The city of Penza is located on the Sura River, seven hundred kilometers from Moscow, if you go southeast by rail.
Penza arose as an outpost on the southeastern borders under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The first mention of the erected fortress was in a letter of sending weapons to the construction site in 1663.
Temple construction
The history of Penza is marked by the construction of churches in all parts of the city. In each settlement there was a parish and a parish church, which was kept on a voluntary basis. Each such church kept a common treasury, as well as letters, decrees and other important documents.
The first churches of Penza, as expected at that time, were built simultaneously with the construction of fortress walls and city buildings.
The church was the center of the spiritual and everyday life of citizens. Here they were crowned, appointed to a post, sworn, judged criminals. Here they gathered for the holidays, were baptized and buried. The deceased were buried near the church.
Now in Penza, with the exception of monasteries and houses of worship, there are 15 cathedrals and churches.
Mitrofanievskaya church
Penza in the XVIII century is gradually becoming a European city. So, in accordance with new decrees, it was forbidden to bury in church fences.
But in places specially designated for city burials, according to Orthodox canons, churches were built and parishes were created. Today, the oldest cemetery in Penza is the Mitrofanovsky cemetery. It got its name from the church built here in 1836.
In 1834, a petition was filed for the construction of a cemetery church. Construction progressed quickly, and in 1836 the church was consecrated in honor of St. Metrophane of Voronezh.
The central throne was consecrated in the name of Mitrofan of Voronezh, who was distinguished by zealous service and led a pious and restrained lifestyle.
In the Mitrofanov Church, a local shrine is kept - the miraculous image of the Kazan Mother of God.
Nearby, many famous people of the city are buried in the cemetery:
- creator of the local history museum and botanical garden I. I. Sprygin,
- composer F.P. Wazersky, who made a great contribution to the formation of support for opera in the city,
- Director of the art gallery and founder of the art school K. A. Savitsky and other prominent citizens.
Spassky Cathedral
Speaking of the temple construction in Penza, one cannot but mention the main temple of the city.
The first church built was the Church of the All-Merciful Savior. Now the central square of the city is located on this place, on which the Spassky Cathedral rises.
The first church in Penza was wooden. The stone cathedral was erected from 1800 to 1824. at the expense of parishioners.
The architecture of the temple is designed in the style of classicism of the early XIX century. The temple began to be called the Cathedral, and the square in front of it - the Cathedral.
The cathedral has a rich history that echoes the history of Russia. A militia of 1812 went to war from these walls.
A memorial plaque has been preserved in the temple, reminiscent of the stay of the last Tsar Nicholas II here. Other autocrats also attended prayers in the cathedral.
In 1924, after the closure of the parish, the archive was located in the building.