The Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna, located on the territory of the Kolomna Kremlin, delights in its strict beauty, light flying form. He stands like a candle, directed by a flame into heaven, burning with prayers for Russia and its people.
The cathedral was destroyed and restored many times, rising from the ruins along with its country. He has heavenly prayer books, the saints who served here, the great love of the people, who always raised huge funds to repair the church.
Who built the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna?
When the Russian troops were victorious in the battle with the Golden Horde on the Vozha River, all of Russia rejoiced. Saint Dmitry Donskoy laid the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna in memory of this event. In the 14th century, another grandiose victory took place in the Battle of Kulikovo over Mamai. And just at that moment the construction of the church was completed.
During this period, the cathedral was served by the spiritual father and the keeper of the seal of St. Dmitry Donskoy, Metropolitan Michael. An extraordinarily gifted man, elected the head of the Russian Church, died of a mysterious death on the way to Constantinople. The construction of the temple began to symbolize the deliverance of the people from the Tatar-Mongol yoke.
Aisles of the Assumption Cathedral
One parish was dedicated to the Assumption of the Mother of God, since it was on this holiday that the troops returned with victory to the city, which showed her prayerful intercession. After all, they prayed so much for victory and blessed the army with a great shrine - its Don icon.
Another lower parish was consecrated in honor of Dmitry Solunsky, as Dmitry Donskoy considered him his heavenly patron.
For the two upper chapels, Saint Nikita, known for many miracles, and Saint Leonty of Rostov, who preached in Rostov and was killed by the Gentiles, were chosen.
Temple at Dmitry Donskoy
At that time, the two-story multi-domed Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna seemed huge, compared to other churches in Moscow.
The temple created under Dmitry Donskoy stood in this form until 1672. It was painted after his death, the organization of work was dealt with by his wife, who took over the management of many matters.
Inside the cathedral had a rich decoration. The shrines were the Don Icon of the Virgin, which was in the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna (its 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 temple and John the Terrible
During the reign of John the Terrible on June 23, 1552 in the Assumption Cathedral of Kolomna, Vladyka Theodosius, blessing the army for military operations with the Tatars near Tula, ordered everyone not to leave the church until God showed his will. After this, the enemies retreated.
Ten days later, the Russian regiments went on a campaign in Kazan, the Bishop handed Tsar John the shrine of the temple - the icon of the Don Mother of God. Ivan the Terrible then took the icon to Moscow, sending the church two good lists in return.
Pavel Aleppo about the temple
The white-stone temple made a lasting impression on Paul of Aleppo; he enthusiastically and in detail described it in his book. In it, he admires his magnificent appearance, airiness, decoration of domes, wooden figures and gilded crosses. He noted in detail 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 chimes of large bells were like thunder, to which melodic overflows were then added and floated for many kilometers, and people, hearing bell bells, bowed towards the temple and were baptized.
Bell tower 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 underlines the importance of what is happening in it. After the cathedral was closed in 1929, all the bells were destroyed, now the belfry has been restored, and the largest heavy bell was named Pimen in honor of the Patriarch.
Restoration and restoration of the temple
The Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna, built by Saint Dmitry Donskoy and standing for several centuries, it was decided to completely rebuild. To do this, it was dismantled in 1672, the work was entrusted to the architect Meletiy Alekseev.
The stones of the disassembled church were laid at the base of the new building of the cathedral, partly left the old foundation, the walls were rebuilt with brick, well-preserved materials were used in the new construction. It took about ten years to work. Repeated repairs and restoration constantly changed the appearance of the temple.
At the end of the 18th century, the wooden roof was replaced by an iron one, then a new iconostasis was installed, and after another half a century, the shape of the chapters was changed. At the beginning of the 19th century, the cathedral was painted. At that time, the archpriest in the cathedral was Mikhail Drozdov, father of the future saint Filaret of Moscow.
Some changes that occurred at the end of the 19th century were corrected and restored during major restoration work 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 a fire in Moscow in 1812, the inhabitants of Kolomna clearly saw a huge glow. Everyone who could leave the city in a panic: residents, officials who left the wounded, including many clergymen, fled. Archpriest John of Tverdovsky and mayor Fedor Andreyevich Dashkov remained in the Assumption Cathedral. They called daily at the beginning of the service and performed the sacraments.
The morning bells were familiar to thousands of people. They heard them and understood that Kolomna was intact. It was a real feat of fidelity to service.
Temple saints
The history of the Assumption 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 the troops to victory with the image of the Donskoy Icon of the Mother of God.
St. Job, Bishop of Kolomna, the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, served in this church . He received a good religious education, reached for monasticism early, accepted him against the will of his parents, so that nothing would stop him from devoting his life to serving God and the Fatherland. Tsar John the Terrible drew attention to him during trips to the monasteries. Soon he became the last metropolitan and the first patriarch of all Russia. He was engaged in church reform and missionary work, organized the printing of liturgical books.
Here the great Russian Saint John of Kronstadt prayed during his arrival in 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 this, and their names are known to God.
New Martyrs of the Temple
Tens of thousands of clergymen 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.
Dimitri Vdovin was born and raised in a simple family, was engaged in trade and served in the church as a headman. From 1922 to 1927, when it was life-threatening even to admit that you are a Christian, he served as a headman in the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna. Briefly, if we talk about his fate, then the main thing should be noted: he was charged with anti-Soviet propaganda. He was arrested along with other clergy. During interrogations in 1937, he confirmed that the believer was therefore sent to a camp where he died of tuberculosis.
After graduating from the seminary, Sergey (Bazhanov) served as deacon in the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna until 1918, then he was ordained a priest and transferred to the village of Troitskie Ozerki. The first time he was arrested, kept for 2 years in prison, and then sent to a forced labor camp. When he was freed, he continued his ministry. But in 1937, Father Sergius was again taken to the Tagansky prison, and two weeks later they were shot and buried in an unknown grave.
From 1920 to 1929, Bishop Fedosiy (Ganitsky) served in the church. By the time he arrived in Kolomna, he had already survived the persecution and arrests, he was constantly monitored. Despite everything, he served, preached and enlightened. He spent 2 years in Butyrskaya prison, then 5 years in Kolomenskaya. He was canonized in 2006 as a priest.
Parishioners actively defended 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 they could, plundered and desecrated, destroyed all the icons, part of the carved iconostasis. But what can be compared with the blood of the righteous, which commissars flooded the Russian land.
Revival of the spiritual life of Kolomna
The spiritual life of Kolomna began to develop rapidly since 1989 under the guidance 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, and chants.
The creation of the Orthodox Brotherhood named after St. Prince Dmitry Donskoy in 1991 was a significant event in the Moscow diocese. It is engaged in educational activities and charity. A youth Orthodox movement has been organized, the club has various courses, a patriotic club, and the Life medical education center. Hundreds of families eat in the charity canteen. The Brotherhood publishes the newspaper "Evangelist."
On Easter days there is a festival of sacred music, wonderful concerts where you can get acquainted with the church singing heritage, original works and interesting groups.
Thanks to folk love, prayers, feats of saints, the temple today exists and is open to all who wish to attend divine services, listen to wonderful church singing, place candles and think about the innermost.