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The Kremlin Cathedrals |
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The Cathedral of the Assumption
The Cathedral of the Annunciation
The Cathedral of the Archangel
The Church of St. Ioann Lestvichnik and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower
The Church of the Deposition of the Virgin’s Robe in Vlachernon
The Patriarch’s Palace and the Church of the Twelve Apostles
The Verkhospassky Cathedral and the Terem Churches
The Cathedral of the Intercession (of St. Basil the Blessed)
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The Cathedral of the Assumption
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This cathedral stands on the site of Moscow’s first stone cathedral, which was built under Ivan Kalita in 1326-1327. The architect Aristotle Fioravanti built the cathedral in 1475-1479, modeling it after the 12th century Cathedral of the Assumption in the old Russian city of Vladimir, thereby emphasizing Moscow’s succession to this ancient center of Russian statehood. For four centuries, the Cathedral of the Assumption remained the most important church of Russia. It was here that successors to the throne were crowned (the last coronation being that of Nikolai II in 1894), decrees were announced and metropolitans and patriarchs were elected at church councils.
The ñathedral was seriously damaged in 1812 when it was ransacked and defiled by Napoleon’s troops, and in October 1917 during the bombardment of the Kremlin. The last liturgy was held at Easter in 1918 by Patriarch Tikhon, after which the Cathedral was closed and its treasures requisitioned.
From 1395 to 1918 the famous miracle-working Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God stood in the Cathedral. At present The Nail of Christ, relics of Moscow saints and other objects of worship are kept here.
Bird’s Eye View of the Kremlin
Moscow Kremlin State Historical and Cultural Museum Sanctuary