Ancient cities keep the memory of past centuries in pavements, houses, palaces, preserved documents, and in Russia - also in churches with churchyards. Penza Cathedral of the Assumption almost did not interrupt the service, remaining a spiritual support for the inhabitants in the most difficult times. Built on the outskirts of the city, it is now located in the very heart of it.
History
Since 1663, the ancient city of Penza has risen on the banks of the Sura River. Assumption Cathedral appeared a little later. Its erection was preceded by a small church built in 1836 on the territory of the Mironositsky cemetery. In 1899, it burned down, and it became necessary to build a new church. The elders of the church M. E. Ivanovsky, S. L. Tyurin, A. D. Gutorov and the rector, Archpriest G. N. Felixov, took up the difficult task of arranging the arrangement. The new church was built with donations from parishioners.
The design of the cathedral was developed by the famous engineer A. G. Starzhinsky in 1895. Donations for the temple were collected by the whole world, a blessing for the construction from the HolyThe synod was received in 1901, the opening was awaited by the whole of Penza. Assumption Cathedral opened its doors in 1905. Three aisles were consecrated in the temple - the left one was consecrated in honor of the Metropolitan of Moscow Alexy, the right one - in honor of the holy Myrrh-bearing Women, the central throne is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin. The sacrament of consecration was performed by the rector of the temple, Bishop Tikhon.
From the revolution to the present day
Tentatively in 1922, the Assumption Cathedral (Penza) was transferred by the Soviet authorities into the hands of priests of a new formation - to conduct services for the Renovationists. From 1931 to 1937, the church housed the episcopal chair of the Renovationists and, probably, the revered Penza-Kazan miraculous icon of the Mother of God was located.
Renovationist priests were arrested in 1937, and the cathedral was closed. For some time it housed army ski depots. Only after 1945 services began to be held in the temple. Along with the temple, Penza was also reborn. Assumption Cathedral became a bishop's chair. At the end of the 70s, the lower aisle for funeral services was equipped, consecrated in honor of Seraphim of Sarov.
Modernity
In 1996, an administrative building was built next to the temple, where the premises for the Sunday school, the rector's office, a conference room, a hostel, etc. are located.
In 2000, one of the main shrines of the city, the relics of Innokenty of Penza, was transferred to the Assumption Cathedral (Penza). In 1994, a baptismal church was opened next to the Assumption Cathedral. Church of the Annunciation, its consecration took place in the same year. In 2015, a museum dedicated to the memory of Archbishop Seraphim of Kuznetsk and Penza was opened at the cathedral.
Architecture
The cross-domed five-domed Assumption Cathedral (Penza) rises on top of the hill, breaking away from the ground and rushing up with domes. When approaching the temple, its monumentality, the thickness of the walls becomes obvious. In plan, the building has a rectangular shape.
On three sides the church is surrounded by porches marking the entrances to the premises. The double-height temple is crowned with a central drum, each dome is equipped with gilded crosses, with which Penza is consecrated. The Assumption Cathedral inherited the best traditions of ancient Russian architecture. The author of the project managed to avoid an excessive amount of details in decorating the facades.
There is no bell tower in the complex, it was replaced by a small belfry located above the western wing. The central entrance to the cathedral is decorated with two icons - the Resurrection of Christ and the Myrrh-bearing Women. In the eastern part of the temple there are three semicircular apses - according to the number of consecrated altars. On the facade of the apses, in niches, icons are installed, thanks to which, without even entering the temple, you can find out in whose honor they are consecrated.
Sunday school
Assumption Cathedral (Penza) leads an active social and educational life. Several institutions work for the church community and all comers. Open for the little onesSunday School. For more than 20 years, she has been helping children to comprehend the world from the standpoint of the Orthodox faith. The school was consecrated in honor of St. Innocent of Penza.
Education is conducted at four levels, corresponding to the age groups of children:
- From 3 to 6 years. Most of the classes are devoted to creativity - modeling, drawing, games, singing and other developmental lessons. Children spend up to 1.5 hours at school accompanied by adults, the beginning and end of classes are crowned with a short prayer.
- From 7 to 9 years. The duration of the lessons is up to 3 hours, classes are attended independently. Children take part in performances, organize common events, receive small tasks.
