Ancient cities keep the memory of past centuries in bridges, houses, palaces, preserved documents, and in Russia - also in temples with graveyards. Penza Assumption Cathedral almost did not interrupt service, remaining a spiritual support for residents in the most difficult times. Erected on the outskirts of the city, now it is located in its very heart.
History
Since 1663, the ancient city of Penza rises on the banks of the Sura River. The Assumption Cathedral appeared a little later. Its construction was preceded by a small church, built in 1836 on the territory of the Mironositsky cemetery. In 1899, it burned down, and there was a need to build a new temple. The elders of the church Ivanovsky M.E., Tyurin S.L., Gutorov A.D. and the abbot Archpriest G.N. Feliksov took up the difficult task of arranging. The new church was built on donations from parishioners.
The design of the cathedral was developed by the famous engineer A. G. Starzhinsky in 1895. Donations to the temple were collected by the whole world, a blessing for the construction from the Holy Synod was received in 1901, the opening of Penza awaited. The Assumption Cathedral opened its doors in 1905. Three chapels were consecrated in the church - the left was consecrated in honor of the Metropolitan of Moscow Alexy, the right - in honor of the holy Myrrh-bearing women, the central throne is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin. The sacrament of blessing was performed by the rector of the church, Bishop Tikhon.
From revolution to the present day
Tentatively in 1922, the Assumption Cathedral (Penza) was transferred by the Soviet authorities to the hands of priests of a new formation - to conduct services to the Renovationists. From 1931 to 1937, the bishop's chair of the Renovationists was located in the church and, probably, the revered Penza-Kazan miraculous icon of the Mother of God stayed.
The priests of the Renovationists were arrested in 1937, and the cathedral was closed. For some time it housed army ski depots. Only after 1945, services began to be held in the temple. Together with the temple, Penza was reborn. The Assumption Cathedral became the bishop's chair. At the end of the 70s, a lower chapel for funeral services was consecrated, consecrated in honor of Seraphim of Sarov.
Modernity
In 1996, an administrative building was built near the church, where premises for the Sunday school, the abbot's office, a conference room, a hostel, etc. are located.
In 2000, one of the main shrines of the city, the relics of Innokenty Penza, was transferred to the Assumption Cathedral (Penza). In 1994, next to the Assumption Cathedral, the Baptismal Annunciation Church was opened, its consecration took place in the same year. In 2015, a museum was opened at the cathedral dedicated to the memory of the archbishop of Kuznetsk and Penza Seraphim.
Architecture
The cross-domed five-domed Assumption Cathedral (Penza) rises on a hilltop, tearing off the ground and rushing upwards with domes. When approaching the temple, its monumentality and wall thickness become apparent. In the plan, the structure has a rectangular outline.
On three sides, the church is surrounded by porches marking the entrances to the room. The two-light temple is crowned with a central drum, on each dome there are gilt crosses, which sanctify Penza. The Assumption Cathedral inherited the best traditions of ancient Russian architecture. The author of the project managed to avoid an excessive amount of detail in the decoration of the facades.
There is no bell tower in the complex; it was replaced by a small belfry located above the western wing. The main entrance to the cathedral is decorated with two icons - the Resurrection of Christ and the Wives of the Peace-Bearers. In the eastern part of the temple are three semicircular apse - the number of consecrated altars. On the front part of the apse, in niches, icons are installed, thanks to which, even without going into the temple, you can find out in whose honor they are consecrated.
Sunday School
Assumption Cathedral (Penza) leads an active social and educational life. For the church community and all comers, several institutions work. For the smallest open Sunday school. For over 20 years, it has been helping children comprehend the world from the perspective of the Orthodox faith. The school was consecrated in honor of St. Innocent of Penza.
The training is conducted in four levels corresponding to the age groups of children:
- From 3 to 6 years. Most of the classes are devoted to creativity - modeling, drawing, games, singing and other developmental lessons. Children spend up to 1.5 hours at school, accompanied by adults, the beginning and end of classes are crowned with a short prayer.
- From 7 to 9 years. The duration of the lessons is up to 3 hours, classes are attended independently. Children take part in productions, organize general events, and receive small tasks.
