Church-Lighthouse of St. Nicholas of Myra

A real architectural pearl of the Black Sea coast, the Church of St. Nicholas of Mirlik is located in the village of Malorechenskoe, not far from Koktybel. Construction of the temple began in 2004 thanks to the support of Russian and Ukrainian sponsors, and on may 15, 2007, the consecration of the temple was completed. Currently, services are held here, and the temple is open to all visitors.

The architect of the temple project was Anatoly Gaydamaka. According to him, the village of Malorechenskoe has acquired a unique architectural structure, admiring its beauty and grandeur. The total height of the temple is 60 meters, but located on a steep Bank, the structure seems to hover over the sea surface as a beacon for all the lost, searching and suffering. The mention of the lighthouse here is not accidental, it is not just a metaphor, it is a second interesting fact. The dome of the Church of St. Nicholas is made in the form of a guilded ball, inside which is the equipment of an active lighthouse, giving a ray of hope to all who are lost at sea. And this is very symbolic, because the temple was built as a monument to all the people who died on the waters.

The Church was consecrated in honour of St. Nicholas of Myra who is associated with numerous legends about the rescue of sailors during storms and shipwrecks. Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the closest Saint to God-the intercessor of people, as well as the patron Saint of Sailors, children and all who need help.

Everywhere you can see the image of the cross. So, the facades of the temple in the upper part form four crosses. The spherical dome of the temple is also crowned with a cross, but not a simple one, but an equilateral Greek one, or, as it is also called, a Heraldic one. The doors of the temple, made by masters of wood carving, are also richly decorated with crosses.

The basis of the wooden ornament is the St. Andrew’s cross-a symbol of the martyrdom of the Apostle Andrew the first-called. This Saint, as well as Saint Nicholas of Myra, is the patron Saint of Maritime trade, fishermen and sailors. It is no coincidence that Peter the Great used the St. Andrew’s cross as the basis of the flag of the Navy. Inside the temple, you can admire the beautiful iconostasis in the form of a cross, made of wood and covered with gold.

The Church of St. Nicholas is not only a religious building, a lighthouse, but also a Museum. It is part of the Memorial complex “Memory of those who died on the waters”. The complex includes a gazebo in the form of a “Flying Dutchman”, a memorial wall and a Museum of disasters on the waters, located in the basement of the temple.

Location : Crimea