Armenian_cathedral

Armenian Cathedral of Saint Catherine

The First Armenian settlers in Saint-Petersburg appeared immediately after the foundation of the city. Mostly, they were merchants and craftsmen. Started at that time, Armenian community in Saint-Petersburg is still growing.

On the 2nd of May, 1770 Catherine the Great solved a query of I.I. Lazaro’s (1735-1801), who ask for a site for a church, and she gifted an area, in the Northern part of Nevsky avenue. The community started writ-round.

The project was prepared by famous architect Felt en (1735 – 1801), and after eight- year work the new well-proportioned church, opposite future Merchant Yard, was built.

This graceful building was constructed in early Russian classicism. Buildings of austere style out-stand bright building of the church. The church takes central place in the ensemble. It is crowned with the elegant dome. All the elements were made proportionally and refined. The facade is decorated with portico. On its pediment one can see a sculpture relief. The plot is unusual: Catholics Gregor Enlightened is christening Trad III ( Armenia was the first country, that established Christianity as a state religion – in 301 Trad III was christened and ordered Gregor to christen the country)

Spacious and well-lighted interior attracts attention to the lines of the dome, curved arches, columns. The interior is adorned with paintings, moulded cornices, coloured marble. Felt-en and Khristinek are the authors of the interior.

The 18th  February, 1780 Iosep Argutyan had consecrated the Cathedral of Saint Catherine. In 1865 the bells were installed into the belfry.

There are two houses belonging to the Church ensemble. Their facades are opened to Nevsky Avenue. The Eastern Wing (42, Nevsky Avenue) was being built simultaneously with the Cathedral. The author is Felt-en. It was finished in 1777, and the allergy of a parish was to be hold there. A two-storey-ed building of austere style successfully completed Nevsky Avenue. In 1835 – 1837 the building was re-built by A.I. Melnikov, who added the third floor to the building. The second house (Western Wing) was built in 1794 – 1798. Most likely, the architect was E.T. Sokolov. The facade of the Western wing is like the Eastern one, but bass-relief was added to it.

Both houses have saved their interiors. Besides, they are samples of dwelling houses of the end of the XVIII – the beginning of XIX centuries. These two buildings form a cramped backyard, frame the church and do not distract one’s attention from the church. Many famous people, such as great Russian poet Tyutchev and outstanding politicians Speransky lived here.

At the end 1920-s the Cathedral was closed. It was then used as a storehouse, offices, workshop. It was ravaged and damaged badly. During the Soviet rule the church was divided into two storeys.

The Cathedral was returned to the Armenian community in 1992. The restoration works lasted eight years, and in 2000 the restored Cathedral was consecrated by Alex II and Army-an Gare-gin II.

Now days the Cathedral is open for believers. A small exposition is going to be opened in order to tell everybody about people, who dealt with the Cathedral, the Cathedral itself, the history of Russian-Armenian relationships.