Temples

Odessa is a very hospitable city. Its aura attracted people of different nationalities and religions who introduced into the development of the city something of their own. Owing to that fact there were built a lot of building of different denominations in Odessa.

About 80 % of Odessa population is Orthodox. That is why we will start our journey from the visit to the namely Orthodox temple - Transfiguration Cathedral (architect Frappolli), the construction of which was over on the 25th of May 1808. The cathedral became one of the most important memorials of the city and culture: its domes were the main navigational signs for the sailors. This was the burial place of the governor-general of Novo Russia earl Vorontsov and his wife Elizabeth. This was also the place were a lot of relics were kept. In the 30-s the Cathedral was demolished. But nowadays the Transfiguration Cathedral has been reconstructed due to the donations of the citizens.

One of the main relics of Odessa eparchy is Assumption Cathedral which was built and consecrated by the Archbishop of Kherson and Odeesa, Dmitriy in 1869. Two-storeyed temple was built on the project of the architect L. Otton. The height of the temple together with the belfry is 56 meters and the capacity is 5 - 6 thousand people. The main relic of this temple is miracle-working icon of Kasperovskaya God's Mother. It was guarding the city during the wars. Celebration in honor of this icon takes place on the day of the Protection of the Virgin and on the day of the Saint Apostles Peter and Paul.

The Trinity church was built in 1808 on donations of the citizens. This church became one of the first religious centers of the Orthodox Greeks living in Russia. The liturgy here was served by the representatives of Alexandrian, Anthiohian, Russian, Bulgarian and Greek Orthodox Churches.

Arabic Cultural center which is a unique construction in history of the city planning. The author of the project is architect Dmitriy Povstanyuk who managed to use the principles of eastern architecture creating exclusive interiors and exteriors of the building. The Arabic Cultural center was built in 2002. Then we are going to visit the main relic of Odessa eparchy- Assumption Monastery, the appearance of which is connected with the name of an outstanding religious figure of metropolitan Gabriel. In 1820 he petitioned for the building of the monastery in the region of Bolshoy Fontan. The first superior of the monastery was archimandrite Theothil who started to equip the monastery with modern amenities.

Nowadays there are sacred relics in the Assumption Monastery , they are: the shrine with relics of the Apostle Andrew, icons of God's Mother. Starting the day at 6 o'clock in the morning the novices of the monastery combine prayers with everyday obedience and labour.

During the excursion one can also visit the Synagogue, Catholic church, Polish Roman-Catholic church and other temples.