In the Middle Ages for two years there was a defense of Smolensk, which ended in 1611. At that time, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth wanted to capture the city. When the pressure was especially strong at Smolensk, the Assumption Cathedral was blown up by its own inhabitants. Partially the structure was destroyed. Many innocent citizens died, they became victims of confrontation.
Reconstruction and restoration
Then, during the 17-18 centuries, residents were engaged in the restoration of the temple. They threw all their strength into reconstructing the Assumption Cathedral. Smolensk spent a lot of money in order not to lose this unique architectural monument.
During the restoration, critical errors were made, due to which there was a repeated collapse of the domes. But gross violations were corrected, the perpetrators punished, so that the Holy Assumption Cathedral (Smolensk) still revived from ruins. With repeated restoration, the building has somewhat changed. Today we see it in a different guise compared to what the temple was in the 12th century. But he did not lose his majesty, impressiveness and beauty. It is said that Napoleon, when he first saw the Smolensky Cathedral, reverently removed his cocked hat.
Disturbing and difficult times
The life that Smolensk lived was not calm. The Assumption Cathedral has witnessed two great battles. The first was World War II, which took place at the beginning of the 19th century. During this time, Napoleon ordered a convoy to be set up inside the temple.
In less than 150 years, another large-scale battle stirred Smolensk. The Assumption Cathedral is one of those points that was affected by the Great Patriotic War, which raged from 1941 to 1945.
At the beginning of the last century, the attitude to shrines was, as we know, not the most respectful. And this is good luck if one or another church was turned into a warehouse of agricultural products, but not destroyed.
Like a mockery in the 1920s, a museum of anti-religious thought was placed in the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk. Icons no longer evoked a reverence for the Almighty and the saints. This building previously held a leading position among the temples of the diocese of the city. Now it was just a tourist attraction, where people came out of curiosity, and not from an elevated need to come in contact with the divine light.
Beauty and sophistication
The Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk is one of the richest and most artistically decorated from an artistic point of view. The description of its architecture, the luxury of interior decoration and the number of icons here are amazing. Their exposition occupies five tiers with a total height of thirty meters. This delightful beauty is decorated with gold and expertly carved wooden sculptures. It’s rare where you can meet something that strikes with its greatness so much. Parishioners can literally nail the magnitude and sophisticated splendor of the temple to the place.
Holy artifacts
The guardian of many shrines is the hero city of Smolensk. The Assumption Cathedral in its walls protects three things that are given special importance. They are known not only in their native lands, but also far beyond its borders. People are going to kneel before them in the Assumption Cathedral (Smolensk), whose address is: st. Cathedral Mountain, 5.
The first of these is sandals, in which the holy warrior Mercury walked in the 13th century. Also here is a shroud made and woven by gilding by the masters of Princess Euphrosyne Staritskaya in the 16th century. There is also a face that works wonders. The icon depicts the Smolensk Mother of God, whose name is Hodegetria. The relic is made in the 17th century.
The feat of the brave defender of the city
Speaking in more detail about the holy warrior of Mercury, at the beginning of the thirteenth century he was the Smolensk governor. The glorious hero defeated the Mongol-Tatar army. The battle took place near the village of Dalgomostya, which could be reached after passing 27 kilometers south of the Smolensk Territory.
Mercury died the heroic death of a true protector of his native land. When the governor pursued a fearsome enemy, they clung to the battle, from which the Tatar emerged victorious. With veneration and awe, the relics of the military leader, who was reckoned among the saints after death , were preserved within the walls of a divine place, which at that time was called the Assumption Monomakh Cathedral.
The 17th century brought the city more suffering. He defended himself against Polish troops. In the heat of battle, someone stole the relics. At the beginning of the 19th century, a spear of a warrior was also stolen from the temple. Looting did not stop there, and in the middle of the 20th century, the helmet also disappears. And only sandals are still in place.
If you believe the legend, the presence of military armor worn by the martyr Mercury in the city ensures the protection of the Heavenly Queen over Smolensk and the defense against all misfortunes.
Shroud History
As for the shroud, woven in the workshop owned by Princess Staritskaya, the middle of the 16th century is considered the time of its manufacture. An element of clothing was transferred to the walls of the cathedral, which belonged to the capital, in order to remember the deceased prince, who was Vladimir Staritsky, who was a close relative of the ruler of the state.
The beginning of the nineteenth century was marked by the fact that the French captors who plundered and laid treasures from the capital recaptured their prey. Among the things was the shroud. Now she was sent to the walls of the temple in Smolensk for storage. When Napoleon was expelled from Russian lands, the city was noted for his great contribution to the conduct of hostilities during the Patriotic War of the early 19th century. Alexander I, in consultation with the commander M. Kutuzov, decided to present the city with a gift of gratitude for courage.
Now the Smolensky Assumption Cathedral has become the home of the shroud. This is a real work of art, which is of great value because of its uniqueness and perfection.
Holy guide icon
The miraculous icon "Hodegetria" in Smolensk, dedicated to the Mother of God, is one of the most significant holy artifacts belonging to the Christian world. According to available information, it was written by the Evangelist Luke at the time when the Blessed Virgin Mary lived on earth.
Previously, the icon was stored in Chernigov, from where it was taken to the Assumption Cathedral by Vladimir Monomakh. This happened in the early years of the 12th century. Since then, it has been identified with Smolensk. The name of the icon means the bright face of the guide.
According to the inhabitants of the city, it was Hodegetria that saved people and their homes from the spears and arrows of the conquerors. The year 1812 was the moment the artifact was exported to the capital before the Battle of Borodino. They made a procession near the Kremlin and returned the icon to its place.
The Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 irrevocably took away from the people their shrine, since it died or was stolen during the fighting.
The Return of the Holy Face
When Smolensk was liberated from Hitler’s troops, this image reappears in the Christian world. In 1602, in honor of the ritual, during which the Smolensk fortress wall was consecrated , a copy was written from the original, which was owned by Boris Godunov.
And now, centuries later, this masterpiece in the cathedral. Today, the walls of the holy place contain precisely this artifact - an enlarged copy of the original "Hodegetria of Smolensk", which is also revered by the people as miraculous and is considered one of the main shrines of the Christian world. Where is the icon painted by the Evangelist Luke now, it is unknown: died during the German offensive or stolen and languishing in someone else's private collection?
Temple life today
Nowadays, the holy place is actively visited by parishioners. Fills with holy word Archpriest Michael Gorovoy Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk. Divine liturgies, icon worships are performed. Many politicians of the city are present at significant events.
Liturgical chants are performed. Pure voices are raised to the dome of the church by the Cathedral Bishop’s choir, a children's singing group, which is brought up by an Orthodox gymnasium. The compositions are also performed here by the consolidated choir, which is coached by the city’s theological seminary and theological school. Services are broadcast on television in real time through the main channels of Smolensk.
The church was automated and made convenient for parishioners, it is taken care of and improved. So, when you come to the square near the cathedral or the embankment of the Dnieper, you can look at the service shown on the big screen. But you can only feel the special atmosphere of the temple when you visit it.