Temple of Savior on Blood: sacral and artistic image of the Heavenly Jerusalem

Abstract

Church of the Savior on Blood was built on the site of a deadly wounded by Emperor Alexander II in St. Petersburg. The Church was consecrated in the name of the Resurrection of Christ. The Cathedral of Resurrection is one of the main sights of St. Petersburg, but throughout Russia. Savior on blood is a bright sample of "Russian style" in architecture and in appearance similar to St. Basil's Cathedral (Cathedral of Intercession of the Virgin on the moat) in Moscow. The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin was called Jerusalem by beginning of the XVII century. By Revelation of the Holy Apostle John the theologian, the New Jerusalem will be the site of the second coming of Jesus Christ, resurrection of the dead and the last judgment. The idea of the Heavenly Jerusalem was reflected in the St. Basil's Cathedral and Savior on blood. Church of the Resurrection in the rich stone decoration and mosaic icons embodies the artistic image of the Heavenly Jerusalem. Material to create all the mosaics on the facade and in the interior of the temple was the pieces of smalt and gold cantarelli. The precious canopy, located in the Western part of the Church of the Resurrection, marks the assassination site of Emperor Alexander II and in appearance similar to the Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.