Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica (Montenegro) - description, history, location. Exact address and website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
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Podgorica has existed since the 14th century, but due to historical twists and turns, the Montenegrin capital did not have its own cathedral until recently. Although the need for its construction was discussed back in the era of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, that is, before World War II, the project was only implemented in 2013. Today, the grandiose Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica is the third largest Orthodox cathedral in the world after the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow and the cathedral St. Sava in Belgrade.
What to see
The Byzantine style, traditional for the Balkans, prevails in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. The base of the outer walls is made of thick blocks of rough Montenegrin limestone, which become smoother and more beautiful with increasing height. It is a symbol of the centuries-old continuity of the Balkan builders - from ancient chapels to the latest cathedrals. The spatial solution of the 40-meter temple is realized in the form of a Greek cross, formed by 4 hemispherical vaults resting on 8 pillars.
The interior decoration of the temple is striking in its richness of paintings. Literally all walls and vaults are covered with biblical scenes from the lives of Christian saints. Utensils - gifts from all over the Orthodox world.
The chandelier and lighting fixtures were made in Ukraine, the silvered royal gates were carved from wood by craftsmen from Romania, the fresco "The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and All Earthly Nations" - by Belarusians. And all the bells of the temple, including the 11-meter giant, were made in Voronezh.
To the left of the temple there is a sculpture in the form of a cross growing from a tree. This composition symbolizes the friendship of Montenegrins and Serbs - peoples who have come from the same root.
It is located throughout the territory of Montenegro from the coast to the northern highlands. One of these temples is located in the largest city of Montenegro with a population of more than 200 thousand inhabitants - which is also the capital of a mountainous state. It is white stone Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Temple of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) Montenegrin Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is located in the very center of the city, in the Momishichi area, on the left bank and is the largest Orthodox church in Montenegro.
Construction of the Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of Christstarted in 1993 year and is notable for the fact that the first stone of the foundation was laid by the Ecumenical Patriarch Barthalomew, the Serbian Patriarch Pavel and the Moscow Patriarch of All Russia Alexy II. The Church of Christ's Resurrection was erected on the site where the old Church of the Holy Apostles, which existed during the reign of King Milutin.
He worked on the drawings of the cathedral architect Peja Ristic(Peda Ristic), invited from Serbia, who already had about 90 churches on his account and who at that time was the most eminent church architect in Montenegro. He managed to combine the ancient Christian motifs of Dukli with the medieval fortifications of Martinichi (Gradina Martinicka) with elements of the Romanesque style.
It is known that the construction of the temple was carried out not only thanks to substantial financial support from the state, as well as donations from local residents. Moreover, these donations were not only monetary, some local residents even brought the necessary materials to the construction site: iron, stone, wood, sand. In 1999, the main finishing works were completed, and a golden cross was installed on the main dome of the cathedral.
Lifehack: The base of the temple was made of rough stone, which the craftsmen cut right on the spot.
Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ built for 20 years and finally October 7, 2013 it was consecrated and open to all Orthodox believers not only in Montenegro. This lighting ceremony was attended by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cypriot, Polish, Czech and Albanian archbishops, as well as many representatives of local churches.
The architecture of the Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection is grand and delightful. It was built in a neo-Byzantine style - very splendid and elegant. This unique building has a facade height of 34 meters, a total height of 41.5 meters, and the domes are crowned with 7 gilded crosses. The temple has two levels: lower and upper, each with an area of 1,270 sq. meters and can accommodate 5000 believers at a time.
The belfry of the Cathedral is also interesting - there are 14 bells installed on it - two of which were cast by craftsmen from Voronezh (Russia) and presented to the Montenegrins, and the most massive bell was cast on donations from parishioners, weighs about 11 tons and holds the record in the Balkans.
But the temple is not only outwardly magnificent. Its interior is also famous for its magnificent frescoes illustrating the Old and New Testaments, as well as images of saints, biblical scenes and paintings of the lives of Christian saints. In addition, the main chandelier in the temple, which was made in Lviv, weighs 1,200 kilograms and is 9 meters in diameter, making it the largest in Europe. But that's not all!
The largest mosaic depicting the Resurrection of Christ, located above the main entrance to the temple, covers an area of 59.5 square meters. meters and is the largest among the churches and temples of the Serbian Orthodox Church. .jpg)
Lifehack: To the left of the temple is a cross growing from a tree, symbolizing Montenegro's striving for peace and harmony. This composition personifies two peoples - Montenegrin and Serbian, which have the same root (one origin) and grew up together. Now this “tree” has two heads, between which it is written that this is a reminder to everyone that they are brothers.
While in Montenegro, don't miss the opportunity to visit
Orthodox believers in Montenegro meet the coming year 2020 on the streets of their cities. Throughout the country, prayers, processions and peaceful gatherings are held at which people pray and protest against the discriminatory Law adopted the day before by the Parliament of Montenegro and signed by President Djukanovic. The most controversial points of the new Law are 62 and 63, according to which many objects of the Serbian Orthodox Church should become the property of the state.
