Ascension Cathedral of Novocherkassk: history. Service Schedule

Among the most outstanding works of Russian temple architecture, the Ascension Cathedral in Novocherkassk occupies a special place. This majestic structure in size is second only to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow and St. Petersburg St. Isaac's Cathedral. For the years of its existence it has become a true monument to the Don Cossacks with its hard and dramatic history.

The foundation of the first cathedral

In 1805, when the city was founded, the Ascension Cathedral of Novocherkassk was immediately laid. However, for a number of reasons, its construction began only six years later, in 1811. The works were conducted under the guidance of the author of the project, the convinced adherent of classicism, the Italian architect Aloisius Ruska. In 1818, when the work was not yet completed, the architect left Russia, and his business was continued by our compatriot Amvrosimov.

The first collapse of the temple

But the construction was not destined to end safely. In 1846, during the construction of the main dome, a misfortune occurred - a significant part of the facade of the building collapsed . In an instant the magnificent building turned into a pile of ruins. Fortunately, there were no casualties, as the day was festive, there was no one inside the building.

The incident was reported personally to the tsar, and a special commission of inquiry arrived in Novocherkassk, which identified both the mistakes of the architectural project and the gross violations of the norms of construction, which caused the collapse of the building. In addition, and building materials were unacceptably low quality. Apparently someone "warmed up his hands," and forty-year work was wasted.

The second failure

Over time, the work was resumed under the guidance of another architect - IO Valdin. They re-drafted the project, to implement which the most stringent measures of technical control were applied. However, the evil rock was inexorable. In 1863, at the same stage of work, that is, when the main dome was erected, the building collapsed in exactly the same way as seventeen years ago. The unfinished Ascension Cathedral of Novocherkassk once again lay in ruins.

This time another commission arrived from the capital found the cause of the accident excessive haste in the performance of work. However, Valpred was not charged with this, since he was categorically against the unjustifiably fast pace, which he repeatedly stated in writing, but was forced to submit to the pressure of the local city authorities and the Cossack atamans.

The beginning of construction of the third version of the cathedral

But without the temple of God, the city can not live, and in 1891 the inhabitants of Novocherkassk, most of whom were Cossacks, decided to begin construction of a new, already third option for the cathedral. In this regard, for a long time there was debate about whether to restore the collapsed building or completely dismantle it and in its place to erect a new one. The supporters of the dismantling won, and by 1882 the construction site had been completely cleared of the remains of the previous construction.

The draft of the new cathedral was approved two years earlier by Emperor Alexander II. The author of this (already third in the bill) project was the Don Army architect A. A. Yashchenko, shortly before that was awarded the title of academician. However, he could not see his offspring. In 1893, when the works were at the stage of foundation construction, the architect died suddenly.

The new head of the work, IP Zlobin, was laying the basement of the building, when suddenly serious irregularities were found in the work. Again stop the construction, and again the proceedings and inquiries. The bitter experience of previous failures has forced the higher authorities supervising the work to be particularly demanding. It is difficult to imagine what the consequences could be the next irresponsibility of the performers.

Completion of construction works

But finally in 1901 the Ascension military cathedral in Novocherkassk was completed. It was the third largest cathedral in Russia. Its height was 75 meters, and the sides - 62 and 70 meters. At the same time, 5,000 people could attend it. For the erection of this colossus, a brick factory was specially built, a water pipe was laid and a power station was built. In addition, all materials coming in for construction were tested for strength in a specially equipped laboratory for this purpose. When the total cost of the work was calculated, it was a record for those times - 2,000,000 rubles.

Features of the new church

Especially it is necessary to note the extraordinary beauty of the dome that crowned the Ascension Cathedral of Novocherkassk. All of them were covered in red gold, and the main cross, made by special order of masters of Bohemia, was decorated with incrustation made of rock crystal. Remained memories of the city's old residents, which show that in clear weather the radiance of the domes and the cross were visible for many kilometers, as a sort of beacon pointing the way to God.

The advanced technical development for those times was specially designed for the temple and now the lost heating and ventilation systems. They acted in such a way that, in addition to creating comfortable conditions for the worshipers, they ensured the preservation of the iconostasis and frescoes in their original form. The floor in the room of the temple was made of marble slabs drawn from Italy and France. An interesting detail of the construction of the cathedral is the underground passage leading to the rooms of the bishop's house. Now here is the House of Officers.

The fate of the temple in the time of God-fighting

When our country entered the period of atheistic insanity, the Ascension Cathedral of Novocherkassk did not bypass the trouble. In the thirties, it was closed. Divine services stopped. From its domes, crosses and copper sheets, covered with gold, were removed. In the cathedral, striking all the unearthly beauty of its decoration, the new authorities arranged a warehouse of fuel and lubricants.

It was again opened by the Germans in August 1942, when Novocherkassk was in occupation. After the liberation of the city by Soviet troops, the temple was not closed, and services were performed in it, but all of its vast cellars were used as storage facilities. Of course, there was no question of carrying out restorative and restoration work at that time.

Restoring the Temple

Fortunately, everything changed with the advent of Perestroika and the associated democratic reforms. Throughout the country, believers returned what had been taken away from them during the time of God-fighting. Thousands of temples once again became the property of the Russian Orthodox Church. Among them there is the Ascension military cathedral. The city of Novocherkassk allocated funds for large-scale restoration works, which attracted many leading experts of the country.

In 2005, Novocherkassk celebrated its 200th anniversary. With this date coincided with the centenary of the foundation of the temple. A gift to the city from the builders and restorers of the cathedral was the end of the restoration of the facade of the building. In general, he was returned to its original appearance. In the near future it is planned to again cover the domes with gold and recreate a unique cross inlaid with rock crystal.

The original innovation of our days is the system that projects in the evening on the walls of the cathedral a scene from the Bible. In addition, special attention should be paid to highlighting the entire building, giving it a grand and solemn appearance. Currently, the restoration works in the interior are continuing, and soon the temple will be fully restored to its original appearance.

Shrines in the cathedral

But not only architectural perfection and rich internal painting is famous for the Ascension Cathedral. Novocherkassk, whose history is inextricably linked with the Don Cossacks, has always remained a truly Orthodox city, in which the worship of miraculous icons and relics of holy saints was not stopped. Here and in the cathedral of the city, everyone who comes here can bow to the holy images that became famous through the miracles revealed through them.

These icons include the icons of the Mother of God: Donskaya, Aksai, Life-giving Spring and Recovery of the Dead. In addition, in the temple there is a burial vault with the relics of St. John (Dobrozrakova). Many miraculous healings occurred according to the prayers lifted before these shrines, which glorified the Ascension Cathedral in the whole of the country in Novocherkassk. The schedule of services that take place in it does not distinguish it from other Russian temples, but their solemnity and highest spirituality place the temple and its parable on one of the leading places in Russia. It belongs to him by right.

And in the end we will inform for all who wish to visit the Ascension Cathedral (Novocherkassk). The address of the temple: Rostov Region, Novocherkassk, pl. Ermak, 2.

The schedule of services in the temple is designed in such a way that the morning services (Divine Liturgies) start at 7.00 hours, and the evening services at 18.00 hours. On evening services, all-night vigils are also performed. This is a general procedure, but every month some changes may be made to it in accordance with the church calendar.