Smolensk Assumption Cathedral. Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. What is the best way to get to the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk

The Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk is both the main cathedral of the city and a monument symbolizing its heroic and turbulent history, and, together with the rest of the buildings of the Cathedral Hill, a luxurious architectural ensemble, which is the main dominant feature of Smolensk, its symbol and decoration. If you don’t visit here, it means you won’t see the city. And therefore, first of all, we go to the Holy Assumption Cathedral.

1. The ensemble of Cathedral Hill in the form in which it exists today was formed mainly by the middle of the 18th century. How good it is that there are no multi-storey buildings in the historical center of Smolensk! Thanks to this, the turquoise and white stucco cathedral is clearly visible from almost anywhere in the city, and even from trains passing through Smolensk. On the left is the Assumption Cathedral, on the right is the gateway Epiphany Cathedral, built in different years, but in the same style - Baroque. You can get to the top of the Cathedral Hill by passing under the arch of the gateway Epiphany Cathedral, built in 1787, or along the stairs from Bolshaya Sovetskaya.

2. At the end of the 11th century, Smolensk became an appanage city of the grandson of Yaroslav the Wise - Vladimir Monomakh. The prince attached great importance to Smolensk. In 1101, he founded a large stone cathedral here in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Vladimir Monomakh took part in the consecration of the cathedral and at the same time placed in it the image of the Mother of God Hodegetria. By the 40s of the 12th century, an ancient architectural ensemble had formed on Cathedral Hill.

3. On Cathedral Hill there is not only the ensemble of the Assumption Cathedral, but also the complex of the bishop's courtyard.

4. Until the beginning of the 17th century, despite the stormy historical events, which took place in Smolensk, the cathedral retained its original appearance. In 1609, the Polish king Sigismund launched a military campaign against Russia. In September of the same year, the Polish army besieged Smolensk. The heroic defense of the city lasted 20 months. During the assault, the powder magazines located in the thickness of the Cathedral Mountain were blown up. The explosion destroyed almost the entire top of the cathedral. The Poles covered the building with boards and built a church in it.

5. After the return of Smolensk, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, taking care of the construction Orthodox churches in the cities returned from Poland, on November 30, 1676, he sent the Smolensk Archbishop Simeon a plan for the construction of the Smolensk Assumption Cathedral on the site of the former church. On August 2, 1677, the cathedral was founded. Construction work proceeded quite quickly at first. But since 1679, the construction of the temple was suspended and only resumed in 1728. The author of the project for the completion of the cathedral is considered to be the architect Anton Ivanovich Shedel. On August 13, 1740, the cathedral was consecrated. But its fragility was revealed almost immediately: dangerous cracks appeared in the vaults and domes. It was decided to replace the plank roof with a tin one.

6. By 1760, the architect Pyotr Obukhov rebuilt the domes of the cathedral. He removed the seven-domed crown and crowned the cathedral with a traditional five-domed dome; instead of a large stone dome, he installed a wooden one.

7. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the cathedral went through difficult times. He miraculously survived the Patriotic War of 1812. Having taken Smolensk, the French not only did not destroy the temple, but also guarded it. Only the helmet of the patron saint of Smolensk, Saint Mercury, has disappeared. During the Great Patriotic War, the cathedral also survived, but forever lost its main shrine - the Smolensk miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria".

8. Forged gates leading to the cathedral courtyard.

9. An elegant two-tier bell tower was erected at the northwestern corner of the cathedral in 1766-1772. It has a convex roof with a dome and two floors, the lower of which was built on the remains of a 17th-century bell tower. The stone fence around the Assumption Cathedral and the upper part of the granite staircase were built simultaneously with the bell tower (60-70s of the 18th century).

10. An extension for the clock adjoins the eastern wall of the bell tower. The watch was made in 1791 by Smolensk master V. Sokolov.

11. Detail of the decor of the bell tower.

12. On the turquoise facades of the cathedral and bell tower there is an abundance of white baroque decor.

13. Near the bell tower there is an ancient bell on a wooden stand. The date on it is 1636.

14. On both sides of the entrance to the cathedral there are signs telling about the heroic history of Smolensk: “The architectural monument of the Assumption Cathedral. Erected as a monument to the heroic defense of Smolensk in 1609-1611. Its construction began in 1677 by Moscow stone mason apprentice Alexei Korolkov. The eastern wall collapsed during construction in 1679. The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1732-1740 according to the design of the architect A. I. Shedel.

15. The cathedral stores many unique items. Its main shrines are the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria", the sandals of Saint Mercury, the patron saint of Smolensk, the embroidered shroud "Entombment".
The five-tiered iconostasis of the cathedral was made in the 1730-40s by the Ukrainian carver S. Trusitsky with assistants P. Durnitsky, F. Olitsky and S. Yakovlev. The icons were probably painted by the same masters. The iconostasis is an outstanding monument of Baroque architecture.

