They freeze in admiration when they see St. Basil's Cathedral, unsurpassed in its beauty, next to the Kremlin. This monument of Russian history and culture with its multi-colored painted poppies has long become an integral part of the capital of Russia and its symbol. The official name of this attraction is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat. Until the 17th century, the cathedral was called Trinity Cathedral, since the originally built wooden church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Currently, the cathedral is included in the list of world cultural heritage and is under the protection of the UNESCO organization.
History of the construction of the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed.
The order to build the Intercession Cathedral was given by Ivan the Terrible in honor of the victory over the Kazan Khanate and the storming of the impregnable Kazan fortress. This event took place on the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, in honor of which the temple was named. Construction began in 1555 and was completed six years later. No reliable data on the architects who built the cathedral have survived. Most researchers are inclined to believe that this is the work of the Pskov master Postnik Yakovlev, who had the nickname Barma.
After the addition of the church of St. Basil the Blessed to the existing churches in 1588, the cathedral acquired its name. As conceived by the author, the ensemble of temples was a symbol of Heavenly Jerusalem. Instead of burnt church coverings at the end of the 16th century, figured domes, familiar to our eyes, appeared.
In the 80s of the 17th century, porches decorated with tents were erected over the stairs leading to the temple, and the open gallery, which surrounded the cathedral, acquired vaults. In the painting of the gallery's surface, the craftsmen used herbal motifs, and during the restoration work of the first half of the 19th century, a cast-iron fence was installed around the cathedral.
From the first days of Soviet power, St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow was under the protection of the state, although until 1923 it was in desolation. After the creation of a historical and architectural museum in it, major construction work was done and the collection of funds was carried out. On May 21, 1923, the first visitors crossed the threshold. Since 1928 it has been a branch of the State Historical Museum. At the end of 1929, the bells were removed from the temple and it was forbidden to hold services. During the Great Patriotic War, the museum was closed, but after its end and the next restoration activities, the museum reopened its doors to visitors. The beginning of the 90s of the XX century was marked by the resumption of church services in the temple. Since that time, the museum and the Russian Orthodox Church have been jointly using the cathedral.
The height of St. Basil's Cathedral is 65 meters. But, despite this modest figure, the beauty of the cathedral leaves no one indifferent. Due to the fact that its ensemble includes nine churches built on a common foundation, it is included in the list of the largest cathedrals in the world in terms of volume. The uniqueness of the temple lies in the fact that it does not have a clearly defined main entrance. The first time you enter the temple, you can get confused in its layout. But if you look at it from a bird's eye view, or at its drawing (top view), placed on the wall of one of the churches, everything becomes clear and understandable.
Church of St. Basil's Cathedral.
In the center of the complex there is a pillar-like church, consecrated in honor of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. The central exits of the main temples surrounding it face the four cardinal points. Smaller churches were erected between them, completing the composition. When looking from above at the entire ensemble, you can clearly see two squares turned to each other at an angle and making up a regular eight-pointed star, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sides of the squares, in addition to the four ends of the life-giving cross, signified the firmness of faith. And the unification of churches around the Pillar Church symbolizes the unity of faith and God's protection spread over Russia. The bell tower, built in 1670, is located a little further away.
Hiding place in the temple.
Another feature of the unique ensemble is the absence of basements. It was erected on a basement - a complex of premises, the height of the walls of which exceeds six meters, and the thickness reaches more than three meters. Its walls are provided with special holes that serve to create a constant microclimate in the premises, regardless of the season. In ancient times, the basement was used as a secret storage for church valuables and the royal treasury. The cache could only be accessed from the second floor of the central cathedral by a secret staircase located in the wall. Now there is a repository of icons that belong to the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat. The oldest of them is the image of St. Basil the Blessed, dating from the end of the 16th century.
The whole ensemble is surrounded by a covered bypass gallery, which has long become one with it. Like the inner bypass, it is painted with a herb and plant pattern dating back to the 17th century. Their floors are paved with bricks, partly with herringbone masonry, and some areas with a special rosette pattern. Interestingly, bricks from the sixteenth century are more resistant to abrasion than those used for restoration work.
St. Basil's Cathedral inside.
The interior decoration of all the nine churches that make up the complex is not similar to one another and differs in the style of painting, colors and manner of its execution. Some of the walls are decorated with oil painting, and some have preserved frescoes dating from the sixteenth century. The main treasure of the cathedral is its unique iconostases, which contain more than four hundred priceless icons belonging to the period of the 16th-19th centuries and belonging to the brush of Moscow and Novgorod masters.
After the return of the temple to the fold of the Orthodox Church, which took place on the bright feast of the Intercession, the museum began to renew the collection of bells. Today you can see nineteen exhibits representing masterpieces of foundry art. The "oldest" of them was cast five years before the capture of Kazan, and the youngest in 2016 turns twenty. With your own eyes you can see the armor and weapons with which the troops of Ivan the Terrible went to attack the Kazan Kremlin.
In addition to unique icons inside the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, you can see the canvases of Russian masters of portrait and landscape painting of the nineteenth century. The pride of the museum exposition is the collection of old manuscript and early printed books. You can view all the priceless exhibits of the museum and wander around the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos as part of a group tour or order an individual visit. It should be remembered that you can take photos and videos by making a separate payment through the cashier of the museum. Between the basement and the second floor of the temple there are shops where you can buy a souvenir for memory.
The temple has many different names. The most famous of them are:
Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, Cathedral of the Intercession, Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God, Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God on the Moat, Intercession Church, Trinity Church.
Until the 17th century, the Intercession Church was most often called the Trinity Church, because originally on this place stood the Trinity wooden church on the moat - dated to the middle of the 16th century. In fact, it stood on a hill - next to the moat that surrounded the medieval Kremlin and was filled up in the 19th century.
It was built by order of Ivan the Terrible, in honor of the victory of the Russian army over the Kazan Khanate. (then the khanate was part of the Golden Horde)
By the way, many historians claim that Ivan the Terrible was a merciless and evil tyrant. Can a tyrant give the order to build a cathedral, expressing his gratitude to the heavenly patrons? I don’t want to argue and focus ... We still don’t know the truth. But I believe more that Ivan was an adequate uncle, and he created more.
