Orthodox churches in Latvia. Orthodoxy has deep roots in Latvia

Orthodoxy was historically the first Christian confession to spread on Latvian soil. Orthodox Christianity came to the territory of present-day Latvia in the 11th century from neighboring Russian regions. Already in the 12th century in Latvia there were different places Orthodox churches. Latvia, located on the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks,” has since ancient times been in the sphere of connections between the north and south from the Pontic (Black) Sea to the icy waters. This circumstance contributed to the early penetration of Christianity onto the banks of the Dvina (Daugava), which had been known since ancient times. The chronicle of Nestor (according to the Laurentian list) says: “The Dnieper flowed from the Volkovsky forest and flowed at noon, and the Dvina from the same forest flowed at midnight and entered the Voryazhskoye Sea.”

Along the Dvina, according to ancient legend, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, preaching the Word of God, reached the shores of the Baltic and headed by sea to Scandinavia. Orthodoxy spread itself along these routes, as well as along the roads leading to Pskov, Smolensk and Veliky Novgorod. It was never implanted by anyone, prescribed or imposed by force. Orthodoxy was perceived by local residents in communication with Belarusians and Great Russians, who since ancient times communicated and lived with the tribes of Letigol, Sela, Semigall, Kors, Livs, Vends (of Slavic origin).

Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Riga

Any traveler visiting the capital of the Republic of Latvia will certainly pay attention to one of its main attractions - the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (Kristus Piedzimšanas katedrāle). In the center of Riga, on the Esplanade, stands the majestic cathedral building - a beautiful work of church architecture, this is the largest Orthodox church in Riga. IN Soviet time there was a planetarium and a restaurant here, but after the restoration of independence the cathedral was restored, and now believers gather here again. On any day - be it weekdays or holidays - pilgrims flow here in a continuous living stream. The heart of Orthodox Latvia beats here. Here is the see of Metropolitan Alexander of Riga and All Latvia, who heads the Latvian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

The Nativity of Christ Cathedral was built in 1876-1884. by decision of the Baltic Governor-General Prince Bagration in the New Byzantine style. Money for construction was allocated by Tsar Alexander II from the treasury Russian Empire. The elegant building is lined with colored bricks and topped with five domes. According to contemporaries, visiting the cathedral brought people spiritual inspiration and the joy of a highly spiritual state. This was greatly facilitated by the special internal atmosphere of the temple and its decoration. Before the First World War, the majestic building with blue domes was the most expensive building in Riga in those years, with an unusually luxurious and highly artistic interior - the temple had an outstanding collection of ancient icons, three iconostases by the Russian painter, teacher of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts Vasily Vereshchagin, clothes embroidered by the best gold embroiders priests, frescoes in the Byzantine style and ancient Christian ornaments on the walls.

This one of the most significant Orthodox cathedrals and the most beautiful architectural structure in the Baltics has had its share of many trials. The cathedral has a difficult fate - three times it was destroyed, robbed, closed, and devastated. The cathedral survived two wars, in 1960 the Soviet authorities closed it, and the building itself was converted into a planetarium, which was officially called the House of Knowledge. But the temple survived, and for many years now it has been delighting all residents and guests of Riga with its beauty and beauty, regardless of religion. Therefore, people call him “thrice risen.” Now the interior decoration of this important cultural and historical site is being restored.

Restoration of the temple began in 1991, and on May 6, 2000, Archbishop Alexander consecrated the new iconostasis of the cathedral. Now the Nativity Cathedral in Riga is magnificently painted, the domes and roof have been restored. The walls inside the temple are painted in the Byzantine style with ancient Christian ornaments. Thanks to the efforts of philanthropists, a new iconostasis was installed. But there is still much to be done. Restoration work in the temple continues to this day. And the thrice resurrected Nativity Council has already found its worthy place in the spiritual and cultural life of Latvia.