16. It is not known exactly how the ancient icon “Hodegetria” came to Rus'. According to legend, she was brought by the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh, who was married to Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich. The Byzantine princess and the Russian prince had a son, Vladimir, and a daughter, Yanka. After the death of his parents, the icon passed to Vladimir Monomakh. It was he who brought it to Smolensk at the beginning of the 12th century and placed it in the new cathedral. Then it began to be called “Smolenskaya”.
The image was miraculous. One of the main miracles was the deliverance of the city from Batu’s invasion in 1239. At the behest of the icon, the righteous warrior Mercury went to the enemy camp and saved Smolensk at the cost of his life. Mercury was canonized and buried in the cathedral church.
In 1941, in place of the missing icon, the image of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” (1602), brought by Boris Godunov, was installed. Now this icon is located on the right side of the cathedral; two cast-iron stairs lead to it, converging on a cast-iron platform near the icon.

17. In the left support column there is another shrine of the Smolensk Cathedral - the shroud "Entombment". As the inscription embroidered on it at the feet of Christ says, the shroud was embroidered in the workshops of Euphrosyne Staritskaya in 1561. Princess Staritskaya, the aunt of Ivan the Terrible, was involved in a conspiracy against Ivan. In 1563, she was exiled to the Goritsky monastery near Kirillov. In addition to this shroud, two more have been preserved, from Staritskaya’s workshops - one in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery (1561), the second in the Russian Museum (1560).
The Shroud, located in the Assumption Cathedral, was the princess's contribution to the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. From it, along with other valuables, the shroud was stolen by the French in 1812 and sent to France. Smolensk partisans recaptured Napoleonic convoys and, as a reward for this, the shroud was granted to the Smolensk Assumption Cathedral.

22. June 9-12 became special days for the Holy Assumption Cathedral. A particle of relics was delivered to the cathedral - the right hand of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious, and a miraculous icon.

23. The ark with the relics was accompanied by a delegation of Athonite monks from the Xenophon monastery. They also accepted notes from believers in the courtyard of the cathedral.

24. On Cathedral Hill, in the souvenir shop you can buy icons, books, and booklets.

25. View from the Assumption Cathedral to the Resurrection Monastery.

27. Staircase leading from the cathedral. To the right is the monument to Kutuzov and the parking lot, to the left is Bolshaya Sovetskaya.

29. Behind the walls of the cathedral...

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30. View of the bell tower and the Assumption Cathedral.

33. It is interesting that historically the Cathedral Mountain complex begins not with the cathedral, but with observation deck in the eastern part. There was once a princely tower here, built in the middle of the 12th century, presumably by Prince Rostislav.

In the Middle Ages, the defense of Smolensk took place for two years, which ended in 1611. At that time I wanted to capture the city. When the pressure on Smolensk was especially strong, the Assumption Cathedral was blown up by its own residents. The building was partially destroyed. Many innocent citizens died and became victims of the confrontation.

Reconstruction and restoration

Then, over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, residents were engaged in the restoration of the temple. They threw all their efforts into reconstructing the Assumption Cathedral. Smolensk spent a lot of money so as not to lose this unique architectural monument.

During the restoration, critical mistakes were made, which resulted in multiple collapses of the domes. But gross violations were corrected, the perpetrators were punished, so the Holy Assumption Cathedral (Smolensk) was nevertheless reborn from the ruins. With repeated restoration, the building has changed somewhat. Today we see it in a different guise compared to what the temple was like in the 12th century. But he has not lost his majesty, impressiveness and beauty. They say that Napoleon, when he first saw the Smolensk Cathedral, respectfully took off his cocked hat.

Troubling and challenging times

The life that Smolensk lived was not calm. The Assumption Cathedral witnessed two big battles. The first was the Patriotic War, which took place at the beginning of the 19th century. During this time, Napoleon ordered a convoy to be placed inside the temple.

Less than 150 years later, another large-scale battle shook Smolensk. The Assumption Cathedral is one of those points that was affected by the Great Patriotic War, which raged from 1941 to 1945.

At the beginning of the last century, the attitude towards shrines was, as we know, not the most respectful. And it’s still lucky if this or that church was turned into a warehouse for agricultural products, and not destroyed.

Like a mockery, in the 20s a museum of anti-religious thought was placed in the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk. Icons no longer evoked feelings of reverence for the Almighty and the saints. This building previously occupied a leading position among the churches of the city's diocese. Now it was just a tourist attraction, where people came out of curiosity, and not out of a sublime need to come into contact with the divine light.

