Cathedral Immaculate Conception Holy Virgin Mary is the Catholic Cathedral of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow, which is headed by Archbishop Paolo Pezzi. The cathedral, built in the neo-Gothic style, is the largest Roman Catholic church in Russia, and is also one of two Catholic churches operating in Moscow. The cathedral is located at: Russian Federation, Moscow, st. Malaya Gruzinskaya, 27/13.

Services in the Church are held in many languages: Russian, English, French, Spanish, Polish, Korean, Vietnamese and even Latin. In addition, the Tridentine St. Masses and services according to the Armenian rite.

The church organized youth meetings, catechesis, music concerts as part of charity events and much more. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary runs a library, a church shop, the editorial office of the Catholic Messenger - Light of the Gospel magazine, the office of the Russian branch of a charitable Christian organization and charitable foundation"The Art of Good." The cathedral provides training in Gregorian chant and organ improvisation.

History of the Catholic Cathedral on Malaya Gruzinskaya

The history of the cathedral dates back to 1894, when the council of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul asked the Moscow governor for appropriate permission to build a church. The governor allowed construction far from the center of Moscow and significant Orthodox churches, while not allowing the construction of towers and sculptures outside the church (later the last condition). The construction of the cathedral was carried out according to the design of F. O. Bogdanovich-Dvorzhetsky. According to the project, the church should be built in the neo-Gothic style and accommodate five thousand parishioners.

The main construction was carried out from 1901 to 1911, and in 1917 work on interior decoration. Money for construction work gathered representatives of the Polish community and believers from all over Russia. In total, 300 thousand rubles in gold were needed for the construction of the cathedral.

On December 21, 1911, the church, which had branch status, was consecrated and named “The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” And in 1919, the church became an independent parish, the rector of which was thirty-four-year-old Father Michal Tsakul.

In 1938, the Moscow authorities closed the temple: its property was stolen and the church was turned into a dormitory. Second world war also did not pass by the church: the bombing destroyed several turrets and spiers.

In the post-war period, in 1956, the church housed the Mospetspromproekt Research Institute, which is why the building was redesigned, dividing it into four floors, and its interior was changed.

In 1989, the diaspora of Moscow Poles “Polish House” began to actively seek the return of the temple building to the Catholic Church. In early 1990, Catholics organized the parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And on December 8, 1990, in honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Tadeusz Pikus celebrated Holy Mass at the entrance to the temple with the permission of the authorities.

Periodic holding of divine services began on June 7, 1991, and in 1996, after long disputes with the leadership of the institute that occupied the premises of the temple, the building was transferred to the Catholic Church.

The temple was restored and restored for several years. And on December 12, 1999, the Secretary of State consecrated the renovated Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the spring of 2002, the cathedral participated in the Rosary with the now Blessed Pope John Paul II and Catholics from different countries thanks to the organized teleconference

On December 12, 2009, the Cathedral celebrated the tenth anniversary of its renovation, and on September 24, 2011, the 100th anniversary of the Temple was also celebrated.

Schedule of Divine Services of the Catholic Cathedral on Malaya Gruzinskaya

SUNDAY MASSES

WEEKDAYS

Saturday, Vespers Masses: 18:00 in Latin (Novus Ordo), 19:00 in Russian Sunday: 8:30 on Polish language 10:00 - Holy Mass in Russian. Sum. on the first Sundays of the month - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Procession 10:00 - Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Rite in Ukrainian (chapel next to the Cathedral) 10:00 - Holy Mass in Korean (chapel in the crypt) 11:45 - Holy Mass in Russian. for children. (During the summer holidays, Mass is not celebrated) 12:15 - Holy Mass in French and English (chapel in the crypt) 13:00 - Holy Mass in Polish 14:30 - Holy Mass at Spanish 15:00 - Holy Mass at English(chapel in the crypt) 15:30 – Liturgy of the Armenian rite 17:00 - Holy Mass according to the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite (chapel in the crypt) 17:30 - Holy Mass in Russian

