The Vsegradsky cathedral
Всеградский Обыденный собор во имя Спаса Всемилостивого
The cathedral in the early 20th century
LocationVologda
CountryRussia
DenominationChristianity
History
StatusDemolished
Founded1654
Architecture
Years built1688—1698
Closed1924
Demolished1972

The Vsegradsky cathedral (originally Спасо-Всегра́дский собо́р) was one of the main historical monuments in Vologda, Russia. It was rebuilt from a wooden church between 1688 and 1698, which was established after a severe plague outbreak in 1654. The cathedral had the revered icon "Saviour, the Most Merciful (everyday)".[1][2]

History

The bell tower of the Spasovsegradsky Temple, print by M. Rashevsky

Construction

The first wooden church was built on 18 October 1654, following the Russian tradition of 'one-day' churches. Such buildings were constructed in one single day by all of the citizens, and thus thought to be pure from evil and disease. The church in Vologda was aimed to free the city from the plague outbreak, which lasted for seven weeks and took many lives. When the church was finished, the plague stopped.[3] Amazed by this, the citizens asked a local icon painter to create an icon in gratitude of God's mercy. The icon was also created in one day and became the most important relic in the city.[4][1]

The name Vsegradsky translated from Russian means 'by the whole town', because the money and the effort for its construction were given by all the citizens.[2][1]

In 1688 the small church could no longer hold all the pilgrims, so it was rebuilt in stone on top of the wooden skeleton. Meanwhile, the church remained active and the liturgical services were continued. The construction was finished in 1691, but due to an unknown reason in 1692 the cathedral collapsed. It was rebuilt in 1698 and in 1718 the interiors were decorated with frescoes.[1]

In the 19th century the cathedral was changed several times; gradually it completely lost its original view. In 1840–1842 the refectory and the 'warm' church were rebuilt. In 1851–1853 the building underwent a full-scale reconstruction when all the frescoes were repainted, the altar enlarged, the windows widened and the floors replaced.[3]

Closure

image icon Tank demolishing the church in 1972[5]

The cathedral was closed in 1924, and after 1925 the building was used as an art centre. In 1932 it was redeveloped into a cinema with two movie halls. In 1971–1972 it was destroyed. Tanks were used for demolition because the 16th-century walls were too thick for demolition charges.[6][2]

Restoration projects

In 2015 the Metropolitan Ignatius announced a restoration project. However, according to the representatives of the Diocese of Vologda, the idea is to construct a temporary wooden church at the site of the demolished cathedral.[7]

21st century

In 2000 a memorial cross was installed at the site of the demolished cathedral.[8][9]

In 2021 a lime tree planted in the cathedral's yard in 1895 was registered in the national register of protected old trees as a living monument of nature.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Vinogradova, Fedyshin & Fedyshin 2013, p. 188-189.
  2. 1 2 3 Egorov, B. (2020-02-07). "Why were some Russian churches built in a day?". Russia Beyond The Headlines. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  3. 1 2 "Роберт Балакшин. К истории строительства обыденных храмов в Русском государстве: Спасо-Всеградский собор в Вологде" [Robert Bakakshin. History of the 'wooden church built in a day' in Russia: Vsegradsky cathedral in Vologda] (in Russian). News Outlet 'Pravoslavie in Northern Lands'. 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  4. ↑ Malevinsky 1866.
  5. ↑ Davydov, P. (2016-12-14). "Крестная история России на примере одного северного города" [Christianity in Russia: One Northern Town] (in Russian). Pravoslavie.fm. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  6. ↑ Vinogradova, Fedyshin & Fedyshin 2013, p. 189-191.
  7. ↑ Knizhkina, I. (2015-11-02). "Спасо-Всеградский собор в Вологде хотят восстановить" [Spaso-Vsegradsky Cathedral in Vologda to be Restored] (in Russian). Komsomolskaya Pravda. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  8. ↑ Makhlina, A. (2021-12-14). "Лицо города" [Face of the City] (in Russian). Premiere newspaper. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  9. ↑ "Монументальные памятники искусства Вологды (фоторепортаж)" [Historical Monuments of Vologda (Photos)] (in Russian). Regnum. 2008-04-17. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  10. ↑ "Еще одно вологодское дерево внесено в национальный реестр старовозрастных деревьев России" (in Russian). Russian Geographic Community. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2022-01-24.

Sources

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