Riga Trinity-Sergiev convent- one of the most famous centers of Orthodoxy in the Baltic states. It originated near the center of Riga more than 100 years ago. The founders of the monastery are the sisters Ekaterina and Natalya Mansurov, who came from an aristocratic family, ladies-in-waiting of the Empress’s court (their father was a senator and secretary of state, their mother was born Princess Dolgorukova). The family came to Riga in 1887 due to the illness of their daughter Natalia, hoping for Riga doctors (the doctors helped, the daughter recovered). The family generously donated to Riga Orthodox churches. The Mansurov sisters devoted a lot of effort to opening a private public Sunday school in Riga with Russian as the language of instruction, organized a shelter for orphan girls and an almshouse for old women, which served as the basis of the Holy Trinity community in 1892. In 1894 she was visited by St. Right John of Kronstadt blessed the founders and predicted the prosperity of the monastery.

In 1902, by Decree of the Holy Synod, the community was transformed into the Holy Trinity-Sergius Monastery. In 1902-1907, on the territory of the monastery according to the design of the Riga architect N.H. Pekshen, the construction of a cathedral was carried out, consecrated in honor of the Holy Trinity. For a long time the temple remained a monastery, but since 1961 the Holy Trinity Cathedral is under the jurisdiction of the diocese and performs the functions of the city cathedral.

The Orthodox Christians of Latvia have had to endure a lot over the years: a change of government, the hard times of two world wars, a period of godless power. More than once it seemed that the very existence of the monastery was under threat. But the ways of the Lord are mysterious. For more than a century, prayers have been offered here, and everyone who comes here feels that urban bustle and the noise is left behind, and the soul is peaceful. It is no coincidence that the Holy Fathers say that in monastic monasteries Heaven comes closer to earth.
Holy Trinity Cathedral has never been closed. Today it is decorated with paintings from the mid-20th century, a magnificent gilded iconostasis that previously belonged to the Church of the Nativity.

The main shrine of the monastery is the miraculous Tolga Icon Mother of God, written by a nun. Every day a full statutory service is held in the monastery, the “unstoppable” psalter is read day and night, the sisters bake prosphora for Riga churches, and do handicrafts. As in the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, bishops' services are regularly held in the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

The Alexander Nevsky Church is an Orthodox church in the city of Riga, a monument to the classicism style with original architectural design. Built in 1825 in honor of Russia's victory in the Patriotic War over the army of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Riga Church in the name of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky is a unique monument of Orthodox church wooden architecture of the first quarter of the 19th century. Today it is one of the most revered and beloved temples in Riga. The temple was built in 1825 and has become a unique symbol of interfaith, interethnic and universal unity; it is visited by people of different faiths, residents of Riga and guests of the city. December 4, 1997 Rizhskaya Orthodox Church St. Alexander Nevsky was included in the list of objects World Heritage UNESCO.

It is recognized as a unique cultural and historical monument of wooden architecture. In Europe, this is the only building of its kind - the rarest domed church, built in the classical style from vertically placed timber, which makes it a real miracle of architecture. The shape of the church is completely round (according to the canon of Orthodox architecture, churches built in the image of a circle symbolize the eternity of God). By the middle of the 19th century, the Alexander Nevsky Church became a generally recognized spiritual center.

Throughout its existence, the Alexander Nevsky Church has been renovated several times. It was necessary to often paint the outer walls and paint the inner ones; and at present, the outer walls are painted with oil paint, the inner walls are painted with ornaments in several colors: in the dome and panel - with oil paint, in other parts - with glue. The iconostasis was also cleaned and gilded several times. Throughout its history, the outside of the temple was mainly painted in various shades of yellow).

By the middle of the 19th century, the Alexander Nevsky Church became a generally recognized spiritual center. The activities of the temple were associated with many outstanding events in Orthodox life. From 1892 until the First World War, the Alexander Nevsky Church annually in September-October received the shrine of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery - miraculous icon Mother of God "Tenderness". The Jacobstadt Icon of the Mother of God from the Holy Spirit Church, revered in Livonia, also stayed here many times. A number of icons in the interior of the temple belong to early XIX century.

In Soviet times, the Alexander Nevsky Church was included in the register of the most state-protected monuments of Russian church architecture of the first quarter of the 19th century. Today, the church continues centuries-old spiritual traditions and is one of the favorite and most visited centers of spiritual life in Riga.

