Patriarchal Chambers

On the northern section of the Moscow Kremlin, near the Assumption Cathedral and the bell tower of Ivan the Great, there is a complex of buildings of the Patriarchal Chamber and the Church of the Twelve Apostles. Between 1635 and 1656, it was built by experienced Russian craftsmen Antip Konstantinov and Bazhen Ogurtsov by decree of Patriarch Nikon. The cathedral with five domes replaced the old church and part of Boris Godunov's courtyard. In 1721, after the abolition of the patriarchal authorities and the creation of the Holy Synod, the Moscow office was located in the building of the Chamber. This led to changes in the design, decoration and architecture of the premises.