The Cathedral of Christ the Savior – The story of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is best started with the manifest of Tsar Alexander I, which first ordered the construction of the building. The manifest is displayed inside the cathedral, and goes as follows:
“People of Russia, you of heroic Slavic ancestry! Numerous times have you broken the teeth of the wild beasts who attacked you, eager to swallow you. Contain yourself and come with the Holy Cross in your hearts and your weapons in your arms and you will overcome all force and aggression.”
It is believed that Tsar Alexander I decided to build the cathedral on the same day when Napoleon’s army left Moscow, which happened on Christmas Day, 25th December, 1812. He ordered its construction as a token of gratitude to God for saving Russia from certain demise. As the day of Russian victory over France coincided with Christmas, it was decided that the main altar of the future cathedral would be dedicated to the birth of Christ. It is important that, at the time of Tsar Russia, this was the only temple of its kind in the whole country.
The original design of the cathedral was done by Swedish architect Aleksandr Vitberg. This design was supported by the Tsar, who supported the architect’s career in many ways. After the death of Tsar Alexander I, the newly-crowned Tsar Nikolay I found many issues in the construction of the not-yet-finished cathedral. The financial aspect of the construction was called into question, and Vitberg was even sentenced for mismanaging money, but his innocence was proven much later.
Architect Konstantin Thon took over the project, and the construction was quickly resumed. Painters from the entire country decorated the cathedral for 44 years. The temple was blessed on Easter of 1883. It was one of the most beautiful buildings of Russia until the Bolsheviks came to power. After the October Revolution, they turned numerous cathedrals and churches into storages for keeping weapons and trash, but they decided to demolish the cathedral instead. It is thought that this decision was made mostly because of the cathedral’s proximity to the Kremlin, as the new government wanted to create a lavish “Soviet Palace” at the spot. The Palace was never constructed because of the estimated expenses its construction would require. It was supposed to reach a height of 415 meters with a statue of Lenin at the top, which would make it the highest building in the world. The Cathedral was demolished with an enormous amount of explosives, which shook the entire city of Moscow. The demolition happened in several phases on the 5th December, 1931.
As the spot where the monastery used to stand was located in the very center of the city, there came a need for the now empty lot to be filled. During Khrushchev’s presidency, a pool complex was constructed where the cathedral once stood. For 40 years, the inhabitants of Moscow enjoyed the pools, but with the change of the political climate in the country, the idea of the rebuilding of the old temple sparked in the minds of the government. Construction started in 1990, in spite of the financial difficulties that the country suffered, but the process was still supported by the people. Sketches of the old cathedral were found in the archives, which ensured that the new cathedral would be identical to the old one from the 19th century. The newly-built cathedral was blessed on 19th August, 2000.
The cathedral is truly magnificent. Names of the soldiers and officers who perished in the war against France used to be etched into the walls of the old cathedral. You will be amazed.
Interesting facts:
In 1926, the last church bell was made in Russia, and steel molding furnaces were slowly being shut down. After almost 70 years, the Commission for the Decoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior called for the construction of new bells for the cathedral. Amazing 30-ton bells were molded which toll four times a year, on notable Orthodox Christian holidays.
Open hours of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Every day between 10am and 5pm.
