A List of the Largest Orthodox Christian Cathedrals in The World
Orthodox
cathedrals are central to the worship and religious practices of Orthodox
adherents around the world. The construction of the cathedrals takes into
account important aspects of religion and often incorporate symbolism in the
design and architecture of the cathedral. The cathedrals usually share some
common aspects such as domes (that vary in number and color), crosses on the
domes, a narthex, nave and sanctuary, and icons. The buildings are in circular,
cruciform, linear or tripartite arrangements.
In this
article, five beautiful Orthodox cathedrals from the list are examined in more
detail. A full list of the world's largest Orthodox cathedrals can also be
found below.
5. Poti Cathedral
The Poti
Cathedral in Georgia was built in 1906 as an imitation of Hagia Sofia in
Istanbul. It was the mayor of Poti, Niko Nikoladze, who made major
contributions and chose the center of the town as the location of the cathedral
in an effort to make it visible from all sides of Poti. The church had a
capacity of 2000 people and was constructed using the Neo-Byzantine
architectural style. In 1923, when the Red Army invaded Georgia, the church was
turned into a theater by the communist government. However, in 2005 the
cathedral was restored to the Orthodox Church of Georgia.
4. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Tallinn
The
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of Tallinn, Estonia is the fourth largest Orthodox
cathedral in the world with a capacity of 5000 worshippers. The cathedral,
built in 1900 as a dedication to Alexander Nevsky, is the largest in Tallinn.
During the 20th century, the Estonians neglected the cathedral as they saw it
as a symbol of oppression by the USSR. Restoration efforts began after Estonia
gained independence in 1991. The church includes features such as a mosaic of
Alexander Nevsky, five onion domes, iron crosses and numerous icons.
3. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Sofia
The third
largest Orthodox cathedral located in Sofia, Bulgaria, and also called the
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The cathedral, built in 1912 using the Neo-Byzantine
architectural style, has a capacity of 7,000 worshippers. The cathedral is a
monument of culture with a museum, market and religious relics that attract
tourists to the area. Like other Alexander Nevsky cathedrals, the Cathedral was
built as a dedication to Saint Alexander Nevsky, a Russian prince who was part
of the 19th century Russo-Turkish war.
2. Church of Saint Sava
With a
capacity of 10,800 and a ground floor area of 37,674 square ft., the Church of
Saint Sava Cathedral in Belgrade, Serbia, is the second largest Orthodox
cathedral in the world. The cathedral, built in 1989, is a dedication to Saint
Sava who founded the Serbian Orthodox Church in the medieval ages.
Architectural styles used in the cathedral reflect both Serbo-Byzantine and
Neo-Byzantine features. The church still goes through improvements and
additions to the structure and interior of the building.
1. Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
The Holy
Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi is the world’s largest Orthodox cathedral capable
of holding 15,000 worshipers in one sitting. The eastern orthodox cathedral,
based in Georgia, was completed and consecrated in 2004. The cathedral is one
of the world’s largest religious buildings by area and the third tallest
eastern orthodox cathedral. Also called Sameba, is an important national and religious
symbol for the people of Georgia. The design of the cathedral incorporates both
Georgian and Byzantine architectural features.
The Largest Orthodox Cathedrals In The World
1) Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi - 15,000 worshipers - Tbilisi
2) Saint Isaac's Cathedral - 14,000 worshipers - Saint Petersburg
3) Church of Saint Sava - 10,800 worshipers - Belgrade
4) Church of Saint Panteleimon - 10,000 worshipers - Athens
5) Church
of the Holy Sepulchre - 10,000 worshipers - Jerusalem
6) Cathedral
of Christ the Saviour - 10,000 worshipers - Moscow
7) Agios
Minas Cathedral - 8,000 worshipers - Heraklion
8) Alexander
Nevsky Cathedral - 7,000 worshipers - Sofia
9) Transfiguration
Cathedral of Ugresha Monastery - 7,000 worshipers - Dzerzhinsky
10) Kazan
Cathedral, St. Petersburg - 6,000 worshipers - Saint Petersburg
11) Naval
Cathedral in Kronstadt - 6,000 worshipers - Kronstadt
12) Saint
Andrew of Patras - 5,500 worshipers - Patras
13) Alexander
Nevsky Cathedral - 5,000 worshipers - Tallinn
14) Saints
Boris and Gleb Cathedral - 5,000 worshipers - Daugavpils
15) Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral - 5,000 worshipers - Timișoara
16) Church
of the Nativity of Christ - 5,000 worshipers - Kyshtym
17) Novocherkassk
Cathedral - 5,000 worshipers - Novocherkassk
18) St.
Nicholas Naval Cathedral - 5,000 worshipers - Saint Petersburg
19) Sophia
Cathedral - 5,000 worshipers - Saint
Petersburg
20) Poti
Cathedral - 2,000 worshipers - Poti
Source: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-largest-orthodox-cathedrals-in-the-world.html