Monday: . Tuesday: 7:30 - Holy Mass in Russian (without sermon) 8:30 - Holy Mass in Russian 18:00 - Holy Mass in Polish 19:00 - Holy Mass in Russian, after Mass - adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Wednesday: 7:30 - Holy Mass in Russian (without sermon) 8:30 - Holy Mass in Russian 18:00 - Holy Mass in Russian Thursday: 7:30 - Holy Mass in Russian (without sermon) 8:30 - Holy Mass in Russian 18:00 - Holy Mass in Polish 19:00 - Holy Mass in Russian Friday: 7:30 - Holy Mass in Russian (without sermon) 8:30 - Holy Mass in Russian 19:00 - Holy Mass in Russian Saturday: 7:30 - Holy Mass in Russian (without sermon) 8:30 - Holy Mass in Russian 11:00 - Divine Liturgy of the Synodal rite in Church Slavonic (Chapel next to the Cathedral)

OTHER SERVICES

WORSHIP OF THE HOLY GIFTS
Monday–Saturday
From 8:45 to 11:00.
Tuesday
From 8.45 to 18.00 and from 20.00 to 21.00
Friday
At 18.00 or after general Vespers

NOVENA TO THE MOTHER OF GOD HELPER OF CHRISTIANS
Wednesday 17:30

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary May 10th, 2012

There are two operating Catholic churches in Moscow. The first and largest Catholic cathedral in Russia is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1901-1911 in the neo-Gothic style. Now the cathedral is classified as an architectural monument of federal significance. The story will be about him. We will talk about the second Moscow Catholic church - the Church of St. Louis of France - next time. Now let’s walk around the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, look inside and, of course, briefly learn the main historical events associated with it.


The cathedral is located at the address: Malaya Gruzinskaya street, house 27/13. The nearest metro stations are Krasnopresnenskaya, Ulitsa 1905 Goda and Belorusskaya.


As already mentioned, the main volume of the temple was built in 1901-1911. Money for construction was collected by the Polish community, whose number in Moscow is late XIX century reached 30 thousand people, and Catholics of other nationalities throughout Russia. The cathedral fence was built in 1911 according to the design of the architect L.F. Dauksha.


The temple was consecrated on December 21, 1911. The construction of the temple cost 300 thousand rubles in gold; additional amounts were collected in 1911-1917 for decoration and the purchase of church supplies. Finishing work inside the temple continued until 1917.

On the territory of the cathedral there are benches and a lot of greenery, and therefore you can often find parents walking with their children here. And this is the sculpture “Jesus the Good Shepherd”:

Behind the fence of the cathedral one can see a rather large mansion of the gas chemical company EurAz Capital. But this is a remake, built in the early 2000s.


In 1938, the temple was closed, church property was looted, and a dormitory was organized inside. During the war, the building was damaged by bombing and several turrets and spiers were destroyed.

The building of the Curia of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God, to which the cathedral belongs:


Main entrance to the Curia:


In 1956, the Mosspetspromproekt Research Institute was located in the temple. The building was redeveloped, completely changing the interior of the church, in particular, the main volume internal space was divided into 4 floors.


In 1989, the cultural association "Polish House", uniting Moscow Poles, raised the question of the need to return the temple building to its natural owner - the Catholic Church.

Regular services began to be held again on June 7, 1991.


In 1996, after a long eviction of the Mosspetspromproekt Research Institute, the temple was transferred to the Catholic Church.

Over the course of several years, large-scale restoration and restoration work was carried out in the temple, and on December 12, 1999, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, solemnly consecrated the restored cathedral.


On September 26, 2011, a monument to Mother Teresa was unveiled on the territory of the cathedral.

I came across this kind of living creature on the territory of the cathedral:


In general, in the warm season it is very nice and clean here.




Parking is also located on the territory of the cathedral.


After walking around outside, let's go inside the cathedral.

