The cathedral was built as a private family burial vault for the Rumyantsev family.
During the Soviet period, the building functioned as a planetarium, with a Foucault pendulum installed to demonstrate the Earth's rotation.
The structure is designed with a cruciform floor plan, typical of late 18th-century Russian classicism.
It is listed as a State Historical and Cultural Monument of Belarus.
The cathedral contains relics of St. John of Korma, a significant local religious figure.
The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is the primary Orthodox church in Homiel, Belarus, situated prominently on the banks of the Sozh River. Constructed between 1809 and 1819, the building reflects the neoclassical architectural style with its prominent rotunda and porticos. It serves as the spiritual center of the Homiel Diocese. The cathedral was commissioned by Nikolai Rumyantsev, a major historical benefactor of the city. Following a period of closure during the Soviet era, the site was fully restored and reopened for religious services in the late 1980s. The interior features a significant collection of religious icons and an ornate iconostasis. The cathedral complex is integrated into the larger Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble.
From the park paths directly north of the cathedral, capturing the white rotunda framed by the river greenery.
Visit the adjacent Palace and Park Ensemble to see the full architectural context of the riverfront.
Respect worshippers by staying toward the back during active liturgies.
Look for the memorial plaques outside detailing the history of the Rumyantsev family.
Taking photographs of congregants during prayer services or using a flash inside the sanctuary.
Shoulders and knees must be covered for all visitors; women are encouraged to wear a headscarf; silence is required inside.
