The ancient Russian city of Kargopol is famous for its many old Orthodox churches, among which the Christ the Savior Cathedral stands out, founded in 1552. The construction lasted ten years and was completed in 1562. The best Novgorod masters worked on the creation of the temple, which was built as a two-story rectangular structure. However, with the growth of Kargopol's population, the number of parishioners increased, necessitating the expansion of the church. A hundred years after its founding, an additional chapel was added, consecrated in the name of Saints Philip and Alexius, and the church became a square cathedral. Later, another chapel in the name of the Holy Savior, a small gallery, and a covered porch were added. As a result, the cathedral became five-domed, adorned with decorative carvings and other architectural elements. Inside, it was decorated with magnificent paintings, and under the roof was a unique structure of vaults known as the 'heavens.'

The Christ the Savior Cathedral has endured many trials. During the time of Catherine the Great, it suffered greatly from a fire and remained in that state for a long time until restoration began. The walls were reinforced, the roof was replaced, and the paintings were updated. Despite this, the main relics of the temple were preserved, and after the repairs, it reopened for worship. The second tragedy occurred during the Soviet period when the cathedral was closed for many years. It was looted, the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God disappeared or was destroyed, the temple lost its relics, and most of the frescoes were destroyed. Only in our time was the cathedral returned to the faithful, but its complete restoration is still not finished.