Ukraine; Rivne; Holy Protection Cathedral

Ukraine; Rivne; Holy Protection Cathedral
The Holy Protection Cathedral in Rivne is the main church of the Rivne Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and is an important spiritual and architectural monument. Construction of the cathedral began in 1990, when the first stone was laid by Patriarch Mstislav of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. In the late 1990s, work began on the lower church, dedicated to the shrines of the Volyn land, and the completion of the cathedral took place in 2001, when it was consecrated by Patriarch Filaret of Kiev.
The cathedral became one of the tallest churches in Ukraine, its dimensions are impressive: length - 51 m, width - 42 m, height - 55 m. The building has a large central dome, symbolizing Jesus Christ, as well as 12 smaller domes, which symbolize the apostles, and 8 small domes. The cathedral includes a lower and upper temple, which can accommodate more than 3 thousand parishioners each. Inside the building, there are special amenities, such as lifts for the disabled and elderly. The cathedral also has rooms for a children's Sunday school, a medical center, a library, choir rehearsals and a museum. The architecture of the cathedral is rich in Ukrainian elements. For example, the golden trident with a cross, which decorates the pediment of the building, symbolizes the national heritage. The stained glass windows located above the entrances on the western, northern and southern sides are made in the form of ornaments inspired by traditional Volyn folk embroidered and homespun towels, which adds cultural significance to this temple.