Overview of the lighthouse church of St. Nicholas in the Crimea

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

Nicholas of Myraliki (also known as the Wonderworker) was the Archbishop of Myraliy in Asia Minor South Asia in the 4th century. It is widely revered not only in the Orthodox Church, but also among most Christians. Despite the fact that this is a historical and real-life 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. The feast day of the Holy Day in the church is celebrated on December 6, May 9, since on this day the relics of the Holy Hierarch were transferred, and July 29.

According to legend, Nikolai was born in the province of Lykia 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 generous gifts to the needy.

Saint Nicholas was imprisoned during the persecutions of Diocletian and set free by Constantine after his ascension to the throne of the emperor. Nikolai was noted for defending Orthodoxy. He is believed to have been present at the Council of Nicea, but his name does not appear among any documents of that era. He died in May 6 on December 6, but the year remained unknown - scientists only know that this happened between 342 and 352 years.

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

Nicholas was recognized and revered throughout Europe (especially in Italy). When Myra was captured by the Saracens in 1034, the believers tried to save his relics. There are in the history of data on the rescue of sailors in the Aegean Sea, so today it is believed that the Holy, in the first place, patronizes the navigators.

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

The Church of St. Nicholas of Mirlikiya, 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 Russian entrepreneur Alexander Lebedev, who decided to invest in the construction of a new landmark here in 2004, became a patron and sponsor of the project.

The memorial and architectural complex is a peculiar memory of those sailors and fishermen who died at sea. The structure is intended to become a symbol of the unity of two lives, heavenly and earthly, that each of us has to live through.

In general, the whole complex looks like a frigate, whose deck is a basement with round windows, made in the form of portholes. There are also decorative stained-glass windows here, and the church building itself seems to hover above the watery surface and float on the sea. The shape of the ship was recognized from the very beginning as an 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 maritime theme, which can be traced throughout. Interior and exterior decoration and even the area outside around 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 that are very revered by Christians:

• Athos Mother of God;

• St. Nicholas of Myra;

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

• Our Lady 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 a Byzantine mosaic - it was she who became the decoration of the facade on all sides. The heraldic cross was installed at the base of the dome, a large ball covered with gilding was installed under it - it was he who is the dome of the church. In the center of the dome is located all the famous lighthouse, which is designed to help the lost ships.

Especially for tourists, the nearest stop to the temple is directly across the road. In fact, it represents a large parking lot, which is completely free. If you move along the highway P-29, then the object will be visible from the highest points. You can drive as a personal car, and by bus, passing from Alushta to Sudak.

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

The interior design was done by the artist Anatoly Gaydamak. Many art critics say that the building has no equal. 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 for good reason - it is on the edge of the cliff that the building of the temple, and at the same time the lighthouse, seems to be “floating” above the sea.

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

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

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

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

A tour of the lighthouse temple in the video below.