Assumption Cathedral Framed by Trees in Summer

The grand five-domed cathedral of Assumption (Dormition) of Our Lady framed by trees on the grounds of Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra (Monastery) in Sergiyev Posad on a nice summer day. View from the eastern part of the temple where situated an altar (sanctuary) in Orthodox churches. The Assumption Cathedral was built in brick on money commissioned by Ivan IV The Terrible in 1559-1585 to commemorate successful military campaign of the first Russian Tsar against Tatars and taken Kazan-Khanate. The building repeats in its basic proportions and constructions the Cathedral of the Dormition (Assumption) of Moscow Kremlin.

The exterior of the cathedral attracts one's attention by the stately appearance of its modestly adorned facades articulated by pilaster-strips. In the middle of the eighteenth century the domes acquired bulbous shapes and the drum of the central, predominant dome was raised over the others and wholly covered with gilding while the four corner ones were decorated with gilt stars on the dark blue background.

Photo #168 taken on July 17, 2012 during countryside tour to Sergiev Posad with my Dear client from USA, Joe Traigle.