Pokrov Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Pokrov Cemetery is a 70669 square metres (84,519.4 sq yd) wide cemetery in Riga
built in 1773. The current owner of the cemetery is Shelter of Our Most Holy Lady Church
who are renting the land.
Two Red Army
burial sites are located in the cemetery — a smaller one from summer 1941 and the bigger one for years 1944–1946; as well as Russian Empire
army's bed of honour dating 1917.
The cemetery also houses Ascension of Christ Church
; the only Latvian Orthodox church in Riga where sermons are held in Latvian.
's archbishop's order Pokrov church was built, which burnt down in 1875. On April 29, 1845 the first sermon in Latvian was held by priest Jēkabs Mihailovs, former domain factor of Piebalga's count Šeremetjevs. In 1858 Latvian congregation was established in the church. The current church was built in 1879 designed by architect R. Pflūgs, sanctified on September 9, 1879.
Pokrov Cemetery became Riga's Russian community's main cemetery. The base of this commune had been established from centuries of Russian families living in the land, as well as cultural workers and scientists escaping the USSR in the early half of 20th century. The members of community held the cemetery in high standing, for example, the former writer and commandant of Daugavgrīva
stronghold Jurijs Gončarenko-Galičs secured himself a spot in the cemetery before shooting himself knowing that after Soviet occupation
he would be harshly prosecuted.
The burials were suspended in 1964, and in 1967 the cemetery was administratively joined with Great Cemetery of Riga
to establish a memorial park. In 1991, the ownership over the cemetery was restored to Latvian Orthodox Church
, who restored the cemetery operation.
and Lithuania
Sergejs (Voskresenskis), poet O. Šmidta, teacher F. Erns, magistrate N. Eše, literature critic P. Piļskis, state councillor V. Juzepčuks, governor of Riga A. Beklešovs, professor V. Černobajevs, primadonna of Mariinsky Theatre
M. Čerkaska, augur Eižens Finks, infantry general A. Simonovs, actor V. Svobodins, Saint Petersburg
opera soloist D. Smirnovs, writer Aleksey Tolstoy's wife J. Rožanska, Russian First journalism school principal P. Piļskis, bibliographer S. Minclovs, Check assassinated literate and newspaper Segodnya
("Сегодня" from Russian: "Today") editor M. Ganfmans, state councillor K. Kuzjmanovs, poet Leri (V. Klopotovskis), professor V. Kļimenko, Order of the Three Stars
cavalier and professor G. Klarks, knyaz
P. Jengaličevs, painter Sergejs Vinogradovs, artist K. Visockis, publisher N. Belocvetovs, professor K. Arabažins, actor J. de Burs, philosopher Žakovs, private assistant professor J. Bērziņš, pharmacologist A. Pauls, biologist Kārlis Reinholds Kupfers, actress Vija Artmane
. Here are also located the burials of Mukhins (such as world-known sculptress Vera Mukhina
) and Vērmanes Garden
patron Wöhrmann family graves.
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
built in 1773. The current owner of the cemetery is Shelter of Our Most Holy Lady Church
Shelter of Our Most Holy Lady Church, Riga
Shelter of Our Most Holy Lady Church is an Orthodox church in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The church is situated at the address 3 Mēness Street ....
who are renting the land.
Two Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
burial sites are located in the cemetery — a smaller one from summer 1941 and the bigger one for years 1944–1946; as well as Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
army's bed of honour dating 1917.
The cemetery also houses Ascension of Christ Church
Ascension of Christ Church, Riga
Ascension Church is an Orthodox church in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The church is situated at the address 2 Mēness Street ....
; the only Latvian Orthodox church in Riga where sermons are held in Latvian.
History
The cemetery was built in 1773 following Russian Empire's prohibition of burials within city territories. Together with Vagaņka and Novodevičja cemeteries, Pokrov Cemetery was among Russian Empire's largest five cemeteries. In 1773 a wooden Proclamation Chapel was built, and in 1777 under PskovPskov
Pskov is an ancient city and the administrative center of Pskov Oblast, Russia, located in the northwest of Russia about east from the Estonian border, on the Velikaya River. Population: -Early history:...
's archbishop's order Pokrov church was built, which burnt down in 1875. On April 29, 1845 the first sermon in Latvian was held by priest Jēkabs Mihailovs, former domain factor of Piebalga's count Šeremetjevs. In 1858 Latvian congregation was established in the church. The current church was built in 1879 designed by architect R. Pflūgs, sanctified on September 9, 1879.
