Kharlampy Church in Krasnaya Polyana. Where his relics are, there are no epidemics
CATHEDRAL OF SAINT CHARLAMPIUS This majestic temple was truly a pearl in the constellation of Mariupol Orthodox churches. On maps of the city it was designated as a cathedral (i.e., the main temple). The first church founded by Metropolitan Ignatius in honor of Saint Harlampius appeared in Mariupol in 1782 (it was erected on the site of modern Liberation Square). According to the old legend, during the resettlement of the Greeks in 1778-1779. “on the way, during illness,” on the advice of the metropolitan, they vowed to build a church and dedicate it to Saint Harlampius, as a healer from widespread diseases. But by the beginning of the 1840s, the old Kharlampievskaya Church had fallen into disrepair and became unsuitable for worship. (In 1868 it would be re-consecrated in honor of St. Catherine). And the question of building a new church bearing the same name was discussed back in the 1820s. But it was only “with the reverent support of the parishioners,” as it was said in the inventory of 1849, that it was founded under Archpriest Feodosiev and continued to be built under Archpriest. Demyanov and graduated in 1845 under Prot. The motor is a new, majestic, three-altar church in the Byzantine style. The main altar was consecrated in the name of the Hieromartyr Harlampy, the right side chapel - in honor of the miraculous icon in the name of the Great Martyr and Victorious George, and the left side - in the name of St. Nicholas, taking into account that “this saint is highly revered by Russian parishioners.” Later, a bell tower was added to the temple, but this area was not enough - a new bell tower was erected in the early 1890s, which (to increase the area) was connected to the temple. This temple became the largest in the city, accommodating more than five thousand people. (It was located on the site of the former DOSAAF house). “Many old icons, vessels, vestments, etc., taken from Crimea,” were transferred from the old Kharlampievsky Church, located nearby, to the new temple. Such a rare publication as “Mariupol and its environs” (1892) brings to us a list of these items: “This is a silver dish with a Turkish mark of 1732, a Gospel of 1671, a censer of 1714, a Gospel of 1740, on The bottom board depicts an icon of St. George, a cross with the Life-Giving Tree of 1767, two bowls of 1775, and ancient ones without a year designation - a four-pointed cross with balls, several lamps, a censer, two rapids, a large patriarchal cross, a small cross, the chair of Metropolitan Ignatius" (has survived to our times days). The icon of St. was especially revered in the Kharlampievsky Cathedral Church. George, which, along with the icon of the Mother of God in the Assumption Church, was considered a historical relic of the Mariupol Greeks. Also in the temple, in a special ark, letters of Empress Catherine II and Emperor Alexander I were kept. Parishioners of the Cathedral Harlampie Church (as the name of the temple was written in documents) in memory of the visit to Mariupol by the Grand Duke. Konstantin Nikolaevich (1873) “constructed” the icon of St. Tsar Constantine and in memory of the “miraculous salvation of the Royal Family on October 17, 1888 - a banner depicting the saints celebrated on this day.” The merchant Machukov, in memory of the miracle of October 17, for his part donated a copper gilded vestment of the throne, its top plate is silver, weighing 39 pounds, the work of Khlebnikov, “5,500 rubles were paid,” on the back side are depicted the saints of the royal family. The parishioners, these selfless and pious people, donated the following to their grandiose Harlampie Cathedral: “1) the chasuble on the icon of St. Kharlampy, it was embroidered in 1873 by Susanna Jordanova from pearls and precious stones, which were donated by parishioners of the Mariupol Cathedral; 2) merchant David Kharajaev, when he was a church elder, donated 5,000 rubles. in 1838, and in 1852 at his own expense he built an iconostasis for the main altar for 5150 rubles. - for both, the blessing of the Holy Synod was declared to him; 3) I.A. Chabanenko donated three chandeliers, ordered from Genoa, and vestments for several icons; 4) K.D. Davidov - side iconostases for 5,000 rubles.” The main city temple had the largest bell - its weight was “303 pounds 30 pounds” (about 5 tons). The first rector of the Harlampy church (meaning the first, old church of St. Harlampy) was an associate of Metropolitan Ignatius - Trifilliy Trandafilov. Then after him in the old and new Kharlampievsky churches, the rectors followed in this order - Christopher Shablinsky, Mikhail