www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Experts Say Moscow Cathedral Unstable

By SARAH KARUSH, Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW - St. Basil's Cathedral, Russia's most recognizable landmark with its swirling, multicolored onion domes, is on shaky ground.



Over the years, the rumble of tanks during Soviet-era military parades, the construction of underground infrastructure and the excess decibels of outdoor rock concerts have taken their toll on the cathedral's foundations.


Now, with scaffolding set to come off next month after a three-year restoration of the aboveground part of the cathedral, experts say intensive work to strengthen the foundation may be necessary to keep the building standing.


If nothing is done, "the church will gradually fall into ruin," said Natalia Almazova, whose company, Kreal, conducted a comprehensive engineering study of St. Basil's for the government. "It won't fall down tomorrow, but if we don't take these measures, in 100 years we could lose it."


The effects of time on the cathedral are visible with the naked eye: deep cracks in the inside walls and a tilting bell tower. The 20th century took the worst toll, but earlier influences, such as fires and the paving of Red Square with cobblestones, also caused problems, Almazova said.


Nevertheless, Almazova � who calls herself "a doctor who treats buildings" � was optimistic. "It's deformed, but it has adapted to this deformation."


What's needed, among other things, is to reinforce the foundation of the retaining wall and install a new drainage system so that puddles don't form around the cathedral, she said.


Culture Ministry experts are studying Kreal's conclusions and recommendations. A decision is expected in September, and, if approved, the work could start next summer.


Russian media have raised fears that plans to convert a historic building next door at 5 Red Square into a retail, office and hotel complex with an underground parking garage could further shake the 4 1/2-century-old cathedral's foundations.


"Absolutely, this is a colossal cause for concern," Almazova said. However, she said modern engineering tools allow planners to evaluate the effect the construction would have on St. Basil's, and draw up plans accordingly.


Igor Mitichkin, deputy director of the State Historical Museum, of which St. Basil's is a part, said he did not believe the construction work would affect the cathedral.


What he is upset about is the recent practice of holding concerts on Vasilyevsky Spusk, the cobblestone slope in back of St. Basil's, and, in some cases, on Red Square itself. Mitichkin says he is certain the vibrations are damaging all the historic buildings on the square, adjacent to the Kremlin.


Adding insult to injury, in his view, organizers of Paul McCartney's May concert on Red Square demanded the scaffolding around St. Basil's come down so that the ex-Beatle could have the famed cathedral as a backdrop. The process of dismantling and rebuilding the scaffolding took two weeks, Mitichkin said.


The scaffolding and green mesh are scheduled to come off for good Aug. 17, revealing cupolas with an almost shockingly bright paint job, instead of the more muted tones Muscovites have grown accustomed to. The cathedral's last sprucing-up was timed for the 1980 Moscow Olympics _a rush job, according to Mitichkin.


Almazova said she was confident the famed cathedral would continue to dazzle tourists for another 500 years, thanks to the mind-boggling precision of its 16th-century builders.


"I'm a modern person. I understand physics, I understand construction mechanics, I understand calculations," she said. "I don't understand how five centuries ago ... they could achieve this."

Dear Yuhannon,

Actually, that Cathedral is dedicated to the Holy Protection of the Mother of God - it is not "St Basil's" but that is a common mistake!

But the whole idea of the instability of the Russian Church . . . some of us have known that for some time . . .

A great Cathedral and I hope the Russkies have the good sense to preserve it for posterity!

Alex

Then I must be mistaken. I thought that this cathedral was dedicated also to St. Basil the Blessed, a local Moscovite saint, as well as to the Protection. It is still commonly known as St. Basil's Cathedral for this reason, or so I thought.

OrthodoxEast

Dear OrthodoxEast,

St Basil's Shrine was certainly there and I think it still is.

But the Cathedral was dedicated to the Protection.

As you know, each cupola of the Cathedral represents a different continent of the world!

World-wide Orthodoxy! And then let's make the Pope Orthodox and everyone will be One!

Alex

can anyone tell me if st. basil's cathedral is still in use ? because i know the communists converted many churches to secular buildings and factories and many of them never changed back. are there actual religious celebrations there today?

When I was there (1998/2000), it was operated as a museum (with attendants in every 'chapel'), and admission was charged...didn't appear to have any services scheduled, though maybe there are sometimes. The cathedral appeared pretty dilapidated on the inside (especially) and has some really strange construction inside (of course the exterior is unique) compared to any other Russian Orthodox church/cathedral I've seen. Many small chapels and a labyrinth of passages everywhere...at least that was my impression.

