Churches

St. Nicolas Cossack Cathedral

St. Nicolas Cossack Cathedral designed by a great Russian architect V. Stasov was built in 1840. It used to contain the main relic of Siberian Cossacks — the legendary standard of Yermak troops, which had been produced by the masters of the Kremlin Armory for the Moscow Streltsy regiment in 1690 and thus became a symbol of Siberian Cossacks in the 18th century. In 1882 it was brought to Omsk from Berezov town, but it disappeared without leaving a trace during the years of civil war. It’s believed that in the year of 1918 the relic was stolen by Ataman Annenkov’s troops. Currently a copy of the lost standard is located in the cathedral.

St. Nicolas Cossack Cathedral

St. Nicolas Cossack Cathedral

St. Nicolas Cossack Church

One of the most beautiful monuments located in the Leninsky district is St. Nicolas Cossack Church (34 Truda Street) built by means of the inhabitants of the Ataman khutor in 1911–1913. On May 9, 1911, Ataman of the Siberian Cossacks E. Shmidt took part in the ceremony when the foundation stone of the church was laid. The church was consecrated on August 29, 1913.

St. Nicolas Cossack Church

St. Nicolas Cossack Church

This building is one of a few cathedrals that remained undamaged and perfectly retained its exterior. It’s a one-story brick building with V-shaped roof. A large doorway is equipped with rich decorations, front stairs, a high pediment ornamented with fresco paintings, an octagonal marquise with a turret. The brick ornament of the southern and northern walls of the facade is filled with old Russian and secular Baroque elements of the 17th century. One can distinguish rather modern features facing the triangular altar. A combination of elements of various styles in this building makes a reference to the eclectic movement in 20th century architecture. In the years 1975–1976 during a major renovation a wooden gilded iconostasis was built and the domes were covered with gold leaf. All decor elements of the facades (corbel arches, uprights, friezes and moldings) were painted white, distinctly contrasting with the red-brick walls; wall paintings date back the same period.

Interior of St. Nicolas Cossack Church

Interior of St. Nicolas Cossack Church

St. Nicolas Cossack Church is regarded to be an example of religious architecture of early 20th century and continues to serve its original purpose today: it’s open for the congregation. Divine services have taken place here as well.

Cathedral of the Assumption

One of the most marvelous city cathedrals — the Cathedral of the Assumption — suffered a complicated destiny. The necessity to build this cathedral appeared in 1879 when the Omsk clergy decided to widen the Resurrection Cathedral which was too small for all the congregations coming to services. The General-Governor of Western Siberia G. Mescherinov proposed to build a new cathedral instead of widening the old one. On July 16 (28), 1891, the future Emperor Nicholas II took part in the ceremony of laying the foundation of the Assumption Cathedral.

The Assumption Cathedral 100 years ago

The Assumption Cathedral 100 years ago

The laying of the cathedral was carried out by Nizhny Novgorod bricklayers. The building was made of red bricks, plastered outside; interiors were decorated with frescos and stucco ornaments. In 1898 nine bells were hoisted and three altars were consecrated: the high altar in the name of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the southern and northern altars — in the names of Nicholas the Wonderworker and Mary Magdalene respectively.

The building was erected mostly due to donations of the townspeople, Russian merchants and Emperor Nicholas II; some funds were contributed by the State treasury. In total 125,000 Rubles were spent on building. Assumption Cathedral was dedicated on September 9 (21), 1898. Built in the open territory of a big town square, the Assumption Cathedral could easily be seen from every angle, and it made a lasting impression on visitors and onlookers.

The Assumption Cathedral nowadays

The Assumption Cathedral nowadays

In the 1930s — as a result of mass antireligious campaigns echoed all over the country — the Cathedral was blown up. In 2005 during a regular session of the Government of Omsk Region a decision was made to restore this wonderful religious building. On October 14, 2005, on the most important Orthodox Church feast — Intercession of the Theotokos — the first foundation stone of the restored cathedral was laid. On July 15, 2007, the Assumption Cathedral opened its doors for the church community.

Life-Giving Cross Cathedral

The oldest cathedral of the city is the church named Life-Giving Cross (Krestovozdvizhensky Cathedral) built upon the project of architects F. Wagner and K. Lazarev. It’s hard to believe, but even during in time of the cruelest persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church it was never closed for community life.

Krestovozdvizhensky Cathedral

Krestovozdvizhensky Cathedral

Achair Cross Female Convent

50 km away from Omsk to the South in a picturesque place there is an Achair Cross Female Convent. Its history started in the beginning of the 20th century. In 1902 a retired official Mikhail Bubennov donated some land for the community; soon thereafter Archangel Michael church designed for 75 people was built on this territory. In 1912, the community was renamed to Theotokos Archangel Michael Female Convent. Hegumeness Ksenia became its prioress. The convent had a garden, a backyard with cattle (cows, horses, and sheep). Nuns were occupied with hand-work and agriculture. During the civil war nuns looked after severely ill and choleric patients.

In the beginning of the 1920s — as a result of the extensive atheistic campaign — the convent was closed. From 1937 to 1953 the colony # 8 for political prisoners from the list of GULAG camps was housed in this building. During the sixteen years of its existence 200,000 people died under unbearable circumstances. In the late 1980s mass graves were found on this site. In 1992, the Metropolitan of Omsk and Tara Feodosiy initiated the re-construction of the complex of the Achair Cross Female Convent. At present the convent is open to the visitors.

Achair Convent

Achair Convent

The convent naturally fits into the neighborhood. The main cathedral of the complex is Saint Dormition cathedral crowned with nine gold domes, where the main church services take place. The Siberian Golgotha is devoted to the memory of Omsk martyrs, who died during the years of totalitarian regime. In the centre of the cathedral, underneath the symbolic picture of the Star of Bethlehem, the remains of GULAG victims found during the convent’s re-construction are buried. But the most precious possession of the convent is a sacred spring with healing mineral water.