Together with the construction of the new city in 1636, the first wooden church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was laid. But neither the location nor the prospects for growth were really taken into account, and the church had to be demolished. However, without a church parishioners could not be left and the efforts of Bishop Pitirim, in 1694 was laid the first stone building in Tambov — Holy Transfiguration Cathedral.
For more than 130 years the cathedral was built and rebuilt. In its final form, it is a cross-domed temple, decorated in a mixed style: with elements of baroque and classicism. Five gold domes from a distance attract attention.
The temple is two-story. The construction of the upper floor was completed only in 1783. The porch and the staircase were painted with scenes from the life of Saint Pitirim. The bell tower was laid in 1811, and finished 4 years later. The money for construction was collected by the whole world. The height of the bell tower with a lantern is 42 meters.
In the main church of the diocese were kept miraculous icons: lists from the images of Our Lady of Kazan, Smolensk. The voice of the icon of Our Lady of Kazan shed tears during the service in 1695, when the flock prayed for the recovery of St. Pitirim. Since then, numerous cases of healing have been reported. The parishioners also venerated the icon painted by Saint Pitirim, “The Crucifixion of the Savior.”
The cathedral is cathedral, so it was visited by all eminent guests. Nicholas II, who came to Tambov in 1914, was no exception. But the most important in the cathedral is the time when St. John of Kronstadt visited it.
After the revolution, the building was given as a museum, so it is relatively well preserved. But in the bell tower, the Soviet authorities saw no use and it was dismantled.
The building was returned to the faithful in 1991, and in 1993 the relics of St. Pitirim and the felony presented to him by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Tishaysh were solemnly transferred to it.
On the territory of the cathedral there is a holy spring. A chapel is built over it. Inside is a sculpture of St. Pitirim. Water pours from the container he holds in his hands.
More recently, the bell tower was restored, and now the cathedral square has acquired its original appearance.
Charitable Foundation Holy Land
Russian Temples and Monasteries
