I kicked off my Most Beautiful Orthodox Churches in Russia Series on Monday with numbers 8-10 - To recap:
#10 - Annunciation Cathedral, Voronezh
#9 - Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, Star City
#8 - Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Ufa Bashkortostan
Today I will continue with the second installment of this series and detail the next four churches that occupy the middle section of my list. These next locations are a cut above those covered in the first installment of this series, and could be featured in the top three of any similar list. Enjoy!
7. Cathedral of St. Theodore Ushakov, Saransk, Mordovia
Saint Theodore’s is a fairly new church in the grand scheme of things, but don’t let its modern construction fool you, it is not lacking for classic appeal. The architecture is early 19th century “Empire” style, and features an ample number of columns and onion domes of gold. Four belfries surround the building, each with a different weight of bells - 6 tons, 3 tons, and 1.5 tons. The bells ring every Sunday and on holidays to call believers to worship. An observation deck around the cathedral's main "bowl" offers a panoramic view of Saransk and its neighborhoods from a height of about 40 meters.
A little history on this cathedral: the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church gained independence from the Penza Diocese in 1991. However, the Church of St. John the Divine, where the first meeting of the new administration took place, was soon deemed too small for its purpose. To address this issue, Archbishop Varsonofy Sudakov of Saransk and Mordovia appealed to the authorities of the Republic of Mordovia to approve the construction of a new cathedral. After the canonization of Admiral Feodor Ushakov in 2001, he was chosen as the patron saint of the cathedral. With the coordination of municipal authorities, the cathedral was built at the intersection of Bolshevitskaya and Sovetskaya streets. Construction began in 2002 and was completed in 2006, with support from private sponsors.
In my opinion, this church has it all. One of the most beautiful golden iconostasis you will find anywhere, a gorgeous, classic exterior, pristine interior and it is situated in the very clean and respectable Capital city of Mordovia.
Official Website
6. Kronstadt Naval Cathedral
The Kronstadt Naval Cathedral holds a significant place in the history of Kronstadt and the Russian Navy. Originally built in the early 18th century, it served as the first Orthodox church in Kronstadt and remained the primary place of worship for the naval base until the mid-19th century. Unfortunately, due to structural issues, the original wooden church had to be demolished in 1841.
For the next several decades, the naval community had to make do with temporary locations for their religious services. It wasn't until the early 20th century that the current cathedral was constructed. Built between 1903 and 1913, this magnificent structure became the main church of the Russian Navy and was dedicated to honoring the fallen seamen. However, its role as a place of worship was short-lived as it was closed in 1929 and repurposed as a cinema, House of Officers, and eventually a museum of the Navy.
Despite its transformation into a museum, the Kronstadt Naval Cathedral still holds great significance. In 2002, the Russian Orthodox Church reinstated the cross on the main dome, symbolizing the revival of its religious purpose. Three years later, in 2005, the Divine Liturgy was once again celebrated within its walls, marking a momentous occasion after a hiatus of over seven decades. The cathedral underwent extensive restoration, culminating in a grand reconsecration ceremony in 2013, led by the Patriarch of Russia and attended by esteemed guests, including the Prime Minister.
While the Kronstadt Naval Cathedral may no longer function solely as a place of worship, its historical and cultural value cannot be understated. It stands as a testament to the rich naval heritage of Kronstadt and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the seamen who served in the Russian Navy. As a naval museum, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the intertwined history of the Russian Orthodox Church and the navy, making it a worthy inclusion on any list of notable landmarks in Kronstadt.
Official Website
5. Dormition Cathedral of Khabarovsk
Following on the agenda is our journey to the far east of Russia, where we will explore another hidden gem of Orthodox architecture that is not commonly featured on similar lists. The Dormition Cathedral of Khabarovsk holds a special place in my heart due to its distinctive structural design. Standing tall and slender, this cathedral ranks among the largest churches in the Russian Far East, having been constructed between 2000 and 2002 based on the vision of Yuri Podlesny, a talented local architect.
This five-domed cathedral reaches a height of approximately 60 meters, drawing inspiration from Konstantin Thon's architectural style seen in the Annunciation Church in Saint Petersburg. Within its walls, you can find a 19th-century replica of the Abazino icon of the Theotokos, originally housed in a previous church that stood on the same grounds. Unfortunately, the original church, constructed in the 1890s and containing the marble tomb of Baron Andrei von Korff, met its demise in 1930 at the hands of the Communists. Despite its turbulent history, the Dormition Cathedral of Khabarovsk stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of Orthodox architecture in the region.
Dormition Cathedral of Khabarovsk Webcam
4. Kazan Cathedral, St. Petersburg
We’re finally reaching a point on my list where the selections are becoming quite difficult to narrow down. Indeed, any of these “middle of the list” churches and cathedrals could be swapped and moved up or down by a spot or two, and certainly the Kazan Cathedral of Petersburg could have easily cracked the top three of my (or any) list. This is one cathedral that you likely will find on all similar lists as mine.
The construction of the cathedral commenced in 1811 under the direct orders of Emperor Paul I, who envisioned a grand structure reminiscent of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Emperor himself handpicked the architectural design, ensuring that the cathedral would stand out as a symbol of imperial grandeur. Serving as the primary cathedral in the city, it held a special significance as the ceremonial church for the Imperial Family, adding to its historical and cultural importance.
The cathedral's exterior boasts a striking facade with 96 columns forming a majestic colonnade that faces the bustling Nevsky Prospect. The use of natural stone, such as Travertine, Karelian marble, porphyry, and jasper, in the construction of the building adds to its opulence and grandeur. The interior of the cathedral was adorned by renowned painters and sculptors of the era, such as Karl Bryullov and Vladimir Borovikovsky, who contributed to its exquisite decoration.
Throughout its history, the cathedral has witnessed various transformations, including a period during Soviet times when it housed the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism. The relics of saints were discreetly hidden in the attic during this time, while the unique silver iconostasis was unfortunately lost, having been melted down. However, with the resumption of church services in the 1990s, the cathedral regained its original purpose as a place of worship and cultural significance, continuing to attract visitors from around the world.
Official Website
Thank you for joining me on this second installment of my Most Beautiful Orthodox Churches of Russia Series. Stay tuned for the third and final installment, where I will be featuring my Top Three Churches in Russia in the coming days!