Nizhyn Ukraine
Ukrainian Orthodox
The Cathedral was built from 1655 - 1658. It was closed during the anti-religious campaign of the 1920s and 1930s. It was then used as a warehouse. In 1950 inspection showed destroyed domes, collapsed vaults, destroyed paintings, and garbage on the floor. The doors had been widened so a truck could drive in. During World War II it suffered from near bomb explosions and deep cracks came into the walls. Restoration work began in 1956. However, in 1961 Krushchev's attack threatened dealing with the lack of funds by bulldozing the buildings. In 1966 restoration continued but soon stopped to be resumed in 1980. The cathedral was restored in 1990 and the first Divine Liturgy was held in a very long time.