One of the most recognizable sights of the capital of Udmurtia, the city of Izhevsk, is the Cathedral of St. Archangel Michael. This magnificent building has a tragic history, but today it appears before believers in all its newly recreated beauty. In addition, St. Michael's Cathedral (Izhevsk) often becomes the venue for seminars, religious talks and other events aimed at restoring spirituality and fighting some of the vices of modern society.
Background
The first temple on the site of the cathedral, where the city cemetery has been located since the mid-18th century, was built in 1765. Later, the Holy Trinity Church was demolished and erected there . However, this building did not have a long history, as it burned down in 1810. 45 years later, a 30-meter chapel was built in the same place, which was consecrated in the name of the Archangel Michael, in honor of the patron saint of Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov, the head of the entire arms production in the Russian Empire.
The history of the construction of the temple
In 1876, a campaign to raise funds for the construction of a new large cathedral began in Izhevsk. All citizens took an active part in it, regardless of their property status. For example, it is known that workers at a local plant transferred part of their salary to the construction fund. Large charitable contributions were made by many eminent Izhevsk residents, including merchants. The required amount was collected by 1897, and then the foundation stone was laid in the foundation of the future cathedral. Ten years later, when the main building was almost ready, the construction had to be mothballed. Only in 1915 was it possible to consecrate the main throne, and the temple itself received the status of a dormant church, attributed to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Despite the fact that the turmoil prevented the full implementation of the project, the construction turned out to be very significant. It is enough to say that the first St. Michael's Cathedral (Izhevsk), built in 1907, had a height of 70 meters, and the diameter of its base was 43 meters. The temple was visible from a 20-kilometer distance, and it had 10 chapters and 11 bells.
In 1929, St. Michael's Church was taken from the faithful and sealed by officials of the Izhevsk police. Then it was transferred to the local museum of local lore, and in 1937 a decision was made to demolish the building. Thus, the building, built, as they say, by the whole world, was destroyed, and its place was taken by the square, which became a favorite place for Izhevsk walks.
Rebirth of the temple
In 2000, the authorities of the Udmurt Republic decided that it was necessary to recreate the destroyed temple in the same place where it was before demolition. Already in 2004, a consecrated cross was laid at the base of the future structure. The construction was carried out at an accelerated pace. As a result, in May 2007 the lower limit of the cathedral was consecrated, and in August - the main throne. Then the first liturgy was held, which in the presence of senior officials of Udmurtia was held by Patriarch Alexy II.
Interior decoration and shrines
The restored temple has a rich interior decoration. Suffice it to say that the wall painting of the cathedral was made by artists invited from Palekh, based on the frescoes of the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Notable interior details are also the carved iconostasis of the main limit and the only faience iconostasis of the lower church in Udmurtia made in the Urals.
Shrines
St. Michael's Cathedral (Izhevsk), a photo of which adorn the majority of tourist guides in this city, is famous not only for its interior decoration and magnificent architectural appearance. After all, there you can bow to many Orthodox shrines. In particular, the miraculous icon of the 16th century is stored in the cathedral with particles of the relics of the holy apostles Bartholomew, Luke, James, Matthew, Mark, Saints Gregory the Theologian, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Basil the Great, as well as St. Prince Alexander Nevsky, St. George the Victorious, archdeacons of St. Lawrence and Stephen and Rev. Ephraim the Syrian.
Temple complex
In addition to the prayer rooms, the cathedral also houses:
- Jordan
- icon shop and exhibition gallery (on the ground floor);
- Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God ;
- revolutionary necropolis;
- a chapel in honor of the Holy Prince and Princess Princess Peter and Fevronia;
- the cemetery.
St. Michael's Cathedral (Izhevsk). Epiphany
The temple has been taking part in various cultural and educational events for several years with the goal of returning Russians to the fold of the church. For example, for several years now it has become the venue for the festival of ice sculptures on the Epiphany Day, the territory adjacent to the place where St. Michael's Cathedral (Izhevsk) stands. Phone of the temple: +7 (3412) 51-01-77.
The main theme of the festival in 2015 was the angels, which the participants cut out of huge transparent blocks. Thanks to beautiful decorative lighting for several weeks, the platform with the works of carvers was the most beautiful corner of Izhevsk, where thousands of citizens flocked to admire the sparkling figures.
St. Michael's Cathedral (Izhevsk): opening hours and address
The temple is located at: st. K. Marx, 220. This is the highest point of the city, and it offers a magnificent view. It is believed that after the demolition of the Cathedral of St. Archangel Michael in its place was not built other structures due to the most famous Izhevsk - MT T. Kalashnikov. He is ready to receive believers daily from 7:00 to 19:00. St. Michael's Cathedral (Izhevsk) regularly becomes the venue for spiritual discussions with the pastors of the diocese, during which parishioners and other believers can find out the attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church to various pressing issues of our time. To get acquainted with their schedule, you can call the phone number above.
Once in the capital of Udmurtia, be sure to visit St. Michael's Cathedral, which, without exaggeration, is one of the most beautiful not only in this republic, but throughout Russia.