The world-renowned Black Sea resort of Sochi has acquired the status of a sports and cultural center of Russia in recent years. The opportunity to engage in various sports here, beach holidays, and receive high-quality treatment have made Sochi an unusually popular city. It will forever go down in history as the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Cathedral of Vladimir the Equal-to-the-Apostles on Grape Hill
It is unlikely that there will be at least one person who, at the sight of this architectural gem, will not freeze with admiration. On Vinogradnaya Gora is the Cathedral of St. Vladimir the Equal-to-the-Apostles, amazing with its incredible beauty.
When looking at it, an association with fairy-tale towers is born. Erected in 2005-06. designed by architect D. Sokolov, the temple is one of the most elegant Orthodox buildings in Russia. They can be admired endlessly from all sides, like, for example, a painting by Vasnetsov or a Palekh box.
It's just as good on the inside as it is on the outside. It was built as a symbol of the outpost of Orthodoxy on the edge of the Russian land. The architectural appearance of the bright building mixed Old Russian and Byzantine features, typical for Orthodox churches.
The traditional compositional solution of the building, when a bell tower, a refectory, a temple room with an altar go in succession from west to east, is combined with multi-colored and lush decor.
From the external surroundings of the building, dedicated to the Baptist of Russia, it exudes joy and optimism. The helmet-shaped dome, 4 ceramic figures of the apostles, kokoshnik arches, images of seraphim on the arches of the facades, birds of paradise above the cornice are symbols of heavenly powers, prayerful purification and spirituality.
Cathedral of the Archangel Michael
Near the Marine Station is the oldest Orthodox church on the Black Sea coast of the North Caucasus. It was built from 1874 to 1891 as a sign of Russia's victory in the Caucasian War, giving it the symbolic name of the Archangel Michael. The rapid construction was hampered by a lack of funds due to the Russo-Turkish war. The fate of the Orthodox building was not easy, but it survived, surviving to this day.
Repeated restorations have returned the sanctuary to its original appearance. The cathedral is an example of Moscow baroque architecture, with an admixture of elements of other styles.
The building is planned in the form of a 4-sided cross with a high drum rising above it. It is decorated with narrow windows, crowned with a gilded dome and a cross. The temple, painted in snow-white color, looks like a white swan against the background of dark greenery.
In front of the temple building there is an elegant chapel “Life-Giving Spring” in honor of the Mother of God. Consecrated water flows from the taps built into the columns. The Iberian baptismal church rises in the neighborhood, a Sunday school operates, and a library is open.
Inside, rich paintings sparkle with gold, a 3-tiered iconostasis is decorated with numerous icons. In terms of interior decoration, the temple is not inferior to well-known European counterparts.
Church of the Transfiguration
The ancient settlement of Khosta, which arose in the primitive era, did not even have a small church for many centuries. And only at the beginning of the 20th century, at the initiative of the wife of the Minister of Justice, the construction of a religious object was included in the improvement plan of the settlement.
The consecration of the temple took place in 1914 with a large gathering of parishioners. Since 1917, he lost his appointment, and after 1981 he was recognized as a protected monument of architecture. The golden sheen of massive round domes and crosses is visible from afar. Coming closer to the religious shrine, you notice the monumental grandeur of Russian-Byzantine architecture.
The sandstone construction project was developed by the architect V. A. Ion. The central entrance, to which a wide staircase leads, looks unusually solemn. The massive carved door looks expressive against the white background of the walls. Tall arched windows with openwork metal bars add elegance to the façade.
Next to the main dome shines the dome of the belfry with massive bells. Outwardly, the structure resembles the Jerusalem shrine dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord.
The surroundings of the temple are beautiful, which is a garden with oranges, tangerines, olives and an abundance of flowers growing in it. Traditionally, the first ripening fruits after consecration are given to parishioners. Inside are icons with the relics of the great martyrs, a unique relic – the slippers of the miracle worker Spyridon.
Temple of the Image of Christ the Savior Not Made by Hands
Between 2 highways on the way to the Olympic Park, a fabulous-looking building rises. This multi-domed temple began to be built in 2005 with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy. In fact, this is a complex of 4 buildings-buildings.
In the Annunciation building there is the Church of the Annunciation, a refectory and the Museum of Christianity. In the 2nd building there are rooms for the sisters of mercy and the Cathedral of Spyridon Trimifuntsky. Each building has its own purpose.
The design of the colorful building belongs to the architect Afuksenidi. The Byzantine style, with a centric dome composition, protruding semi-domes, was borrowed from the Cathedral of St. Petersburg. A lot of colorful decorations in the form of arches, pilasters, columns make the building fabulously beautiful. Interior paintings in the Vasnetsov spirit, created by students of the art academy, delight the parishioners.
In the center of the hall, among 4 half-apses, there is an image of Christ the Pantocrator surrounded by seraphim. On one of the half-apses there is a figure of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms – a reproduction of Vasnetsov's “Our Lady”.
The relics of the saint, discovered during excavations of an ancient temple, are kept in the crypt. The altar is decorated with icons of the Savior Not Made by Hands (17th century), the Holy Trinity, the Matrona of Moscow. The cross with the relics of 40 saints embedded in it is impressive.
Church of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow
A new religious facility dedicated to the Blessed Matrona of Moscow, which has recently appeared in the Makarenko microdistrict, was built with public donations. Most of them were collected in the neighboring church of St. Andrew the First-Called, in the neighborhood of which a new shrine arose.