View towards the altar from the entrance to the cathedral:


One of the stained glass windows of the temple:





Chapel of Divine Mercy, tabernacle and altar of the Blessed Sacrament:

The central place of the cathedral is occupied by the altar. On it you can see the image of the letters alpha and omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, a symbol of the beginning and end.

View from the altar towards the exit from the cathedral:




The cathedral organ is one of the largest organs in Russia and allows for stylistically flawless performance of organ music from different eras.

Memorial plaque dedicated to Pope John Paul II:




This is where the walk through one of Moscow’s two Catholic cathedrals ends.

Roman Catholic cathedral The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the largest catholic church Russia. It rises in Moscow, on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street and decorates it with its pointed neo-Gothic towers. The building was erected in 1911 by the Polish community in Moscow.

In prayer and good deeds

The Roman Catholic Cathedral has not held services since 1938. And only in 1999, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who arrived from the Vatican, consecrated it and gave his blessing. Now the cathedral hosts services according to the Roman Catholic rite not only in Russian and Polish, but also in English, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Korean and in Latin. In addition, divine services and holy masses are held according to the Armenian rite.

Much attention is directed to charitable events, including music concerts to raise funds. On the territory of the cathedral there is a library, the editorial office of a church magazine, a church shop and offices of charitable organizations. The church organizes youth meetings to attract the younger generation to the Roman Catholic Church. In the cathedral, those interested are taught Gregorian chant and improvisational organ playing.

Organ music

Not only Catholic believers visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral. Many people are attracted to classical organ music. The organ in this cathedral is the largest in Russia, it includes 5563 pipes. Just imagine this amount. This is a huge musical organism that comes to life from contact with a person.

At the concerts they play Handel, Mozart, other great composers and, of course, Bach, the unique master of organ music. In addition to the amazing sensations, there is surprise at the composer’s skill. What kind of computer must he have in his head to harmonize almost six thousand different voices into one amazing melody that speaks so clearly to listeners? The sound fills the entire cathedral, carries upward, fills a person. Elastic wave sound becomes tangible, it can be felt on the skin. An indescribable, amazing feeling.

Tears welled in the eyes of many listeners. Others listen with their eyes closed, others hold their breath, afraid to move. After the last chord there is complete silence for some time. People do not believe that the music has died down and will not resume. After all, the concert lasts more than an hour, but from the listener’s perception it seems that only a few minutes have passed...

One can only talk about organ concerts in superlatives, they evoke unprecedented sensations. This example clearly shows that the interpenetration of cultures and religions can enrich the worldview of all peoples without exception, making their spiritual life a little richer.

The Catholic Cathedral, unusually beautiful in its architecture, is located in Moscow on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street. This is the largest church in Russia. The neo-Gothic style cathedral is an architectural monument. There is an amazing atmosphere here.

The cathedral building was erected in 1911, but the final finishing work were completed only in 1917. In 1938, the temple was taken away from Catholics. From that moment on, the cathedral went through difficult times. Much was looted and simply destroyed, including the altar and organ. The gradual revival of the temple began in 1989. In December 1999, restoration work was completed. The temple was consecrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, ambassador of Pope John Paul II. Since that time, the temple has officially been the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The cathedral grounds are very well maintained. The building itself is decorated with beautiful lighting.

The walls of the cathedral are decorated with frescoes

Grotto of the Virgin Mary

The cathedral is beautiful not only outside, but also inside.

The cathedral is the center of spiritual and cultural life. Within its walls, not only divine services are held, but also concerts of sacred and classical music.

Excellent acoustics allow you to enjoy music to the fullest.

In 2005, the cathedral received a new organ as a gift from the Lutheran Cathedral of Switzerland.

This is one of the largest organs in Russia - 5563 pipes. It can be compared to a huge living organism that comes to life at the touch of human hands. The sounds of the organ fill the entire cathedral. Listening to the organ, you experience unique amazing sensations: an elastic sound wave pierces right through, three-dimensional sounds penetrate into all your insides. You feel the music on your skin. Organ concerts bring together people of different cultures and religions.

