In the Middle Ages, the defense of Smolensk took place for two years, which ended in 1611. At that time, the Commonwe alth wanted to capture the city. When the pressure was especially strong on Smolensk, the Assumption Cathedral was blown up by its own inhabitants. Part of the building was destroyed. Many innocent citizens died, they became victims of the confrontation.
Reconstruction and restoration
Then, during the 17-18 centuries, the inhabitants were engaged in the restoration of the temple. They threw all their efforts into reconstructing the Assumption Cathedral. Smolensk spent a lot of money not to lose this unique architectural monument.
During the restoration, critical mistakes were made, due to which the domes collapsed repeatedly. But gross violations were corrected, the perpetrators were punished, so that the Holy Assumption Cathedral (Smolensk) was nevertheless reborn from ruins. During the repeated restoration, the building has changed somewhat. Today we see it in a different guise, compared to what the temple was in the 12th century. But he has not lost his majesty, impressiveness and beauty. They say that Napoleon, when he first saw the Smolensk Cathedral, reverently removedhis cocked hat.
Troublesome and challenging times
The life that Smolensk lived was not calm. Assumption Cathedral witnessed two great battles. The first was the Patriotic War, which took place at the beginning of the 19th century. During this time, Napoleon ordered to post an escort inside the temple.
Less than 150 years later, another large-scale battle shook 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 towards the shrines was, as we know, not the most respectful. And it's still lucky if this or that church was turned into a warehouse for agricultural products, and not destroyed.
Like a mockery in the 20s, a museum of anti-religious thought was placed in the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk. Icons no longer evoked feelings of reverence for the Almighty and the saints. This building previously occupied a dominant position among the churches of the diocese of the city. Now it was just a tourist attraction, where people came out of curiosity and not out of a sublime need to get in touch with the divine light.
Beauty and sophistication
Is one of the richest and artistically decorated Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk. 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. Decorated this delightful beauty with gold and masterfully carvedwooden sculptures. Rarely where you can find something that strikes with its grandeur so strongly. Parishioners can literally be nailed to the spot by the scale and subtle splendor of the temple.
Holy artifacts
The hero city of Smolensk is the guardian of many shrines. The Assumption Cathedral within its walls protects three things that are of particular importance. They are known not only in their native lands, but also far beyond its borders. People go to kneel before them in the Assumption Cathedral (Smolensk), whose address is: st. Cathedral Mountain, 5.
The first of these are the sandals worn by the holy warrior Mercury in the 13th century. There is also a shroud made and gilded by the craftsmen 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 was made in the 17th century.
The feat of the brave defender of the city
If we talk more about the holy warrior Mercury, at the beginning of the thirteenth century he was the governor of Smolensk. The glorious knight defeated the Mongol-Tatar army. The battle took place near the village of Dalgomostya, which could be reached by walking 27 kilometers south of the Smolensk Territory.
Mercury died a heroic death of a true defender of his native land. When the voivode chased after the cowardly enemy, they grappled in a battle, from which the Tatar came out victorious. With reverence and awe of the power of the commander, numberedafter death to the face of saints, were preserved within the walls of the divine place, which at that time was called the Assumption Monomakhovsky Cathedral.
The 17th century brought more suffering to the city. He defended himself against the Polish troops. In the heat of the fight, someone stole the relics. At the beginning of the 19th century, a warrior's spear was also stolen from the temple. The looting did not stop there, and in the middle of the 20th century, the helmet also disappears. And only the sandals are still in place.
According to legend, the presence of military armor worn by the martyr Mercury in the city provides the protection of the Heavenly Queen over Smolensk and defense against all misfortunes.
History of the Shroud
As for the shroud woven in the workshop owned by Princess Staritskaya, the time of its manufacture is considered to be the middle of the 16th century. An element of clothing was transferred to the walls of the cathedral, which belonged to the capital, in order to commemorate 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 kidnappers, who had robbed and put treasures from the capital in a cart, were recaptured from their booty. Among the things was a 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 its great contribution to the conduct of hostilities during the Patriotic War of the early 19th century. Alexander I, after conferring with the commander M. Kutuzov, decided to present a gift to the city as a token of gratitude for his courage.
Now the house of the shroud has becomeSmolensky Assumption Cathedral. This is a real work of art, of great value due to 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, the Evangelist Luke wrote it at a time when the Most Holy Theotokos lived on earth.
Earlier, the icon was kept in Chernigov, from where Vladimir Monomakh took it to the Assumption Cathedral. 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 guidebook.
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 when the artifact was taken to the capital before the Battle of Borodino. They carried out a procession near the Kremlin and returned the icon to its place.
The Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 irretrievably took away their shrine from the people, because it died or was stolen during the hostilities.
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 is in the cathedral. Nowadays inThe walls of the holy place contain this particular 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?
Temple life today
Today the holy place is actively visited by parishioners. Archpriest Mikhail Gorovoy fills the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk with the holy word. Divine liturgies and veneration of the icon are performed. Many political figures of the city are present at significant events.
The liturgical chants are being performed. Pure voices are raised to the dome of the church by the Bishops' Choir of the cathedral, a children's singing group, which is taught by an Orthodox gymnasium. Also, compositions are performed here by a combined choir, which is trained by the city's theological seminary and the theological school. Divine services are broadcast on television in real time on the main channels of Smolensk.
The church has been automated and made convenient for parishioners, it is being taken care of and improved. So, having come to the square near the cathedral or the Dnieper embankment, you can look at the service shown on the big screen. But you can feel the special atmosphere of the temple only when you visit it.