Why the temple of the Protection of the Mother of God
Everything is very logical. All historical references refer to the day when the Russian army successfully stormed the walls of Kazan. The exact date of October 1, 1552 appears everywhere, on this day in Russia the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God was celebrated. It didn't take long to think about the name.
Why St. Basil's Cathedral
And here everything is very logical and simple - in honor of St. Basil the Blessed. But with the personality of the latter, few are "familiar". And in general why Blessed, why the Fool (not to be confused with the ugly).
So: in the old days, cranks who rejected worldly values \u200b\u200bwere considered holy fools. An ascetic way of life, and a little madness are the main features in all holy fools. And one of the synonyms for "holy fool" was the word - "blessed." In Old Church Slavonic, those who did good, good deeds were considered blessed, and in a broad sense, blessed - everyone who beholds God in heaven. For me, a blessed one who is happy. And in Christianity, the blessed one is a special face of the saints.
About Basil the Blessed - an interesting story.
Saint Blessed Basil, the Moscow miracle worker, was born in December 1468 on the porch of the Yelokhovsky church near Moscow. His parents were from simple people and sent their son to the training of shoemaking. During the teaching of the Blessed One, his master had to witness one amazing case when he realized that his disciple was not like everyone else.
One merchant brought bread to Moscow on barges and went into the workshop to order boots, asking them to make them so that they would not wear them out in a year. Blessed Basil shed tears: "We will sew you such that you will not wear them out." The merchant did not attach importance to the tears of the eccentric, paid and left. The master immediately asked the disciple why he was crying. Then the student explained that the customer would not wear boots, as he would soon die. A few days later, the prophecy came true.
At the age of 16, the saint came to Moscow and began the thorny feat of foolishness. In the scorching summer heat and the bitter bitter frost, he walked naked and barefoot through the streets of Moscow. His actions were strange: he would overturn a tray with rolls, then he would spill a jug of kvass. The angry merchants beat the Blessed One, but he gladly accepted the beatings and thanked God for them. And then it turned out that the rolls were poorly baked, and the kvass was completely unusable. The veneration of Blessed Basil grew rapidly: they recognized him as a holy fool, a man of God, an exposer of unrighteousness.
Grafov Vitaly Yurievich Moscow miracle worker Blessed Vasily Here's another case.
Once, a merchant decided to build a stone church on Pokrovka in Moscow, but its vaults collapsed three times. The merchant turned to the Blessed One for advice, and he sent him to Kiev: "Find poor John there, he will give you advice on how to complete the church." Arriving in Kiev, the merchant found John, who was sitting in a poor hut and rocking an empty cradle. "Who are you swinging?" The merchant asked. "Dear mother, I pay an unpaid debt for the birth and upbringing." Then the merchant only remembered his mother, whom he had kicked out of the house, and it became clear to him why he could not finish building the church. Returning to Moscow, he returned his mother home, asked her forgiveness and completed the church.
Preaching mercy, the Blessed One helped first of all those who were ashamed to ask for alms, and yet needed help more than others. There was a case that he gave rich royal gifts to a foreign merchant, who was left without everything and, although he had not eaten anything for three days, he could not ask for help, since he was wearing good clothes.
The Blessed One severely condemned those who gave alms for selfish purposes, not out of compassion for poverty and misfortune, but hoping in an easy way to attract God's blessing to their deeds.
For the sake of saving his neighbors, Blessed Basil also visited taverns, where he tried to see the grain of good even in the most desolate people, to reinforce them with affection, to encourage them. Many noticed that when the Blessed One passed by a house in which they were insanely having fun and drinking, he hugged the corners of that house with tears. The holy fool was asked what it meant, and he answered:
"Angels of sorrow stand at home and lament over the sins of men, and I with tears begged them to pray to the Lord for the conversion of sinners."
In 1547 he predicted the great fire of Moscow; he extinguished the fire in Novgorod by prayer; once reproached Tsar Ivan the Terrible that during the divine service he was busy with thoughts of building a palace on Vorobyovy Gory.
He constantly denounced lies and hypocrisy. Contemporaries noted that this was almost the only person whom Tsar Ivan the Terrible feared. Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible respected and feared the Blessed One, "like a seer of human hearts and thoughts." When, shortly before his death, Vasily fell into a serious illness, the tsar himself visited him with Tsarina Anastasia.
relics of Basil the Blessed Basil the Blessed died on August 2, 1552 (sometimes 1551 is also mentioned). Ivan the Terrible and the boyars carried his coffin, and Metropolitan Macarius performed the burial.
In the description of the appearance of the saint, characteristic details have been preserved: "all naked, in the hand of the road." The veneration of Blessed Basil has always been so strong that the Trinity Church and the attached Church of the Intercession are still called the Church of Basil the Blessed.
Key dates
In 1552 on Red Square, near the protective ditch, in the place where the wooden Trinity Church previously stood, and the most revered Russian holy fool, Basil the Blessed, was buried, the construction of a new stone church began.
In 1588 at the behest of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich (Grand Duke of Moscow, the third son of Ivan the Terrible), the chapel of Basil the Blessed was built in the Intercession Church, where his relics were placed in a silver shrine, and the cathedral was often called the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed.
Karl Ivanovich Rabus. Another version is a legend
Church of the Intercession erected in 1555-1561 by the Russian architects Barma and Postnik Yakovlev (or perhaps it was one master - Ivan Yakovlevich Barma).
There is a legend that after seeing the temple, Ivan the Terrible ordered to blind the masters so that they could not build such a miracle anywhere else. As if to the king's question whether the master could build another equally beautiful temple or even better, he answered with a challenge: "I can!" - and angered the king. "You are lying!" - Grozny cried and ordered to deprive both eyes so that this temple remained the only one.
Popular rumor spread the rumor that Ivan the Terrible allegedly built this temple in honor of his father, Grand Duke Vasily III: “The people will remember me even without churches for a thousand years, and I want my parent to be remembered.” That is why the temple is called St. Basil the Blessed.
