Spaso-Preobrajenskii Sobor, also known as Transfiguration Cathedral, is a stunning Orthodox cathedral located in the heart of Sumy, Ukraine. It belongs to the Moscow Patriarchate and is a place of worship for the Russian community. However, some visitors have expressed their disappointment that the cathedral does not pray for peace in Ukraine and the Ukrainian military.
Despite this controversy, the cathedral itself is undeniably beautiful. It features a unique architectural style that combines elements of Renaissance, Baroque, and Classicism. The two-domed, cruciform structure is adorned with intricate stucco details and sculptures of the apostles at each corner. The bell tower, designed in the Baroque style, adds to the grandeur of the building.
Inside the cathedral, visitors are greeted with marble stucco and numerous works of art depicting biblical themes. The iconostasis, made of white marble and malachite, is a sight to behold. Moreover, what sets this cathedral apart is the presence of three-dimensional Catholic sculptures on the dome and bell tower, making it a truly unique and noteworthy place of worship.
The cathedral grounds are well-maintained and boast a large, modern playground for children. However, some visitors have noted that not all staff members exhibit the same level of spiritual beauty as the cathedral itself. There have been reports of a rude and disrespectful person in the waiting room who fails to convey the true essence of the faith. Despite this negative experience, most visitors appreciate the polite and helpful nature of the other temple workers.
Overall, Spaso-Preobrajenskii Sobor is a must-visit destination for anyone in Sumy. Its breathtaking architecture, serene atmosphere, and impressive collection of religious artifacts create a profound spiritual experience. However, it is worth noting that there are differing opinions on the cathedral's association with the Moscow Patriarchate and its stance on the Ukrainian conflict.
Address:
31, Soborna Street, 31, Sumy
Phone:
+380 542 226 123
Comment
27.05.24
Sergiy
The first wooden cathedral church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was founded on this site in 1653. It had a side altar in the name of Oleksii, the man of God. It burned down in 1694, and at the same time a new wooden one was built in its place, w.. Read more »hich burned down in 1754. Next to the fire, in 1754, a wooden church was built in the name of the Apostle Matthew. The brick cathedral was founded in 1776 and consecrated in 1788. It was built at the expense of Ya. Shubskyi (year of birth unknown - 1790), Ye. Parafievskaya, F. Filonenko, and others. The temple had two floors: in the lower floor was the throne of the Transfiguration of the Lord, in the upper one - the throne of the Annunciation of the Mother of God. In 1797, a brick belfry was built next to the cathedral according to the project of the architect P. Yaroslavsky, which was completed in 1801 (it was built poorly). In 1812, it was dismantled due to its state of emergency (threat of collapse).
The cathedral was rebuilt in 1858 from a two-story to a one-story.
In 1882–1892, at the expense of the Sumy merchant, commercial advisor and cathedral churchwarden D. Sukhanov (1825–1890), according to the project of the architect M. Lovtsov (1850–1907), a radical reconstruction of the cathedral was carried out with a significant expansion of it and the addition of a 56 m high belfry in 1882–1885.
In the eastern part of the territory of the cathedral, in 1894, according to the project of the local architect H. Pryadkin (1859–year of death unknown), a brick one-story church-parish school building was built. The cathedral yard is surrounded by a brick fence with plastered brick pillars and cast metal bars.
30.07.23
Kate
right place :)
12.02.22
B
The cathedral belongs to the Moscow Patriarchate. The cathedral in which they pray for the occupier - Russia, but do not pray for peace in Ukraine and the Ukrainian military.
08.02.22
Таня
A very beautiful cathedral in the very center of the city of Sumy. There is a children's playground on the territory of the cathedral. When I come to Sumy, I try to come here to pray. The territory of the cathedral is well-groomed and beautiful... Read more » Of course, one of the most beautiful cathedrals not only in the city of Sumy, but also in Ukraine.
08.02.22
Дмитро
The Transfiguration Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral of the Sumy Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Sumy. The two-domed, cruciform cathedral combines elements of different styles, such as Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism.
At the .. Read more »base of the drum with a gilded dome are four 3-meter sculptures of the apostles - one at each corner. They are united by a black balustrade. There are many stucco details on the facades and cornices, which enchant with the skill with which they are made.
The bell tower of the cathedral is made in the Baroque style. Two tiers are adjacent to the vestibule, the other three are a quadrangular tower. The bell tower ends with a small spherical dome with figures of saints. The whole building is directed upwards, which confirms the construction of its tiers.
In the middle of the temple you can see marble stucco and many works of art on biblical themes. The iconostasis was made of white marble and malachite.
15.01.22
Roman
The only Orthodox cathedral in Ukraine and probably in the world with three-dimensional Catholic sculptures on the dome and bell tower
14.01.22
Ира
They went to the baptism of the Lord. Dedicated water all organized. Everything is fine.
17.10.21
Римма
The cathedral is really very beautiful. But the workers of the cathedral are not all spiritually beautiful. There is a very rude person sitting in the waiting room. He speaks boldly and rudely and constantly, if you don’t know something, try to.. Read more » prick verbally. He cannot convey the truth to people. I don’t advise you to contact him. A very unpleasant sensation remained. Usually you go to a church worker and he will tell you something, but here, on the contrary, they found you humiliated. ?
04.09.21
Марія
Nice playground, super !!! In the yard . Service is good. The people working in the Temple are polite, they explain everything, give hints. Lots of valuable icons and items. After visiting the temple, my soul feels good ...
28.07.21
Александра
Very beautiful architecture, well-groomed area, there is a huge new playground. Nice place for a photo.
