The Nativity of Christ Cathedral is an Orthodox five-domed white-stone cathedral in the city of Kargopol, Arkhangelsk Region .
| Orthodox Cathedral | |
| Cathedral of the Nativity | |
|---|---|
| A country |  Russia |
| City | Kargopol |
| Denomination | Orthodoxy |
| Diocese | Arkhangelsk and Kholmogorsk |
| Type of building | Cathedral |
| Established | |
| Building | 1552 - 1562 years |
| Status |  An object of cultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation of federal significance. Reg. No. 291410177100016 ( EGROKN ). (Wikigid database) |
History
It was founded in 1552 and was built for 10 years most likely by Novgorod masters. Initially, it was simple in volume: rectangular in plan, two-story, it stood on a basement . There is an assumption that the cathedral was originally covered with a hedge with large overhangs of roofs, and wooden stairs with elegant porches led from three sides to the upper, summer church.
In 1652, on the north side, a small chapel of Saints Philip and Alexis was added to it. Later, another is attached to the southern wall - in the name of the All-Merciful Savior, and to the western - a gallery and a covered porch, and in the spirit of the 17th century, they are generously decorated with white stone carvings. After the fire of 1765, the walls of the cathedral, which cracked, are strengthened with powerful buttresses . Some of the murals that survived the fire were damaged, because for five years the cathedral had been without any repairs in the open.
From 1714 until the end of the 1920s, the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Virgin was stored in the church (now its location is unknown).
In 1936, transferred to the Kargopol Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve
Architecture and decoration
Built of white stone and brick, a six-pillar five-domed three-apse temple on the basement.
The first tier of the cathedral - presents a unique collection of " heaven " from churches and chapels in the Kargopol district . In the second tier, the carved five-tier iconostasis of the second half of the 18th century, a fragment of a medieval fresco, has been preserved .
Today, the walls are painted white, only a small fragment of medieval frescoes is visible from the western side. All that remains of the icons is what was installed after 1765. An unusual element of the external structure is an iron beam in the form of a hand sticking out of a central stone drum . To its end is attached a chain holding a central chandelier (the chandelier itself disappeared when the cathedral was closed).
Over the centuries, the building has gone into the ground almost a meter.
Icons
- Icon "The Position of the Blessed Virgin Mary". The middle of the XVI century . Novgorod school, northern province . Board, pavoloka , gesso , tempera . 46x38 cm. The Virgin stands, pointing with two hands to the Vlaherna Church , which shows the ark with the robe of the Virgin. In the upper right corner, the blessing right hand of God the Father is visible. On the upper field is the half-length Deesis of 7 figures: ap. Peter , Archangel Michael , Mother of God, Jesus , St. John the Baptist , Archangel Gabriel , ap. Paul .
- Icon "Nativity of Christ". The second half of the XVI century . Northern letters. Pine board, pavoloka, gesso, tempera, 180x155 cm. It details the Gospel tradition about the birth of Christ, trying not to let out even minor details. There is no single compositional center, and one scene flows freely into another. Written by a good master of his time, perhaps the best in Kargopol at that time, it is distinguished by the special directness of the interpretation inherent in folklore. Heaven is represented by a circle segment at the top of the icon. The description of the events begins with the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem . She is depicted riding a white horse, accompanied by walking Joseph and a young man. The center of the icon represents the birth of Christ itself. The Virgin Mary is reclining. A swaddled baby lies in a manger . He is surrounded by angels . In the upper corners are shown horseback riding magicians . Below on the right, the angel informs the sleeping shepherds about the birth of the Savior. Still lower, two women wash the Baby. Even lower, the shepherds music glorify the swaddled Baby. On the left, the three wise men bring gifts. Joseph sits to the left, talking with the old man.
Now the icon is in the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg .
Literature
- Kargopolie. Art treasures. Album. Compiled by G.P. Durasov. M., Soviet Russia, 1984.
- Miller A. G. Cathedral of the Nativity in Kargopol // Messages of the Rostov Museum. Issue 20. - Rostov, 2014 .-- S. 146-162. - ISBN 978-5-88697-245-0 .