Transfiguration Cathedral, Belgorod, Orthodox cathedral in Belgorod, Russia

The Transfiguration Cathedral is a regional Orthodox church in Belgorod built in Neoclassical style with five golden domes and a turquoise exterior that makes it stand out in the city landscape. A tall bell tower sits beside the main structure, and the building serves as the principal religious center for the local Diocese.

The Transfiguration Church was built between 1807 and 1813 to a design by the Kharkov architect Evgeny Vasiliev, paid for by parishioners on the site of a dilapidated wooden church. In 1923, after the old Trinity Cathedral closed, it was raised to cathedral status. Closed in the 1930s, it reopened in March 1942 during the occupation, was shut again in 1962 and given to the local museum, which opened there only in 1973. Returned to the Church from 1990, it received the relics of St Ioasaf in September 1991.

The cathedral holds two important holy objects that pilgrims come to see: the remains of St Iosaf of Belgorod and an icon of St Nicholas from several centuries ago that people believe brings healing. These treasures make the building a place where visitors can experience living Orthodox devotion and prayer.

The building is located on Preobrazhenskaya Street in the heart of Belgorod and can be reached easily by local transport or on foot from the city center. Visitors should know that this is an active place of worship, so respectful clothing and quiet behavior are expected when inside.

The building changed its religious function significantly when another major cathedral in the city shut down, making it step into a much more important role for the region's faith community. This transition happened during a time when many churches faced closure, giving the cathedral its current standing as the seat of the Diocese.