Description of the attraction
The Holy Ascension Cathedral is located in the southeast of the city of Monchegorsk, not far from Poazuayvench Mountain. In the distant 1930s, the headquarters of the Severonikel plant was located here. In 1992, on the eve of the feast of the Holy Trinity, 5 consecrated stones were solemnly laid: in the corners of the church and under the throne. And in 1995 the city of Monchegorsk heard the ringing of 9 cathedral bells. The largest bell weighs 1200 kilograms, and the smallest one is 45 kilograms.
In parallel with the installation of bells, artists, builders and icon painters worked on the interior of the cathedral: they made the iconostasis, painted frescoes. The walls, floor and columns were covered with decorative stone. Due to the careful selection of the color of the rocks, the stone interior of the temple has become chic and majestic. The staircase leading to the main entrance to the church is faced with black gabbro.
At the beginning of 1997, a divine service was held for the first time in the Holy Ascension Cathedral, and the temple turned into a functioning one. And on July 7, 1997, the cathedral was consecrated by the Patriarch of All Russia Alexy II, who arrived in Monchegorsk.
The Holy Ascension Cathedral is snow-white, with golden heads, directed upwards. He looks like a hero who seems to have come out of the mountain, and, as in a mirror, looks proudly into the waters of the local Lake Imandra, now spreading over the waves with the golden shine of the domes, now dying in a clear white silhouette in the dark water. The present-day Monchegorsk, conceived by the organizers as a "social city", can no longer be imagined without a cathedral.
Since 1996, Father John (Bayur Ivan Vasilyevich) has been acting as the rector. Life-loving, energetic, head of a large family (5 children), he immediately aroused the respect and love of the parishioners. For his enormous contribution to the strengthening of civil society and the revival of moral and spiritual traditions, Father John was awarded the medal of the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, II degree.
Currently, weddings and baptisms are taking place in the church. Many people, including those from the region, gather for big church holidays. Liturgy on such days is often conducted by Archbishop Simon of Murmansk and Monchegorsk.
Before the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in 2007, Archbishop Simon consecrated a small church, which parishioners call a side-altar. It was built together with the main cathedral, but at that time there was not enough money for interior decoration. And only 10 years later, the side-chapel appeared before the townspeople in all its glory: radiant, cozy, “homely”. It is used for small services. The chapel was named in honor of St. Basil the Blessed-Moscow miracle worker. But local residents know on whose initiative this shrine appeared in the city, and have long called it the Basil's Cathedral. The initiator of the construction of the Holy Ascension Cathedral in the difficult 1990s was Vasily Mikhailovich Khudyakov, director of the Severonikel plant. In those difficult times, salaries were delayed in the country, nothing was built in the city, but the church was founded. And this was done in order to return people to faith and provide support in life.
Since then, Monchegorsk Cathedral has become even more beautiful. Its appearance has changed. It was made of red brick, and now it is white (covered with paint). Paving slabs were also laid on the temple staircases and on the path around it. A fence was erected around the cathedral and a bus stop. The parishioners and pupils of the Sunday school created flower beds, planted flowers and many bushes of lilacs, rose hips and black currants.
There is a Sunday school at the church. Children and adults study in it. Graduates have the opportunity to enter not only state higher educational institutions, but also theological schools and the academy.