Hundreds of people came to the funeral service of Mikhail Zadornov, which took place on November 15, 2017 in the Alexander Nevsky Church in Riga. Both relatives and fans of his work came to say goodbye to the late writer on November 10. People stood along the nearby streets with flowers. different ages and nationalities. After the funeral service, the coffin with the body of Mikhail Zadornov was transported to his small homeland - Jurmala. The satirist was buried in the Jaundubulti cemetery, next to his father.

The church was built in 1814-1818 according to the design of the Baltic-German architect Theodor-Gottfried Schulz, in the shape of an ark. The wooden temple was built in the classicist style. The volumetric composition of the church building refers it to the Baroque style; the decoration of the church imitates stone forms. In the decoration one can observe a number of elements that allow us to classify this church as an example of the classicism style. In particular, the pediments, rustication and pilasters of the grand order are made in this style. Before the construction of the Cathedral, the Annunciation Church was considered one of the richest in terms of improvement and decoration.

The church itself is divided into three naves, each of which has an altar. The right one is consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - services are usually held here on weekdays and on the saint’s memory days. The left throne is named St. Sergius Radonezh, central - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The collection of icons of the Church of the Annunciation is essentially unique. Almost all the images are ancient, and most of them are truly glorified for miracles.

Today, the unique wooden church is being carefully restored. All the windows have already been replaced here, and a new bright green fence has been erected around it. A major renovation of the façade has begun. The exterior walls will be repainted, the roof and doors will be replaced.
The church has a large library and a Sunday school for children, as well as singing, drawing, modeling and embroidery clubs.

Orthodox Church of All Saints

The Church of All Saints is one of the most beautiful churches in the city of Riga. It is located on the territory of Klusais Park (Latvian klusais - quiet), which was created on the site of an old cemetery, where homeless people and those who died violent deaths were mainly buried.

On August 22, 1882, a new brick building was built on the site of the former wooden church. Two years later, construction was completed. The ceremonial consecration of the temple took place on May 9, 1884. The new main building, together with the bell tower and the refectory with vestibules, formed a single architectural ensemble.

From an architectural point of view, the temple was built in an eclectic style, in Romanesque forms. The interior space of the church is spacious and majestic, but does not overwhelm a person, but is commensurate with him and even cozy. The church has preserved the original interior of the second half of the 19th century: a three-tier iconostasis of a spatial form, single-tier iconostases of small chapels, and chandeliers made using the carved iron technique.

According to the recollections of parishioners, the situation of the temple was difficult. All Saints Church was either revived or on the verge of closure. Services were either performed or not long time. Icons, utensils, and priestly vestments were lost.
The situation began to improve since 1994. The revived Riga Theological Seminary is located in the building of the former parochial school. All Saints Church became both a parish and a seminary. In 2004, the windows in the large dome of the temple were completely replaced, and a significant part of the floor in the main altar and on the sole was repaired. Restoration work and improvement of the temple are currently ongoing. A wonderful choir, Sunday schools for children and adults, and a missionary society are active at the All Saints Church.

The independent Ivanovo parish in the Moscow suburb of Riga was formed in 1892. Divine services in the parish were held in a wooden church that stood at the Ivanovo cemetery. The new stone temple was erected by the Russian architect Vladimir Shervinsky from 1911 to 1926 (25 more were built according to his designs Orthodox churches in Latvia, public buildings and monuments).

Funds for the construction of the church were provided by the owner of the porcelain factory, Kuznetsov. The consecration of St. John's Church took place in the fall of 1929. Appearance The church has not changed since its existence. Behind the church building there is an Orthodox and Old Believer cemetery (Ivanovskoye). Today, St. John's Church is one of the revered Orthodox centers of Riga.

2017 marked the 150th anniversary of the construction of the temple in honor of the Ascension of the Lord. The Church of the Ascension in Riga is famous for the fact that worship and spiritual education of parishioners is conducted here in the Latvian language. The creation of the Latvian Orthodox community in Livonia dates back to the first half of the 19th century, 1820.

