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Trinity Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky Lavra was consecrated
On August 30 (September 10), 1790 in St. Petersburg the Trinity cathedral of Alexander Nevsky Lavra was consecrated.
The site for the Holy Trinity Cathedral was chosen by the architect Domenico Trezzini when the initial draft of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra was elaborated. The project of a one-dome temple was created by Theodore Schwertfeger. In 1719 the preparatory work began and by the mid of 18th century the cathedral was on the whole completed. However, because of cracks in the vaults which resulted from the settling of the building, further work on the cathedral had to be stopped. And in 1744 it was ordered to pull the building down to the ground which was done in the years 1753-1755 under the supervision of Ivan Rossi.
In 1763, Empress Catherine II ordered to build the second temple. In 1774, as a result of two competitions the draft by I. E. Starov was selected. The building of the cathedral was constructed in the years 1776-1790 under the supervision of Archbishop (later Metropolitan) Gabriel (Petrov).
August 30 (September 10), 1790, the day of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, a solemn consecration of the cathedral took place. "It was a rare and striking all triumph. The Empress and all noble people attended the ceremony. With deafening cannon and the bells the relics of a saint [the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky] were moved from the Annunciation Church to the new cathedral. Consecration of the church and the liturgy were served by Metropolitan Gabriel with other bishops. After the liturgy, the Empress received congratulations in order to demonstrate that that the day of consecration of the cathedral was happy for her. Gala dinner in the chambers of the Metropolitan ended the triumph. The Empress and all the distinguished guests took part in a dinner ... which was accompanied by the sounds of the spiritual concerts, and volleys of cannon, loudly marking the moments when guests drank a toast to the health of founders and benefactors of the new temple."
Trinity Cathedral was rich in interior decoration: Catherine II granted the sacred golden vessels, four precious patron Gospels dating 17th century, a gold cross, made in 1660 for the Kirillov Monastery, the image of "Praying for chalice", sent as a gift from Pope Pius IV to Catherine II . In addition to the icons the temple contained scenic paintings: the image of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Virgin by Raphael Mengs, painting "The Savior Blessing" by Anthony van Dyck, "The Resurrection" by Peter Paul Rubens.
18 (29) December, 1797 by a decree of Emperor Paul I, Alexander Nevsky Monastery was awarded with the highest status of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
Lit: Кудрявцев А. И., Шкода Г. М. Александро-Невская лавра. Л., 1986; Покровский П. Ф. К столетию Свято-Троицкого собора. СПб., 1890; Свято-Троицкий собор Александро-Невской лавры [Электронный ресурс] // Монастыри и храмы Северо-запада. 2008-2010. URL: http://palmernw.ru/lavra/lavra_troickiy.html; Собор Пресвятой Троицы в Александро-Невской Свято-Троицкой лавре [Электронный ресурс] // Энциклопедия Санкт-Петербурга. Б. д.
Based on the Presidential Library’s materials: