Description of the attraction
The Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Vologda was built earlier than the nunnery itself. This wooden temple was one of the oldest wooden structures in Vologda. On the bright feast of the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of Her Assumption in the distant 1303, His Grace Bishop Theoktist consecrated the church. Based on the ancient chronicles that have survived to this day, it can be assumed that this temple burned down in 1499.
The stone Assumption Cathedral (cold) together with the bell tower and the winter church (warm) in the name of the Russian miracle worker Sergius of Radonezh were erected in 1692-1699 at the expense of Tsars John Alekseevich and Peter Alekseevich. The constructed temple was consecrated on May 23, 1695 by the Most Reverend Gabriel, Archbishop of Vologda and Belozersk. Gilded crosses shone brightly and joyfully on the domes, even the cathedral itself was called “Golden Crosses”. However, in 1761, a fire broke out in the convent of the Assumption, which severely damaged the vaults and beautiful chapters of the cathedral. Therefore, another temple was called "Golden Crosses" - the church of St. Nicholas of Mirliki, which was located nearby.
The architecture of the Assumption Church corresponds to the traditions of Russian architecture of the 17th century. The temple is cubic in shape, has light and decorative drums, which are decorated with arcatures, the heads are large, in the shape of an onion. The facades are modestly decorated: cornices, flat blades. Later, in 1880, the refectory, the bell tower and the chapel itself were redesigned in the pseudo-Russian style.
Before closing, the cathedral had a five-tiered gilded iconostasis decorated with carvings. The royal doors of the temple are gilded, carved, with the hallmarks of the icon of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Lady of the Theotokos and four evangelists. The church housed two icons of the 16th century of local Vologda origin: the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Ascension of the Lord. After the nunnery was closed by the Soviet government, the icons were nationalized and transferred to the State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve of the city of Vologda. The temple icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was transferred from the wooden church (as mentioned earlier, the wooden temple was damaged in a fire).
On the north side of the Holy Dormition Cathedral is the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. It began to be built in 1692 and finished in 1697-1698. The side-altar of St. Sergius was completed by Vasily Karpov, who was assisted by his son. Peasants from the village of Korovnichye also worked. The church, consecrated in memory of St. Sergius of Radonezh, is one-story, with one chapter, has three altarpieces, a large refectory with side-chapels in the name of the holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, St. Joseph the icon painter, St. Nicholas of Myra.
The monastery bell tower was built in the 17th century. It has a hipped roof and is associated with the Assumption Cathedral. Due to damage, the bell tower was rebuilt in 1880, it is located above the entrance to the church. The height of the monastery bell tower is about 36 meters, it is two-tiered. The vestry is located on the second tier. There are 10 bells on the bell tower, the heaviest weight is 4 tons.
In 1924, the Holy Dormition Cathedral was transferred to the control of the communications company of the Ensk division, a movie was shown for the Red Army soldiers in the temple.
The Holy Dormition Church with the side-chapel of St. Sergius has been restored; at this time, divine services are being held in it. There is one parish with the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Kings Constantine and Helena. The temple is an architectural monument of the 17th century.