- From 9 to 12 years old. For children of this age, the first theoretical classes are introduced - the Law of God, the study of the Church Slavonic language, singing. Some of the students begin to take part in choral singing on the kliros along with adults. Children's liturgies are held accompanied only by Sunday school students. Creative classes are open to everyone, the basics of icon painting are taught.
- From 13 to 15 years old. A new subject is added to the traditional lessons - the history of the church from ancient times to the history of the New Martyrs of the 20th century. Students take part as voluntary assistants in charity events, bishop's services. The boys help the priests at the altar if they wish.
The emphasis in raising children is on cultivating inner morality, churching and broadening one's horizons.
Youth Society
The city of Penza is proud of its people and history. Assumption Cathedral takes an active part in the education of young people. An Orthodox youth society operates at the parish. Participants provide assistance to those in need, conduct educational activities and just communicate.
Lines of activity:
- Social work includes visits to orphanages, orphanages and social nursing homes. Much time is devoted to caring for the sick, the infirm, the elderly, and the disabled. Charity fairs, actions, concerts and other events are often organized in the parish, where the youth wing acts as organizers, participants, volunteers.
- Missionary. The range of activities includes trips to schools with stories about Orthodoxy, conversations with the priest, joint reading, discussion of the Gospel and other spiritual literature. On holidays, youth distribute booklets to attract parishioners to the temple.
- True mission. As part of its activities, members of the society provide assistance to the parish, make trips to monastic cloisters, churches in Penza and the region.
Cultural, historical, spiritual heritage
Assumption Cathedral (Penza) is located on the ancient Mironositsky cemetery. When laid, these objects were located outside the city, and now they are part of the center of urban infrastructure. The graveyard was intended for the burial of the inhabitants of Penza, but historically it has become the last refuge for the majorityPenza merchants. The surviving tombstones reflect the ancient traditions of burial decoration; there are memorials in the form of lecterns, urns, and vases depicting cherubs. Several tomb chapels attract attention.
The Assumption Cathedral and eight objects of the Mironositsky cemetery are the cultural heritage of the Russian Federation. List of Protected Cultural Heritage:
- Assumption Cathedral with interior.
- Individual burials - S. M. Zhuravleva (Hero of the Soviet Union, participant in two wars), A. A. Igosheva (Hero of the Soviet Union, participant in two wars), L. M. Samborskaya (Honored Worker of Culture of the RSFSR, director, actress), I. V. Gribova (Russian and Soviet scientist, professor, leading specialist in the field of internal combustion engines), N. M. Savkova (Doctor of Medicine, an outstanding surgeon and public figure), N. A. Shchepetilnikova (doctor, public figure).
- Communal graves of soldiers who died from wounds in Penza hospitals during the war. In total, 648 fighters found peace at the Mironositsky cemetery.
Volunteers, public organizations and the Orthodox community of the Assumption Cathedral take care of the graves.
Services and patronal holidays
Patronal feasts, especially revered in the cathedral:
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28).
- Holy Myrrh-bearing Women (second Sunday from Easter).
- St. Alexis of Moscow (February 25 and June 2).
- St. Seraphim of Sarov (January 15 and 1August).
- Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (April 7).
How does the Assumption Cathedral (Penza) work? Standard service schedule:
- Weekdays: 08:00 - liturgy, evening service - 17:00 (from the feast of the Intercession to the day of the Annunciation, the evening service begins at 16:00).
- Festival and Sunday liturgies start at 07:00 and 09:30.
- Saturday and holiday vigils begin at 17:00.
The temple is open daily from 07:00, seven days a week, closes with the end of the evening service. The church is a tourist attraction, many citizens and guests tend to get into the ancient Assumption Cathedral (service schedule is given above). Help can be obtained by contacting the phone number listed on the official website.
Address
Getting to the religious building is not difficult. As mentioned earlier, the Assumption Cathedral (Penza) is located almost in the center of the city. Address: Zakharova street, building 6 (on the territory of the Mironositsky cemetery). You can get to the temple by public transport:
- Bus 165, 130, 30, 102.
- Route taxi number 5k, 21, 93, 86.
