Parish of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Sea Cathedral of the city of Murmansk

It is difficult to imagine Murmansk, a port city, without a temple that would be connected to the sea. One of the main Orthodox places of the capital of the Arctic region is the Saviour on the Waters (the throne of the Saviour of the Image Not Made with Hands).

From the Spass-on-the-Waters there is a magnificent view of Murmansk: you can see both the Semenov Lake and the Kola Bay with its port.

The sound of its bells flies over the Semyonovsky Lake, and you can see the house of God from afar — its golden domes and white walls play brightly in the sunlight.

They consecrated the Savior on the Waters before the City Day, October 3, 2002. It became the third stone church in Murmansk after St. Nicholas and Vladimir churches. 

The Church of the Savior on the Waters-a classic one-apse made on the model of Old Russian churches. A bell tower was built nearby. Construction was not easy. Murmansk did not have its own church for a long time, although on the day of the foundation of the city, a stone was laid in honor of the future Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. At this place, the Kirov Recreation Center now has a cross, and the cathedral remained in the plans. 

By the requests of the faithful and with the help of donations on the hill at The construction of the Spas on the Waters of Semenovsky Lake has begun. Twice a five-meter worship cross was installed here, but it was cut down by nedobrozhetali. However, the faith of the founders of the church was strong. Bishop Simon served the open-air Liturgy several times.

The church has many icons that fishermen, sailors and their loved ones can pray to. For example, Christ walking on the waters, the apostles in the boat, the Monk Tryphon of Pechenga and Barlaam of Keret-the defender of the Kola North and navigators, the faces of Andrew the First-Called and the righteous Admiral Theodore Ushakov. 

There are icons of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the Optina elders, and the Holy Blessed Matron of Moscow. The iconostasis of the church, made in the northern style, is carved from linden. Patriarch Alexy II gave his blessing to transfer to the new church an antimins (special plate) with the relics of the New Martyrs of Butovo to the altar for divine services. In the narthex there is a large photograph of the royal family, and on the lectern there is a large icon of the royal martyrs.

A distinctive feature of the house of God was the services with sign language translation for the deaf and dumb. The church also has a Sunday school.

A big undertaking is the construction of a cathedral in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the territory of the church, it will be called the Murmansk Spaso-Preobrazhensky Marine Cathedral. They want to create it in memory of the sailors who died in peacetime. The current Church of the Saviour-on-the-Waters is an ascribed church. In the future, it will become part of the cathedral complex.

Near the church on a small platform there is a cross of worship and a memorial plate.

Here in August 2016 on The Transfiguration of the Patriarch of Moscow and Kirill of All Russia, together with Metropolitan Simon of Murmansk and Monchegorsk and other clergymen, performed a prayer service and consecrated the site of the Transfiguration Cathedral.