The uniqueness of the architectural composition of the cathedral and its symbolism.
The idea of \u200b\u200bthe Intercession Cathedral is based on the apocalyptic symbolism of Heavenly Jerusalem. Eight chapters located around the ninth central tent, in the plan form a geometrical figure of two squares, combined at an angle of 45 degrees, in which it is easy to see an eight-pointed star.
The number 8 symbolizes the day of the Resurrection of Christ, which according to the Hebrew calendar was the eighth day, and the coming Kingdom of Heaven - the Kingdom of the "eighth century" (or "eighth kingdom"), which will come after the Second Coming of Christ - after the end of earthly history associated with the apocalyptic number 7.
The square expresses the firmness and constancy of faith and is a cosmic symbol of the Universe: its four equal sides mean four cardinal points, four winds of the Universe, four ends of the cross, four canonical Gospels, four apostles-evangelists, four equilateral walls of Heavenly Jerusalem. The combined squares symbolize the preaching of the Gospels to the four cardinal points, that is, to the whole world.
Photo: Slava Stepanov The eight-pointed star - a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem, which showed the Magi the way to the Christ Child, the Savior of the world - symbolizes the entire Christian Church as a guiding star in human life to Heavenly Jerusalem.
The eight-pointed star is also a symbol of the Most Holy Theotokos - the Lady of the Church and the Queen of Heaven: in Orthodox iconography, the Mother of God is depicted in a maforia (veil) with three eight-pointed stars on her shoulders and on her forehead as a sign of Her Eternal Virginity - before, during and after the Nativity of Christ.
The throne in honor of the Intercession of the Theotokos is located in the central tent-roofed temple, which unites the rest of the chapters, as if gathering them around itself. This symbolizes the headship, patronage and intercession of the Mother of God over the Church of Christ and over the entire Russian land. A tent in Russian temple building symbolizes a canopy (canopy), which from ancient times was erected over a sacred place as a sign of its God-preservation and holiness.
Tallest building in Moscow
The Intercession Cathedral on Red Square became the tallest building in Moscow (its height is 60 meters) and was such until the end of the 16th century, when the bell tower of the Church of Ioann Lestvinchik, 81 meters high, was built under Boris Godunov.
For all its outward majestic splendor, the Pokrovsky Cathedral inside has a rather modest size. During the service, a very small number of people could fit inside, so during large church holidays, Moscow residents and clergy gathered on Red Square.
In 1737 during a grandiose fire, St. Basil's Cathedral was badly damaged and had to be restored. When wooden churches were removed from Red Square to prevent fires, fifteen thrones of the demolished wooden churches were moved under its vaults, and the throne in the name of the three Patriarchs of Constantinople was renamed in the name of John the Merciful. The throne of Cyprian and Ustinia was also renamed; it began to bear the name of Saints Adrian and Natalia. At that time, the cathedral had 11 aisles in total.
In the second half of the 18th century, during the reign of Catherine II, the Intercession Cathedral was reconstructed again. 16 small chapters around the main towers were demolished, and the hipped-roof bell tower was connected to the building of the cathedral itself. It was then that the cathedral became as colorful as we know it now.
Another legend tells that during the days of the occupation of Moscow by his troops, Napoleon wished to transport the building of the temple to Paris, and when it turned out that it was technically impossible to do this, he ordered the cathedral to be blown up together with the Kremlin. And then, when the fuses of the explosives were already lit, it was as if it had rained and extinguished them.
The years of the Great October Revolution brought many trials to the temple.
In September 1918 the rector of the cathedral, Archpriest John Vostorgov, was shot. And the property of the temple was confiscated. The bells were removed and sent for melting, the temple itself was closed, but not destroyed.
In the thirties of the 20th century Kaganovich, who was engaged in drawing up a plan for the general reconstruction of Moscow in the spirit of the "proletarian capital", made a proposal to demolish the Intercession Cathedral. To make room for parades and demonstrations, which were held on the fairly compact Red Square. And here it is worth telling about another legend.
They say that when Kaganovich made a model of Red Square with a removable Model of the Intercession Cathedral and brought it to show Stalin, he began to show how the columns were moving along Red Square and how the cathedral interfered with them. “And if only him - p-times! ..” - saying this, he removed the temple from the square in one movement. Stalin looked, thought, and leisurely uttered the famous phrase: “Lazar! Put it back! .. "
One way or another, the temple survived. An important role in this was played by the architect P.D. Baranovsky is a real devotee and enthusiast of preserving Russian culture. He was ordered to prepare the temple for demolition, but he categorically refused to do this, after which he sent a rather harsh telegram upstairs. What actually happened after that is unknown, but Stalin canceled the demolition of the temple, and Baranovsky received several years in prison.
Photo: Slava Stepanov Back in 1929, the Intercession Cathedral began to be used as a branch of the State Historical Museum, you can visit it even now. The exposition contains samples of cold arms and firearms, armor of the 16-17 centuries, in the tower-churches you can see a collection of ancient Russian icons of the 15-17 centuries, artistic sewing, samples of fabrics, metal crafts. In the 70s, the next reconstruction of the temple was carried out, during which a spiral staircase was discovered in one of the walls, along which the current visitors of the museum enter the central temple.
On my own behalf, I will add that to be in Moscow and not come to the walls of the Temple is ignorance in its purest form. Despite the abundance of ubiquitous tourists, it is worthwhile to stand a little at the majestic walls, think about the meaning of life, enjoy the stunning architecture, which has no analogues in the world (remember the above legend).
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St. Basil's Cathedral - a popular monument of Orthodox Christianity and Russian architecture. It rises in the center of Moscow. Dates back to the 16th century.
The canonical name of the building is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God on the Moat. Another naming option is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. Also known to many as Pokrovsky.
Interesting! The "moat" binding in the name is also not accidental. Until 1813, a defensive ditch was dug near the Kremlin wall.
In fact, the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God is not one, but several churches, united into a single architectural ensemble.