The concerts last more than an hour, but as you soak in the wonderful music, you don’t feel the time. It seems like only a few minutes have passed. At the end of the concert there is silence for some time.

There are several Catholic churches in Moscow. The church on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street is perhaps the largest of them. The decision to build it was made in 1894. In those days, there were simply a huge number of Catholics living in Moscow. These were French, Poles, etc. (30 thousand people). The two Catholic churches (St. Louis and St. and Paul), which already existed in the capital in the 19th century, were simply not enough. The parishioners themselves collected money for the new church - both Muscovites and residents of other regions of Russia. Donations also came from abroad. For example, 50 thousand rubles were sent from Warsaw.

Construction of the church

Construction of the Roman Catholic Cathedral began at the beginning of the twentieth century. - in 1901. The project was developed by one of the most famous architects of the capital and the whole country - Bogdanovich-Dvorzhetsky. Thomas Iosifovich was a parishioner of the Church of St. Peter and Paul and taught painting, architecture and sculpture at the Moscow School. In order to build a new temple, believers had to apply for permission from Nicholas II and the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. 10 hectares of land were purchased for the cathedral. Its construction cost about three hundred thousand rubles in gold.

Church after the revolution

The opening of the new church took place in December 1911. Masses were held in the temple both before and after the revolution. In 1937, the church on Malaya Gruzinskaya was the first of all that operated in Moscow to be closed. After this, almost all church paraphernalia disappeared without a trace. Even the organ and altar were taken away. Beautiful facade was disfigured. Various secular organizations began their work in the church. A huge number of partitions were erected inside the temple and redevelopment was done, as a result of which the interior changed beyond recognition.

Church after the war

During World War II, a bomb hit the Roman Catholic Cathedral. However, the building did not suffer too much damage. In the first days of the war, the church turrets were dismantled, since they could serve as a good reference point for German pilots. As a result, the building completely lost its charm. After the war, the main spire of the church was also destroyed.

In 1976, they wanted to turn the temple into an organ music hall. However, these plans were not destined to come true. At that time, about 15 secular organizations operated within the walls of the church. Of course, no one wanted to move to a new place.

Until the 90s, the church was also used as a warehouse. The need for its return to believers began to be discussed in 1989. On December 8, 1990, a mass was celebrated on the steps of the church by priest Tadeusz Pikus. Despite the frost, a huge number of believers came to the church. They all prayed for the temple to be returned to them. The first official mass after 1937 was held in the cathedral on June 7, 1991.

Church on Malaya Gruzinskaya today

In 1992, Yu. M. Luzhkov signed a decision on the gradual transfer of the temple premises to Moscow Catholics. However, it was not possible for a long time to evict the Mosspetspromproekt Research Institute that occupies the temple. In 1995, believers independently dismantled the wall separating this secular institution from the parish and tried to free the premises from office furniture. However, the intervention of riot police ruined the plans of the Catholics. The believers were expelled from the church. Some of them were even injured.

After this incident, Catholic Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz turned to Boris Yeltsin with a request to resolve the conflict between the parish and the research institute. As a result, Mosspetspromproekt was transferred to another building. By the end of 1995, the temple was completely handed over to believers. It was consecrated on December 12, 1999 by the legate of the Pope, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. By the end of the century, the cathedral was completely restored. The parishioners collected money for the reconstruction, as during the construction of the temple. The work was supervised by Andrzej Steckiewicz. As a result, the cathedral became a real decoration even for such a rich city as Moscow. The Church on Malaya Gruzinskaya looks great these days, you can see this from the photographs posted in the article.

In 2005, the Basler Munster Cathedral (Basel, Sweden) donated an organ to the church. This instrument allows you to perform absolutely flawlessly musical compositions from different eras.

Today, as in the past, masses are held in the temple in Armenian, English, Polish, French and other languages. Priests marry newlyweds, baptize newborns, escort last path deceased. As in all Catholic churches, there is an organ in the church.

