Cathedral of the Holy ascension Cathedral is an Orthodox Church located in the town of Velikie Luki. Previously the Cathedral was called Peter and Paul collegiate Church, was established by the women's ascension monastery.

The story of building the ascension nunnery dates back centuries. The monastery was built on the site previously located at this place Ilyinsky monastery, which was burned during the "time of troubles" in the late 16th – early 17th centuries. In 1715 on the perimeter of the monastery was built a stone wall, respectively inside her and was located the Church of the ascension, also built of stone. Church rectory quarters were built of stone, and the monks ' cells were cut from the tree. Besides, on the territory of the Church was located: Laundry, kitchen, two cows, a small shed, guard room and a large barn to store feed for the cows.

Holy ascension Cathedral was built in 1752 brick on cash abbess named Margarita Kartsev. The temple was built in the Baroque style-type "octagon on square". The Church had three altars, the main of which was the throne in honor of the ascension; in 1826 to the main throne were added another two – Pious Holy princes Boris and Gleb, and of the Holy Prophet Elijah.

The Cathedral consists of gallery, located by the West and Church narthex, chapels, located on the sides, faceted apsidny parts, a high bell tower, which had nine bells, the largest of which weighed 188 pounds and 37 pounds, and ceiling of the temple of the mushroom-shaped dome. Really impressive bell had an inscription that on 10 February 1828 bell is in the bell tower of the maiden ascension monastery, and this event occurred during the reign of the great Russian Emperor Nicholas the First; the creation of the bell was made possible thanks to the commitment and efforts of the abbess Ksenofont; molded bells occurred in the city of Moscow on the famous factory of Nicholas Samuel, responsible for the sparrows became Mayor.

In the Holy ascension Cathedral treasured icon of ancient origin, which is especially revered by the local congregation is the icon of our lady under the title "joy of All who sorrow". Besides, not less revered and were some relics of Orthodox saints. It is known that in 1913 at the monastery lived 130 novices and 36 nuns.

To the Cathedral of the assumption at the time, were attributed to some of the Church: a house Church of the Twelve Apostles, Kazan cemetery Church, located on the monastery farm and several chapels: Hieromartyr Charalambos, St. Alexander Nevsky, a healer, and the Holy great Martyr Panteleimon.

In 1918, took place the closing ceremony of ascension monastery, and then in may 1925 completely stopped any activity in the monastery and in the Church. Before the beginning of the great Patriotic war, all the bells were removed and the bell tower was completely demolished. Not only the assumption monastery, but most other monasteries and cathedrals of the Great Patriotic war caused irreparable harm and great damage, but it should be noted that any repair or restoration measures were not taken on this occasion. The Church building was soon transferred to the so-called urban bargaining, and in the temple building was equipped with conventional growers.

Updated ascension Church was consecrated only in 1990, and in 1992 were held here service. Today, the Spaso-Voznesensky Cathedral Sunday school. This school taught the Orthodox faith based on the special course of Protopriest Seraphim Slobodskoy called the Law of God; as additional material teachers used a variety of other benefits, where you can learn about the basics of Orthodoxy and read Orthodox children's literature. Also the school has little crafts "crafts", and the circle on Handicrafts made from natural materials.