Construction of St. Basil's Cathedral
The temple appeared during the time of Ivan the Terrible. Construction dates: 1555-1561 The tsar promised to build a cathedral in the event of the conquest of the Kazan khans. In honor of every major victory, a church was built. The name was given to the buildings after the name of the saint, on whose calendar day the battle was won. Thus, eight wooden churches appeared. The main victory fell on the day of the Intercession of the Virgin. Hence the name of the main cathedral, stone.
The building has survived fires, several wars and revolutions. Over the course of its history, the cathedral has been modified, repainted, reconstructed many times. It was "overgrown" with a bell tower, gallery, fence and other elements. Among the famous architects of the temple: Osip Bove (1817), Ivan Yakovlev (1784-1786), Sergei Soloviev (1900-1912)
In 1918, the cathedral received the status of a world-class architectural value and began to be protected by the state. In the early 90s of the last century, he was in the simultaneous use of a church and a museum.
Cathedral during the empire
There are various legends about the creators of the structure. There is no one reliable version. Most researchers agree on the idea that erection temple - "handiwork" of the master, nicknamed Postnik. Full name - Barma Ivan Yakovlevich.
Some are sure that the Moscow Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed was designed by an unknown Italian architect.
Earlier, there was a version that the temple was erected by Postnik and Barma, that is, there were two masters at once. But historians have found too many inconsistencies in it.
Interesting! A popular legend says: Ivan IV ordered to blind the architects Postnik and Barma upon completion of construction. He didn't want the masters to repeat their creation anywhere else. This fact is most likely fictitious, since it does not coincide with historical events.
Why is St. Basil's Cathedral so called
This name of the cathedral has taken root among the people for a reason. The name of the temple was given by the name of the holy fool who lived under Ivan the Terrible. The king himself was afraid of the blessed one for the gift of clairvoyance. The people loved Vasily. When he died, he was buried near the Trinity Church.
Basil the Blessed was canonized 29 years after his death. One of the churches of the temple was named after him. The relics of a holy fool, now a saint, are also kept here.
The structure and parameters of the cathedral
A distinctive feature of the temple is that it does not have a pronounced facade. Each side looks "front".
The Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God reaches a height of 65 meters.
Interesting! For two centuries after its appearance, it was the tallest building in Moscow.
The entire complex consists of eleven buildings. Around the central church there are eight more, four of which are grouped exactly on the cardinal points. The structure resembles an eight-pointed star. The tenth church is "lower". The eleventh building is the bell tower.
All churches have a single foundation, united by a closed gallery, internal common passages.
How many domes on St. Basil's Cathedral
The correct answer is 11. Of these, nine are church onions, two are tent-shaped with small domes. The domes of the central church and the bell tower end with a tent. They are all colorful flowers, decorated with patterns. This festive decoration is explained by the fact that the domes of the temple symbolize the image of the Heavenly City of Jerusalem.
Thrones of the Protection on the Moat
The cathedral is represented by ten independent churches with thrones:
- Protection of the Holy Virgin. The central throne is located here.
- Adrian and Natalia. The church was named earlier in honor of Saints Cyprian and Justina (northern direction). The height of the building is 20.9 m. The Burning Bush is located here.
- Three Patriarchs of Constantinople (northeast). The church is 14.9 meters high.
- Holy Trinity (east). The building has a height of 21 m.
- Alexander Svirsky (direction - southeast). The height of the structure is 15 m.
- Nicholas the Wonderworker (southern throne). Height - 28 m. Another name is Nikola Velikoretsky.
- Varlaam Khutynsky (southwest). 15.2 m high. The church is illuminated by the oldest chandelier in the entire cathedral.
- Entry into Jerusalem (direction - west). Differs in especially elegant decoration.
- Gregory of Armenian (standing in the northwest). Height - 15 m.
- Basil the Blessed. This is the lower annex. Only in it, of all the others, regular services are held.
The temple has a common basement. It contains ancient icons, access to it is not available for mass visits.
On a note! The coin with a face value of 5 rubles in 1989 was issued with an image on the reverse of the Intercession Cathedral. Its circulation is 2 million. The circulation of the improved quality is 300 thousand units. Now collectors can buy this coin for one and a half to three thousand rubles.
Information for visitors
The cathedral is a branch of the State Historical Museum and is open to the public. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Divine services are held here on Sundays.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The Cathedral as a museum operates daily:
- in summer - from 10:00 to 19:00;
- September 1 - November 6 and all of May - from 11:00 to 18:00;
- November 8 - April 30 - from 11:00 to 17:00.
An exception: every Wednesday in June, July, August and the first Wednesday of the rest of the months. These days there is a cleaning day in the complex.
The museum is open 1 hour longer during school holidays. On some holidays, the opening hours may change. Check these questions in advance.
Note! The ticket office and the entire territory will close 45 minutes before the end of working hours.
The cost of an adult entrance ticket is 500 RUR. The price is the same for representatives of all countries.
A family ticket will cost 600 rubles (for a couple with children under 16).
Persons from 16 to 18 years old, full-time students, pensioners and beneficiaries (repressed, members of large families, etc.) fall under a special category. For them, the entrance ticket is 150 RUR.
Children under 16 years of age, war heroes, blockades, prisoners, disabled people, orphans, museum employees, pilgrims, etc. can enter the museum free of charge. To obtain the right to preferential or free admission, you must present a supporting document.
How to get there
The main landmark is Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral cannot be overlooked. It stands out for its colorful domes.
The nearest metro stations are three. These are "Okhotny Ryad", "Kitay-Gorod" and "Revolution Square".
The Intercession Cathedral offers various excursion programs. According to them, the museum is open from 11:00 until 16:00. The program depends on the age group, nationality, number and interests of visitors. The duration is two or three hours. The tour is designed for groups of up to 10 or 15 people.
For younger students, the total cost of the program is 2500 RUR, for middle school students - 3000 RUR, for high school students - up to 4500 RUR (depends on the number of hours).
The cost of the excursion for adult groups is from 5000 RUR to 10000 RUR. The price depends on the number of visitors and the chosen program.
Outside hours there is an opportunity to visit a special excursion for 1000 RUR for groups of 20 people with a guide.
Themed excursions are organized on some holidays.