07.07.21
Максим
The center of Moscow's influence in Sumy. I do not advise
31.05.21
Светлана
This is the best place for spiritual growth. In the Cathedral, you can and should pray for all your problems, for the well-being of your families and country, and thank the Lord for everything that is in life. And in the courtyard of the Cathedral yo.. Read more »u can have a great rest with children on the playground and admire the beauty of architecture and nature, flowers. This is one of my favorite places in our city !!!
24.04.21
andriy
Mighty beautiful cathedral of the 18th century, completed in the 19th century with cast-iron sculptures, a combination of Renaissance, late Baroque and Classicism, which delights the eye.
05.04.21
Елена
Beautiful cathedral. Especially when illuminated at night.
Great playground. My kids love to spend time there
21.01.21
Виктор
Holy place, very beautiful, very well conducted services, there are miraculous icons.
12.01.21
Olga
Wonderful architectural object. Cathedral in the classical style. A good place for Orthodox Christians and guests of our city.
01.12.20
Koroleva
The cathedral is nice, but the grandmother who is in the church shop is a nightmare! Two women asked for help in writing a note to order a panikhida, so they were sent stupidly, they say, go there, everything is written there, which is not clear. the.. Read more »y say do not interfere! The question is, why are they sitting there at all? I asked if it is difficult for you to help, they sent me even further. I told my father about this, the answer is the same. The conclusion is that on the way there for the sake of business they are all. And in more than one temple I did not see the price tag for services, but here it is ..... As one friend of mine asked, does God set the price? I also killed a printed sheet of paper with the words - those who speak in the temple are sent sorrows and sorrows. What is this nonsense? To which they answered me, they say it was some saint who said. I don’t remember ... I asked where it was written, and my father answered, find and read. I asked so show me where ... I'll read it. They sent me! On that piece of paper, there are no notes whose words these are, or where they are taken from ... The service is super, especially from the ministers of the church!
16.09.20
Nina
A very good place for prayer and silence, the choir sings beautifully. I especially liked the weekday evening - a few people, nice quiet singing of the choir. If you do not have the right clothes, there are long handkerchiefs at the entrance
05.08.20
Vladimir
I enjoy spending time with my son in the new playground. City center, many children. Children are interested in swings, slides, etc. There is a place where parents can sit.
The main disadvantage is the closed toilets on the territory of the cathedral.. Read more ».
21.07.20
Игорь
The majestic Church of the Transfiguration on a pedestrian street in the heart of Sumy in its appearance combines elements of Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism. Transfiguration Cathedral in Sumy was built in 1776-88 on the site of a wooden church o.. Read more »f the XVII century. A 56-meter baroque bell tower with English chimes was added later. The cathedral acquired a modern look after a major reconstruction made in 1882-92 by the authoritative Kharkiv architect M. Lovtsov. At the corners of the dome are cast iron figures of the apostles Peter and Paul, as well as two identical figures of St. Vladimir the Great, and on the bell tower - the figures of four evangelists: Luke, Mark, John and Matthew. In the interior there is an iconostasis made of white marble and Ural malachite, paintings on biblical themes by V. Makovsky. The main shrines are miraculous icons of the Tikhvin Mother of God and the Mother of God of Korsun. The cathedral belongs to the UOC-MP. Holiday services are broadcast on the street.
08.03.20
alex
One of the grandest churches is the Transfiguration Cathedral. Its golden domes with three-meter sculptures of apostles and evangelists, as well as a slender 56-meter bell tower with a clock are visible from anywhere in the city. The cathedral dates .. Read more »back to the middle of the 17th century.
Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt and restored more than once, but, as before, the shrine attracts not only the faithful of the Orthodox Church, but also ordinary travelers.
The temple is one of the most valuable historical monuments of the north-eastern regional center of Ukraine and the decoration of the city.
The wooden temple, the predecessor of the current one, was located on the north side of the Transfiguration Cathedral, closer to the Khorol River.
During the great fire that was the result of the Tatar raid, it burned down. A few decades later, a new church was built on the same place, also made of wood - thanks to the efforts of Colonel Gerasim Kondratiev.
His name was carved at the entrance to the door. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was consecrated at the end of the 17th century, it existed for sixty years.
The stone cathedral was founded in Sumy in 1776.
The place for its construction was consecrated by Archimandrite Tovii Kremnevsky, who lived at the time in the Sumy Assumption Monastery. The construction and decoration of the cathedral lasted twelve years.
The temple was stone, two-story: the lower one was named in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, and the upper one was named after the Annunciation of the Mother of God. Soon they began to build a stone bell tower in the Baroque style, and its construction was completed in 1801.
Either they built too quickly, or the material was not of the highest quality, but in a few years the bell tower had to be redone.
At the same time, a stone fence appeared around the temple.
The big bell came here from the Sumy Assumption Men's Monastery, which was liquidated at that time. The inscription on the bell indicated that it was cast at the expense of the state councilor Yakov Shubsky, a well-known philanthropist of that time.
The second bell, slightly smaller in size, was donated to the city by another wealthy resident of Sumy - Danylo Zabrodskyi.
Among the images of the church, the Kursk icon of the Mother of God of the Sign, which was presented to the Sumy Cathedral by merchants, was especially revered. The Trebnyk of 1646 of Metropolitan of Kyiv and Halytskyi Petro Mohyla was also kept here. There were also other ancient books and acts in the church, including the royal charter of 1692 for the land donated to the cathedral.
19.04.18
Shery
Calm and quite church
24.07.17
Jared
Gorgeous cathedral. I didn't go inside (yet) as I thought a service was occurring. Take a close look at the beautiful, intricate murals on the front walls before walking through the right hand gate to see the garden and the rest of the church.
4.4 / 70
