Orthodox architecture of Kazakhstan -
History, faith and cultural heritage of the city -
The Intercession of All Saints Church is one of those places in Almaty where time seems to slow down, giving way to silence, light and inner peace. This is the oldest Orthodox church in the city, located in a picturesque part of Almaty, where the spirit of the past has been preserved, and the walls of the temple preserve memories of people, epochs and destinies.
The temple became not only an architectural gem of the city, but also a spiritual center where families gathered for generations, celebrated holidays, baptized children, prayed and sought support in difficult moments of life. For tourists, it is of particular interest – it is an opportunity to touch the ancient architecture and feel the atmosphere of the city, which has always been able to combine a lot of culture and respect for spiritual traditions.
In clear weather, the temple offers beautiful mountain panoramas of the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains and the mountains of Almaty.
The historical path
The history of the Intercession of All Saints Church goes back to the time of the pre-revolutionary Faithful, when the Intercession Church stood here, among the first eighteen churches in the city. Its original stone building, located on Starokladbischenskaya Street, was destroyed by a strong earthquake in 1877. A new temple on the same site was already built of wood, taking into account the seismic features of the region, but it did not survive the turbulent twentieth century and was destroyed during the years of persecution.
The revival of the parish began in 1946 with a small prayer house on the outskirts of Alma Ata. The modest structure gradually expanded, acquiring new rooms and gradually acquiring the appearance of a real temple. Priests served here, whose names have been preserved in the documents and memory of the community, and the house of prayer itself became the center of a quiet but stable spiritual life in the city.
In the early 1980s, construction began on a wooden church in honor of the Intercession of the Mother of God in the form in which we recognize it today. In atheistic times, it was not easy to obtain official permission, and every detail of this temple was given to the community at the cost of exertion and upholding their faith. The five-domed appearance of the church seemed too bold to the authorities, the domes had to be changed, but the temple itself stood firm and became a noticeable spiritual dominant of the area. Later, the All-Saints Chapel was attached to it, and the gallery connecting the two temples turned the complex into a single architectural ensemble.
Over time, the parish was named Pokrovsko-Vsekhsvyatsky and became an independent church center. A rich church life grew up here: a library, a Sunday school, a theological and missionary faculty for the laity were opened, classes, catechetical meetings, social service, and assistance to the sick, elderly, and needy began. At the beginning of the 21st century, the construction of a large stone cathedral in honor of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary began on the territory of the parish, which is intended to become one of the significant spiritual landmarks of the Southern capital. The new church, built in the image of ancient cathedrals, is already hosting services on the ground floor, and heavy bells and crosses have been raised above its arches, shining over the area.
Today, the Intercession of the All-Saints Church is not only an ancient wooden church with lace carvings and a warm iconostasis, but also a vibrant, developing complex that combines the memory of a pre-revolutionary Faithful, the trials of the 20th century and the calm, mature spiritual life of modern Almaty.
Shrines and the inner life of the temple
Its shrines occupy a special place in the spiritual life of the Intercession of the All-Saints Church. The temple contains fragments of the relics of many saints of God, including St. Innocent of Irkutsk, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Seraphim of Sarov and other revered saints. Icons with relics are placed in kiots, to which parishioners come with prayer, asking for help, strengthening and consolation.
The carved iconostasis with golden carvings, made in the traditions of ancient Russian art, stands out in particular. It creates a feeling of light solemnity and at the same time homely warmth. The ceilings and walls are decorated with paintings on evangelical themes, made by invited icon painters, and each icon seems to continue the story of the spiritual history of the Church. Among the revered images are icons of the Mother of God, brought from various holy places, lists of ancient miraculous images, and icons specially painted for this parish.
Thanks to this, the Intercession of All Saints Church has become a place where living prayer, history and spiritual tradition combine into a single space. People come here not only to light a candle or attend a service, but also to experience authentic church culture, hear the soft ringing of bells, smell incense and feel that in the rapid urban rhythm there is still a corner where the soul can truly relax.
Educational and social life of the parish
The outward calm of the Intercession of the All-Saints Church hides an active inner life, in which the warmth of the community and the centuries-old traditions of Orthodox culture are felt. One of the main activities of the parish has become spiritual and educational work. Back in the early nineties, a Sunday school was opened here, where children of different ages are brought to learn about the history of faith, learn to read the Church Slavonic language and develop creative skills. Every holiday turn into a small celebration for the children – with performances, concerts, master classes and a family atmosphere that has been preserved for many years.
Over time, an extensive library grew up at the temple, where thousands of volumes are collected today: works of the holy fathers, spiritual literature, historical publications, books for children and adults. This place has become a center of communication where people can not only receive spiritual advice, but also just sit in silence, turning over the pages of old and new books.
Social activities have also become an equally important area. The parish has been providing assistance to the elderly, single people, the disabled and those in need of support for many years. Volunteers visit hospitals and hospices, help seriously ill people prepare for the Sacraments, bring food, and provide moral support. Here, help is not a formality, but sincere participation, in which real love for one's neighbor is felt.
Over the decades of its existence, the Intercession of the All-Saints Church has become not only an architectural and spiritual landmark of Almaty, but also the living heart of the local Orthodox community. Its doors are open to everyone – believers, travelers, seekers of beauty and silence. Everyone who comes here feels that the temple preserves not only history, but also people, their hopes, prayers and faith.
Architecture and space of the temple
The Pokrovsko-Vsekhsvyatsky Church is an example of classical Orthodox architecture, which combines wooden elements, decorative carved details and expressive domes. The building is made in the Russian style, which organically fits into the Kazakh nature. Domes decorated with crosses rise above the greenery of the trees, as if pointing the way to the impossible inner light.
The interior of the temple is filled with golden candlelight and iconographic warmth. There is silence here, broken only by soft footsteps and the whisper of prayer. There are small alleys on the territory of the temple, where parishioners stroll after the service, and tourists linger to take pictures or just feel the unusual atmosphere of this place.
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How to get there and visit -
The Intercession of the All-Saints Church is located in Almaty at 85 Young Pioneers Street, corner of Goethe Street, corner of Pogranichnaya Street, Turksib district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°19'08"N 76°57'58"E
There are two ways to get to the temple. The most convenient way is to get to the nearest stop "City Hospital No. 4" by buses No. 74 or 121. You can also get to the Goethe stop (buses No. 33, 92, 121) and walk about 350 meters up Goethe Street from there. The golden domes of the temple, already visible from afar, will help you not get lost.
Working hours: daily from 08:00 to 18:00
Contacts: +7 727 243 35 45
The official website of the temple
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Temple and spiritual life of Almaty
For the city, the temple has become a kind of point of spiritual attraction. Baptisms, weddings, festive services and meetings dedicated to important dates of the Orthodox calendar are held here. He is surrounded by respect and reverence not only from believers, but also from those who value cultural heritage.
The temple has preserved not only its appearance, but also a special silence, which is so rare in a modern city. Many people come here for this very reason – for the opportunity to stop, think, find answers, or just feel the presence of something big and bright.
Legend of the temple
An old urban legend is associated with the temple. It is said that during one of the first services in a newly built building, a bright light suddenly appeared above the domes, like a pillar that slowly rose up and disappeared into the clouds. The people standing at the gate claimed that it was a sign of blessing, which confirmed that the temple would stand for a long time and survive any time.
Since then, the belief has spread among the parishioners: if you come to church with a pure heart and thoughts of goodness, then a request made to yourself will find a way to fulfillment. Old-timers often repeat: "At the Intercession Church, the heart opens itself".