№ 7710342000Coordinates: 55 ° 45'08.88 ″ s. sh. 37 ° 37'23 ″ in. etc. / 55.752467 ° N sh. 37.623056 ° E etc. (G) (O) (I)55.752467 , 37.623056
Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, also called St. Basil's Cathedral is an Orthodox church located on the Red Square of Kitay-gorod in Moscow. A well-known monument of Russian architecture. Until the 17th century, it was usually called Trinity, since the original wooden church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity; was also known as "Jerusalem", which is associated both with the dedication of one of the chapels, and with the procession of the cross from the Assumption Cathedral on Palm Sunday with the Patriarch's "donkey procession".
Status
St. Basil's Cathedral
Currently, the Intercession Cathedral is a branch of the State Historical Museum. Included in the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Russia.
The Intercession Cathedral is one of the most famous sights of Russia. For many, it is a symbol of Moscow and the Russian Federation. A bronze Monument to Minin and Pozharsky (installed on Red Square in 1818) has been located in front of the cathedral since 1931.
History
Creation versions
The Cathedral of the Intercession was built in - years by order of Ivan the Terrible in memory of the capture of Kazan and the victory over the Kazan Khanate. There are several versions about the founders of the cathedral. According to one version, the architect was the famous Pskov master Postnik Yakovlev, nicknamed Barma. According to another, well-known version, Barma and Postnik are two different architects, both involved in the construction; this version is now obsolete. According to the third version, the cathedral was built by an unknown Western European master (presumably an Italian, as before - a significant part of the buildings of the Moscow Kremlin), hence such a unique style that combines the traditions of both Russian architecture and European architecture of the Renaissance, but this version is still never found any clear documentary evidence.
According to legend, the architect (s) of the cathedral were blinded by order of Ivan the Terrible so that they could no longer build a similar temple. However, if Postnik is the author of the cathedral, then he could not be blinded, since for several years after the construction of the cathedral he participated in the creation of the Kazan Kremlin.
Cathedral at the end of the 16th - 19th centuries
- in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (in honor of his Velikoretskaya icon from Vyatka),
- in honor of Much. Adrian and Natalia (originally - in honor of Saints Cyprian and Justina - October 2),
- st. John the Merciful (until the XVIII - in honor of St. Paul, Alexander and John of Constantinople - November 6),
- Alexander Svirsky (April 17 and August 30),
- Varlaam Khutynsky (November 6 and 1st Friday of Peter's Lent),
- Gregory of Armenian (September 30).
All these eight churches (four axial, four smaller between them) are crowned with onion domes and are grouped around the ninth pillar-like church towering above them in honor of the Protection of the Mother of God, topped with a tent with a small dome. All nine churches are united by a common base, a bypass (originally open) gallery and internal vaulted passages.
First floor
Podklet
"Our Lady of the Sign" in the basement
There are no basements in the Intercession Cathedral. Churches and galleries stand on a single foundation - a basement, consisting of several rooms. The solid brick walls of the basement (up to 3 m thick) are covered with vaults. The height of the premises is about 6.5 m.
The construction of the northern basement is unique for the 16th century. Its long corrugated vault has no supporting pillars. The walls are cut with narrow holes - by air... Together with the "breathing" building material - brick - they provide a special indoor climate at any time of the year.
Previously, the basement rooms were inaccessible to parishioners. Deep niche-hiding places in it were used as storage facilities. They were closed with doors, from which hinges are now preserved.
Until 1595, the royal treasury was hidden in the basement. Wealthy townspeople also brought their property here.
We got into the basement from the upper central church of the Intercession of the Mother of God along a white-stone staircase inside the wall. Only the initiates knew about her. Later, this narrow passage was laid. However, during the restoration of the 1930s. a secret staircase was discovered.
In the basement there are icons of the Intercession Cathedral. The oldest of them is the icon of St. Basil the Blessed at the end of the 16th century, written especially for the Intercession Cathedral.
The icon "Our Lady of the Sign" is a replica of the front icon located on the eastern wall of the cathedral. Written in the 1780s. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. the icon was above the entrance to the chapel of St. Basil the Blessed.
Church of St. Basil the Blessed
The canopy over the grave of Basil the Blessed
The lower church was added to the cathedral in 1588 over the burial of St. Basil the Blessed. The stylized inscription on the wall tells about the construction of this church after the canonization of the saint at the behest of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich.
The temple is cubic in shape, covered with a crestal vault and crowned with a small light drum with a dome. The covering of the church is made in the same style as the heads of the upper churches of the cathedral.
The oil painting of the church was made for the 350th anniversary of the beginning of the construction of the cathedral (1905). In the dome is the Savior Almighty, in the drum - the forefathers, in the crosshairs of the vault - Deesis (Savior Not Made by Hands, the Mother of God, John the Baptist), in the sails of the vault - the Evangelists.
On the western wall there is a temple image "The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos". In the upper tier there are images of the patron saints of the reigning house: Theodore Stratilates, John the Baptist, Saint Anastasia, Martyr Irene.
On the northern and southern walls are scenes from the life of St. Basil the Blessed: "The Miracle of Salvation at Sea" and "The Miracle of the Fur Coat." The lower tier of the walls is decorated with a traditional Old Russian ornament in the form of towels.
The iconostasis was made in 1895 by the architect A.M. Pavlinov. The icons were painted under the guidance of the famous Moscow icon painter and restorer Osip Chirikov, whose signature is preserved on the icon "Savior on the throne".
The iconostasis includes earlier icons: "The Mother of God of Smolensk" of the 16th century. and the local image “St. Basil the Blessed against the background of the Kremlin and Red Square "XVIII century.
Above the burial of St. Basil the Blessed, an arch decorated with a carved canopy is installed. This is one of the revered Moscow shrines.
On the southern wall of the church there is a rare large-sized icon painted on metal - "Our Lady of Vladimir with selected saints of the Moscow circle" Today the most glorious city of Moscow flaunts brightly "(1904)
The floor is covered with Kasli cast iron slabs.
St. Basil's Church was closed in 1929 only at the end of the XX century. its decoration was restored. On August 15, 1997, on the feast day of St. Basil the Blessed, Sunday and festive services were resumed in the church.