Beauty and sophistication

The Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk is one of the richest and most skillfully decorated from an artistic point of view. Description of its architecture, luxury interior decoration and the number of icons here is amazing. Their exposition occupies five tiers total height thirty meters. This delightful beauty is decorated with gold and expertly carved wooden sculptures. It’s rare to find something so striking in its grandeur. Parishioners can be literally pinned to the spot by the scale and subtle splendor of the temple.

Holy artifacts

The custodian of many shrines is the Assumption Cathedral, within its walls there are three things that are given special significance. They are known not only in their native land, but also far beyond its borders. People go to kneel before them at the Assumption Cathedral (Smolensk), whose address is: st. Sobornaya Gora, 5.

The first of these is the sandals worn by the warrior saint Mercury in the 13th century. Also here is a shroud made and woven with gold by the masters of Princess Euphrosyne Staritskaya in the 16th century. There is also a face that works miracles here. The icon depicts the Smolensk Mother of God, whose name is Hodegetria. The relic was made in the 17th century.

The feat of the brave defender of the city

If we talk in more detail about the holy warrior Mercury, at the beginning of the thirteenth century he was the Smolensk governor. The glorious knight defeated the Mongol-Tatar army. The battle took place near the village of Dalgomostya, which could be reached by walking 27 kilometers south from the Smolensk region.

Mercury died the heroic death of a true protector native land. When the governor chased the cowardly enemy, they fought in a battle, from which the Tatar emerged victorious. With reverence and awe, the relics of the military leader, numbered after his death, were preserved within the walls of the divine place, which at that time was called the Assumption Monomakh Cathedral.

The 17th century brought more suffering to the city. He defended himself from Polish troops. In the heat of battle, someone stole the relics. At the beginning of the 19th century, a warrior's spear was also stolen from the temple. The looting did not stop there, and in the mid-20th century the helmet also disappeared. And only the sandals are still in their place.

If you believe the legend, the presence of the military armor worn by the martyr Mercury in the city ensures the patronage of the Heavenly Queen over Smolensk and defense from all misfortunes.

History of the Shroud

As for the shroud, woven in the workshop owned by Princess Staritskaya, the time of its manufacture is considered to be the mid-16th century. An element of the attire was transferred to the walls of the cathedral that belonged to the capital in order to remember the deceased prince, who was Vladimir Staritsky, who was a close relative of the ruler of the state.

The beginning of the nineteenth century was marked by the fact that the French kidnappers, who had robbed and put treasures from the capital in carts, had their loot recaptured. Among the things was a shroud. Now it was sent to the walls of the temple in Smolensk for storage. When Napoleon was expelled from Russian lands, the city was noted for its great contribution to the conduct of military operations during the Patriotic War of the early 19th century. Alexander I, after consulting with commander M. Kutuzov, decided to present a gift to the city as a sign of gratitude for his courage.

Now the Smolensk Assumption Cathedral has become the home of the shroud. This is a true work of art, of great value due to its uniqueness and perfection.

Holy Guide Icon

The miraculous icon “Hodegetria” in Smolensk, dedicated to the Mother of God, is one of the most significant holy artifacts belonging to the Christian world. According to available information, it was written by the Evangelist Luke at the time when the Most Holy Theotokos lived on earth.

Previously, the icon was kept in Chernigov, from where it was taken to the Assumption Cathedral by Vladimir Monomakh. This happened in early years 12th century. Since then it has been identified with Smolensk. means the bright face of the guide.

According to the residents of the city, it was “Hodegetria” who saved people and their homes from the spears and arrows of the conquerors. The year 1812 was the moment when the artifact was transported to the capital before the Battle of Borodino. They carried out a religious procession near the Kremlin and returned the icon to its place.

Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 irrevocably took away their shrine from people, since it died or was stolen during the fighting.

Return of the Holy Face

When Smolensk was liberated from Hitler's troops, this image appears again in the Christian world. In 1602, in honor of the ritual during which it was consecrated, a copy was written from the original, which was owned by Boris Godunov.

And now, centuries later, this masterpiece is in the cathedral. Nowadays, the walls of the holy place contain precisely this artifact - an enlarged copy of the original “Hodegetria of Smolensk,” which is also revered by the people as miraculous and is considered one of the main shrines of the Christian world. It is unknown where the icon painted by the Evangelist Luke is now: was it lost during the German offensive or was it stolen and languishing in someone’s private collection?

Today's life of the temple

Nowadays Holy place parishioners actively attend. Archpriest Mikhail Gorovoy Uspensky fills with the holy word. Divine liturgies and veneration of the icon are performed. Many political figures of the city are present at significant events.

