put candles and think about the hidden things.