Second floor
Galleries and porches
An external bypass gallery runs along the perimeter of the cathedral around all the churches. It was originally open. In the middle of the XIX century. the glazed gallery became part of the interior of the cathedral. Arched entranceways lead from the outer gallery to the platforms between the churches and connect it to the inner passages.
The central church of the Intercession of Our Lady is surrounded by an internal bypass gallery. Its vaults hide the tops of the churches. In the second half of the 17th century. the gallery was painted with floral ornaments. Later, story oil painting appeared in the cathedral, which was repeatedly updated. Tempera painting has now been revealed at the gallery. Oil painting of the 19th century has been preserved in the eastern section of the gallery. - images of saints in combination with floral ornaments.
Carved brick entrances leading to the central church organically complement the decor. The portal has been preserved in its original form, without later coatings, which allows you to see its decoration. The embossed details are lined with specially molded curved bricks, and the shallow decor is carved in place.
Previously, daylight penetrated the gallery from the windows located above the aisles to the gulbische. Today it is lit by 17th century mica lanterns, which were previously used during religious processions. The multi-domed tops of the outrigger lanterns resemble the refined silhouette of the cathedral.
The floor of the gallery is made of bricks "in a Christmas tree". Bricks of the 16th century have been preserved here. - darker and more resistant to abrasion than modern restoration bricks.
Gallery painting
The arch of the western section of the gallery is covered with a flat brick ceiling. It demonstrates a unique for the XVI century. an engineering technique for overlapping: many small bricks are fixed with lime mortar in the form of caissons (squares), the edges of which are made of shaped bricks.
In this area, the floor is lined with a special pattern in the "socket", and on the walls the original painting has been recreated, imitating brickwork. The size of the painted bricks corresponds to the real one.
Two galleries combine the side-altars of the cathedral into a single ensemble. Narrow internal passages and wide areas create the impression of a “city of churches”. After passing the labyrinth of the inner gallery, you can get to the cathedral's porch grounds. Their vaults are "flower carpets", the intricacies of which fascinate and attract the eyes of visitors.
On the upper platform of the right porch in front of the Church of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the foundations of the pillars or columns are preserved - the remains of the entrance decoration. This is due to the special role of the church in the complex ideological program of the cathedral's dedications.
Alexander Svirsky Church
The dome of the church of Alexander Svirsky
The southeastern church was consecrated in the name of the Monk Alexander Svirsky.
In 1552, on the day of memory of Alexander Svirsky, one of the important battles of the Kazan campaign took place - the defeat of the cavalry of Tsarevich Yapanchi on the Arsk field.
This is one of four small churches 15 m high. Its base - a quadrangle - turns into a low octagon and ends with a cylindrical light drum and a vault.
The original appearance of the interior of the church was restored during the restoration work of the 1920s and 1979-1980s: a brick floor with a “fir-tree” pattern, profiled cornices, stepped window sills. The walls of the church are covered with paintings imitating brickwork. The dome features a "brick" spiral - a symbol of eternity.
The iconostasis of the church has been reconstructed. Icons of the 16th - early 18th centuries are located close to each other between the wooden beams (tyabls). The lower part of the iconostasis is covered with hanging sheets, skillfully embroidered by craftswomen. On velvet swaddles there is a traditional image of the Calvary cross.
Church of Varlaam Khutynsky
Royal Doors of the Iconostasis of the Church of Varlaam Khutynsky
The southwestern church was consecrated in the name of the Monk Varlaam of Khutynsky.
This is one of the four small churches of the cathedral, 15.2 m high. Its base has the shape of a quadrangle, elongated from north to south with the apse displaced to the south. The violation of symmetry in the construction of the temple is caused by the need to arrange a passage between the small church and the central one - the Protection of the Mother of God.
The four goes into a low eight. The cylindrical light drum is covered with a vault. The church illuminates the 15th century chandelier, the oldest in the cathedral. A century later, Russian craftsmen supplemented the work of Nuremberg craftsmen with a pommel in the shape of a two-headed eagle.
The Tyablovy iconostasis was reconstructed in the 1920s. and consists of icons of the XVI - XVIII centuries. The peculiarity of the architecture of the church - the irregular shape of the apse - determined the displacement of the Royal Doors to the right.
Of particular interest is the separately hanging icon "The Vision of the Sexton Tarasiy". It was written in Novgorod at the end of the 16th century. The plot of the icon is based on the legend about the vision of the sexton of the Khutynsky monastery of disasters that threaten Novgorod: floods, fires, "pestilence".
The icon painter depicted the panorama of the city with topographic accuracy. The composition organically includes scenes of fishing, plowing and sowing, telling about the everyday life of the ancient Novgorodians.
Church of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
Royal Doors of the Church of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
The Western Church was consecrated in honor of the Feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem.
One of the four large churches is an octahedral two-tiered pillar covered with a vault. The temple is distinguished by its large size and the solemn character of the decoration.
During the restoration, fragments of the 16th century architectural decoration were discovered. Their original appearance has been preserved without restoring damaged parts. No ancient painting was found in the church. The whiteness of the walls emphasizes the architectural details, executed by architects with great creative imagination. Above the northern entrance, there is a trace of a shell that hit the wall in October 1917.
The existing iconostasis was moved in 1770 from the dismantled Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. It is richly decorated with tracery gilded pewter overlays, which give the lightness of the four-tiered structure. In the middle of the XIX century. the iconostasis was supplemented with carved wooden details. The icons in the lower row tell about the Creation of the world.
The church presents one of the shrines of the Intercession Cathedral - the icon “St. Alexander Nevsky in the Life "of the 17th century. The image, unique in its iconography, probably comes from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
In the centerpiece of the icon is the noble prince, and around him there are 33 hallmarks with scenes from the life of the saint (miracles and real historical events: the battle of the Neva, the prince's trip to the khan's headquarters, the battle of Kulikovo).
Church of St. Gregory of Armenia
The northwestern church of the cathedral was consecrated in the name of the Monk Gregory, the enlightener of Great Armenia (died in 335). He converted the tsar and the whole country to Christianity, was the bishop of Armenia. His memory is celebrated on September 30 (October 13 N.C.). In 1552, on this day, an important event of the campaign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible took place - the explosion of the Arskaya tower of Kazan.