Demyanovsky, Anastasy Feodosev, Mikhail Demyanov, Gavriil Motorny, Grigory Chernyavsky, Ilya Leontyev and Dimitry Tekezhi. For a long time the archpriest was Pavel Shcherbina, we meet him already at the beginning of the 20th century (mentioned under 1910, under 1915). The Catherine's house church at the theological school and a chapel were assigned to the Harlampie Cathedral, and later the cemetery church in the name of All Saints was also included. The church clergy consisted of two priests, a deacon and two psalm-readers. According to data for 1908, there were 290 households in the church parish, parishioners - 1162 men and 1173 women (the nationality of the parishioners was Russian and Greek). There was a parochial school at the temple. In the “fateful” 1930s, the beautiful Kharlampievsky Cathedral was destroyed, like all other churches. Dmitry YANATIEV. Drawing by the author
The first three centuries AD are replete with stories of Christian martyrdom. Today we read these lives with a shudder and, perhaps, as a slight exaggeration: it’s scary to believe that one person could think of such sophisticated torture, and another could endure it so courageously. But the 20th century showed that inhuman cruelty was not eradicated from people even in “civilized” times.
As a rule, very little is known about the martyrs of the first centuries. Everything that happened before their feat remains unknown; what happened after is often surrounded by folk legends. Nevertheless, let us try to explore the fate of the holy martyr Charalampius, a bishop who was born 100 years after Christ and, already in his old age, was subjected to the test of his faith and fortitude.
According to legend, Charalampius never married, fulfilling the words of the Apostle Paul: “To the unmarried and to widows I say: it is good for them to remain as I am” (1 Cor. 7:8). He was the bishop of the city of Magnesia in Thessaly, which was part of the Roman Empire (the territory of modern Greece). In the first centuries of Christianity, a bishop was a kind of head of the Christian community of a particular large city or region. He was not surrounded by extraordinary honors, but could, like his flock, like Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, earn a living by simple labor. The specific deeds of Charalampios in his episcopal ministry are unknown, but rumors about him as an outstanding shepherd and missionary who converted pagans to Christianity reached the ruler of the province. Lucian ruled at that time. The 113-year-old old man was brought to him.
The elder thanked the torturers, saying: “By cutting my body, you renewed my spirit.”
Probably, both flattery and intimidation were used, but the saint refused to renounce his faith and make sacrifices to the gods, as well as recognize the divinity of the emperor. Lucian and the military commander Lucius subjected the elder to torture: hanging the unfortunate man, they whittled his body with iron hooks, tearing off his skin. The elder only thanked the torturers, saying: “By cutting my body, you renewed my spirit!” Impressed by the kindness, perseverance and faith of this man, two warriors - Porfiry and Vaptos - confessed themselves to be Christians. They were immediately hacked to death with swords. Today these courageous people are honored on the same day as the old martyr.
In those days, torture and execution became spectacles - and this was in the order of things. Traditions very often testify to how the spectators or torturers themselves became martyrs - having confessed Christ and, as the Church says, being baptized in their own blood, having been Christians for a few minutes or hours. This was the case, for example, with Saint Boniface, whose memory we celebrate on December 19 / January 1, a fornicator who led a free, unbridled life, sought repentance, but was unable to overcome his passions. Seeing the torture of Christians and their patience, he rushed to kiss their feet, confessed himself to be a Christian and was immediately executed.
Likewise, the martyrdom of the elder bishop did not leave many witnesses indifferent. Three of them - women - openly professed themselves Christians and were killed on the same day.
This development of events inflamed the military leader Lucius even more; he snatched the instrument of torture from the soldiers and began to torture Charalampius himself. Tradition testifies that suddenly both of the commander’s arms were taken away and hung limply along his body. Then the head of the province, Lucian, distraught with anger, spat in the face of Charalampius. At this moment, the legend says, a spasm twisted the man’s neck and his face turned 180 degrees.
