In the 19th century, the fair in Nizhny Novgorod hosted more than 200,000 participants. There were not enough temples and churches for so many people. The only Spasskaya Cathedral, was located at one end, it was inconvenient for most to get, and its size was small.
The merchants petitioned the governor-general and the bishop of Nizhny Novgorod to build a new cathedral.
The plans, at first, were rather modest, but after a visit to the fair by the royal family, it was decided to reflect the faithful feelings of the temple majestic and beautiful.
Making a decision is one thing, making it another. There was not enough money, then the place (chosen by the emperor) was considered unsuccessful. The project could not choose long 4 years. And when it was finally presented by the Nizhny Novgorod architect, his colleagues from St. Petersburg made so many changes that it could well be considered a new project.
The huge building required a lot of money. They weren’t. Then the project was reworked again, just reduced in size to reduce the cost. In such a difficult situation, the project falls to the talented architect L.V. Dahl, who offers a simple and elegant solution. His plan was to build an open church. At any time, the temple could be enlarged by adding additional rooms and this did not affect the overall concept of the building.
Construction took almost 20 years. Finally, in 1881, the cathedral was consecrated. Members of the royal family were present, and there were many courtiers.
You can’t deny him his majesty. At 87 m high, it was the 3rd tallest building in the empire. The five-headed stone temple caused involuntary admiration. Many technical and engineering solutions were used in the construction, which were innovative for the time. For example, crosses were golded in a galvanic way.
Alas, not for long pleased the temple visitors of the fair. Soon there was no fair or temple. It was closed in 1929, the valuables were removed, their fate is unknown. Icons stove, firewood and allowed iconostasis. The premises were used for offices, warehouses.
In 1984, the authorities realized that the building is an architectural monument, and restoration was started. In 1992, the building was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church and divine services began there in one aisle. By 1999, all the chapels had been restored. In 2009, the internal painting was completed.
Shrines
Ancient icons and relics were lost after the revolution, but now in the temple you can worship the icon and a piece of relics:
- Seraphim of Sarov
- Matronushki of Moscow
- Alexandra Nevsky
- Princesses Elizabeth and Inokines Barbara
- Cypriana and Justinia
In honor of the 400th anniversary of the creation of the Minin and Pozharsky militia, a bell is installed on the territory of the cathedral. Its height and diameter is 4 meters, weight 60 tons.
At the cathedral there are: Sunday school, courses of sisters of mercy, school of bell ringing, icon painting workshop, library, excursion bureau.
Charitable Foundation Holy Land
Russian Temples and Monasteries