Liturgical chants are being performed. The clear voices are raised to the dome of the cathedral by the cathedral's Bishop's Choir, a children's singing group educated by the Orthodox gymnasium. Also here, compositions are performed by a combined choir, which is trained by the city’s theological seminary and theological school. Divine services are broadcast on television in real time on the main channels of Smolensk.

The church has been automated and made convenient for parishioners; it is being taken care of and improved. So, when you come to the square near the cathedral or the Dnieper embankment, you can watch the service shown on the big screen. But you can feel the special atmosphere of the temple only when you visit it.

Holy Dormition Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption Holy Mother of God) - the main religious attraction of Smolensk, located in its center, on Cathedral Hill, from where it opens panoramic view to the city. The cathedral is an object cultural heritage federal significance.

The Assumption Cathedral was built in 1677 on the site of the 12th century cathedral of the same name.

The height of the Holy Assumption Cathedral is 69 meters.

The architectural ensemble also includes a bell tower, chambers and carriage buildings.

The cathedral itself is made in the Baroque style; inside there is an iconostasis more than 30 meters high.

Schedule of services in the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk

Divine services are held according to the traditional schedule: on weekdays at 09:00 - Divine Liturgy, at 18:00 - all-night vigil. On weekends and holidays: 07:00 - early liturgy, 10:00 - late, 18:00 - all-night vigil. In days Orthodox holidays The mode may change, please call for more detailed information.

History of the Assumption Cathedral

The original cathedral was founded back in 1101 by Prince Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh, who ordered the foundation of the stone Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on this site (simultaneously with the foundation of the cathedral of the same name in Suzdal).

This stone cathedral remained the only stone church building in the city for almost half a century. After the consecration of the cathedral, Vladimir Monomakh moved into it the icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria, which he inherited from his parents.

In 1127, with the coming to power of the grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, Prince Rostislav Mstislavovich, the Smolensk principality began to flourish, and in 1136-1137 a special Smolensk diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church was established, and the Assumption Cathedral (finally completed by that time) became the main cathedral.

The tragic event of the destruction of the Assumption Cathedral occurred in 1611 - then the stocks of explosives that were stored next to the cathedral hill were blown up. As a result of the explosion, part of the cathedral also collapsed.

In 1674-75, after the liberation of Smolensk from the Polish-Lithuanian occupation, the old building of the Assumption Cathedral was finally dismantled. Two years later, it was decided to build a new cathedral building, increasing its size. The architect was Alexey Korolkov. But he was unable to complete the construction, work was suspended until 1712. The temple was finally completed only in 1740 and had 7 domes. 20 years later, two chapters collapsed. The temple was rebuilt by the architect Obukhov, who gave the cathedral a traditional look with 5 domes.

The cathedral was practically not damaged during the Patriotic War of 1812. The French Emperor Napoleon was struck by the beauty of the cathedral and ordered its protection.

The cathedral also survived the Nazi occupation. Then the prototype of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God disappeared from it, the building itself remained unharmed.

During the period of Soviet power, during times of religious persecution, the church housed an anti-religious museum.

Eventually the Assumption Cathedral was given back to the Russian Orthodox Church, and is now one of the city's main tourist attractions.

Icons of the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk

The Smolensk Holy Assumption Cathedral houses several Orthodox shrines, including the icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov and the image of the Mother of God Hodegetria (“Guide”), which according to legend was painted by the holy evangelist Luke.

Among other shrines, it is worth noting the iron sandals of the patron saint of Smolensk, Saint Mercury, who is revered among the martyrs. He defended Smolensk from the attack of Batu Khan in 1239, accepting martyrdom. His body was buried in the Assumption Cathedral.

The skillfully made five-tiered iconostasis, more than 30 meters high, presumably dates back to the 1730s-40s.

How to get there

The Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk is easy to get to by public transport.

Nearest city stop ground transport- “Sobolev Street”.

The following routes are suitable for you:

• buses No. 3, 7, 9, 10, 19, 22, 22sh, 23, 27, 31, 33, 38, 113, 164
• minibuses No. 2n, 9n, 13n, 16n, 27n, 38n, 41n, 46n, 52n, 55n, 56n and 119.

From Sobolev Street you will need to turn onto Sobornaya Gora Street, on which the Assumption Cathedral is located. The walk from the stop will take you 10 minutes.

You can walk from the city's railway station in half an hour: the road will go along 12 Let Oktyabrya Street, then along Kashena Street and down Belyaev Street across the bridge across the Dnieper to Sobolev Street.

To order a car, you can use applications of local taxi services: Gett and the Vezet taxi network operate in Smolensk.

Entrance to the Assumption Cathedral on Google panoramas:

Video about the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk: