HOLY TRANSFIGURATION: A NEW ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL IN MOSCOW IS CALLED TO STRENGTHEN THE FAITH AND ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
Arts and Culture | 18.09.13 | 21:09
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By Julia Hakobyan
ArmeniaNow Deputy Editor
After 17 years of construction, a splendid Armenian Cathedral
complex was opened in Moscow this week, combining the centuries-old
traditions of Armenian architecture, modern solutions and reflecting
the hopes of half a million strong Armenian Diaspora in Moscow for
the prosperity of their community and expectations for the new stage
of Armenian-Russian relations.
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The consecration of the complex was led by His Holiness Karekin II,
the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and attended
by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Patriarch of Moscow and All
Russia Kirill, as well as by government and public figures of Armenia
and Russia and representatives of religious denominations.
Catholicos Karekin II presented the cathedral, called the Holy
Transfiguration, what is believed to be a particle of the cross on
which Jesus Christ was crucified.
“Raised in the heart of Russia – Moscow, this complex will be the
spiritual and cultural center in the lives of those who, regardless
of nationality, consider themselves the carriers of Christian and
human values,” said Bishop Yezras Nersissian, the Primate of the
Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan, “Church is not just
a stone building. Every stone in it is the faith of every Armenian.”
The construction of the complex has largely become possible thanks to
Bishop Yezras, who over recent years attracted investments and revived
the project that was factually frozen due to the lack of funding.
The area for construction was allocated by the Moscow authorities yet
in 1996 on the territory adjacent to Olympic Avenue. Construction was
scheduled to be completed by 2001, but it was stopped soon after the
project was launched. The foundation of the cathedral was laid in 2004.
The complex which covers an area of 1.32 hectares includes the
Cathedral, the chapel of the Holy Cross, a museum, a library, bishop’s
residence, conference rooms, educational complex, guest house,
refectory, and underground parking for 200 cars.
The Cathedral’s perimeter is decorated with the carved images of the
Savior, images of saints, crosses, inscriptions of St. Mesrop Mashtots
and historical plots, telling the adoption of Christianity in Armenia,
the creation of written language and the life of the Armenian martyrs.
The Cathedral, resembling ancient temples of Armenia, has four
entrances; the main entrance is located on the bell tower, which has
stalactite vault- the unique type of decoration coverage, forgotten
since the Middle Ages, and used after seven hundred years for the
first time in that cathedral.
The height of the Cathedral, together with the cross makes 58 meters;
the diameter of the dome, decorated with 72 crosses, is 21 meters.
“Armenian architecture is peculiar with its austerity. But we believe
that beyond we need to show the best that we have achieved over the
centuries, such as rich architectural forms, decorations, ornaments,
bas-reliefs, pictures of saints,” said Artak Gulyan, the architect
of the complex, which was built mainly on tuff, brought to Moscow
specially for the cathedral’s construction from the village Anipemza
of Shirak’s province.
The opening of the Cathedral took place two weeks after Armenia’s
decision to join the Customs Union – a decision that Armenian
authorities called unlikely a few months ago, and which, according to
many local analysts, would cost Armenia the closure of European doors.
Armenian-Russian relations have been given a considerable part in
the official speeches of both of the Armenian and Russian religious
leaders.
Patriarch Kirill said that the opening of the temple is “the recovering
of historical justice”. He noted that the Armenian community has
suffered along with other Christian communities in Russia during
“hard times” (meaning religion’s repression during communism), and
the churches that were built with love by Armenian people in Russia
have often been destroyed.
Catholicos Karekin II said that the cathedral seeks to “multiply the
blessings and gifts sent down from heaven in a multi-traditional
country, in the life of the Armenians who had settled in Russia,
and Christ-loving brotherly Russian people”, and wished the Armenian
-Russian friendship to “remain forever strong.”
Leaving politics aside, many view the new Armenian Cathedral as
a striking example of Armenian architecture, and the pride of the
Armenian community in Moscow, the city which hosts, according to
various estimates, from half a million to a million Armenians.
Until recently, the spiritual place for Armenian community was a small
chapel in the Armenian part of Vagankova cemetery, where religious
holidays ceremonies, funerals, and weddings and been held. The size
and the location of the chapel had long ago become impractical for
meeting the needs of parishioners.
The new church complex is the largest complex of the Armenian Apostolic
Church outside of Armenia, after the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin.