For many decades, the city of Biysk was the center of the mission of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is worth noting that it was in this city that one of the first Bible translations from Hebrew and Greek was made. This translation has not lost its significance to this day. For almost 120 years, the main decoration of the old part of the city has been the Biysk Assumption Cathedral.
First Assumption Churches
Before a cathedral appeared in the city, delighting the parishioners with Byzantine architecture, dazzling white walls and sky-blue domes, in Biysk there were two churches called the Assumption.
The first - a wooden church - was built in the city in the summer of 1774. It was built under the leadership of the commandant of the Biysk fortress Pyotr Chetov. Priests held services here from 1774 to 1830. The decision to demolish a dilapidated church was made during the redevelopment of the city and the construction of new neighborhoods.
Another commandant, Colonel Bogdanov, was engaged in the construction of the second Assumption Church. The construction ended in 1789, and it was consecrated five years later - in 1794. A brick was used for the construction, clay for which was mined not far from the construction site. By the way, to burn bricks, Colonel Bogdanov ordered the construction of a small brick factory with two furnaces.
In addition to the main name, the Assumption Church of Biysk also had a second - folk. The townspeople called it Cossack, because the parishioners were Cossacks and their families. Due to the fact that the population was growing rapidly, the church no longer accommodated all parishioners. In addition, it is pretty dilapidated. And therefore, in 1901, the city authorities recognized the church as emergency, and then abolished it.
Third Assumption Cathedral
The birthday of the pearl of the Barnaul diocese is considered to be July 5, 1898. It was then that the first stone was laid in its place.
Consecrated the temple in 1903. By the way, they built it on donations from citizens. Most of the funds were invested by Mikhail Savelyevich Sychev, an honorary citizen of this city. By the way, the project was carried out by the chief architect of the province V. Khabarov. He opted for the cross-domed Byzantine style. The artel A. Plenkina, known for her skill and quality of work, was engaged in construction work. The temple was painted by master icon painters from the Patrushev artel. And delightful carved iconostases with gilding were made in the workshop of A. Borzenkov.
In 1908, there was a parish school for men at the church, and there was also a parish school. In 1918, the church became known as the Assumption Cathedral of Biysk, and in the twenties of the last century received the status of a cathedral.
According to archival documents, in 1914 at the Assumption Church there were more than five thousand parishioners, two priests. There were more than a thousand incredibly rare ancient books in the library.
Hard times
Difficult times came for parishioners and clergy in the post-revolutionary years. Services were banned in all cathedrals, including in the Assumption Cathedral of Biysk. In 1918 the church was occupied by the Renovationists - self-styled reformers. Priests and the most active parishioners were imprisoned and subjected to terrible Stalinist repression. After 18 years, the temple was completely closed and converted into a granary. Photos of the Assumption Cathedral of Biysk of those times have not reached our days.
The second birthday
The turning point in the history of the shrine was 1947. Then the temple and all the items that were saved were returned to the believers. Then the service resumed here. It is worth noting that after the war, the Assumption Cathedral in Biysk was the only church for parishioners from all over the southeast of the Altai Territory.
The second time the cathedral was threatened with closure and demolition in 1950-1970: then atheistic propaganda in the country reached its peak. But in the late 80s - early 90s, changes occurred not only in the fate of the country, but also in the fate of the temple. A schedule of services appeared at the Assumption Cathedral of Biysk, he was again given the status of the cathedral.
Cathedral today
Now, admiring the temple, built in the Russian-Byzantine style, its delightful interior, it is difficult to imagine that this shrine has such a difficult fate.
As before, the cathedral is a stronghold of the faith and spirituality of the citizens, it inspires hope and brings piety to the life of the city. In addition, according to a survey of the Russian portal "Turprom", the temple is one of the most visited tourist sites in the Altai Territory. Only the monument to Shukshin and Mount Picket passed it.
How to get there
The Assumption Cathedral of Biysk is located at: Biysk city, Sovetskaya street, 13, right on the embankment of the main river of the city called Biya.