Overview of the temple-lighthouse of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Crimea

In the village of Malorechenskoye, which is located near Alushta in the Crimea, a lighthouse church of St. Nicholas was built. This attraction is very popular among tourists due to its exclusivity. The temple has become a kind of monument to the dead sailors.

Nicholas of Myra (also known as the Miracle Worker) was Archbishop of Myra in Minor South Asia in the 4th century. He is widely revered not only in the Orthodox Church, but also among most Christians. Despite the fact that this is a historical and real person, practically nothing is known about the life of Nicholas.

It is known, for example, that he may have participated in the Council of Nicaea in 325. He is the patron of many professions, for example, sailors. Memorial day of the Saint in the church is celebrated on December 6, May 9, since the relics of the Saint were transferred on that day, and on July 29.

According to legend, Nicholas was born in the province of Lycia in the southern part of Asia Minor, in the city of Patara. The exact date of his birth is unknown. Inheriting the property of his parents, he became known for generous gifts to the needy.

Saint Nicholas was imprisoned during the persecution of Diocletian and released by Constantine after his ascension to the throne of the emperor. Nicholas was noted for the defense of Orthodoxy. He is believed to have been present at the Council of Nicaea, but his name does not appear among any documents of that era. He died in Mayra on December 6, but the year remained unknown - scientists only know that this happened in the period from 342 to 352.

Most of the facts of his life have not been historically confirmed. According to the description, Nicholas was raised by pious and wealthy parents.

Nicholas was recognized and revered throughout Europe (especially in Italy). When Myra was captured by the Saracens in 1034, believers tried to save his relics. There is data in history about the salvation of sailors in the Aegean Sea, so today it is believed that the Saint, first of all, patronizes mariners.

Over time, his fame in Northern Europe, as a holy bishop, began to subside, and Nicholas became better known as a man who bestowed gifts on children. He became synonymous with modern Santa Claus and Santa Claus.

The Church of St. Nicholas of Myra, built in 2007 in the area of ​​the village of Malorechenskoye, became part of the memorial complex "in memory of the dead sailors", opened May 7, 2009. The patron and sponsor of the project was Russian businessman Alexander Lebedev, who decided to invest in the construction of a new attraction here in 2004.

The memorial and architectural complex is a peculiar memory of those sailors and fishermen who died in the sea. The building is designed to become a symbol of the unity of two lives - heaven and earth, which each of us has to live.

In general, the whole complex looks like a frigate, the deck of which is a basement with round windows made in the form of portholes. There are also decorative stained-glass windows, and the church building itself seems to soar above the water surface and floats on the sea. The shape of the ship was recognized as an ideal solution from the very beginning.

If it is better to consider the decorative and architectural solutions present here, it is difficult not to notice the great influence of the marine theme, which can be traced in everything. Internal and external decoration and even the territory outside around the complex - everything is made in a single ensemble.

The height of the walls of the complex is 66 m. In the center you can see only a few images, very revered by Christians:

• Mount Athos;

• Saint Nicholas of Myra;

• Yaroslavl Oranta (iconographic type of the Mother of God);

• Mother of God of the Protection, the image of which symbolizes the patronage of the Orthodox Slavic peoples.

These images are in the shape of a cross. Artists decided to use the Byzantine mosaic - it was she who became the decoration of the facade from all sides. The heraldic cross was installed at the base of the dome, a large ball covered with gilding was installed under it - it is he who is the dome of the church. In the center of the presented dome is the well-known lighthouse, which is designed to help stray ships.

Especially for tourists, the nearest stop to the temple is directly across the road. In fact, it is a large parking lot, which is completely free. If you move along the R-29 highway, then from the highest points you will see an object. You can get there either by personal car or by bus passing from Alushta to Sudak.

The Church of St. Nicholas of Myra is considered a real gem of the Black Sea. After the construction is completed, numerous services are held here, and anyone can visit the temple.

The interior was decorated by the artist Anatoly Gaydamak. Many art historians say that the construction is unparalleled. It is impossible not to admire the grandeur and beauty of the complex. The height of the temple is 60 meters.

The construction site was chosen here not in vain - it was on the edge of the cliff that the temple building, and at the same time the lighthouse, seemed to "soar" over the sea.

If you look closely, images of the cross are visible everywhere. On the facade, namely in its upper part, four crosses loom. The decorators used the Byzantine mosaic to lay on the walls the Athos icon of the Mother of God and other Saints.

There is also a wooden ornament, the basis of which is the St. Andrew's Cross - It was he who became a symbol of martyrdom and patronage of sailors, therefore he was used in the image of the flag of the Navy.

Inside the temple, the iconostasis immediately attracts attention. As the main material for its manufacture, it was decided to use high-quality wood, which was subsequently covered with gilding.

Mosaic is present here not only on the facade, but also on the floor. Biblical motifs are depicted everywhere. Today, the building has also become a museum with a gazebo in the shape of a Flying Dutchman.

Tour of the lighthouse temple in the video below.