Elias Church (Kyiv). Seventh day in Cyprus - Church of the Holy Prophet Elias, birthplace of Aphrodite Birthplace of Aphrodite on the map

In the city there is the Orthodox Church of Profitis Ilias, or the Ayios Elias Church. It is located on a hill at an altitude of almost 115 meters above sea level. The small temple is built of stone in the classical Byzantine style. The church has a large round dome with a pointed peak and a cross at the top, and a small bell tower with a separate rise. In order to climb to the temple, you need to overcome 170 steps.

According to legend, in the 9th century BC, God sent the prophet Elijah to earth in order to guide royalty to the true path. But the Israeli king Ahab and his wife Jezebel decided that they had not done anything sinful and, in a fit of cruelty, almost killed the prophet. Ilya was expelled from the city in disgrace, and he was forced to seek shelter in caves. One day a kind woman found him and helped him. As a token of his gratitude, the prophet Elijah healed her seriously ill son.

The Church of the Prophet Elijah is an active Orthodox church, which is about 600 years old. Initially, the temple was built of wood, but due to the fragility of the wooden floors and strong winds on the hill, it was decided to rebuild the temple and build it entirely of stone. From a historical point of view, the Church of the Prophet Elijah is not valuable, but it is definitely one of the decorations of the city. According to legend, when you go up to the temple, you need to count the steps and remember their number. After visiting the temple, when descending, you need to count the steps again and if the number matches, all your sins will be forgiven.

The interior decoration of the Church of the Prophet Elijah is quite simple and designed in the style of Orthodox churches. There is a small modest wooden altar, the walls are decorated with frescoes depicting biblical scenes and Orthodox saints, and along the perimeter of the church there are benches for relaxation along the walls. The inside is clean, cozy and calm; there are free candles for parishioners. Every year on August 2, on the day of remembrance of the Prophet Elijah, a service is held in the church, and a fair is held on the territory of the temple.

At night, when the lights are turned on, the temple looks especially beautiful. At night there are practically no tourists here, so you can freely enter the temple and be alone with yourself and God. Sometimes night performances are staged in the area around the temple under the light of floodlights. Near the Church of the Prophet Elijah there is a “wishing tree” where you can make a wish and in order for it to come true you need to tie a ribbon or scarf on a branch. Before you start descending the hill, be sure to pay attention to the panoramic view that opens over the whole of Protaras and the surrounding area

The Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane in Moscow is easy to miss: it is small, but extremely important for parishioners. Over more than 3 centuries of existence, it has experienced a lot.

Temple of the Prophet Elijah- in wooden form - was built at the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th centuries in Moscow. The exact date of construction is unknown, but a number of written sources indicate this time.

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In the Synodikon (memorial book at the temple), compiled under Patriarch Job in 1589-1607, the church is already mentioned. “The Legend of Abraham Palitsyn” can also serve as evidence: it describes the events of 1587-1618. In particular, it is said that Prince Dmitry Pozharsky at the end of August 1612, before the battle with the Poles, prayed in the ordinary temple of the Prophet Elijah.

The very name “Routine” is associated with the words “One Day”: it is believed that the wooden structure was erected in just a day.

In 1702, a stone one was erected on the site of a wooden building. At first they wanted to make it based on the model of the cathedral church of the Nikolo-Perervinsky Monastery, but due to lack of funds, instead of a two-story church, a one-story one was erected. The inside of the church is still preserved marble slab with the names of the creators - the Derevnin brothers.

In 1706, an antimension (fabric with a sewn-in particle of saints) was moved to the Church of Elijah the Prophet - it was placed in the chapel of Simeon the God-Receiver and Anna the Prophetess. The chapel itself was badly damaged in the fire, but was later restored. In 1819, the second chapel was completed and consecrated - in honor of the apostles Peter and Paul.

In the middle and second half of the 19th century, the appearance of the temple changed and has remained in this form to this day. Many prominent merchants donated money for the reconstruction: the merchant of the first guild Konshin, the Tretyakov sisters and their brother. Konshin also became the initiator and trustee of the parish school, which began work in 1875.

With the advent of Soviet power, the position of the temple shook, but did not change: it was supposed to be closed in 1930, but believers defended it. In 1941, a second order was signed, but the outbreak of war “saved” the church. In June 1944, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” was transferred from the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord in Sokolniki to the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which remained there forever.

In 1973, Solzhenitsyn and Svetlova got married in the church, and later they baptized their children here.

Current state

Today the Church of Elijah the Prophet enjoys a certain popularity among believers due to its history, large number of shrines and location. In addition to directly religious affairs, the temple houses:

You can also book a tour of the church. or visit the library, which has more than 10 thousand books.

