Among the considerable number of Orthodox churches of St. Petersburg St. Nicholas Cathedral stands out.This is one of the oldest temples of this magnitude throughout the capital of the Russian Empire.It stands out for its expressive and colorful architecture, and a variety of circumstances of Russian history associated with it for more than two and a half centuries of its existence.
Background building
Nicholas Cathedral in St. Petersburg was built during the reign of Empress Elizabeth.Its existence it owes to such a prominent historical figure of Peter's era as Prince Mikhail Golitsyn.During the reign of Peter the Great's daughter, he held an administrative post of president of the Admiralty Board.It is from this high-ranking nobles came public initiative, according to which in place of the existing wooden church in the area of gun-streets should be elevated to a major stone St. Nicholas Cathedral.According to the old tradition of Russian Orthodox St. Nicholas was the patron of sailors and all those who in one way or another been associated with the sea.The idea of Mikhail Golitsyn received the highest approval of the monarch.
As the temple was built
Nicholas Cathedral in St. Petersburg was built in nine years.At the level of construction machinery middle of the eighteenth century is a pretty short period of time.For comparison: the construction of the famous St. Isaac's Cathedral in the next century lasted more than forty years.Place for the construction of the cathedral was not chosen by chance.In this part of town are constantly lived sailors, ship builders and officials of the Navy Department.By this attitude the Navy Department and the architect of the Cathedral of SIChevakinsky.There was also a value and the proximity of such waterways as the Fontanka and the Catherine Canal.Among other things, it was convenient for delivering material for large construction.A shortage of land labor Prince Golitsyn could not be.
Architectural features
Stylistically Nicholas Cathedral in St. Petersburg is an outstanding example of the so-called "Elizabethan baroque."For the majority of the architectural works of this style characterized by the scale of the buildings, pretentious decoration of facades and interiors.Building Nicholas Cathedral has a traditional cruciform plan with five domes and architectural layout of the main volume of the upper tier.The facades are decorated with bright characteristic of Russian Baroque two-tone scheme.Crowned by the construction of five gilded domes, towering above the roofs of the surrounding neighborhoods.Complementing the temple complex chetyrёhyarusnaya freestanding bell tower with a pointed spire.
Cathedral Russian sailors
Nicholas Cathedral in St. Petersburg was originally designated in the project as "marine regimental church."And there is nothing surprising in the fact that in Russian history was destined to enter the symbolic role of the main temple, which unites all the Russian sailors.That is why next to the cathedral is a memorial obelisk in honor of Russian sailors who died in the battle of Tsushima, and in the church a memorial sign in honor of the crew of nuclear submarine "Komsomolets" and other vessels did not return to its berth from distant campaigns.In St. Nicholas Cathedral are regularly worship in honor of those who are far from their native shores.Every year in August, takes place within the walls of the church memorial service for the sailors of the nuclear submarine "Kursk".It should be remembered that Nicholas Church the oldest, but not the only cathedral Navy in Russia.
Cathedral in St. Petersburg
Any architectural work is always there in the context of the immediate and more distant environment.It is therefore interesting to look at the St. Nicholas Cathedral in St. Petersburg on a background of the city.The new capital of the Russian empire was built, unlike Moscow, is not chaotic.And in the general urban development plan of clearly traced the importance that the government gave the church as one of the main foundations of social life.If you look at the plan of the city, it is impossible not to notice that the majestic Orthodox cathedrals are located in almost all the nodal points of the northern capital.They are very diverse in its architectural solutions, but they, among other things, clearly traced the idea of the state of imperial grandeur.Characteristically, in the capital of the Russian Empire, in addition to traditional Orthodox cathedrals, it is possible to detect and Catholic churches, Protestant Lutheran church and a Muslim mosque.None of the nations included in the Empire, was not deprived of religiously.A special place in St. Petersburg and the surrounding area is the temple dedicated to the sea patron saint of St. Nicholas.By the way, it has traditionally been in Russia, one of the most revered saints.
Kronstadt Naval Cathedral, Kronstadt
no less significant for the Russian sailors is the Orthodox church, located on an island in the Gulf at the mouth of the Neva.The main base of the Russian Navy is traditionally considered Kronstadt.St. Nicholas Cathedral, towering over its coast, visible from afar.That was the intention of its creators - it is possible to navigate as a beacon to all who approached the capital of the empire from the Baltic direction.Grand Cathedral was founded in the city of Anchor Square Kronstadt in 1903 and completed in ten years.Shortly before the First World War took his consecration.In solemn prayer for the occasion I attended the imperial family.
Architecture Kronstadt Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt
grand domed structure resembles its appearance the famous Cathedral of St. Sophia in Constantinople.It's this classic architectural image was taken as the basis for the architect VAKosyakova.Strong Byzantine influence is felt in the decoration of facades and interiors.These creatures were attracted the best artists, gathered from all over Russia.The temple project in Kronstadt has received the highest approval and government funding for construction.Budget it was one of the largest in Russian history, he approached the two million rubles.The Russian empire has spared no resources for the iconic architectural works that were supposed to symbolize the greatness of it.
After the revolution
fate of Kronstadt Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt in the Soviet era was unenviable.Divine services were held there until 1927.And in the future temple, he ceased to be.Within its walls alternately housed a cinema, a club, a concert hall.And since 1974 there functioned branch of the Central Naval Museum.This internal partitions were erected, and cause irreparable damage to the historic interiors.The decision on the return of the Russian Orthodox Church was made at the beginning of this century.It was held the required amount of restoration work.December 19, 2005 for the first time in many years in the Kronstadt Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt solemn liturgy.The Divine Liturgy was held on the feast day of St. Nicholas.