Alex:

Sorry couldn't let this bit of misinformation just ride. Had to come out of 'lurk' mode to correct you. Is this some kind of Ukrainian anti Moscovite propaganada you write? You, erroneously write -

[As you know, each cupola of the Cathedral represents a different continent of the world!

World-wide Orthodoxy! And then let's make the Pope Orthodox and everyone will be One!]

========

Each Cupola on St Basil's Cathedral represents a victory over the Tatars by the Russians. Underneath each of those Cupolas is a Chapel dedicated to a specific victory. All except the highest which is gold and represents the final victory of Christianity over the Moslems. Note how each cupola has a different design.

And, the Cathedral is not named the 'Protection of the Mother Of God' but to the 'Intercession of the Mother Of God'. It's real name is 'the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin'. It got it's 'St Basil's Cathedral' identitiy because a 'fool for Christ' used to sit on its steps and beg for alms and make prophecies including the coming of communism to Holy Russia. The people began referring to it as "Basil's Cathedral".

By the way, what's wrong with hoping that the Pope will some day renounce his heretical dogma and fantasies of global control and grandeur and return to the Holy Orthodox Church he left?

At least we use prayer rather than force, deceit, and lies.

===============

http://www.moscow-taxi.com/churches/st-basils-cathedral.html


The cathedral was built to commemorate Ivan the Terrible's successful military campaign against the Tartar Mongols in 1552 in the besieged city of Kazan. Victory came on the feast day of the Intercession of the Virgin, so the Tsar chose to name his new church the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat, after the moat that ran beside the Kremlin. The church was given the nickname "St. Basil's" after the "holy fool" Basil the Blessed (1468-1552), who was hugely popular at that time with the Muscovites masses and even with Ivan the Terrible himself. St. Basil's was built on the site of the earlier Trinity Cathedral, which at one point gave its name to the neighboring square.St. Basil's is a delightful array of swirling colors and redbrick towers. Its design comprises nine individual chapels, each topped with a unique onion dome and each commemorating a victorious assault on the city of Kazan. In 1588 the ninth chapel was erected to house the tomb of the church's namesake, Basil the Blessed. The church's design is based on deep religious symbolism and was meant to be an architectural representation of the New Jerusalem - the Heavenly Kingdom described in the Book of Revelation of St. John the Divine. The eight onion dome-topped towers are positioned around a central, ninth spire, forming an eight-point star. The number eight carries great religious significance; it denotes the day of Christ's Resurrection (the eighth day by the ancient Jewish calendar) and the promised Heavenly Kingdom - the kingdom of the eighth century, which will begin after the second coming of Christ. The eight-point star itself symbolizes the Christian Church as a guiding light to mankind, showing us the way to the Heavenly Jerusalem and it represents the Virgin Mary, depicted in Orthodox iconography with a veil decorated with three eight-pointed stars. The cathedral's star-like plan carries yet more meaning - the star consisting of two superimposed squares, which represent the stability of faith, the four corners of the earth, the four Evangelists and the four equal-sided walls of the Heavenly City.

=======

Back to 'lurk' mode.

OrthMan

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

There are various renderings in English of the dedication of the cathedral.

http://www.moscow-taxi.com/churches/st-basils-cathedral.html

http://www.moscow-hotels-russia.com/vasil_blagen.htm

Kazan was taken on October 1.
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/yonge/deeds/ivan.html

The OCA designates that feastday (Pokrov) in English as "The Protection of our Most-Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary"
http://www.oca.org/pages/dwp/dwp.asp?dayid=1001


A little ironic in a discussion of the conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible. (And apparently Orthoman is still in abject denial about post-WWII conquests.)

It is sad. Most Orthodox I know (besides a few of the more fanatical converts) do not play this game of one-upsmanship "we play fair, the other side is all deceit" HIstory and Life don't work that way!!!


Peace,

Brian

Well stated.

Neither the Catholic nor the Orthodox Churches have exampled the best Christian behavior in their dealings with one another. Those who accuse others of horrible behavior and then judge that alleged behavior against the best of their own behavior (purposefully ignoring their own errors) usually loose credibility over the long run.

There is currently a great interest among Russians in all things Catholic. This is, I believe, due to the example of personal holiness exhibited by Pope John Paul II, his stance against communism, and his role in tearing down the Soviet Union. Ordinary Russians cannot help but to contrast this with the lived memory of the Russian Orthodox Church cooperating with the communists to persecute other Christians. The Russian Orthodox Church has recovered much since the fall of communism. If she continues to focus on prayer and service (doxa and diakonia) in the name of Christ she will have no need to fear any other Church.