Archangel Michael Cathedral (Михайло-Архангельский собор) is the oldest cathedral in Nizhny Novgorod as it was built at the time when town was originally established. In 1221 new wooden Archangel Michael Cathedral was constructed and just six years later new stone version of the church was built. Archangel Michael Cathedral was reconstructed and renovated several times during its history. Current church was built in 1628 under supervision of an architect Lawrence Semenov and his stepson. In 1962 remains of Kuzma Minin were transferred to Archangel Michael Cathedral as it became the final resting of this prominent resident. In 2009 Patriarch Kirill presented the Cathedral with an icon of Kazan Mother of God.
In 1221, a wooden cathedral was erected, and in 1227, a 4-pillar,
3-apse white-stone cathedral with three vestibules. Completely rebuilt
in 1359. On April 23 (May 3), 1628, under the guidance of architects
Lavrenty Vozoulin and his stepson Antipas, the construction of the
existing building began. The restoration was carried out in memory of
the Nizhny Novgorod militia and was completed in 1631.
In 1704,
during the Kremlin fire, the Archangel Cathedral was damaged. Services
were resumed on March 18 (29), 1732, the church was re-consecrated by
Archbishop Pitirim of Nizhny Novgorod.
In 1962, after the
restoration carried out under the leadership of Svyatoslav Agafonov, the
ashes of Kuzma Minin, previously located in the Cathedral of the
Transfiguration of the Savior destroyed in 1929, were transferred to the
cathedral.
On February 16, 2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin
arrived in Nizhny Novgorod on an official visit. He visited the Nizhny
Novgorod Kremlin and laid flowers on the grave of Kuzma Minin in the
tomb of the cathedral.
In 2008, a monument to Vladimir Prince
Yuri Vsevolodovich and Bishop Simon of Suzdal was erected not far from
the cathedral. Its opening took place on February 17, 2008. In all the
churches of Nizhny Novgorod, a festive liturgy was served that day. The
monument was consecrated by the Archbishop of Nizhny Novgorod and
Arzamas George.
On March 16, 2009, 9 bells were donated to the
Mikhailo-Arkhangelsk Cathedral from the deputies of the Nizhny Novgorod
Legislative Assembly. On March 26, 2009, the largest of the bells of the
cathedral, the Lawyer, was installed on the belfry, its weight is 530
kg.
In September 2009, the temple was visited by the Patriarch of
Moscow and All Rus' Kirill. The Patriarch honored the memory of the
patriot Kuzma Minin, whose ashes rest in the cathedral, and performed a
memorial service. In memory of the visit, he donated the Kazan Icon of
the Mother of God to the cathedral.