The Cathedral of the Assumption is the main Orthodox church in Helsinki and the largest Orthodox church in northern Europe. The cathedral celebrated its 130th anniversary in 1998. Made of red brick, the Cathedral of the Assumption was built on the island of Katajanokka in 1868. The cathedral was designed by Russian architect Academician A.M.Gornostayev and its construction lasted 11 years. The architectural solutions of the cathedral go back to the architecture of Russian wooden churches of the XIV century, the cathedral also reminds of the white stone church built in the XVI century in Kolomenskoye, near Moscow. The solemn consecration of the church, dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, took place in the presence of St. Petersburg nobility on 23rd October 1868. The church was consecrated by priest Nikolai Popov.