Prayer meetings and protests took place almost throughout the country. They were most widespread in the capital Podgorica, Nichsiche, Pljevlyah, Berane, Bielom Pole, Budva, Herceg-Novy, Kotor, Bar, Zabljak. Believers of all ages take to the streets.
In Podgorica, the center of the gatherings was the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, where prayers are held every day, which grow into processions of the cross. It was here that a serious incident took place on December 30th. The tension that arose between the police and the already dispersed participants in the prayer, primarily the youth, led the police to use tear gas on the square in front of the temple. The media reported that among the protesters, there were disguised police officers who detained suspicious citizens. Five detainees from 16 to 21 years old. Two minors have already been released, while the rest are to be brought to trial.
On the basis of the information received that provocateurs could be introduced into the ranks of the protesters, the representatives of the Church demanded control over the activities of the internal affairs bodies. Condemning the use of force, representatives of the Montenegrin-Maritime Metropolis called on the Council for Civil Control of Police Work and the non-governmental sector to demand internal control over the actions of the police in connection with their actions against the participants in the prayer service. Tensions between the protesters and the police were quite strong in Niksic and elsewhere, but serious incidents have so far been avoided.
The state authorities are showing obvious dissatisfaction with what is happening. Djukanovic himself, having signed the law, urgently left to relax in the United States, where he was seen at official entertainment events in Miami. In his absence, Prime Minister Dusko Markovic became the main exponent of the state's will in this matter, who had already managed to declare that the clergy of the Serbian Church should urgently return to their churches and not call for protests. According to him, there is no reason for such "hysteria and manipulation." At the same time, Markovich emphasized that from churches, from divine services and "from their liturgies," the disaffected take to the streets, "attacks are planned on citizens, police officers and property."
Markovic advised the representatives of the Church not to stir up discontent and noted that this is “the last reminder in this regard,” and the Montenegrin state and its organs will not allow riots. Accusations of incitement to unrest are periodically voiced against the Church and by the Montenegrin media
However, prayer services and meetings are held every day. On January 1, in the town of Bijelo Pole, about 10 thousand people attended a prayer service and a procession.
Addressing the audience, he emphasized: “The adoption of such an ugly law is a humiliation of Montenegro and its entire order. agreements, all guarantees of their religious and property rights and settlements. "
According to Vladyka, this is not about the law, but about an act of discrimination and someone's evil will. Anyone who expresses his disagreement with the ongoing injustice, according to the bishop, testifies to his faith, loyalty to the Church and shrines.
“Expressing, thus, our disagreement and the will to fight to the end, for the sacred objects that are dedicated to God by our ancestors, we turn to God, the Church and prayer in order not to allow this to happen. We cannot allow, brothers and sisters, that the covenants of our ancestors, our parents and grandparents, who lived for the sake of faith and laid down their lives for the preservation of faith, honor and dignity, are trampled upon. The way God will strengthen our entire congregation, which is a great testimony and confirmation of the Church of God, will strengthen in faith, strengthen in love, strengthen in the hope that we will fight like this to the end - to victory! " - emphasized Vladyka Ioanniki.
Support in the region
Serbs from the entire region express support for their Church and Orthodox brothers in Montenegro. First of all, the neighboring Republic of Srpska. In Herzegovina, bordering on Montenegro, prayers and religious processions were held: Trebinje, Gacko, Bilecha, Focha, Visegrad. Similar meetings were held in Banja Luka.
Demonstrations and protests at the Montenegrin embassy in Belgrade practically do not stop for several days. In Novi Sad, the procession was led by Bishop Irenaeus of Baci. Prayers and meetings are held throughout Serbia. In many dioceses, bishops give a blessing for the daily service of prayers for the suffering Church and believers in Montenegro.
The "Appeal in support of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro" is being distributed on the Internet, which has already been signed by thousands of well-known public figures, writers, journalists, representatives of science and culture.
It is noteworthy that many Serbian public figures pointed out that the central television paid too little attention to what is happening in Montenegro, often ignoring these tragic events for Serbs. Nevertheless, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met on December 31 with the Serbian Patriarch Iriney and discussed the current situation in Montenegro. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Patriarch stressed that what is happening in Montenegro could have serious consequences for the entire region. When asked what to do if the Montenegrin state begins to take away shrines, the Primate of the Serbian Church expressed the hope that this will not happen and that the Montenegrin authorities will think well about this, seeing the reaction of the people: “The people are ready to defend their historical shrines, and I believe that it won't come to that. And if it does, I don't know what dire consequences it will have. I pray to God that the mind will overcome the problems. "
Waiting for Christmas
Prayer meetings, protests and other public actions in Montenegro will continue and may reach their climax on the eve of Christmas and especially on Christmas Eve, the so-called Badni-dan, when believers traditionally gather to burn Badnyak near temples and monasteries.
Typically, these gatherings take place especially in large numbers on the street and in many places are of particular public importance. In Montenegro, this custom has long become the point at which membership in the canonical Church or schismatic circles is manifested. So, in Cetinje and other places for more than ten years there have been two Badnyaks - the canonical Church and the schismatic, the so-called “Montenegrin Orthodox Church”. The latter are increasingly supported by the authorities, often accompanied by political demonstrations.
