The Holy Trinity Cathedral is one of the most famous structures in Sumy. This majestic church with a dome and a four-tiered bell tower was built by the sugar magnate family, the Kharitonenkos, at the beginning of the 20th century, taking St. Isaac's and Trinity cathedrals in St. Petersburg as models. The iconostasis for it was created by the artist Mykhailo Nesterov. Today, the church belongs to the UOC (MP).
The Kharitonenko Cathedral
Not far from the current cathedral, the landowner family of Lytvaryov erected a stone two-altar church in 1827. In the early 20th century, the sugar manufacturer Pavlo Kharitonenko decided to build a larger church in its place. Initially, the project was commissioned to Oleksiy Shchusev, but the design by Sumy architect Karl Scholz was approved. The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid on May 6, 1901. Construction proceeded with interruptions until 1915 because the church consumed enormous funds. The consecration was scheduled for September 26, 1914, but due to the death of the patron Pavlo Kharitonenko, it was postponed, and later, due to the war and revolution, it never took place.
Architecture and Painting
The church is single-tiered, four-columned, square in plan, with four chapels. A four-tiered bell tower with Corinthian pilasters and porticos adjoins the western part. The cornice along the perimeter is made in the classical style, and the chapels are in the Baroque style, with floral ornaments and cartouches. The iconostasis was painted by Mykhailo Nesterov, who considered it one of his best works, but his paintings have not survived. Four paintings at the base of the dome were executed by the artist Ignatiy Nivinsky.
From Organ Hall to Church
In 1976–1988, the cathedral was restored and converted into an organ hall. In 1996, the greater part of the church was returned to the parishioners, and in 2007–2008, the organ was moved to the Sumy Philharmonic.
How to Get There
Address: 24-a Troitska Street, Sumy — city center. Nearby are the Transfiguration and Resurrection cathedrals.
What to Consider
Sumy regularly suffers from drone and missile strikes. Before traveling, check the security situation and the restrictions of the Sumy RMA.