One of the four small churches of the cathedral (15m high) is a quadrangle, turning into a low octagon. Its base is elongated from north to south with a displacement of the apse. The violation of symmetry is caused by the need to arrange a passage between this church and the central one - the Protection of the Mother of God. The light drum is covered with a vault.
The architectural decoration of the 16th century has been restored in the church: ancient windows, half-columns, cornices, a brick floor laid out "in a Christmas tree." As in the 17th century, the walls are whitewashed, which emphasizes the severity and beauty of the architectural details.
Tyablovy (tyabla - wooden beams with grooves, between which icons were attached) iconostasis was reconstructed in the 1920s. It consists of windows of the XVI-XVII centuries. The Royal Doors are shifted to the left - due to a violation of the symmetry of the inner space.
In the local row of the iconostasis there is an image of St. John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria. Its appearance is connected with the desire of the wealthy investor Ivan Kislinsky to rededicate this side-altar in honor of his heavenly patron (1788). In the 1920s. the churches returned its former name.
The lower part of the iconostasis is covered with silk and velvet sheets with the image of the Calvary crosses. The interior of the church is complemented by the so-called "skinny" candles - large painted wooden candlesticks of an old form. In their upper part there is a metal base in which tapers were placed.
The showcase contains items of priestly vestments of the 17th century: surplice and phelonion, embroidered with gold threads. The 19th century candlestick decorated with multi-colored enamel gives the church a special elegance.
Church of Cyprian and Justina
Dome of the Church of Cyprian and Justina
The northern church of the cathedral has a dedication, unusual for Russian churches, in the name of the Christian martyrs Cyprian and Justina, who lived in the 4th century. Their memory is celebrated on October 2 (15 N.C.). On this day, 1552, the troops of Tsar Ivan IV took Kazan by storm.
This is one of the four large churches of the Intercession Cathedral. Its height is 20.9 m. The high octahedral pillar is crowned with a light drum and a dome, which depicts the Virgin of the Burning Bush. In the 1780s. oil painting appeared in the church. On the walls are scenes from the lives of the saints: in the lower tier - Adrian and Natalia, in the upper - Cyprian and Justina. They are complemented by multi-figured compositions on the theme of Gospel parables and scenes from the Old Testament.
The appearance in the painting of images of martyrs of the 4th century. Adrian and Natalia is associated with the renaming of the church in 1786. A wealthy investor Natalya Mikhailovna Khrushcheva donated funds for repairs and asked to consecrate the church in honor of its heavenly patrons. At the same time, a gilded iconostasis in the style of classicism was made. He is a magnificent example of skillful wood carving. In the lower row of the iconostasis, scenes of the Creation of the world are depicted (days one and four).
In the 1920s, at the beginning of scientific museum activities in the cathedral, the churches returned to their original name. Recently, it appeared before visitors renewed: in 2007, the wall paintings and the iconostasis were restored with the charitable support of the Russian Railways Joint Stock Company.
Church of St. Nicholas Velikoretsky
Iconostasis of the Church of St. Nicholas Velikoretsky
The southern church was consecrated in the name of the Velikoretsky image of Nicholas the Wonderworker. The icon of the saint was found in the city of Khlynov on the Velikaya River and later received the name "Nikola Velikoretsky".
In 1555, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, the miraculous icon was brought in a procession along the rivers from Vyatka to Moscow. An event of great spiritual significance determined the dedication of one of the chapels of the Intercession Cathedral under construction.
One of the large churches of the cathedral is a two-tiered octahedral pillar with a light drum and vault. Its height is 28 m.
The ancient interior of the church was badly damaged during the fire of 1737. In the second half of the 18th - early 19th centuries. a single complex of decorative and fine arts was formed: a carved iconostasis with full ranks of icons and a monumental plot painting of walls and vaults. The lower tier of the figure-eight contains the texts of the Nikon Chronicle about bringing the image to Moscow and illustrations for them.
In the upper tier, the Mother of God is depicted on the throne, surrounded by the prophets, above - the apostles, in the vault - the image of the Almighty Savior.
The iconostasis is richly decorated with stucco floral decoration with gilding. The icons are painted in oil in narrow profiled frames. In the local row there is an image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Life of the 18th century. The lower tier is decorated with engraving on gesso imitating brocade.
The interior of the church is complemented by two external two-sided icons depicting St. Nicholas. They were accompanied by religious processions around the cathedral.
At the end of the 18th century. the floor of the church was covered with white stone slabs. During the restoration work, a fragment of the original covering of oak blocks was discovered. This is the only site in the cathedral with a preserved wooden floor.
In 2005-2006. the iconostasis and monumental painting of the church were restored with the assistance of the Moscow International Currency Exchange.
Church of the Holy Trinity
The eastern one was consecrated in the name of the Holy Trinity. It is believed that the Intercession Cathedral was built on the site of the ancient Trinity Church, by the name of which the entire temple was often named.
One of the four large churches of the cathedral is a two-tiered octahedral pillar, ending with a light drum and a dome. Its height is 21 m. In the process of restoration in the 1920s. In this church, the ancient architectural and decorative decoration was most fully restored: half-columns and pilasters framing the arches-entrances of the lower part of the octagon, a decorative belt of arches. A spiral is laid in the vault of the dome with small-sized bricks - a symbol of eternity. The stepped windowsills in combination with the whitewashed smoothness of the walls and vaults make the Trinity Church especially light and elegant. Under the light drum, “voices” are mounted in the walls - clay vessels designed to amplify sound (resonators). The church illuminates the oldest Russian chandelier in the cathedral of the late 16th century.
On the basis of restoration studies, the form of the original, so-called "tyablovoy" iconostasis was established ("tyabla" - wooden beams with grooves, between which icons were attached close to each other). The peculiarity of the iconostasis is the unusual shape of the low royal gates and three-row icons that form three canonical ranks: prophetic, Deesis and festive.
The Old Testament Trinity in the local row of the iconostasis is one of the most ancient and revered icons of the cathedral of the second half of the 16th century.
