St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral is one of the most beautiful, impressive and memorable sights of Liepaja city. The construction of the church began in June 1900. It was carried out by the military department of Russia. And 3 years later the Emperor Nicholas II and his family participated in the consecration of the cathedral. The idea for its creation belonged to the famous St. Petersburg architect V.I.Kosyakov. The outlines of the temple resemble a ship, and at the base of the cross depicts an anchor, representing a symbol of hope in the restless sea of life.
St Nicholas Cathedral stands on a high base of concrete, finished in sandstone and granite. The walls are made of red-coloured bricks and are encased yellow coloured bricks, intertwined with fanciful patterns. The temple has 5 domes: the central one and 4 small ones symbolising Jesus Christ and the 4 apostles. Above the main entrance to the temple there is a high bell tower, which resembles John the Baptist proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
The main altar, like the whole cathedral, was consecrated in the name of St Nicholas the Wonderworker. For sailors, Nicholas the Wonderworker has been considered since time immemorial as a heavenly patron and prayer leader. The southern chapel (altar) was consecrated in honour of Epiphany. The northern aisle was consecrated in honour of St. Alexis Wonderworker, who lived in the 14th century. The four pediments of the cathedral are decorated with inscriptions from the Holy Scripture in Church Slavonic and icons from mosaics, made of gold. And they are made by masters from St. Petersburg.
Inside the cathedral there are 4 arc-shaped crossing arches, which hold up the vault with the dome and the central drum. This architectural design significantly increases the interior space and provides an opportunity to observe the divine service, being in any place of the temple. The interior decoration of the temple - is magnificent. These are gilded ciotas (a special decorated cabinet (often casement or a glazed shelf for icons), and 3 two-tier iconostases. On the Solea (the elevation of the floor in front of the altar barrier or iconostasis) which is fenced with wrought iron grates, is accessed by 3 marble staircases (at each of the 3 aisles). Above the marble throne of the central altar there was a gilded canopy, meaning the Cover of God over the earth. 4 bronze chandeliers hung from the crosshairs of the arches and resembled heavenly bodies.
Archpriest Vladimir Arkhangelsky worked in the Cathedral of St Nicholas for a very long period of time and was his a very long period of time and was its first rector. In the temple came and the sailors of the squadron came and prayed. Later they would leave on a distant Pacific campaign.
In the World War I, the interior decoration of the cathedral was severely damaged, but still rare services were still held. Before the destruction of the temple, some of the icons and other church belongings were saved and taken to other Orthodox churches. In the years of Great Patriotic War in the cathedral was organised a point of air defence of the Germans. The bronze bells were removed. When the Soviet troops returned, a sailors' club was set up in the cathedral. Everything that once reminded of the temple's true purpose has been altered or destroyed.
At the end of the 1980s, a movement began to return St Nicholas Cathedral St Nicholas Cathedral to the Orthodox Church. On 2 June 1990 (on the day of the memory of St. Alexis), Bishop Bishop Alexander of Riga and Latvia, with the participation of a large number of praying people, performed a prayer service at the closed doors of the church. In September 1991, after prolonged resistance, the military left the temple.
The first service was held on 19 December 1991 (New Style), on the day of the memory of Nicholas the Wonderworker. The service was attended by the city authorities, Liepaja clergy, and the military. A cross procession was organized and a thanksgiving prayer service was served. In order to quickly resume the activities of the temple, they made cosmetic repairs in the southern (Epiphany) aisle and prepared everything that was necessary for the service. And on 6 January 1992, with the blessing of Bishop of Riga and Latvian Bishop Alexander, the small consecration of the church took place, and on 7 January - the first Divine Liturgy. From that very day services in the temple began to be held regularly.
Thanks to donations from parishioners continue work on the restoration of the temple. Now there is a Sunday school at the temple not only for children, but also for adults.
St Nicholas Maritime Cathedral is truly the pearl of Liepaja. It is is worth seeing and enjoying its beauty and grandeur. As they say, it is better to see it once...
