Topic: Tsarskoye Selo
The Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral as it looked in 1977
My first visit to the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral at Tsarskoye Selo was in the early 1990s. I recall vividly the sadness that I felt in my heart upon seeing the state of the building for the first time. Decades of neglect at the hands of the local Soviet had left this historic and holy site in near ruin.
During the Soviet years the Cathedral was desecrated and pillaged before it was finally closed in 1933.
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. It was consecrated again on February 29th, 1992. Restoration of the Cathedral lasted nearly 20 years, and once again, the Cathedral is the crown jewel of Tsarskoye Selo. Celebrations marking its 100th anniversary were held in September of last year.
Due to its history and association with the last Russian Imperial family, regular services are held in memory of Nicholas II and his family, all of whom were murdered at Ekaterinburg on July 17th, 1918.
It is one of the most beautiful churches in all of Russia and one that I highly recommend to visit and worship in.
The Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral as it looks today
© Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 11 January, 2013
Updated: Friday, 11 January 2013 5:57 AM EST
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