The Savior's Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti) is a sign of a new time

Among the monumental temple buildings erected during the last decades, one of the most vivid and impressive is the Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti). The schedule of the divine services held in it unambiguously testifies to the fact that in all its completeness it has become part of the religious life of the region. It is understandable how great is the significance of this new focus of Orthodoxy for the spiritual revival of a country that has been so long in a state of atheistic obscurantism and unbelief.

A city devoid of God's temple

The decision to build it was made at difficult times for Russia in August 1991, when the country in practice proved its determination to make a historic step from totalitarianism to democracy. In connection with this the Savior-Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti) became a kind of symbol of the return to those spiritual sources, from which Russia drew strength throughout its history.

The need for its erection was determined mainly by the total absence of existing churches in the city, while there were many believers, and with the onset of perestroika, most of them wished to regularly participate in general worship services. For several years, in the absence of a temple, such services were conducted in the usual apartment of a multi-storey house, where one of the most active members of the community lived. Thus, the future Savior-Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti) was vital to the city.

The first steps towards the creation of a spiritual center

Already in 1991, at a meeting of the city council, it was decided not only to erect only one temple building, but to expand the construction of a whole complex of structures. It was planned to create two temples, one of which was to be the main one, accommodating not less than three thousand people, and the second - of a smaller size, intended mainly for the performance of the sacrament of baptism. In addition, the plan developed and approved included a dwelling for the clergy and a belfry.

Originally, the site for the construction of the temple complex was chosen on the picturesque bank of the Volga. It was ideal from an aesthetic point of view, but extremely inconvenient for future parishioners because of its remoteness from the main residential areas of the city. In this regard, it was abandoned and outlined a different place, which was among the blocks of urban high-rise buildings.

New temples built in the Volga city

Having completed the following year all the formalities accompanying such undertakings, they began work on erecting a baptismal temple. Given his future appointment, it was originally intended to consecrate his throne in honor of John the Baptist, who performed this holy ordinance in the waters of the Jordan River.

The Savior's Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti) began to be erected in 1996, even before the construction of the baptismal temple was completed. As mentioned above, it was intended as the main building, capable of hosting a large number of people during the services. This determined its very impressive size. After completion of works in 2002, the cross of its main dome ascended sixty-two meters, and the total building area was almost three thousand square meters.

The plant is the sponsor of the construction

Of course, the work of such a scale was beyond the power of the city budget, not even the parish community. However, the necessary funds were found. The main sponsor of the construction, or, as they used to say in the old days, a donator for the temple, was the famous automobile plant in the city. It was with his help that it was possible to solve most financial problems.

A unique temple structure

Savior Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti), whose address: st. Revolutionary, 19, became the second of the buildings of the previously planned complex. In addition to it, a building was built for the clergy. It also houses a library, a choral studio and a Sunday school. At present, only the final part of the project is left to be realized - to build a bell tower. All technical and legal documentation is ready, and work is expected to begin soon.

The Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti) is a unique work of modern temple architecture. Dedicated to one of the most important evangelical events - the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, he symbolizes with his power and greatness the steadfastness of the Christian faith and the spiritual strength of the people who created him.

The temple is made in the Old Russian style, based on the five-domed structure. The main dome and the four corners are made of stainless steel, imitating gold. The same technology was used in the manufacture of crosses. The sight and rich decorative decoration of the building facades are striking. Corresponds to it and interior finishing of premises. The floor inside the cathedral is lined with mosaic, for the manufacture of which twelve varieties of marble went. Particular attention is drawn to the iconostasis, reaching a height of fifteen meters.

The main spiritual center of the city

Today in the city there are twelve temples, of which the leading place is occupied by the Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti). The schedule of the services in it is very tight, since it fully accommodates all the services prescribed by the Church Charter. Beginning at 7:50, and in some cases at 7:15, they cover the whole day cycle, ending at 17:00 with evening worship. The exception is only festive and Sunday days, when evening services start an hour earlier.

But, in addition to purely religious activities, it is worth noting a broad educational and enlightenment work, the center of which is the Transfiguration Cathedral (Togliatti). The schedule of classes held in its classrooms serves as an indisputable testimony. In addition to the Sunday school, designed primarily for school-age children, catechetical lessons are regularly held for those who wish to undergo a baptismal rite and become a full member of the church community.