Cathedral of the Resurrection, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Semey, Kazakhstan
The Cathedral of the Resurrection is a stone Russian Orthodox cathedral built in 1857–1860 to a design by local architect Alexander Bolbotov, with a two-tier bell tower. Its three altars are dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ, the Archangel Michael and Mitrofan of Voronezh. The bell tower held six bells weighing 350 poods in total, the heaviest 81 poods.
Built between 1857 and 1860 to a design by architect Alexander Bolbotov, the cathedral was funded by retired sergeant Mitrofan Kazakov for the local Cossack stanitsa. Consecrated on 10 July 1860, it was the only pre-revolutionary parish church in Semey to survive the Soviet period. Closed after the arrest and execution of Archbishop Alexander (Shchukin) and local clergy in 1937, it was returned to believers on 16 April 1944.
The cathedral keeps the Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God of Znamensk-Abalak, moved here from the women's monastery at Svyatoy Klyuch, destroyed in 1919. A Sunday school has run at the cathedral since 1993, and nine new bells were cast for it in 1998 to replace those lost in the 1930s.
Visitors can enter the church on most days, though it is wise to check opening hours beforehand and dress modestly out of respect. Special services occur according to the Orthodox calendar, particularly on weekends and religious holidays.
The cathedral holds the wonder-working Znamensko-Abalak Icon of the Mother of God, moved here from the women's monastery at Svyatoy Klyuch, destroyed in 1919. In 1998 nine new bells were cast to replace those lost in the 1930s; the pre-revolutionary set weighed 350 poods, the heaviest alone 81.
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