Appearance

The Temple of Elijah the Prophet is made in the Moscow Baroque style. This is a yellow-painted one-story building with a bell tower with 1 dome. Despite the modest decorations, it looks elegant and airy.

Inside there is a 7-tier iconostasis; the light green walls are modestly decorated with icons and patterns. Despite the large number of images, the inside of the temple looks light and spacious.

Shrines

Among all the shrines of the Church of Elijah the Prophet of God, the main one is considered to be a copy (copy) of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”. The name is related to the story m, written in the second half of the 17th century, about a sinner who prayed at the icon of the Mother of God, and then committed atrocities. One day he saw the Virgin and Child live, but there were severe sores on the child’s hands and feet: because of the sins of man, Christ was crucified again and again. The sinner repented of committing evil, but the Infant did not agree to forgive him, and then the Mother of God also lay down at the feet of her son. Only later did Christ forgive the sinner.

The icon itself depicts this scene: a sinner prays to the Hodegetria icon of the Mother of God, the Mother of God holds in her hands a son covered with sores. They pray to the icon for spiritual strength and getting rid of negativity and quarrels, about getting the desired thing or finding lost people. Pregnant mothers can ask for an easy birth and healthy children.

Also in the temple of Elijah the Prophet of God are:

The Church of Prophet Elijah in Protaras is located at an altitude of 115 meters above sea level so that it is not so easy to get to. Having made the difficult journey, you can not only get acquainted with this beautiful structure, but also admire the splendor of the surrounding landscapes. The temple was named after the prophet Elijah, mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. The church itself is small, made of stone. Its main attractions are the bell tower and the beautiful dome topped with a pointed peak. The entrance to the temple is made in the form of an arch, like all the windows of the building. Large stone steps lead to the monastery, which, unfortunately, have almost collapsed.

At first the church was wooden, but after a fire in 1785, it was restored from sandstone. Inside the temple there is an altar decorated with wooden frescoes, as well as two small rooms, one of which is aimed at parishioners, and the other at clergy. Every year the church holds a holiday in honor of the Prophet Elijah, and also organizes a fair.

Church of Agios Elias

The Church of Agios Elias, also known as the Church of the Prophet Elijah, is located in the center of the popular tourist resort of Protaras. Despite the fact that the church is not large in size, it is worthy of attention. The history of the church goes back several centuries.

In appearance, the architecture of the church is simple: the church is crowned with only one dome, behind which there is a small bell tower. The interior decoration is the epitome of purity and austerity: a simple wooden altar, white walls painted with images of Orthodox saints, tiled floors.

The Church of Agios Elias is built on a high hill, which overlooks the whole of Protaras and its surroundings. There is an interesting belief associated with the stairs leading up the hill. When going up and down, you need to count the steps of the stairs. If their number matches, it means that the sins have been forgiven.

The church looks especially impressive at sunset and at night, when the original illumination turns on.

In Cyprus, you can often see wishing trees. Such a tree also grows next to the church of Agios Elias. It is believed that you need to make a wish and tie a ribbon on a tree branch. Then the dream will definitely come true.

Church of St. Barbara

The Church of St. Barbara is one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches in Cyprus, which is a significant religious landmark of this island. The temple is located at the entrance to the small town of Paralimni, which lies just a few kilometers from the famous resort of Protaras.

The exact date of construction of the church is unknown, however, according to the assumptions of historians, the construction of this temple dates back to the mid-19th century. The Church of St. Barbara bears a clear imprint of Mediterranean architecture - the building looks very elegant, and its exterior is made in warm colors that instantly attract attention.

St. Barbara's Church is the most popular wedding venue in all of Cyprus, and many couples choose it for their wedding. The temple is very beautiful, and its territory offers stunning views of the Mediterranean coast.

Sights of Protaras

You can take a taxi, the cost of the trip is from 11 to 15 euros. Read our review “”.

There is not much point in going from the hotels of other resorts. The attraction is clearly not top-notch, and the journey is expensive and tiring.

Cost of visit

Visiting the church is free, as are candles in it for performing rituals. Icons and souvenirs are already being bought at a shop nearby.

At the foot of the hill there is a cafe where you can buy ribbons for the Wishing Tree for only 0.50 euros.

Working hours

The Church of the Prophet Elijah is open to parishioners and tourists all 24 hours, which is traditional for church buildings in Cyprus. This is very convenient for traveling around the cities of the island.

No one stays long on the famous hill of Protaras: 30-60 minutes is enough for an inspection, a photo shoot, and a “conversation” with God.

A little history

The Church of the Prophet Elijah in Protaras is an Orthodox church currently operating. She is about 600 years old.

Initially, the temple was made of wood, but due to practical reasons (strong winds were the main threat to the church, and in 1785 a fire destroyed the building) it was rebuilt from stone.

The last reconstruction of the building took place in the 1980s.

Who is Prophet Elijah?