Church of the Three Patriarchs
The northeastern church of the cathedral was consecrated in the name of three Patriarchs of Constantinople: Alexander, John and Paul the New.
In 1552, on the day of memory of the Patriarchs, an important event of the Kazan campaign took place - the defeat of the cavalry of the Tatar prince Yapanchi by the troops of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, who was marching from the Crimea to help the Kazan Khanate.
This is one of the four small churches of the cathedral with a height of 14.9 m. The walls of the quadrangle turn into a low octagon with a cylindrical light drum. The church is interesting for the original ceiling system with a wide dome, in which the composition "Savior Not Made by Hands" is located.
Wall oil painting was made in the middle of the 19th century. and reflects in its stories the then change of the name of the church. In connection with the transfer of the throne of the cathedral church of St. Gregory of Armenia, it was rededicated in memory of the enlightener of Great Armenia.
The first tier of the painting is dedicated to the life of St. Gregory of Armenia, in the second tier - the history of the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, bringing it to Tsar Avgar in the Asia Minor city of Edessa, as well as scenes from the lives of the Patriarchs of Constantinople.
The five-tiered iconostasis combines baroque and classical elements. This is the only altar barrier in the middle of the 19th century. It was made especially for this church.
In the 1920s, at the beginning of scientific museum activities, the churches returned to their original name. Continuing the traditions of Russian patrons of art, the management of the Moscow International Currency Exchange contributed to the restoration of the church's interior in 2007. For the first time in many years, visitors were able to see one of the most interesting churches of the cathedral.
Central Church of the Intercession of the Virgin
Iconostasis
Interior view of the drum of the central dome
Bell tower
Bell tower
The modern bell tower of the Intercession Cathedral was built on the site of an ancient belfry.
By the second half of the 17th century. the old belfry fell into disrepair and fell into disrepair. In the 1680s. it was replaced by a bell tower, which still stands today.
The base of the bell tower is a massive high quadrangle, on which an octagon with an open area is placed. The platform is fenced with eight pillars, connected by arched spans, and crowned with a high octahedral tent.
The ribs of the tent are decorated with multicolored tiles with white, yellow, blue and brown glaze. The edges are covered with curly green tiles. The tent ends with a small onion dome with an eight-pointed cross. There are small windows in the tent - the so-called "rumors", designed to amplify the sound of the bells.
Inside the open area and in the arched openings on thick wooden beams are suspended bells cast by outstanding Russian masters of the 17th-19th centuries. In 1990, after a long period of silence, they were used again.
see also
- Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood - a memorial church in memory of Alexander II in St. Petersburg, for which the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed served as one of the models
Notes
Literature
- Gilyarovskaya N. St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square in Moscow: Monument of Russian architecture of the 16th-17th centuries. - M.-L .: Art, 1943 .-- 12, p. - (Mass library). (region)
- Volkov A.M. Architect: Novel / Afterword: Doctor of Historical Sciences A. A. Zimin; Drawings by I. Godin. - Reissue. - Moscow: Children's Literature, 1986 .-- 384 p. - (Library Series). - 100,000 copies (1st edition -)
Links
... in memory
about the victory over Kazan
two skilled craftsmen
The king ordered to build a temple.
And these people erected
Unprecedented in the whole world, colorful, fabulous cathedral,
What is worth until now ...
N. Konchalovskaya
Everyone who comes to Moscow for the first time must go to Red Square.
Red Square, Kremlin, Cathedral Basil the Blessed - these are the main sights of Moscow that you need to see first.
Intercession Cathedral ( Cathedral Basil the Blessed) is an Orthodox church. Its official name Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat. Its colloquial name is St. Basil's Cathedral. The famous Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed was erected under Ivan the Terrible in 1555 -1561 years.
The Intercession Cathedral is a magnificent ensemble of amazing harmony and great strength. Cathedral Basil the Blessed is a symbol of Moscow and Russian art.
The temple is considered one of the best works of ancient Russian architecture. It is also unusual as a work of engineering and construction art. It is a monument of world importance and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in Russia. Currently, the Intercession Cathedral is a branch
The construction of churches in Russia has always marked significant events.
On what occasion was the Intercession Cathedral built?
On September 1, 1552, Russian troops stormed Kazan and annexed it to Russian territory. By order of Ivan the Terrible, a temple was erected in memory of the capture of Kazan and the victory over the Kazan Khanate. The building was originally wooden. The temple stood for no more than six months. In 1555, the construction of a stone cathedral began, which has survived to this day. The architects of such a great building were Postnik and Barma.
Originally the temple was called the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Moat. Why Pokrova?
The temple was built in honor of the Kazan victory. The decisive attack on the Kazan Kremlin fell on the day of the Orthodox church holiday of the Intercession of the Virgin, symbolizing protection. According to legend, the Mother of God once saved Constantinople by covering it with her veil.
Why on the Moat?
The cathedral was erected near the Kremlin moat.
Why does the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Moat have a different name - St. Basil's Cathedral?
According to popular legends, a beggar wanderer Vasily lived in Moscow. On the streets and squares the holy fool begged for alms. Sharp on the tongue, he told everyone, even the king, the truth in the face. Among the people, Vasily was revered as Blessed, that is, a saint, a saint of God, a soothsayer. He died in 1588 and was buried in the northeastern part of the Intercession Cathedral. Six years after his death, the elder was canonized. His grave was highly revered by Muscovites. Later, a side-chapel was built above it - a small church of St. Basil. Since then and to this day, all this magnificent structure has been called the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed. In folk legends, stories were kept of miraculous healings that occurred with the help of his relics, which were kept in the Vasilyevsky side-altar.
The cathedral is meant to be contemplated on the outside, but on the inside it is austere and laconic.
Bright, multi-colored domes delight the eye. There are nine of them in total and they are all different.
Medieval art has always been symbolic. The temple ensemble consists of eight churches, which are grouped around the ninth pillar-like church in honor of the Intercession of the Mother of God. Each of the churches is dedicated to a saint, whose day of celebration coincided with the most persistent eight days of the storming of Kazan.