It is on these days that provocations from the authorities and schismatics are more than possible. Calls have already been made on social networks to demonstrate the unity of the Montenegrin nation on January 6 and put an end to Serbian rule.
Serbian clergy call on their flock to keep calm and peace, but declare their readiness to defend their shrines to the end.
- The address: Bulevar Džordža Vašingtona, Podgorica, Montenegro
- Official site: www.hramvaskrsenja.me
- Architects: Predrag Ristić, Jovan Popović
In the new part to the west of the Morac River there is the Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection, which is considered one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches. It is distinguished not only by its impressive size, but also by its eccentric design for religious buildings. That is why you should definitely include it in your tour of the Montenegrin capital.
History of the construction of the Church of Christ's Resurrection
The idea of building a large Orthodox cathedral in the capital arose over 20 years ago. The construction of the church in honor of the Resurrection of Christ began already in 1993, and the first brick was consecrated by the Russian Patriarch Alexy. This would have been impossible without substantial financial support from the state and ordinary people. Moreover, the parishioners helped not so much with money as with building materials.
The author of the project of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ was the Serbian architect Peja Ristic. Construction lasted six years and ended in 1999. Consecration took place only in 2014 in the presence of the following persons:
- the Moscow Patriarch;
- the ecumenical patriarch;
- archbishops from neighboring states;
- the highest hierarchs of the local Orthodox Church.
The opening of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the photo of which is presented below, was timed to coincide with the 1700th anniversary of the Milan Edict dedicated to freedom of religion.
The architectural style of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ
For the construction of this metropolitan landmark, an area of 1300 square meters was allocated. m. The result was a structure 34 m high, designed in the neo-Byzantine style. During the construction of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, coarse stone blocks were used, which were processed and polished right on the spot. This made it look like a medieval sacred structure.
When describing the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, many journalists use words like “atypical”, “unusual”, “eccentric”. This is due to the fact that when designing it, the architect tried to combine elements of the Empire style and the capabilities of local artists. At the same time, it can be noted that when creating the twin towers, the author was inspired by Romanesque, Italian and Byzantine architecture.
The Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection has 14 bells, one of which weighs approximately 11 tons. Two bells were cast by Voronezh craftsmen who donated it to Montenegro. The interior of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica is decorated with bas-reliefs, furniture, marble floors and iconographic frescoes depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
How to get to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ?
To get to know this Montenegrin one, you need to drive northwest of the center. Every Moscow resident knows the address of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, so it won't be difficult to find it. To do this, you need to move along the roads Bulevar Revolucije, Kralja Nikole or Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog. The way from the center of the capital to the cathedral takes 10-30 minutes, depending on the chosen method of transportation.
Story
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica is the largest Orthodox cathedral in the country. The cathedral is located in the very center of Podgorica in the Momisici area. The history of Orthodoxy in Montenegro is quite long, for its duration the temple was built not so long ago. At the end of the 20th century, the Cathedral Church of Christ's Resurrection appeared in the capital; it became the center of the Orthodox faith. Its architecture is beautiful, it is executed very magnificently and elegantly, the cathedral combines various traditions of modern and traditional architecture of Montenegro and Podgorica.
The Church of Christ's Resurrection in Podgorica has been under construction for 10 years, starting in 1993. The temple is made in a neo-Byzantine style, and reminds that the excellent architecture of Montenegro is directly related to religion. Alexy II, the Moscow Patriarch of All Russia, was the first to lay the foundation stone for the cathedral. The Church of Christ's Resurrection was erected on the site where the old church of the Holy Apostles used to be located; it existed even during the reign of King Milutin. In 1994, Pedrag Ristic became the architect of the Temple, and in the presence of the hierarchs of Orthodox churches, the foundation of the Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection was illuminated.
The construction of the Temple was carried out at the expense of donations and support from the government of Montenegro, most of the residents themselves brought building materials to the site: iron, stone, sand. In 1999, the main finishing works were completed, a golden cross was installed on the main dome of the Temple. The temple, which is currently in operation, is owned by the Montenegrin-Primorsky Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Architecture
The architecture of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ is grand, this structure is 34 meters high, at the moment the temple is under construction. The temple has two levels: lower and upper, the construction of the lower one is finished. The Church of the Resurrection of Christ has an unusual external design; it is made of large, unworked stone blocks. The size of the temple is impressive in its size. The building was designed for a large number of people, today it can accommodate 5,000 believers at a time.
The most noteworthy is the belfry in the Temple, it has 14 bells, two of these bells were brought from the city of Voronezh especially for the temple. One of the bells is considered the heaviest in the whole of Montenegro, weighing 11 tons. The entire interior in the temple is very interesting, everywhere there are murals of the lives of Christian saints and biblical themes. Christian believers who come to Podgorica always find the opportunity to visit the largest and oldest Orthodox Church of Christ's Resurrection.