Construction lasted 3 years, in 2012 the object was consecrated. The author of the remake project, Archpriest Igor Lavrik, gave the small building a classic look of a 1-domed church. A high cross shines on the blue dome. On one of the facades there are 2 mosaic icons. One depicts the Matrona of Moscow, the other depicts the Holy Trinity. They were created by an artist specially trained in Greece.
Inside there is also an icon of the saint interspersed with particles of her relics. The luxurious iconostasis, richly decorated and beautifully decorated, delights. The cathedral is open on weekends and public holidays. Services in Church Slavonic are held in the morning and evening.
Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Undoubted architectural decoration, a pleasant place of prayer and spiritual purification in the village. Dagomys – Kazan Church. It was built on the initiative of local residents in the late 90s, and in 2000 services were already performed in it. At first it was a one-story building, located on a slope. Over time, the idea of expansion arose, and the building “grew” up due to the 2nd floor.
Today, the temple of the Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan, located at the top, captivates with its majestic beauty. The lower part of the temple building was consecrated in honor of Savva Serbian. On the adjacent territory there is a chapel dedicated to the Royal Passion-Bearers (2000) and a wooden belfry (2018) 5 helmet-shaped domes mounted on drums with arched windows – features of the Russian-Byzantine style.
The light beige color of the facades and the white tone of the cornices, pilasters and corners give a special charm to the appearance of the building. The equipment and transformation of the church continues. A mosaic image of the Mother of God appeared above the central entrance, the arched openings of the porch were glazed.
The interior painting work continues. Sketches of decorative ornaments were created by Palekh masters. Prayer texts are placed under many icons. The decoration of the hall pleases the parishioners with irresistible beauty.
Church of Panteleimon the Healer
Residents of the Mamaika microdistrict gained the opportunity to attend services in the local church in 2011. Construction began in 2001, when the blessing of Bishop Filaret was received. On the initiative of Archimandrite Innokenty of Sochi, a church community was registered, and the first divine services began to be held in one of the premises of the Stavropol sanatorium. For 10 years, a beautiful church has grown on its territory, reminiscent of an Easter egg with a bright design.
Outwardly, the new building is similar to the Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called in Kiev. It was he who was taken by the architect Afuksenidi as the basis for the construction of a religious object in Mamayka. The 5-dome, 8-sided brick building with a basement seems to be directed upwards, towards heaven. Graceful white columns contrasting with the bright pink walls of the main facade, an abundance of spiers with crosses give the building a festive solemnity.
The main shrine of the Panteleimon Church is the icon of the Great Martyr Panteleimon with particles of the saint's relics. It was given as a gift from the Russian Monastery, located on Mount Athos, in 2000. The parishioners also venerate the relics of St. Cyprian, transferred here by the Vatican (2007). On great holidays and on Sundays, various services and ceremonies are held here.
Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called
Near the Korchaginsky square in the Zarechny m / district there is a religious object unique for our time. It is entirely made of wood by the outstanding masters of modern wood construction. The majestic temple complex in honor of St. Andrew the First-Called has grown in 1 year. Fixed assets collected by the Kuban Cossacks.
Saint Andrew, the patron saint of sailors, according to legend, became the first disciple-apostle called by Christ. He was allegedly crucified on a diagonal cross, which later became the emblem of the St. Andrew's flag. The building was consecrated by Filaret, Archbishop of Maikop. On a powerful concrete foundation rests a wooden frame as high as a 4-storey building. In general, the whole complex makes an amazing impression.
The main part is a 3-level pyramid crowned with a gilded dome and a cross. A tent-domed belfry with a red roof was built nearby. The interior of the sanctuary does not strike with luxury and brilliance, but touches.
There is a small porch and a rather modest altar. But the large iconostasis is generously decorated with gilding and icons. Here are kept the relics of St. Matrona, Andrew the First-Called, built into their icons.
Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist
The golden sheen of the church dome on Mount Bytkha is visible from afar. This invitingly shines the temple of John the Baptist built 10 years ago (in everyday life the church) Its appearance is the merit of local residents and patrons who donated funds for the construction. Thanks to this, a sleeping area with a population of 15,000 had an object of religious worship.
Although it has not yet been fully completed, services are regularly held here: memorial services, prayer services, baptisms and weddings. Not only local residents come here, but also guests of the resort from nearby sanatoriums. The author of the project was traditionally F. I. Afuksenidi, known for his previous works.
The 2-storey building of the church, built in the neo-Byzantine style, has 5 golden domes. They are made of stainless steel sheets, covered with titanium coating. The bell tower is separated from the main building.
The ritual hall accommodates 300 parishioners at the same time. The beautiful beige building with flowing architectural lines looks great surrounded by lush greenery. Here, in a calm atmosphere, spiritual purification comes. Sunday school is open on weekends, there is an Orthodox library.
Surb Sargis
Unusual for the Russian look, the building with architecture unusual for Russian churches attracts the attention of tourists.
It is located in the Adler district and is the Cathedral of St. Sargis (St. Sergius). The modest size of the cinder block building was built on the initiative of the Mkhitaryan brothers in memory of their father, brother and all the victims of the Armenian genocide. There is a religious object next to the cemetery where the relatives of the Mkhitaryans are buried. Their graves are marked by a chapel erected in 2001.
The Armenian Apostolic Church, as Surb Sarkis is otherwise called, was consecrated in 2011 by the head of the New Nakhichevan Diocese, Tiran Kuregyan. The project of the building in neo-Armenian style was carried out by the architect Zadikyan. Its architecture contains classical features of Armenian temple architecture.
The abundance of straight lines and triangular faces are elements of Art Nouveau. The monument to the victims of the Ottoman genocide of 1915 was erected on the adjacent territory. It attracts attention with its expressive simplicity.