Anniversary of Cathedral of Christ the Savior Foundation

The foundation stone laying ceremony of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow took place on September 22, 1839.
It was built as a symbol of gratitude to the Almighty "for saving Russia from the doom that overshadowed her" during the Napoleon invasion, and as a memorial to the sacrifices of the Russian people at that time. Konstantin Thon was the chief architect.

The cathedral's construction took 44 years. The foundation stone was laid on September 23, 1839 and the consecration took place on May 26, 1883.

The cathedral was demolished as part of the Stalin's Moscow renovation plan on December 5, 1931.

Above: Irish playwright Bernard Shaw touring Moscow, 1931.

Above: The view of the Moskva River, Cathedral of Christ the Savior from Bersenevskaya Embankment.

Above: Fragment of a high relief from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Shchusev State Museum of Architecture.

In 1960 the swimming pool "Moskva" was built on the site of the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The pool was demolished in 1994.

In 1988 a civic movement seeking to rebuild the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was formed. On December 5, 1990 the foundation stone of the new cathedral was laid; a construction fund was opened in 1992; and in 1994 construction work began.

Above: The construction site of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior during the foundation stone laying ceremony, 1995.

Above: Small bells at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

Russia's first President Boris Yeltsin, along with Patriarch Alexy II and the Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov participated in the opening ceremony of the newly-rebuilt cathedral's square.

Above: Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus Kirill (C) at the opening ceremony of the first large convention of Cossack confessors at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Above: Inner decorations of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

Above: Morning Prayer at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Above: Faithful venerating the ark bearing the Cincture of Theokotos.

Above: A queue of faithful in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, seeking to venerate the Gifts of Magi brought to Moscow for the first time from Agiou Pavlou monastery at Mount Athos.

Above: A view of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Moscow City International Business Center.