There are many temples in Russia. Some surprise with their beauty, mysterious legends are associated with others, and still others hold relics of the Orthodox world within their walls. The Assumption Cathedral of Yaroslavl was recently built on the site of an ancient temple - the oldest stone building in the city. Over the eight centuries of its existence, it has repeatedly collapsed and rebuilt. Today the Assumption Cathedral in Yaroslavl is a beautiful and majestic attraction, attracting citizens and pilgrims from other places. We learn more about the history of this amazing temple, as well as about the shrines stored in its walls.
Creation of the Assumption Cathedral
The Assumption Cathedral of the city of Yaroslavl is the oldest local stone building. His age is only slightly less than that of the city itself. If Yaroslavl, one of the oldest settlements in the country, celebrated its millennium in 2010, then the Assumption Cathedral has become eight centuries old. Of course, this is not about the temple in its original form, since it was rebuilt many times, and its present appearance does not resemble the original one.
So, imagine a young Yaroslavl. The Assumption Cathedral became the main city temple and the first brick architectural structure, which was different from other churches in the North-East of Russia. Its construction began in 1215 at the behest of Prince Rostov Konstantin Vsevolodovich. And they consecrated four years later by Bishop Cyril.
By tradition, it, as the main city temple, was named in honor of the Assumption of Our Lady. Built of red brick, it was decorated with elaborate white-stone carvings, the doors were decorated with gilded copper, and the floor was covered with colored majolica tiles. Some archaeological finds allow us to talk about the general appearance and interior decoration.
Cathedral History
However, the Assumption Cathedral did not long admire Yaroslavl - in 1237 the church was ravaged and burned by the army of Batu. Then she lost most of her holy relics and luxurious decoration.
After this event, the temple was destroyed by fires completely or partially three times more. The very first of them occurred in 1501, as a result of the cathedral collapsed arches. Then all the townspeople began to restore the shrine. At this time, people discovered the imperishable remains of princes Vasily and Konstantin Vsevolodovich, who were previously buried here. Subsequently, these relics became the most valuable relic of the cathedral. The temple was rebuilt in the same place and consecrated.
In the XVII century. the small cathedral was not large enough for the rapidly developing city, which Yaroslavl had become at that time. Therefore, it was decided to demolish it and build a new temple in its place - a five-domed church with a high bell tower. The construction was carried out for three years - from 1643 to 1646.
But in the same century, the cathedral was destroyed twice by fires (in 1658 and 1670). After them, they had to carry out major work to restore the church.
Over time, the temple was repeatedly subjected to major restructuring, however, they concerned primarily the external appearance, the internal painting and decoration remained almost unchanged.
In 1788, the city became the center of the diocese, and the Assumption Cathedral (Yaroslavl) received the status of a cathedral. Naturally, this was followed by a significant expansion and decoration of the temple. A warm church with a throne was completed to the central building of the cathedral.
In 1836, a new four-tier bell tower was installed to replace the old, tent-style. A few years later, the domes were covered with gold - for the first time in the history of the city. Also in the temple there was amazing beauty and a very valuable iconostasis of five tiers.
Assumption Cathedral in the twentieth century
The difficult twentieth century brought many trials to the cathedral, it suffered the fate of many churches during the persecution of the church. In 1918, the buildings were very damaged during artillery shelling while pacifying the rebellion of the White Guards. However, they were able to restore them to parish donations.
Further destruction did not decrease. In 1922, many cathedral values were seized from the sacristy, and the building itself was transferred to the labor exchange. Seven years later, the magnificent bell tower was demolished, and a grain storage facility was set up on the premises of the church.
And in August 1937, the Assumption Cathedral in Yaroslavl, the oldest monument of architecture, was ruthlessly blown up, and where it was, they broke the park zone.
The construction of the new Assumption Cathedral
The idea of reconstructing the Assumption Cathedral instead of the destroyed temple was approved only in 2004. The project was entrusted to an architect from Moscow, Alexei Denisov. The well-known metropolitan businessman Viktor Tyryshkin became a patron of the construction. He invested personal funds in the construction of the temple, making a truly generous gift to the city. The selected project attracted by its scale and monumentality. In 2005, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad consecrated the foundation stone.
The construction of the temple lasted four years and was completed in 2010. At the same time, the construction itself became a cause of heated debate, especially its size and the fact that it could change the general appearance of the city. But, in spite of everything, the temple was nevertheless rebuilt in its historical place.
Solemn consecration of the cathedral
Opening the newly built Assumption Cathedral, Yaroslavl celebrated its millennium on a grand scale. The consecration of the temple was on the third day of the ceremonies. A significant event gathered many believers within the walls of the cathedral, and the broadcast of the ceremony was displayed on screens installed near the church.
The consecration was conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill. And at the end of the solemn service, he gave the temple the image of the Sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Assumption Cathedral today
Currently, the cathedral covers an area of approximately two thousand square meters. More than four thousand people can be accommodated in its premises at the same time. Above the cathedral rises the seventy-meter bell tower. In the basement is a museum, refectory, cathedral hall and the archbishop's chambers.
And although there are many other churches in the old city, Yaroslavl can really be proud of this temple - the Assumption Cathedral, like eight centuries ago, embodies the true greatness of the Orthodox Church.
Shrines of the temple
Sacred relics that attract believers from different places to the Assumption Cathedral (Yaroslavl) are the relics of princes Vasily and Constantine. There is also a list of the Yaroslavl Icon of the Mother of God. The relics of the holy princes of Yaroslavl - Theodore and his sons David and Constantine were transferred here from the Feodorovsky temple.
Separately, it must be said that the cathedral is decorated with a gate tiled icon. It is the largest in the world - its area is thirty-seven square meters. In order to create an icon, city masters used more than one thousand tiles.
The interior of the cathedral
Assumption Cathedral (Yaroslavl) is beautiful not only externally. The interior of the temple impresses with its splendor - it is bright and joyful. The soft flickering of candles, the faces of saints gazing from the icons, the solemn silence reigning in the walls of the temple, offer to think and turn their thoughts to good. And although its walls do not breathe antiquity, and the domes sparkle with novelty, this does not in any way reduce the feeling of holiness that fills even the air in the cathedral.
The number of icons is growing every year, and the church choir is one of the best. There is a place for the smallest parishioners in the temple - there is a special children's corner, where children can draw and relax while their parents communicate with God.
Address and service hours
Many pilgrims and simply guests of the city need information about where the Assumption Cathedral (Yaroslavl) is located. Temple address: Kotoroslnaya embankment, 2/1. You can get to the city from Moscow by buses and trains departing from the Yaroslavl station.
Unlike many other churches, services in the cathedral are held every day. The morning liturgy begins at 8:00 on weekdays (and on weekends, it is held twice: at 7:00 and 9:30). Evening service begins at 17:00.
The lot of trials and destruction fell upon this glorious temple. They pursued him for the whole long history. Nevertheless, today the cathedral remains a wonderful and majestic embodiment of the Orthodox faith, and sincerely prayers and solemn chants are heard within its walls, awakening the most good feelings and thoughts in the parishioners. And for pilgrims visiting Yaroslavl, the Assumption Cathedral becomes the most important point of attraction.