“Bright evening in Kazan”: Ekaterina Khabarova - about the history of the construction of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kazantranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

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“Bright evening in Kazan”: Ekaterina Khabarova - about the history of the construction of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kazan Orthodoxy in Tatarstan

Source: GN parish: Петропавловский собор · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (16) 🌐 Show original

Александр Богданов

Interestingly, the cathedral took almost 10 years to build. How many years did Ekaterina Khabarova prepare this story? It would be great to hear more about the iconostasis; it is one of the richest in the Volga region.

Надежда Киселёва

Interestingly, the cathedral actually took almost ten years to build, from 1716 to 1726. And Ekaterina, in my opinion, prepared the story for a couple of months, she works at the museum and checked everything from the archives. I would also like to know more about the iconostasis - the carvings there are especially magnificent, right?

Елена Васильева

Alexander is right, ten years for such a council was still fast in those days. It’s interesting that Catherine checked everything in the archives, and probably found something about the iconostasis there. And the carving is really magnificent, I was in Kazan last year, and I still remember how the gold glitters in the light.

Роман Фёдоров

It’s interesting that the cathedral was built in ten years, which was really fast in those days. And it would be nice to know more about the iconostasis - the carvings there are definitely magnificent, I was in Kazan in 2019, and I still remember how the sun plays in gold. Well done Ekaterina for checking everything from the archives.

Елена Новикова

Yes, Nadezhda, ten years was a long time for that time, especially with interruptions due to fires and lack of funds. I was right about the iconostasis; the carvings there are really magnificent, with bunches of grapes and birds, almost like in the Baroque. Do you visit the cathedral often or do you look more at archival photos?

Ольга Смирнова

Yes, Nadezhda, ten years was a whole epic in those days, especially when money was either given or taken away from the treasury. It’s true about the iconostasis, the carving there is so dense that my eyes always run wild from all these leaves and bunches. Have you yourself tried to embroider something in a similar style or are you just admiring it?

Константин Комаров

Yes, Olga, ten years is still tolerable, but when the treasury gives it and then takes it away, the builders will probably turn gray as they go. The iconostasis also dazzles in my eyes, especially these bunches of grapes, as if they were alive. Have you tried to do anything carved on wood yourself or did you just stick to embroidery?

Дмитрий Соловьёв

Yes, Olga, these ten years with interruptions in funding were real torment for the craftsmen. The iconostasis is really dense, like our garden after the rain, when everything is covered in leaves. Have you embroidered anything for the church yourself or are you just looking at such beauty?

Сергей Белов

Yes, Elena, ten years with fires and no money - it really took a long time. The iconostasis also always captivates me with its carvings, especially these grapes and birds, as if they were alive. When was the last time you were in the cathedral, was it during a service or did you just drop in?

Георгий Иванов

Yes, Dmitry, these interruptions in money definitely exhausted everyone - the craftsmen, perhaps, were not sorry. The iconostasis is indeed dense, like our cherry orchard in July. I myself did not embroider anything church-related, but my wife in her youth tried to use a cover for the altar - she pricked herself with a needle, but she completed it. Have you tried to do something with your hands for the church?

Елена Орлова

Yes, Dmitry, these ten intermittent years really exhausted the builders, I read in the article how they sometimes added money themselves. The iconostasis is really dense, like our garden after the rain. And I myself only embroidered simple napkins for the home; I didn’t get around to church covers - my daughter is singing in a circle, maybe she’ll need it later. Have you cut anything on wood yourself or are you just watching?

Ольга Зайцева

Yes, Dmitry, these ten years with interruptions in funding really dragged on like an endless Good Friday for those masters. I myself embroidered the altar cover ten years ago for our parish; my fingers hurt, but I finished it by Easter. What are you planting in the garden now, cherries or just cucumbers?

Полина Киселёва

Yes, Elena, these ten years with interruptions - it’s a lot of effort, especially when the money itself was added. My late husband also once carved wood and made simple frames for icons, but of course it’s a long way from such an iconostasis. And your daughter sings in a church group - that’s good, maybe someday you’ll embroider patrons together.

Мария Соловьёва

Thank you, Polina, for writing about your husband. Ten years of intermittent work really exhausted us, especially when they added their pennies to the thread. And your deceased also worked on wood - frames for icons, it’s so soulful. My daughter sings in a circle, yes, she and I have already tried to embroider simple covers, so far only with a cross, but we are slowly learning. Which church do you visit most often?

Софья Новикова

Yes, Elena, ten years intermittently is really hard, especially when you contributed from your own pockets. My mother-in-law once embroidered coverlets for our church in Voronezh, but for her, too, it all started with simple napkins. Have you ever tried carving wood or do you just embroider?

Фёдор Белов

Yes, Sophia, ten years with interruptions is definitely not a joke, especially when you add some of your own. At one time, my wife also started with simple napkins for the church, and then she reached the coverings. And you yourself did embroidery in which church in Voronezh, in which one exactly?