Temple interior

Entering the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Malaya Gruzinskaya, a believer immediately sees a cross decorated with flowers hanging on the wall. There are no icons in the church, as in all Catholic churches. But there is an altar, near which masses are held. The interior of the church is incredibly beautiful. Stained glass windows - colored panels assembled from pieces of glass - give it a special charm. Darkness, high arches, flickering candles and organ music set the believers in the appropriate mood.

Architectural features

The building was built of red brick in a neo-Gothic style. This architectural direction can be considered to some extent traditional for Catholic cathedrals. It originated in France and very quickly spread throughout Europe. Main it distinctive feature are monumentality and the upward striving of all elements. Many Catholic cathedrals, including the church on Malaya Gruzinskaya, are decorated with a huge number of turrets with thin spiers. The main axis of the temple is located strictly on the North-South line. This is one of the differences between the church and the Orthodox church, in which the main entrance is usually located in the west.

The temple on Malaya Gruzinskaya is a basilica built in the shape of a Latin cross. The eastern facade of the church is very similar to the facade of the famous Westminster Cathedral in Great Britain. There are exactly 11 steps leading to the main gate of the temple. This means the 10 commandments, plus the symbol of Christ himself. Only by observing the instructions of Jesus can one enter the kingdom of heaven.

What is the difference between Catholicism and Orthodoxy

Temples are built by both Catholics and Orthodox. The difference between these two directions of Christianity, however, is quite significant. But first, let's talk about their similarities. Both of these churches are distinguished by the presence of a rigid hierarchical structure, their own laws, as well as religious and cultural traditions. Of course, the main object of worship in both places is Jesus Christ, as well as the one God the Father. Both Catholics and Orthodox Christians especially venerate the Virgin Mary and all the apostles. Both of these directions have their great martyrs and saints.

What's the difference? The division of Christianity into Catholicism and Orthodoxy occurred a very long time ago - in the 11th century. In 1054, the Patriarch of Constantinople representatives of the Pope, who answered him in kind. Since then, Catholics and Orthodox Christians have not held services together. The unification of these two directions of Christianity seems extremely problematic in our days. Too many changes to the original traditions have occurred over the centuries of schism.

Catholicism is, first of all, a holistic church. All its members and components are strictly subordinate to the Pope. does not differ in such monolithicity. In this regard, it is more democratic. There are Constantinople, Russian, Georgian, Serbian and others orthodox churches. There are also differences in religious canons. For example, Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit can come from both the Father and the Son. The Orthodox believe that only from the Father. There are also differences in the way churches treat their parishioners. In Catholicism, for example, divorce is strictly prohibited. The Orthodox Church sometimes allows them.

What other Catholic churches are operating in Moscow at the moment?

The Church on Gruzinskaya is not the only Catholic church in the capital. There are others:

1. Church of St. Louis. This church was founded back in 1791. At the beginning of the 19th century (1827-1830), a new one was built in the style of a basilica on the site of the old building. The church was erected according to the design of the architects D.I. and A.O. Gilardi. After 1917, this church did not close, and masses continued to be celebrated there. In 1992, all buildings that belonged to the church before 1917, including the lyceum building, were returned to the believers.
2. and Pavel. This is another church in Moscow, founded a long time ago - in 1817. The new building was built in 1903-1913. designed by architect V.F. Valkot. After the revolution, the temple was closed and various secular organizations were located there. Today this church has again been handed over to believers.
3. Anglican Church of St. Andrey. This church was founded in 1814. The current building was erected in 1882-1884. The temple project was developed by the Englishman R. K. Freeman. In 1920 the church was closed. IN present moment it is delivered to the believers.

Churches of Moscow. Addresses

Catholic churches in the capital can be visited at the following addresses:

1. Roman Catholic Cathedral: st. Malaya Gruzinskaya, 27.
2. Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul: trans. Milyutinsky, 19, apt. 18.
3. Church of St. Ludovika: M. Lubyanka, 12.