Pokrov Cemetery became Riga's Russian community's main cemetery. The base of this commune had been established from centuries of Russian families living in the land, as well as cultural workers and scientists escaping the USSR in the early half of 20th century. The members of community held the cemetery in high standing, for example, the former writer and commandant of Daugavgrīva
Daugavgriva
Daugavgrīva is a neighbourhood in North West Riga, Latvia on the left bank of Daugava river. In this neighbourhood there is located Swedish built strong fortress on the Daugava River's left bank, commanding it's mouth.-Fortress:...
stronghold Jurijs Gončarenko-Galičs secured himself a spot in the cemetery before shooting himself knowing that after Soviet occupation
Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940
The Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940 refers, according to the European Court of Human Rights, the Government of Latvia, the State Department of the United States of America, and the European Union, to the military occupation of the Republic of Latvia by the Soviet Union ostensibly under the...
he would be harshly prosecuted.
The burials were suspended in 1964, and in 1967 the cemetery was administratively joined with Great Cemetery of Riga
Great Cemetery (Riga)
The Great Cemetery was formerly the principal cemetery of Riga in Latvia, established in 1773. It was the main burial ground of the Baltic Germans in Latvia....
to establish a memorial park. In 1991, the ownership over the cemetery was restored to Latvian Orthodox Church
Latvian Orthodox Church
The Latvian Orthodox Church is a self-governing Eastern Orthodox Church under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Moscow. The primate of the church carries the title of Metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia...
, who restored the cemetery operation.
Notable residents
A number of notable citizens of Riga are buried here, such as, archbishop of Riga Jānis Pommers, metropolitan of VilniusVilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
and Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
Sergejs (Voskresenskis), poet O. Šmidta, teacher F. Erns, magistrate N. Eše, literature critic P. Piļskis, state councillor V. Juzepčuks, governor of Riga A. Beklešovs, professor V. Černobajevs, primadonna of Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Theatre
The Mariinsky Theatre is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres. The...
M. Čerkaska, augur Eižens Finks, infantry general A. Simonovs, actor V. Svobodins, Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
opera soloist D. Smirnovs, writer Aleksey Tolstoy's wife J. Rožanska, Russian First journalism school principal P. Piļskis, bibliographer S. Minclovs, Check assassinated literate and newspaper Segodnya
Segodnya (Riga)
Segodnya was a Russian-language newspaper published in Riga, Latvia from 1919 to 1940.Its editorial line was liberal and democratic. It had a comparatively well-developed network of foreign correspondents and extensive analysis of European affairs, making it popular amongst Russian émigrés, and...
("Сегодня" from Russian: "Today") editor M. Ganfmans, state councillor K. Kuzjmanovs, poet Leri (V. Klopotovskis), professor V. Kļimenko, Order of the Three Stars
Order of the Three Stars
Order of the Three Stars is order awarded for merits in service for Latvia. It was established in 1924 in remembrance of founding of Latvia. Its motto is "Per aspera ad astra"...
cavalier and professor G. Klarks, knyaz
Knyaz
Kniaz, knyaz or knez is a Slavic title found in most Slavic languages, denoting a royal nobility rank. It is usually translated into English as either Prince or less commonly as Duke....
P. Jengaličevs, painter Sergejs Vinogradovs, artist K. Visockis, publisher N. Belocvetovs, professor K. Arabažins, actor J. de Burs, philosopher Žakovs, private assistant professor J. Bērziņš, pharmacologist A. Pauls, biologist Kārlis Reinholds Kupfers, actress Vija Artmane
Vija Artmane
Alīda "Vija" Artmane was a Latvian / Soviet theatre and cinema actress.-Childhood:...
. Here are also located the burials of Mukhins (such as world-known sculptress Vera Mukhina
Vera Mukhina
Vera Ignatyevna Mukhina was a prominent Soviet sculptor.- Life :Mukhina was born in Riga into a wealthy merchant family, and lived at Turgeneva st. 23/25, where a memorial plaque has now been placed. She later moved to Moscow, where she studied at several private art schools, including those of...
) and Vērmanes Garden
Vērmanes Garden
Vērmanes Garden is the oldest public garden in the city of Riga, Latvia, and currently comprises an area of approximately . The current name is a Latvian transliteration of the gardens original German name.- Wöhrmann Park :...
patron Wöhrmann family graves.