Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Novosibirsk
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral stands at the head of Krasny Prospekt in central Novosibirsk and is one of the first stone buildings erected in what was then the railway settlement of Novo-Nikolayevsk. Built between 1896 and 1899 and consecrated on 29 December 1899, it was raised as a memorial church to Tsar Alexander III, whose decree to build the Trans-Siberian Railway gave rise to the city. It was named for Saint Alexander Nevsky, the medieval prince-warrior venerated as a heavenly protector of Russia, and the imperial family contributed an Athonite-style Iveron Icon of the Mother of God to the new church.
The cathedral is a leading regional example of Neo-Byzantine architecture: a compact, cross-domed brick structure crowned by a large central dome on a drum, with rounded apses, arched windows, and restrained polychrome brickwork recalling the churches of Constantinople. Granted full cathedral status in 1915, it served as a spiritual center for the growing Siberian city until the Soviet period. In 1937 it was closed by the authorities and, having survived a demolition attempt, was repurposed for secular use, including as a newsreel studio and project institute.
Beginning with the 1988 millennium of the Christianization of Rus, a campaign for its return succeeded: the building was given back to the Novosibirsk Eparchy in 1989 and re-consecrated by Patriarch Alexy II in 1991. Today it is again an active cathedral and a recognized regional cultural-heritage monument, holding relics of several saints, hosting daily services, and operating missionary, educational, and charitable programs as one of Novosibirsk's most prominent landmarks.
- Location
- 55.0194, 82.9225
- Local time
- 05:37 (Asia/Novosibirsk)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sat | 08:00–19:30 |
| Sun | 07:00–19:30 |
Open daily for services from early morning until evening; service schedule varies, see ansobor.ru.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Alexander Nevsky Saint
Patron saint to whom the cathedral is dedicated; a temple icon holds a particle of his relics.
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Andrew the Apostle (Andrew the First-Called) Saint
An icon with a particle of his relics, transferred to the cathedral in 2001, is kept in the right side chapel.
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Simeon of Verkhoturye Saint
Revered Siberian wonderworker; an icon containing a particle of his relics is venerated at the cathedral.
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Ambrose of Optina Saint
Renowned 19th-century elder of Optina; an icon with a particle of his relics is kept in the cathedral.
Care & donations
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Novosibirsk Eparchy)
Donations support the cathedral's parish, missionary, and charitable work; contribute in person at the cathedral or via the parish, see ansobor.ru for current details.
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