Through the prayers of the saint, the torturers were healed; Lucius prayed for forgiveness and expressed a desire to be baptized. Torture and persecution of Christians in the region were suspended. But Lucian said that he was still obliged to inform the emperor, Septimius Severus, about what had happened.
In 202, a decree was issued that prohibited citizens of the Roman Empire from converting to Christianity and Judaism.
Septimius Severus ruled Rome from 193 to 211, he came to power through blood and military rebellion, and his entire reign was marked by increased militarism and an uncompromising attitude towards Christians. There is a known decree of his, issued in 202 (perhaps just after the martyrdom of Charalampios), which prohibited citizens of the Roman Empire from converting to Christianity and Judaism. It was to this ruler, who was then in Asia Minor, in Antioch of Pisidia, that Lucian sent his report. Is it necessary to talk about what reaction the crowned pagan received when the news reached him?
The elder was ordered to be brought to him. And a new round of torture began... They wove a rope into the sufferer’s beard and took him to the emperor. First, he ordered new tortures with fire and iron, and only then he arranged an interrogation. Out of a crafty desire to please the emperor, even his concubine poured burning coals on the head and face of the 113-year-old bishop...
The ruler interrogated and tested the saint. For example, he ordered that a demoniac be brought to him - a man who 35 years ago killed and robbed his neighbor. Before the possessed man had time to enter, the demon screamed from his proximity to holiness and, by order of the bishop, left the possessed man.
During the interrogation, the emperor became so angry that he fired a bow into the sky and began to blaspheme Christ.
The emperor hesitated... Either he recognized the elder as a miracle worker and stopped the torment, then he attacked the confessor with new cruelty, accusing him of sorcery and an encroachment on his, the emperor’s, power. In the midst of the next interrogation, Septimius became so angry that he took a bow, shot into the sky and began to blaspheme Christ, calling on Him to come down and take revenge...
In the end, Charalampius was condemned to death. At the place of execution, the Lord Himself appeared to him with many angels and said that the saint could ask Him for anything. Charalampius answered Christ that to see Him is already a great mercy, but if God pleases, then let there be neither famine nor epidemics in the area where the relics of the saint will rest and his memory will be honored, but peace and prosperity will reign.
The Lord answered the saint: “Let it be done according to your request, my courageous warrior!” And then Charalampius gave up his ghost, and his soul ascended to heaven.
Everything that happened at the end of the earthly life of the Hieromartyr Charalampius did not leave many people indifferent: it is impossible to say how many he converted to Christianity by his example. Tradition says that among such converts was the emperor's daughter Galina (although only two sons of Septimius Severus are mentioned in historical sources). They say that it was Galina who buried the saint.
Today his relics are located in one of the six surviving Meteora monasteries in Greece - the monastery of St. Stephen, and particles are found throughout the Orthodox world. And indeed, there is evidence that where even a particle of the relics of a saint is located, there are no epidemics or famines.
In 1876, a small village located at a significant distance from Sochi Adler was inhabited by about 40 Greek families. They founded a school here and built the first wooden church. Today the church of St. Kharlampia in Krasnaya Polyana is one of the most visited attractions of the ski resort.
Where is the Church of St. Charlampius located on the map?
It is located in the center of the village, on a patch where the street. The reserve is crossed by Pchelovodov and Volokolamskaya streets. Nearby you can find several - “Old Court”, “Tukan” and “Snezhny”, cafes and a hospital.
History of the holy place and architecture
Now the church of St. Harlampeia is located on the site where the Greek church of the same name was originally located. Here, in the center of Krasnaya Polyana (then the city of Romanovsk), at the beginning of the 20th century, Greek settlers prayed. During the years when atheism was promoted in the country and terror against believers intensified (1917-1932), sacred objects were closed or completely eliminated. The church suffered the same fate - first, valuables were confiscated and services were prohibited, and then (in the 30s) it was destroyed.
