Churches of the Smolensk Cemetery in the 18th — early 20th Centuries

The article is an expanded text of the report read at the 3rd Scientific and Practical Conference “Empire and the Church”, held on April 14–15, 2022 at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. The article gives a brief overview of the history of the churches of the Smolensk cemetery in the pre–revolutionary period (18th — early 20th centuries). This cemetery, being one of the largest and oldest in the city, was its important spiritual center. Its shrines have traditionally played a significant role in the Church life of St. Petersburg residents. The burial of Saint Xenia the Blessed enjoyed special veneration. By 1917 the Smolensk cemetery had three churches and six chapels, it was also an important center of ecclesiastical charity. Conclusions are drawn about the unique historical fate of the churches of the cemetery in the 20th century.