Constantine and Helena Cathedral, Astana

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Constantine and Helena Cathedral, Astana

The Constantine and Helena Cathedral in Astana, also known as the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helena, Equal-to-the-Apostles, stands as one of the oldest operating Orthodox churches in Kazakhstan’s capital. It holds great architectural and historical value. The cathedral was built during the reign of Nicholas I, between 1854 and 1856.

The church opens its doors to the public every day from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with daily services at 9:00 AM (morning) and 5:00 PM (evening). Confession begins at 8:30 AM.

The cathedral’s layout follows a traditional 19th-century church design, taking the shape of a perfect cross. It is crowned with five modest domes and is notably free from excessive architectural embellishments.

The church consists of three sections:

  • Lower chapel: Dedicated to Saint Vladimir, located in the basement of the cathedral.
  • Central chapel: Dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helena, Equal-to-the-Apostles.
  • Upper chapel: Located in the space that once housed a bell tower, which no longer exists, and is dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Enlighteners of the Slavs.

The cathedral provides a variety of services and amenities, including:

  • A church shop that sells religious items and offers services for Orthodox rituals and prayers.
  • A Sunday school for children.
  • Evening spiritual and educational courses for adults.
  • The “Seeking the Lost” women’s monastery, featuring its own chapel dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky.
  • A refectory for visitors.
  • A library.
  • An administrative and residential complex.

Relics

One of the most revered relics housed in the cathedral is the “Astana-Pochaev” icon of the Virgin Mary, brought from Pochaev by the church’s rector, Father Nikolai, in the 1960s. This icon has been central to many vigils and liturgies, and is beloved by the congregation. To the right of the Pochaev Mother of God icon is the image of Saint Simeon of Verkhoturye, alongside a reliquary containing fragments of his relics.

The cathedral also houses the ancient “Skoroposlushnitsa” icon of the Virgin Mary, which has been preserved since pre-revolutionary times, further adding to the cathedral’s sacred heritage.

History

The cathedral’s origins date back to 1852, when Emperor Nicholas I ordered the allocation of funds for the construction of an Orthodox church in Akmolinsk (the name of Astana in the 19th century). Records show that contributions for the building also came from local patrons and residents. Construction of the wooden church was carried out by the Akmolinsk Cossack unit and completed in October 1855. The cathedral was consecrated on July 8, 1856, by Father Ioann Toropov of the Peter and Paul Cathedral.

In April 1893, the Tobolsk Spiritual Consistory decided to dismantle and relocate the church to Akmolinsk’s central square. Soon after, due to rapid population growth, a decision was made to build a new stone church. By 1900, the foundation of the new church was laid on the same site where the cathedral stands today. Just two years later, in early 1902, the cathedral was completed and adorned with five domes.

Following the revolution, the Constantine and Helena Church continued to function for some time. However, by the late 1930s, the crosses and domes were removed, and the icons were taken away. The building was repurposed as a museum of local history.

During the early years of World War II, the cathedral housed a signal battalion of the 29th Rifle Division, which was being formed in Akmolinsk. Meanwhile, Soviet authorities began to ease restrictions on churches, and soon services resumed. After the war, regular prayers were held once more in the church.

In the 1960s, under the guidance of Archimandrite Kirill Borodin, an expert in church architecture, renovations began on the deteriorating cathedral. A new steam heating system was installed, and the single-altar church was expanded with an upper chapel (dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius) and a lower chapel (dedicated to Saint Vladimir). The bell tower, which had fallen into disrepair in the 1930s, lost several of its tiers during that time. Father Kirill led the restoration, resulting in the creation of the small upper chapel dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius. The church also received a carved iconostasis, and its walls were decorated with stucco and gilded elements, as well as murals.

From 2005 to 2007, with the blessing of Metropolitan Methodius of Astana and Almaty, the facade, central entrance, roof, domes, and interior of the cathedral underwent extensive renovations, funded by donations.

Today, the Constantine and Helena Cathedral, along with the adjacent Monastery of Saint Alexander Nevsky, is located in a peaceful residential courtyard near Republic Avenue in Astana, offering a serene spiritual retreat in the heart of the city.

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