The Annunciation Cathedral

The history of the Annunciation Cathedral dates back to the time of the foundation of the city of Kharkov. First a wooden church was erected on the site of the church, which was rebuilt several times. Today, his external appearance, he owes the architect Mikhail Ivanovich Lovtsov, who, according to the project, built a stone cathedral in the 19th century.

Without fearing to experiment, using the Byzantine-Russian style with elements of eclecticism, the architect gave the temple a hemispherical outline and a massive volume that elegantly combines with the pseudo-gothic tiered bell tower. The original memorable appearance of the cathedral is emphasized by a multitude of various details, as well as facades adorned with a polychrome alternation of wide horizontal rows of red brick and light stucco.

After the revolution, the temple was repeatedly tried to close. In defense of this great shrine, many Orthodox organizations acted. In 1930, the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos was closed, and on its territory a warehouse of oil products and a stable was marked. However, after three years of worship in the church resumed. In 1946 he became a diocesan center and cathedral.

Many pilgrims from different countries strive to visit this holy place and to bow to the relics of Constantinople Metropolitan Athanasius, Belgorod Archbishop Meleti and the Holy Martyr Alexander the Archbishop of Kharkov. A wonderful atmosphere reigns in the church not only on holidays, but also during quiet everyday services.

The temple repeatedly suffered from disasters. Significant destruction brought a strong storm in 1974 and 1996, and a fire in 1997 destroyed the cross on the bell tower of the temple. But thanks to the efforts of the servants of the church and the efforts of the faithful, the church was completely restored, and the cross on it shone with even greater grandeur.

On the memorable date of the 335th anniversary of the founding of the city of Kharkov on the Square of Architects, a miniature copy of the Annunciation Cathedral, weighing three tons, was installed. When it was made, white marble and bronze were used, from which crosses on domes were made.

You can get to the Annunciation cathedral by metro, you need to go to the station "Central Market". From the street Krasnoarmeyskaya, located near the railway station, there is a bus to the temple number 246. If you decided to get to the cathedral by car, you need to move in the direction of Poltava road, and then turn to the street Engels.