At a time when the fight against religion stopped and shrines began to be revived, the question arose about the construction of a new temple in Krasnaya Polyana. In 1991, Metropolitan Isidor of Ekaterinodar and Kuban blessed the construction of a church in the name of St. Harlampy. On August 6, the foundation stone was laid at the construction site. Construction proceeded slowly due to lack of finances. The main benefactors were local, and accordingly, the donations were small. 12 years later, in 2003, construction was completed. The initial service took place on the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.
Architectural features
The project of this sacred landmark of Sochi was developed by the architect and author of more than 50 churches and chapels in Russian cities - F.I. Afuksenidi. Church of St. Kharlampy in Krasnaya Polyana is his project, made at the request of his fellow countrymen (Fyodor Ivanovich is from this village).
The church was built in the Greek style; in plan it is a combination of squares in the form of a cross. The external walls are brick, plastered and painted light beige. Above the middle square, on a cylindrical drum, is a squat dome. On the eastern side there is a semicircular apse attached - this is the altar part, and on the western side there is a square two-tier bell tower with a gable roof - the entrance to the temple. Above it is a mosaic icon of St. Harlampy.
Those who were not able to visit Greece will be interested in seeing the interior of local churches. The decoration is noticeably different from the usual traditional Russian Orthodox church. Initially, everything looks simple, but the marble floor and columns give it an elegant and solemn appearance. Visitors also pay attention to the large five-tier chandelier under the drum - the main source of light and decoration. Around him hangs a khoros (hoop) with small arched icon faces on chains.
Parishioners of modern Orthodox churches are accustomed to seeing large, multi-tiered iconostases, decorated with carvings and gilding. Here the altar is separated by a partition consisting of the royal doors and images of the Savior and the Virgin Mary in Greek letters placed on both sides of them. Instead of small gates (doors for the entrance of deacons and sextons), there are arched openings with a curtain.
The main shrines and modernity of the Church of St. Harlampy
Unfortunately, the shrines that were located here in pre-revolutionary times have been lost. After the construction of the Church of St. Harlampy in Krasnaya Polyana, the following were brought:
- two lists from the holy Mount Athos - “Quick to Hear” and “Iverskaya”;
- icon with a particle of the relics of St. Harlampy (placed on one of the temple lecterns);
- a piece of the relics of the healer Panteleimon;
- revered faces of the Great Martyr. Demetrius of Thessalonica, Luke of Crimea, the venerable elders of Optina Hermitage, the Uglich martyrs - Roman and John.
About the Hieromartyr Charlampius of Magnesia
It is worth saying a few words about the saint in whose honor the temple was built. Harlampius lived in the 1st century and was the bishop of the Christian community of Magnesia (now a territory of Greece). Historical stories and legends have been preserved about the exploits of the first Christians during persecution. Their tortures and executions were carried out in front of the inhabitants of the cities; they were a kind of spectacle.
Harlampius was tortured under the emperor Lucius Septimius Severus, during whose reign persecution took place. The bishop was 113 years old at this time. Sophisticated torture in the form of ripping off the skin with iron hooks, sprinkling burning coals on the head and other cruel methods of abuse did not break the elder, did not shake his faith.
Looking at his steadfastness and the miracles that occurred during his execution, some people believed in Christ. After the death of the bishop, miracles began to occur from his relics. Now the shrine with them is located in Greece, in the monastery of St. Stephen, and pieces were sent to believers around the world.
Church today
The main parishioners of the Church of St. Kharlampiya - residents of the village. Krasnaya Polyana. Rector Fr. Nikolai (Snopov) performs religious services, cares for the flock and manages the social activities of the parish. There is a Sunday school for adults and children on site.
How to get there (get there)?
The most convenient way to get here is by bus No. 63 (Rosa Khutor - Achishkhovskaya St.), get off at the stop "Zapovednaya, 9".
By car, if you drive from Adler, the route on the map looks like this:
Contacts and service schedule
Vacationers from local recreation centers, lovers of ski resorts and ordinary tourists visit the Kharlampy Temple as one of the attractions of Krasnaya Polyana. On the patronal holiday, on the day of the repose of the saint (February 23), there are many guests here, pilgrims and priests come from other cities, including from Sochi and Krasnodar.
