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

In the village of Malorechenskoye, which is located not far from Alushta on the territory of Crimea, a lighthouse temple of St. Nicholas was built. This attraction is very popular with tourists due to its exclusivity. The temple has become a kind of monument to the dead sailors.

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

It is known, for example, that he may have participated in the Council of Nicea in 325. He is the patron saint of many professions, such as sailors. Memorial Day of the Saint in the church is celebrated on December 6, May 9, since the transfer of the relics of the Saint took place on this day, and on July 29.

According to legend, Nikolai 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. Having inherited the property of his parents, he became known for lavish gifts to those in need.

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 attended the Council of Nicea, but his name does not appear in any documents from that era. He died in Myra on December 6, but the year remained unknown - scientists only know that it happened between 342 and 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 Mayra was captured by the Saracens in 1034, the faithful tried to save his relics. There is history in the history of the rescue of sailors in the Aegean Sea, so today it is believed that the Saint, first of all, patronizes the sailors.

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

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

The memorial and architectural complex is a kind of memory of those sailors and fishermen who died at sea. The building is intended to become a symbol of the unity of two lives - heavenly and earthly, 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 float above the water surface and float on the sea. The ship's shape was recognized from the outset as the ideal solution.

If it is better to consider the decorative and architectural solutions present here, then it is difficult not to notice the great influence of the marine theme, which can be traced throughout. Internal and external decoration and even the area outside the complex - everything is done 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:

• Athos Mother of God;

• Saint Nicholas of Mirliki;

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

• Mother of God of the Intercession, whose image symbolizes patronage over the Orthodox Slavic peoples.

These images are arranged in the shape of a cross. The artists decided to use Byzantine mosaics - it was she who became the decoration of the facade from all sides. The heraldic cross was installed at the base of the dome, under it is a large ball covered with gilding - 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 lost ships.

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

The Church of St. Nicholas of Mirliki is considered a real pearl of the Black Sea. After the completion of construction, numerous divine services are held here, and everyone can visit the temple.

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

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

If you look closely, you can see images of a cross everywhere. On the facade, namely in its upper part, four crosses are looming. Decorators used Byzantine mosaics to decorate the walls with 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 the martyrdom and patronage of sailors, therefore it was used in the image of the flag of the Navy.

Inside the church, the iconostasis immediately attracts attention. It was decided to use high-quality wood as the main material for its manufacture, which was subsequently gilded.

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

A tour of the lighthouse temple in the video below.