From almost anywhere on the island of Valaam you can see the bell tower of the Transfiguration Cathedral. It went up 76 meters. And the cathedral itself is visible from afar. Its beautiful blue domes attract the eye. The main temple of the monastery was built quickly, in 3 years. It was consecrated in 1892. Not only the builders, but also the brothers participated in the work. While they were working, the elders read out the monastic rule for them.
On the bush of the lower temple rest the relics of Sergius and Herman, the venerable founders of the Valaam monastery. In their honor, a lower, more modest temple is consecrated. Verniy, huge, for 3 thousand people, looks luxurious. Alas, all this is restored, not preserved. It is not a matter of religious persecution, but
as the brick from which the cathedral was built. Most of it did not stand the test of time and just crumbled. This is due to the difficult climate on the island. High humidity, low temperatures, frequent thaws led to the fact that the brick simply fell apart.
During the Finnish War, the monastery, especially the bell tower and cathedral, were subjected to carpet bombing. One bomb fell 30 metres from the paperty but did not explode.
The incendiary bombs were extinguished.
In the 60s of the last century, the cathedral was decided to demolish, but the locals defended it. In the 80s, restoration finally began. But the volume of work was such that it lasted for a decade. Until the end of the work was far away, but came the difficult 90s and everything stopped.
In 2001, the old forests were dismantled, which themselves began to pose a threat. For another 10 years, the cathedral waited until large-scale restoration work began in 2011.
First, the bell tower was restored, then moved to the cathedral itself. We replaced more than 3,000 bricks. Updated the roof. Only the crosses on the tops were complete. They helped to withstand the gilding, which saved the metal from corrosion.
Above the central entrance, a mosaic with the image of Sergius and Herman was installed. Above their rakka was placed an icon with the image of saints who pray to Christ for the Valaam monastery. In the year of the decade of the revival of Valaam, the image streamed myrrh.
And on the 25th anniversary of the temple walls were freed from the forests and it appeared before pilgrims in all its glory.
Charity FundHoly Land.
Russian Temples and Monasteries
