Odessa, Savior Transfiguration Cathedral: address, description

The churches of Odessa are real architectural monuments, many of them are the main sights of Ukraine. Not exception is the Transfiguration Cathedral, considered one of the largest Orthodox churches in the country. Due to historical reasons, it was also destroyed by the Bolsheviks, like other religious buildings, was restored several years ago. About this cathedral we learn many interesting historical facts further from the article.

Birth of the Cathedral

In 1794, all the construction sites of the city that did not exist then were consecrated, including the one where the construction of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was planned (Odessa). The Transfiguration Cathedral was built a year after the event, next to a temporary wooden church standing there.

The erection of this stone structure was planned to be completed in a couple of years, but the plans were not given to be realized, and the construction was delayed for many years.

Stages of construction

The creation of the temple was funded by the Empress Catherine II, but after her death, the construction of the church stopped on the orders of Paul I. Six years after these events in the face of the Duke de Richelieu received her new mayor, Odessa. The Savior-Transfiguration Cathedral, thanks to his order, continued to build on.

And, finally, in 1808 the erection of a stone church was completed, but the finishing works went very slowly, as there was not enough money for the interior. A few months after the completion of the construction work, the church was consecrated by Archbishop Platon Lubarsky. Since that moment the temple has ceased to be called Nikolaevsky. It was then that one of the main attractions of the city of Odessa - the Savior's Transfiguration Cathedral.

Initially, this structure could not boast of its impressive size and beautiful decoration. But after the Kherson diocese was moved here, large-scale works on its expansion began in the temple.

Restoration

Thus, in 1837 the Transfiguration Church was transformed into a cathedral. Its reconstruction lasted for ten years, during which the church buildings and bell towers were combined, and the temple was also renovated.

The last large-scale restoration work was carried out here in the beginning of the twentieth century, thanks to them many architectural defects of the structure, which subsequently arose its numerous reconstructions, were corrected. After that, the Odessa Cathedral became one of the main temples of the Russian Empire, it accommodated more than twelve thousand parishioners. It had an eight-meter bell tower and thus could serve as a reference point for all ships that were heading to Odessa port.

The temple impressed with its magnificent architecture of all without exception. Also a strong impression on the local residents and visitors of the city produced and interior decoration. The premises of the temple were enormous and seemed to radiate light from within because the floor and columns of this structure were made of white marble. In this cathedral were buried many individuals who played an important role in the formation and development of the city.

The destruction and decline of the cathedral

Unfortunately, in the early thirties of the last century, many of its cult buildings were lost by Odessa. The Transfiguration Cathedral also could not escape the sad fate and in 1936 was destroyed to the ground by order of the USSR authorities. Previously, all that was valuable was taken from him in an unknown direction.

On that tragic day, when the temple was blown up, the whole area on which this structure stood was cordoned off by troops. The destruction of the cathedral attracted to this place many local residents who were pushed back by soldiers to neighboring streets. After the demolition of the building, an ordinary fountain was placed in its place.

New look

Many years have passed since then, morals have changed. Therefore, in 1999, it was decided to restore the temple. The construction of the cathedral was carried out exclusively for donations and was held under the auspices of charity, as budget funds were not used at all.

When the new church was erected, all the parameters of the previously destroyed building were strictly observed, from which only its foundation was preserved. Designers and architects in the construction were guided by the old pictures and drawings made after the last reconstruction of the cathedral. In 2005 all works were finished, and in Odessa the center of spiritual life of this city again appeared.

At present, the temple has the shape of an elongated cross. The architecture of the building combines the European style and Russian classicism. New unique bronze bells were brought here from Greece, they are the largest in Ukraine.

The interior of the newly rebuilt cathedral is also recreated exactly as before destruction. It is executed in an academic style and is a room of amazing beauty. The walls of the halls are decorated with Orthodox paintings and ancient ornaments dating back to Byzantium and Kievan Rus.

The temple is a two-story structure and can accommodate up to fifteen thousand parishioners. All people come to see here at his shrine: the icon of the Kasperovskaya Mother of God and the remains of the Vorontsov family.

Helpful information

Any local resident knows where the Savior's Transfiguration Cathedral is. Its address is as follows: Odessa city, Sobornaya square, house 3. It can be reached by any public transport: by tram No. 3 or No. 10 or by buses No. 146, 121, 198, 195, 208 or 241. For clarification of all necessary information You should call this number: +3 (048) 729-36-60.

Undoubtedly, all the Orthodox churches in Odessa represent the real cult buildings of Ukraine, including this remarkable cathedral. Now this majestic building stands again in its place, as if there was no tragedy in 1936, and pleases all guests of the city and local people with its beauty and solemn appearance.