The Archangel (Mikhaylo-Arkhangelsky) Cathedral is an Orthodox church The Kremlin that remains active to this day. It is considered the oldest church in Nizhny Novgorod by the site of its founding: according to tradition, the city's founder, Yuri Vsevolodovich, personally ordered it to be laid on the very spot where it still stands. The original wooden church was rebuilt numerous times following raids, wars, and fires, and the cathedral acquired its present stone form in 1632.[1] The landmark is an outstanding example of tent-roof architecture and ranks among the most significant historic sites in Nizhny Novgorod.
History and Architecture
The stone building was constructed in 1632 during the final decades when tent-roof churches were still permitted: in the second half of the 17th century, Patriarch Nikon banned this type of ecclesiastical building in an effort to return church architecture to Greek models. Because there was no wholesale demolition of already-built tent-roof churches, the cathedral survived and was restored and renovated in the 18th century.[1]
The cathedral's main decorative feature is its central load-bearing tent spire, distinguished by its lightness and slender proportions. A notable architectural characteristic of the building is the integration of the bell tower and the church into a single volume: the bell-ringer could observe the progress of the service through an arched passage and prepare the bells in advance.[1] Nikon's prohibition did not extend to bell towers, and so many Russian tent-roof bell towers were erected even after the church reform.[1]
The cathedral's interior is adorned with an iconostasis and fresco painting. One of the frescoes depicts the holy Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich with a vision of the future city, in which the silhouette of the cathedral itself can be recognized.[1]
Historic Burials
The cathedral served as the burial place of the Suzdal-Nizhny Novgorod princes — many of them are interred here.[1] In the 20th century, the remains of Kozma Minin — a native of Nizhny Novgorod and one of the leaders of the Nizhny Novgorod Militia — were transferred to the cathedral. Nearly all members of the Romanov dynasty visited his grave after their coronation, considering that it was to Minin and Prince Pozharsky that they owed their accession to the throne.[1]
Restoration and Present Condition
During the Soviet and post-Soviet periods, major restoration work in the cathedral was carried out under the supervision of Svyatoslav Leonidovich Agafonov (1911–2002) — Honored Architect of the Russian Federation, State Prize laureate, and honorary member of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences. In addition to the Archangel Cathedral, the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, the The Church of the Nativity (Stroganov Church), and the chambers of Nizhny Novgorod's monasteries were all restored under his direction.
The cathedral is an active church: services are held daily. During Bright Week — the week following Easter — the bell tower is open to the public.[1] Since 2000, Vladimir Nikolaevich Hoffman has served as the cathedral's warden.
Links
- Wikidata (archive) (Q1265998 — entry in the open knowledge base)
- VIAF (141200127 — union library index)
Sources
- tonkosti.ru — Mikhaylo-Arkhangelsky Cathedral: description, history, photos, exact address (archive)