Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral
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Uspensky Cathedral is the most important orthodox church in Helsinki, and the biggest orthodox church west from Russia.
Located in the Katajanokka district, peninsula on the south-west from Senate Square, it overlooked the city centre, and its brick-red towers are visible for long distances. The designer of the Cathedral was Alexey Gornostaev, but the construction started after his death, in 1862, and was finished six years later.
Cathedral iconostasis consist many beautiful icons, some other are displayed on a walls. The highly valuable, 19th century icon of St. Nicholas Wonder Maker was stolen in 2007, about midday, while church was full of tourist.
The name „Uspenski” refer to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, as it is official title of the church. Word Uspene means literally „falling asleep”, as Christians believed, that Virgin Mary didn't died, but she fall asleep.
