There are many temples in Russia. Some surprise with their beauty, mysterious legends are associated with others, and still others keep relics of the Orthodox world within their walls. The Assumption Cathedral of Yaroslavl was built recently on the site of an ancient temple - the oldest stone building in the city. During the eight centuries of its existence, it was repeatedly destroyed and restored. Today, the Assumption Cathedral in Yaroslavl is a most beautiful and majestic attraction that attracts citizens and pilgrims from other places to its walls. Let's learn more about the history of this amazing temple, as well as about the shrines kept within its walls.
Creation of the Assumption Cathedral
Assumption Cathedral in Yaroslavl is the oldest local stone building. Its 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 is already eight centuries old. Of course, we are not talking about the temple in its original form, since it was rebuilt many times, and its current appearance bears little resemblance to the original.
So, imagine a young Yaroslavl. Assumption Cathedral becamethe main city temple and the first brick architectural structure, which differed from other churches of the North-East of Russia. Its construction began in 1215 at the behest of Prince Konstantin Vsevolodovich of Rostov. And they consecrated four years later by Bishop Kirill.
Traditionally, as the main city temple, it was named in honor of the Assumption of the Mother of God. Built of red brick, it was decorated with skillful 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.
History of the Cathedral
However, Yaroslavl did not admire the Assumption Cathedral for long - in 1237 the church was devastated and burned by Batu's army. Then she lost most of her holy relics and luxurious decorations.
After this event, the temple was completely or partially destroyed by fire three more times. The very first of them occurred in 1501, as a result, the vaults of the cathedral collapsed. Then all the townspeople began to restore the shrine. At this time, people discovered the incorruptible remains of Princes Vasily and Konstantin Vsevolodovich, who had previously been buried here. Subsequently, these relics became the most valuable relic of the cathedral. The temple was rebuilt in its original place and consecrated.
In the 17th century. the small cathedral was not large enough for the rapidly developing city that Yaroslavl became at that time. Therefore, it was decided to demolish it and build a new temple in its place - five-domed, with a high bell tower. The construction was carried out for three years - from 1643 to1646th.
But in the same century the cathedral was destroyed by fire twice (in 1658 and 1670). After them, it was necessary to carry out major work to restore the church.
Over time, the temple was repeatedly subjected to serious restructuring, however, they primarily concerned the external appearance, the interior 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 an altar was added to the central building of the cathedral.
In 1836, a new four-tiered bell tower was installed to replace the old hipped one. 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 an amazingly beautiful and very valuable iconostasis of five tiers.
Assumption Cathedral in the 20th century
The difficult twentieth century brought many trials to the cathedral, it suffered the fate of many temples during the persecution of the church. In 1918, the buildings were badly damaged during artillery shelling during the suppression of the rebellion of the Whites. However, parish donations helped restore them.
In the future, the destruction did not decrease. In 1922, many cathedral valuables were removed from the sacristy, and the building itself was transferred to the labor exchange. Seven years later, the magnificent bell tower was demolished, and a storehouse for grain was arranged in the premises of the temple.
And in August 1937 the Assumption Cathedral in Yaroslavl,the oldest monument of architecture was mercilessly blown up, and where it was located, a park area was laid out.
Construction of the new Assumption Cathedral
The idea of recreating 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 Moscow businessman Viktor Tyryshkin became a patron of the construction. He invested in the construction of the temple personal funds, making a truly generous gift to the city. The selected project attracted with 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 the cause of heated debate, especially its size and the fact that it could change the overall appearance of the city were criticized. But, in spite of everything, the temple was nevertheless rebuilt on its historical site.
Cathedral consecration
Opening the newly built Assumption Cathedral, Yaroslavl celebrated its millennium on a grand scale. The consecration of the temple took place on the third day of celebrations. 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 Most Holy Theotokos.
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. A seventy-meter bell tower rises above the cathedral. In the basement there is a museum, a refectory, a cathedral hall and the chambers of the archbishop.
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.
Temple Shrines
The sacred relics that attract believers from different places to the Assumption Cathedral (Yaroslavl) are the relics of Princes Vasily and Konstantin. 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 brought here from the Theodore Church.
Separately, it must be said that the cathedral is decorated with a tiled icon above the gate. It is the largest in the world - its area is thirty-seven square meters. In order to create the icon, city craftsmen used over one thousand tiles.
Interior decoration 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 the saints looking from the icons, the solemn silence that reigns in the walls of the temple, invite you to think and turn your thoughts to good. And although its walls do not breathe antiquity, and the domes sparkle with newness, this does not diminish the feelinga 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 also a place in the church for the smallest parishioners - 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 just 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 Yaroslavsky railway station.
Unlike many other churches, services in the cathedral are held every day. The morning liturgy on weekdays starts at 8:00 (and on weekends it is held twice: at 7:00 and 9:30). Evening service begins at 5:00 pm.
This glorious temple has experienced many trials and destruction. They haunted him throughout his long history. Nevertheless, today the cathedral remains a beautiful and majestic embodiment of the Orthodox faith, and within its walls, as before, sincere prayers and solemn chants are heard, awakening the most good feelings and thoughts in the parishioners. And for pilgrims visiting Yaroslavl, the Assumption Cathedral becomes the main point of attraction.