In 1867, a church was built with money collected from parishioners, and partly with funds allocated by the Synod and the government. Throughout the entire time, the church in the name of the Ascension of the Lord acted as a parish church; its life was never interrupted. The main attraction here today remains the carved wooden altar, more austere and less decorated than is customary in the Russian Orthodox Church, which makes it closer and more understandable to Orthodox Latvians.
In 1993, restoration work was carried out in the temple, which continues to this day, internal repair and restoration work is taking place. The temple is open during services. Divine services are held on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Story

In 1836, the Riga Vicariate of the Pskov Diocese was established, which on March 1, 1850 was separated into an independent Riga Diocese, established on July 1 of the same year. The diocesan bishop was given the title “Riga and Mitau”, which became Bishop Platon (Gorodetsky).

Current state

Structure

Primates

• 1921-1934 - John (Pommer), Archbishop of Riga and All Latvia
• 1936-1940 - Augustine (Peterson), Metropolitan of Riga and All Latvia (

Latvia(Latvian: Latvija), official name - Latvian republic(Latvian: Latvijas Republika) - a state in Northern Europe. The estimated population as of May 1, 2015 is 1,980,700.

Largest cities

• Daugavpils
• Ventspils
• Liepaja
• Jelgava
• Jurmala

Orthodoxy in Latvia

Orthodoxy in Latvia- one of the three largest religious denominations in Latvia, along with Catholicism and Lutheranism, each of which includes about a third of the country’s residents.

In modern Latvia, Orthodoxy is mainly practiced by the Russian-speaking population of the country, although there are many Orthodox Latvians in the country.

Story

Orthodoxy came to the lands of modern Latvia from the territory of Pskov and Novgorod Rus', penetrating the country from the east and south in the 11th century. It is noteworthy that Orthodoxy was historically the first form of Christian faith in the lands of Latvia and in the Baltic states as a whole. After 1201, during the growing influence of the Crusaders (Sword Bearers) and German barons, the majority of Latvians in the west and north of the country converted to Catholicism, then switched to Lutheranism (one of the branches of Protestantism). In the east of the country (Latgale region), which became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Catholicism spread. It is practiced mainly by Latgalians and Latvian Poles. Orthodoxy was also preserved in some Latgalian communities.

The revival of the Orthodox tradition in the Latvian lands began after the Baltic states annexed the Russian Empire in the 18th century.

The mid-19th century was marked by a massive conversion of Latvians to Orthodoxy. Peasants - Latvians and Estonians, exploited by German landowners, descendants of the Livonian knights, were in poverty and humiliation. F. M. Dostoevsky characterized the situation of Latvian peasants as significantly worse than the situation of black slaves on American plantations. The Lutheran ruling church was completely dependent on the landowners. In the lean, hungry year of 1841, on June 9, a group of peasants, seeking protection and justice, turned to Bishop Irinarch (Popov), the first Riga vicar of the Pskov diocese, for help. The latter gave them alms and sympathized with them, expressing mercy. Bishop Irinarch's sympathy for the troubles of the Latvian population led to the fact that already in July, peasants from all over Livonia submitted to Bishop Irinarch about 30 petitions for protection and conversion to Orthodoxy from several thousand peasants. Such actions caused extreme discontent among German landowners and Lutheran pastors who sought to keep the Latvians. Governor General Matvey Palen, with the support of the chief of gendarmes of the Livonian German Benckendorf, is seeking from Emperor Nicholas I on October 12, 1841, the removal of Bishop Irinarch under secret arrest to the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery, allegedly “to prevent peasant unrest.”

According to data for 1850, approximately one-eighth of Latvians and Estonians in the Baltic region professed Orthodoxy. In addition, an Old Believer community of Russian settlers appeared in the east of the country.

Latvian Orthodox Church

Latvian Orthodox Church(Latvian. Latvijas Pareizticīgā Baznīca) - a self-governing Church within the Moscow Patriarchate in Latvia.

Story

In 1836, the Riga Vicariate of the Pskov Diocese was established, which on March 1, 1850 was separated into an independent Riga Diocese, established on July 1 of the same year. The diocesan bishop was given the title “Riga and Mitau”, which became Bishop Platon (Gorodetsky).

