The main stronghold of Orthodoxy in Uzhgorod and one of the brightest modern sights of the city is the Orthodox Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, located on Cyril and Methodius Square.
Erection of the temple began in the 1990s and was completed in 2000. The construction was led by the current rector of the temple Archpriest D. Sidor. The first service was held on September 27, 2000, on the same day the place for the construction of the monument to Cyril and Methodius was consecrated. In just 11 years of its existence, the cathedral has become one of the favorite religious buildings of the residents and guests of Uzhgorod.
The Orthodox Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross has different names. Among its other names are the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Holy Cross Exaltation Orthodox Cathedral and Cyril and Methodius Cathedral.
The first name best reflects the huge role played by the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior — the ideological architectural inspiration of the Uzhgorod cathedral. The architects of the temple were guided by this famous structure, inspired by its harmonious forms, spaciousness, light and beauty. The result surpassed all expectations: Transcarpathia has its own no less magnificent than the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which has become a spiritual home not only for Orthodox Christians, but also for Greek Catholics, Transcarpathian Ruthenians, all residents and guests of Uzhgorod.
The main gilded dome of the cathedral, pointing into the sky, is crowned by an 8-meter and 500-kilogram gilded cross. The main dome is surrounded by four smaller domes of blue color — these domes can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, the height of the cathedral is more than 60 meters. The temple creates a sense of solemnity, monumental but light, it evokes admiration, a sense of calm and joining something very important and significant.
During the construction of the temple was used an architectural technique that has never been used before in the construction of cathedrals. Under the drum of the main dome with a diameter of 14 meters is hidden another drum with a diameter of 9.5 meters. In the space between the walls of the drums were arranged steps upwards — a large sub-dome space.
Another interesting nuance is that the Uzhgorod Cyril and Methodius Cathedral actually consists of two temples: an upper and a lower one. The first one is about 6 meters high and is called the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, and the upper one is 36 meters high and is called the Church of Christ the Savior. Both temples can accommodate more than five thousand people at a time.
The internal area of the cathedral is more than 500 square meters, inside the temple is as majestic and spacious as outside. The main altar, lit in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is decorated with gilding. In general, the interior of the temple with its decoration resembles the old beautiful Orthodox churches, skillfully and richly decorated with elegant gilded decorations.
Today the cathedral is not only used for divine services. In 1998, a museum of church icons and books was opened here, as well as the temple hosts charity dinners in the dining room with 120 seats for socially disadvantaged people and orphans, and the St. Alexis of Karpathorusskiy Charity Center.
After appreciating the beauty and grandeur of this young but impressive attraction of Uzhgorod, it is later described as one of the most beautiful temples of the ancient city. When planning a visit to the famous landmark of Ukraine — the hail on Already, be sure to see the Orthodox Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross — give yourself the brightest and most pleasant impressions.