Permian. Peter and Paul Cathedral and its history

During the years of perestroika, among the numerous temple buildings that were once selected from the church and, finally, returned to it, there was the Peter and Paul Cathedral of the city of Perm. Surprising in its beauty and an outstanding monument of Russian architecture, it again, like in previous years, became a place of prayer, repentance and God-worship.

The village that has become a city

In the first quarter of the 18th century, in the place where its tributary - the Yegoshikha river flowed into the Kama - the construction of a copper smelting plant began. Upon its completion in 1723, near the newly built buildings, a working settlement was formed. Since all of its inhabitants were Orthodox people, the need arose for the temple of God. Soon a wooden church appeared in the middle of the village. So it was fate's will that eventually the settlement grew and gradually turned into a city that was called Perm.

The Peter and Paul Cathedral, built next to this wooden church, became its first stone building. The construction of the temple prompted the residents of the fire that occurred in 1759 and destroyed most of the wooden rural houses. Despite the fact that the previously built church was not damaged, it was decided not to tempt fate and build a new temple out of stone. His solemn consecration took place in 1764.

Constructed specially craftsmen drawn from the capital, he struck with his wealth of decoration and architectural grandeur. The cathedral in Perm is rightly considered one of the most striking monuments of temple architecture. The five-domed and multi-tiered bell tower, which has characteristic outlines, allow it to be attributed to the examples of provincial baroque, so widespread in Russia of that period.

The city, created at the behest of the Empress

In October 1781 the former working village was officially transformed into the city of Perm. The Peter and Paul Cathedral became the place where a solemn prayer service was held on this occasion. After him, the inhabitants of the city, headed by the clergy, to the sound of the bells, bypassed all the most important city constructions by the procession, stopping near each of them and performing the rite of sprinkling holy water. The procession completed its journey on the cathedral square, where an illuminated portrait of Empress Catherine II was installed, according to the decree of which Perm was founded.

Peter and Paul Cathedral - the spiritual center of the new city

The former settlement, which had become a monarch by the city, quickly expanded. This was facilitated by the transfer to it of many administrative institutions and the arrival of a significant number of officials, who soon formed the bulk of the population. By the end of the century the Perm Diocese founded five churches in the city, among which the main place was given to the Peter and Paul Cathedral.

During the XIX century the cathedral was repeatedly reconstructed. In 1801 a new dome was erected above it. As contemporaries testified, in beauty, in many respects it surpassed the former. Was supplemented, and in some places and completely changed the internal painting. To perform it, as in time for the construction of the cathedral itself, masters from St. Petersburg were invited. The donation of the pious merchant F.P. Eremeev was installed a new stone fence.

Thus, the cathedral complex, which included also the houses of the clergy, became not only a spiritual center, but also a city landmark, which Perm was rightfully proud of. The Peter and Paul Cathedral occupied a prominent place in the matter of public education. With funds raised by his trustees, including many wealthy residents of the city, a church parish school was opened, and lectures and public lectures were regularly held there.

Closing of the Cathedral

In the first post-revolutionary years, thanks to the efforts of the Perm diocese, the cathedral remained operational, although it was repeatedly subjected to the most unceremonious looting. This happened also under the guise of confiscating church values in favor of the hungry, and without any justification. More than once ordinary criminals penetrated into it, which in those years bred a lot.

Closure of the cathedral occurred in 1929 as a result of the next wave of anti-religious campaign. A so-called liquidation commission was established, which included representatives of the city administration and the police. To create the appearance of democracy and the rule of law, she was also introduced to the priest.

By decision of the commission, the building of the cathedral, as well as all the buildings that were located on the territory adjacent to it, were transferred to the municipal economy. Only the part of the church utensils that had survived by that time left the members of the catholic community, which they were obliged to immediately transfer to the only existing city church at the time.

The return of the cathedral to the ownership of the church

Throughout the Soviet period, the city authorities tried to use the cathedral building for various economic needs. However, each time they were followed by failure, as if an unknown force prevented the defilement of the shrine.

In the early nineties Perm was involved in perestroika processes. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the address of which: st. Soviet, d. 1 - again became the property of the Orthodox community, and after the completion of the restoration work, divine services were resumed. Today it again is the largest spiritual center, and one of the most beautiful buildings of the city.