According to biblical legend, back in the 9th century BC. God sent Elijah the prophet to earth to set the royal persons on the true path: Ahab (the Israeli king) and Jezebel (his wife).

They led an unrighteous life, but should have been a model for their people. They worshiped Baal, but Elijah showed the power of the True God to the priests of Baal, the people, and the kings. The picture next to it shows scenes of Elijah’s victory over the priests of Baal, click on the picture to enlarge.

However, the first persons of the country did not heed Ilya’s speeches, and even almost took his life. The prophet is expelled from the capital, he hides in caves. One of the women helps him survive. And Ilya heals her sick son.

The church receives the name of the saint, and worthily bears it for several centuries, observing Orthodox holidays in honor of the biblical prophet.

What's so rich about this little attraction?

The outside of the church is paved with stone the color of red sand. It has a round dome with a cross on a pointed peak. There is a small bell tower with a separate rise. The entrance to the church has the shape of an arch, as do all the windows in it.

Inside, everything is simple, as in most Orthodox churches. The altar is made of wood, the walls are white, decorated with frescoes depicting biblical scenes and saints. There are benches for parishioners near the walls. Candles can be taken for free right there.

Built in 1692 on the site of an old wooden church.

Currently, the temple is an architectural monument and is under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

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St. Elias Church is possibly the first Orthodox church of Kievan Rus. The first mentions of this church are found even before the Baptism of Rus'. The Tale of Bygone Years says that in 945, when the Kyiv ambassadors, after concluding an agreement with the Byzantine Emperor Roman, returned to Kyiv, accompanied by a Greek delegation, a divine service was held in:

Church of St. Elijah, even above the stream... behold, there is a cathedral church, many Varyazi Christians.

According to legend, the Church of St. Elijah was built by the Kyiv princes Askold and Dir. Being pagans, the princes undertook a campaign against Constantinople. Defending themselves from enemies, the townspeople, led by the emperor and patriarch, turned to God in prayer and lowered the robe of the Mother of God into the sea. Further, the chronicler narrates that a storm that came out of nowhere sank the ships of the Rus. Having seen such a miracle, princes Askold and Dir were baptized and, returning to Kyiv, built the Church of St. Elijah.

There are suggestions that the Baptism of the Kievites in 988 took place precisely near the Church of St. Elijah, located on the banks of the Dnieper and Pochayna rivers. This place was the most convenient for the baptism of a large mass of people, because after baptism the neophyte must be introduced into the church. Princess Olga also prayed in the Church of St. Elijah.

There is no information preserved about what the church looked like at the beginning. It is believed that the temple was made of wood.

In 1692, with donations from the tradesman Peter Gudima, a stone church building was built. It is known that for many generations representatives of this family were ktitors of this temple. The temple of that period was a small building, characterized by laconicism and clarity of forms, emphasized by restrained external decor.

A portrait of the son of the temple builder, Ivan Gudima, has survived to this day. According to P. Biletsky, the portrait was painted for the 100th anniversary of Ivan Gudima for the Ilinskaya Church. There is an inscription on the portrait: “Whoever wants to wait for Gudimov’s years, please imitate Gudimov’s life.” Now the portrait is in the Museum of Fine Arts of the city of Kyiv.

In the lower tier, the temple is decorated with refined semi-columns, on which light triangular pediments rest. The building is crowned with a cornice, on the frieze of which there are molded rosettes. The same cornice decorates the dome drum. The dome is crowned with a small decorative lantern with icons, including images of the Savior, the Mother of God, John the Baptist, the Prophet Elijah and other saints.

Description of the church

The ensemble of the Elias Church is one of the architectural accents in the development of the Dnieper embankment and forms the first plan of the silhouette of the development of Podol. The buildings around the Elias Church - the bell tower, the bursa, the gate and the fence - form a single architectural ensemble.

Interior

There are about 40 scenes on the walls of the temple, the themes of which are dominated by the biography of the prophet Elijah. The central theme in the painting of the altar is that it was built by one of the Russian masters who worked in the late 17th - early 18th centuries. in Kyiv. Judging by the decor, the same master built the Elias Church .

In 1755, the bell tower was repaired. The bell tower was renovated again after the fire of 1811. During the occupation by the Nazi invaders, the tent was damaged. Restored in 1954.

In 1970, the bell tower and the adjacent brick building were restored.

Minor bursa

The building is one-story brick plastered. The façade is broken up by pilasters and repeating doorways. Sectional layout.

Gates and walls

Built in 1755. A single-span brick gate in Baroque form is flanked by paired columns of the composite order and topped with a broken pediment. Researchers attribute the building to the circle of works by I. G. Grigorovich-Barsky.

A metal fence adjoins the gate to the south, and a brick one-story clergy house, built in 1888, to the north.