Due to the collapse of the Russian Empire and the transfer of Archbishop John (Smirnov) to the Ryazan see, the Riga diocese was left without a ruling bishop for four years. The Latvian authorities did not allow entry into Latvia for either Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov) or Archbishop Gennady (Tuberozov), whom Patriarch Tikhon intended to appoint to the See of Riga. In 1918 - beginning. 1919 The Riga diocese was temporarily ruled by the suffragan bishop of Revel Platon (Kulbush). Only after it was proposed to transfer Archbishop John (Pommer), a Latvian by nationality, from the Penza diocese to the Riga See, the issue of heading the Riga Diocese was settled with the Latvian authorities. In search of a compromise with the government of Latvia, Archbishop John (Pommer) petitioned His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon to grant his diocese independence in matters of internal administration. On June 21, 1921, Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow, the Holy Synod and the Supreme Church Council recognized the internal independence of the Latvian Orthodox Church. In 1925, Archbishop John (Pommer) was elected to the Republican Seimas, where he defended the equality of the Latvian Orthodox Church with other religious denominations in Latvia. In 1926, the Riga Theological Seminary resumed its activities. On the night of October 11–12, 1934, Archbishop John was burned alive in his suburban dacha. The investigation into the murder of Archbishop John did not produce results: both the Latvian special services and agents from the Soviet Union were suspected of the murder.

Soon after the death of Archbishop John (Pommer) of Riga, in 1936 the leadership of the Latvian Church announced its transfer to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, to which some of the clergy and the majority of the laity objected; the transition was not recognized by the Moscow Patriarchate and the majority of other Local Orthodox Churches. On March 29, 1936, Metropolitan Herman (Strinopoulos) of Thyatira led the consecration of the former garrison priest from Daugavpils Augustine (Peterson) as bishop and elevated him to the rank of Metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia. In 1938, a new department was opened - Daugavpils. Archimandrite Alexander (Vitol) was consecrated to her.

In 1940, after Latvia joined the USSR, previous decisions were canceled and the Latvian Church became part of the Russian Orthodox Church as a diocese. Metropolitan Augustine (Peterson) of Riga and All Latvia has retired. Since 1947, the Latvian Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Constantinople has switched to an emigrant regime, calling itself the “Latvian Orthodox Church in exile.”

In 1990, upon the declaration of state independence of Latvia, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church granted self-government to the Latvian Orthodox Church.

Three Councils were held in the Latvian Church: 1997, 2001 and 2003. Extraordinary council of 2009.

Current state

The main (cathedral) cathedral of the Latvian Orthodox Church is the Nativity Cathedral in Riga.

Since 1993, the Riga Theological Seminary resumed its activities.

Statistics: 118 parishes; 92 clergy (79 priests, 13 deacons).

Divine services in some parishes are conducted in Latvian.

Shrines

• microwave John of Riga (20th century)

• "Tolga" Icon of the Mother of God

• "Iveron" Icon of the Mother of God
• revered grave of archimandrite Tavrion (Batozsky)

This autonomy was abolished, but after Latvia regained independence, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in August of the year decided to grant self-government to the Latvian Church, which was approved by the Moscow Council of Bishops at the end of the year. In December of the year, at the Riga All-Latvian Council of Clergy and Laity, Bishop Alexander (Kudryashov) was confirmed as the Primate of the Church, and the Synod of the Latvian Orthodox Church was elected to help him. After the Council, at the end of December of the same year, the Latvian Church was registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia as the legal successor of the autonomous Latvian Orthodox Church for up to a year. Church administration is carried out in accordance with the Statute of the Latvian Church, drawn up on the basis of the Statute of the year.

Dioceses

Historical sketch

After the war, life was difficult, in conditions of militant atheism. The surviving cathedral continued to be a spiritual support for many, many people who knew the horrors and misfortunes of a monstrous war and post-war persecution.

But what was not destroyed by two world wars and a revolution was destroyed in the 60s. Thus, by order of the Council of Ministers of Latvia. SSR dated 10/05/63, the Nativity Cathedral was closed and turned into a commercial enterprise. In Dzintari, bulldozers swept away the Church of the Kazan Mother of God, built in the 90s of the 19th century by the Peter and Paul Brotherhood with donations.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Daugavpils was blown up, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Rezekne was destroyed, churches in Kraslava and in the village were closed. Engravers, in Kolka, in Ainaži, in Koknese, in Suntaži. Closed St. Assumption Church in Daugavpils, “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Church in Riga. In total, about 40 churches were closed.