On the territory of the Crimean peninsula there are many interesting sights for every taste. In addition to the unique corners of nature and architectural masterpieces, there are many shrines here that make pilgrimage tours to Crimea popular.
Near Sevastopol, two Orthodox shrines are most attractive for pilgrims - the ancient St. George Monastery on Fiolent and the rock of the Holy Phenomenon located in the sea next to it, also known as St. George's.
Stone shrine at sea
About 140 meters from the coast of Jasper Fiolenta Beach, a triangular rock rises above the sea. It has the glory of the Orthodox shrine of Crimea and is most often called the rock of the Holy Phenomenon. At its summit, a seven-meter cross rises majestically, serving as an eloquent reminder of ancient legends surrounding this landmark of Crimea. Because of the cross established here, the rock is sometimes called Krestovoi.
Local legends say that at the end of the 9th century a Greek ship fell into a strong storm here. The sailors in their prayers appealed to St. George, praying for help and salvation. According to the legend, the saint appeared on a cliff protruding above the sea and showed them the way to salvation. After this incident, the place gained the glory of an Orthodox shrine, and the surviving sailors in gratitude erected a rocky church on the shore, with which the modern St. George Monastery on Fiolent takes its history.
The St. George Rock in Crimea is one of the most recognizable sea rocks not only near the Fiolent, but also on the entire Sevastopol coast. The picturesque Jasper beach, above which St. George’s Monastery rises, usually becomes the starting point for everyone who wants to climb to the temple (if traveling by boat) or swim to the rock of the Holy Phenomenon.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru you can read an interesting article about the most beautiful Crimean beaches.
Convent Fiolenta
Located on the way from Sevastopol to Balaklava, St. George's Monastery is one of the most important Orthodox shrines of Crimea. It is not known for certain how plausible the legends are, but in the Genoese chronicles there are references that already in the 14th century an Orthodox church towered on the rocks of Cape Fiolent. But neither the Genoese, nor the Turks who replaced them, ever tried to destroy this center of Orthodoxy on the Crimean peninsula.
The St. George Monastery on Cape Fiolent is one of the Orthodox shrines of Crimea, which escaped the sad fate during the reign of the Turks, and in a number of wars that took place on the peninsula. During the Crimean War, Anglo-French troops were stationed within its walls. The building was not damaged at all, but the monastery garden and vineyards were destroyed. After the transfer of these lands under the jurisdiction of Russians, the monastery gained wide popularity. Since 1813, the status of the naval was assigned to the St. George Monastery in Crimea. The monks of the monastery could serve as chaplains in the fleet. At the end of the 19th century, a stone staircase was laid to the temple and Jasper beach.
During the First World War, a hospital was located here. But with the advent of the Bolsheviks, the Orthodox monastery was closed, and its premises began to be used as warehouses. St. George's Monastery on Fiolent was seriously damaged during the devastating Crimean earthquake, and its condition was assessed as irreparable.
The return of the holy monastery of Crimea to believers and its full restoration takes place only at the end of the 20th century. The reconstruction of the monastery buildings was carried out according to the drawings of the 14th century. A fountain and rotunda were restored on the territory of the monastery courtyard. Now tourists can admire the majestic temple, the architectural appearance of which is presented in the best traditions of Russian classicism.
The walls of this temple of Crimea have seen many famous personalities, including representatives of the royal dynasty. There were Chekhov, Griboedov, Bunin and Pushkin. The latter remained forever subdued by the beauty of Fiolent and its environs. The famous marine painter Aivazovsky, who glorified Crimea with his canvases, also visited the monastery. Many generals and admirals also visited here, since it has long been believed that St. George patronizes the military and helps in achieving victories.
Finding the St. George Monastery in Crimea is quite easy, because it is located in one of the most legendary corners of the peninsula. You can get here both by land from Sevastopol, and by sea from Balaklava.
Article Author: skywriter13