- From 9 to 12 years. For children of this age, the first theoretical classes are introduced - the Law of God, the study of the Church Slavonic language, and singing. Some of the students begin to take part in choir singing on the choir along with adults. Children's liturgies are conducted with only Sunday school students. Creative classes are open to all comers, the basics of icon painting are taught.
- From 13 to 15 years. A new subject is added to the traditional lessons - the history of the church from ancient times to the history of the new martyrs of the 20th century. Students take part as volunteers in charity events and bishop services. The boys, if desired, help the priests at the altar.
The emphasis in raising children is placed on cultivating internal morality, churching and broadening one's horizons.
Youth society
The city of Penza is proud of its people and history. Assumption Cathedral is actively involved in the education of youth. Upon arrival, an Orthodox youth society operates. Participants provide assistance to those in need, conduct educational activities and simply communicate.
Activities:
- Social work includes visits to shelters, orphanages, and social nursing homes. A lot of time is devoted to caring for the sick, infirm, elderly, and disabled. Charity fairs, events, concerts and other events are often organized in the parish, where the youth wing acts as organizers, participants, and volunteers.
- Missionary work. The range of activities includes trips to schools with stories about Orthodoxy, conversations with the priest, joint reading, discussion of the Gospel and other spiritual literature. During the holidays, young people distribute booklets in order to attract parishioners to the temple.
- Labor mission. Within the framework of the activity, the members of the society render assistance to the parish, make trips to the monastery cloisters, temples of Penza and the region.
Cultural, historical, spiritual heritage
Assumption Cathedral (Penza) is located in the old Mironositsky cemetery. When laying these objects were located outside the city, and now they are part of the center of urban infrastructure. The churchyard was intended for the burial of the inhabitants of Penza, but historically, it became the last refuge for most Penza merchants. The surviving tombstones reflect the old traditions of the design of the burial, there are memorials in the form of analogs, urns, vases with the image of cherubs. Attract the attention of several chapel-tombs.
The Assumption Cathedral and eight objects of the Mironositsky cemetery are the cultural heritage of the Russian Federation. Cultural Heritage List:
- Assumption Cathedral with interior.
- Individual burials - S. M. Zhuravleva (Hero of the Soviet Union, participant in two wars), A. A. Igosheva (Hero of the Soviet Union, participant in two wars), L. M. Samborskaya (Honored Worker of Culture of the RSFSR, director, actress), and V. Gribova (Russian and Soviet scientist, professor, leading specialist in the field of internal combustion engines), N. M. Savkova (doctor of medicine, an outstanding surgeon and public figure), N. A. Schepetilnikova (doctor, public figure).
- Mass graves of soldiers who died from wounds in Penza hospitals during the war. A total of 648 fighters found peace in the Mironositsky cemetery.
The graves are looked after by volunteers, public organizations and the Orthodox community of the Assumption Cathedral.
Services and feast days
Patronal holidays, especially revered in the cathedral:
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28).
- Of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women (second Sunday from Easter).
- St. Alexis of Moscow (February 25 and June 2).
- Rev. Seraphim of Sarov (January 15 and August 1).
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (April 7).
How does the Assumption Cathedral (Penza) work? Standard service schedule:
- Weekdays: 08:00 - Liturgy, evening service - 17:00 (from the Feast of the Intercession to the Day of the Annunciation, evening service starts at 16:00).
- Festive and Sunday liturgies begin at 07:00 and 09:30.
- Shabbat and festive all-night vigils begin at 17:00.
The temple is open daily from 07:00, seven days a week, closes with the end of the evening service. The church is a tourist attraction, many citizens and guests tend to get into the ancient Assumption Cathedral (the schedule of services is given above). Inquiries can be found by contacting the phone number listed on the official website.
Address
Getting to the religious building is not difficult. As mentioned earlier, it is located almost in the center of the city of the Assumption Cathedral (Penza). Address: Zakharova street, building 6 (in the territory of the Mironositsky cemetery). You can get to the temple by public transport:
- Bus number 165, 130, 30, 102.
- Minibus taxi number 5k, 21, 93, 86.