Description of the attraction
The Exaltation of the Cross Monastery in Yekaterinburg was founded in December 1995 at the temple consecrated in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and located at the intersection of two streets - K. Marx and Lunacharsky.
The construction of the stone one-altar Church of the Exaltation of the Cross was completed in 1880. Initially, the church functioned as the home church of the Orphanage of the Yekaterinburg Charitable Society. In addition, until the summer of 1919, it was used as a regimental temple of the Yekaterinburg garrison, which was quartered in the Orovaysky barracks, where a military unit is currently located. A choir of singers was founded at the church. At the end of the 20s. the temple was the cathedral of the city of Yekaterinburg, at which 12 priests served, which is why the temple received the popular name "Cathedral of 12 Apostles".
In 1930, the church was closed, after which it underwent a devastating redevelopment. At the same time, the dome and the bell tower were demolished. Later the temple was used as a cinema. During wartime, a real elephant lived in the altar of the church, evacuated from one of the zoos. In the post-war period, the temple was divided into two floors. On the ground floor there were the workshops of the Art Fund, and on the second floor there were various architectural organizations.
In August 1993, the Holy Cross Church was transferred to the Yekaterinburg diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, and at first it was used as a parish. In December 1995, it was decided to found a monastery with him. Today the monastery has one abbot, three hieromonks and four hierodeacons. In addition, Christian student youth live here.
