Novosibirsk: Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord - Cathedral in the heart of Siberia

The Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Novosibirsk is comfortably located in the center, near Lenin Square, but a short distance from noisy roads.

Here is the episcopal chair: the bishop heads the liturgy on solemn days, performs mass, ordains priests and deacons. Under the vaults of the cathedral, the Christian community listens to the word of God and prays under the shadow and protection of the cathedral walls.

Historical information: from the prayer house to the Cathedral

Before the Great October Revolution, the Novosibirsk Catholic community of Novosibirsk consisted of 4 thousand parishioners, a prayer house was built for them (in 1902).

In 1905 the construction of a stone building began, the erected building was then closed (in the 1930s), and later completely destroyed (in the 1960s).

For many years, parishioners gathered secretly, and only in the 1980s were able to build the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which is still in force.

In 1992-1997, the local Catholic community initiated the construction of a new large cathedral. In 1997 an important event happened: the city of Novosibirsk, the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord, was consecrated under its wing the Catholic community. Perhaps the most significant milestone on the historical path that the Catholics of Siberia have gone through in several decades has been this event.

Architectural solution: unique look

The Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord has an amazing shape. Novosibirsk is a city whose architectural style is quite traditional for the Soviet and post-Soviet period. Novosibirsk architect V. V. Borodkin created a unique project: the temple differs considerably in its forms from other city buildings, while it looks natural and natural among the high-rise buildings surrounding it.

Made of red brick, he combined the stylized Romanesque, Gothic and modernist traits in the light of the Catholic canons. The buildings of the Curia (the administration of the Siberian diocese) and the Sunday school, the church library, the canteen and the church services adjoin the main building.

The symmetrical composition consists of three portals with semicircular arches on the facade, facing west.

The interior is illuminated through a stained glass window located in the central part. Ladder - through the windows located in the side portals.

Cathedral: nobility, dignity, modesty

The roof of the building, consisting of three different levels of pointed form, seems to be the material embodiment of words from the speech of the apostle Peter, uttered by him on the day of the Transfiguration. He spoke of the three tabernacles built for prayer with the labor of human hands.

The highest roof shot up twenty meters above the altar, like a symbol of prayer.

The roof is covered with metal roofing; This gives the appearance of the cathedral a vivid image due to the play of light and texture.

However, the unusual structure does not make it pretentious. On the contrary, for all its efficiency and brightness, the Catholic Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord is modest, noble and worthy. Novosibirsk acquired at the expense of this building a special charm element of the medieval era.

The gable form of the roof has a purely practical significance: in conditions of snowy Siberian winters, this enables timely removal of snow from the roof surface.

The interior of the temple

At the entrance to the vaults of the temple, a reflection of Siberian character is felt in its interior. It seems that the administrative center of Siberia, the city of Novosibirsk, imposed its imprint on him: the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord inside is humble, strict, pious, without flashy pretentiousness and luxury.

The interior is strictly delineated to certain areas. The entrance (porch) leading to the vestibule through the main portal looks to the west. Located opposite the altar is oriented to the east. Between them - a spacious room.

Bell ringing over the city

Along the walls there is a covered gallery where religious processions and solemn processions are performed. The corners of the gallery are crowned with three towers with bells, which announce with solemnity that it is noon, it's time for the prayer "Angel of the Lord", invite the believers to make a mass.

Every day he hears a bell ringing Novosibirsk: the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord is famous for the presence of the only hours in the city with a fight.

In the lowest part of the cathedral are choirs with an organ. To the sounds of the organ are divine services.

Sometimes people of the city like Novosibirsk can listen to classical music here: the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord gives an opportunity to touch the organ music performed by famous organists under the arches of the temple.