THE RESTORATION OF SMOLENSK DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS CATHEDRAL DURING THE TENURE OF BISHOP INNOKENTY (SOKAL) OF SMOLENSK AND DOROGOBUZH (1959–1964)

Abstract

The article relates the history of restoration of Smolensk Dormition Cathedral, which is an outstanding monument of Russian history and culture. The restoration process coincided with the period of Khrushchev’s persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church (1959–1964). The author focuses on the archpastoral activities of Bishop of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh Innokenty (Sokal), who governed Smolensk diocese in 1959–1964. He continued the restoration of Smolensk Dormition Cathedral which was initiated by his predecessor Bishop Mikhail (Chub). Repair and restoration work in the cathedral took place under the control of the economic department of the Moscow Patriarchate, Governmental Council for the Russian Orthodox Church Affairs under the USSR Council of Ministers and local authorities. However, the work was financed exclusively by the Smolensk diocese and Smolensk Dormition Cathedral. The author describes in details the results of large-scale repair and restoration work. These efforts made it possible to restore the historical appearance of the majestic church monument despite the opposition from the authorized official of the Governmental Council for the Russian Orthodox Church affairs and local authorities. The articles also analyzes the reasons behind the failed attempts of the authorities to close Smolensk Dormition Cathedral, which after the restoration was completed has become a destination for foreign tourists and the largest parish of the Smolensk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Keywords

• russian orthodox church
• moscow patriarchate
• authorized official of the governmental council for russian orthodox church affairs
• patriarch
• bishop
• dormition cathedral
• restoration