Savior Transfiguration Cathedral
The mining capital of Ukraine – the city of Donets’k has grown out of a small village Yuzivka. The city founding caused building of a new Orthodox church, which later turned into Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral. Being in Donetsk, visit this amazing architectural monument of the late 20th century. You are well advised to climb the top tier of its belfry to enjoy a beautiful view of the city centre.
In the late 19th century the construction of an Orthodox wooden church was finances by local villagers of Yuzivka. Over time, landowners made generous donations in order to replace church’s wooden base with a stone one and equip the cathedral. This Orthodox Church played an important role in the spiritual life of Yuzivka – a Brotherhood School was founded there; services, worships and christenings were held there as well. Prayer in its walls could heal mental and physical illnesses. However, in the 1930s the church was demolished due to lack of building materials.
It was decided to replace a new building of Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral closer to the centre of Donets’k. As the previous one this temple had five domes, above which a three-tiered belfry with a clock dial on its top floor towered. Together with an elongated spire the cathedral reached the height of 73 metres. Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral had a unique architectural composition combining the Old Russian and European styles in contrast to the old wooden church. Monumental and majestic appearance of the cathedral was in a great combination with its harmonious and smooth lines. Three naves of the temple’s front side and high arched side windows attracted attention, as well as the balcony, decorated with two crucifixes at its sides, above the main entrance.
Near the entrance to the temple you will notice the statue of Archangel Michael, who is considered to be the Guardian of the Ukrainians. Go inside the temple and you’ll be impressed not only with its interior, where custom-made frescos, tiles and other interior elements can be seen, but also with amazing singing of its choir!
Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral is a place, where relics of great martyrs and sainthoods are often carried, by that attracting hundreds of pilgrims from all the Ukraine. Three miraculous icons are kept in the cathedral now: the Iveron Theotokos is there to help single people to marry, the Panagia Pantanassa to heal from severe diseases and the Icon of St Panteleimon to heal the soul and body. At the cathedral you can enjoy works of great icon painters, attend services, light a candle for health and pray.
The cathedral is located in the city centre on Soborna Square. You can get there by bus №2 getting off at the intersection of Komsomol’s’kyi Avenue and Artema Street, or take the trolleybus №2 and №6.
