Mira is an ancient city that deserves attention thanks to Bishop Nicholas, who later became a saint and miracle worker. Few people have not heard of the great saint. Today, people come here to bow to the temple where he once served, and to walk along the paths on which his feet stepped. This great Christian had ardent faith, unfeigned love and zeal for God. The Miracle Worker - that's what they call him, because it is hardly possible to count the number of miracles associated with the name of St. Nicholas …
Nice city
It is not known exactly when the Lycian Worlds were formed, but based on some records in the annals, we can presumably say that this is the fifth century. Today, a new road Kas - Fenike has been laid through the city. In the Calais area, 25 km away, there is a glorious city. He is known for many events, one of them is the meeting of the Apostle Paul with his followers when he was heading to Rome. This happened in the year 60, during the time of early Christianity.
In the 2nd century A. D. e. the city became a diocesan center. In 300 A. D. e. Nicholas, a native of Patara, became Bishop of Mira, where he served until his death in 325. After his death, Bishop Nicholas Mir of Lycia was soon recognized as a saint, since God glorified him with miraculous phenomenaat cancer. Now the city has become a place of pilgrimage for believers.
Adoration of relics and sights
In the church named after St. Nicholas, there is often a queue to the tomb. This is due to the fact that pilgrims, bowing to the relics, make wishes for a long time. Although, according to the Orthodox tradition, it is not necessary to stand at the shrine for several minutes, detaining others, it is enough to bow to the relics and mentally ask the saint for intercession and help.
Desires should not be selfish and selfish, by and large, the most important thing for a Christian is the salvation of the soul. All requests can be made in prayer at home, and the shrine with relics can only be asked not to forget the saint about what was said in the cell prayer.
The glorious city of Myra Lycian has many attractions. It is part of the confederation of ancient Lycia. Located close to the sea. According to legend, at the harbor of the Andrac River, called Andriake, the Apostle Paul landed on the shore before setting off for Rome. Geographically, the city was located close to the modern Turkish town of Demre (Kale - Antalya province).
Remains of antiquity
The name of the city Myra Lycian comes from the word "myrrh" - incense resin. But there is another version: the city was named "Maura" and is of Etruscan origin. In translation, it means "the place of the Mother Goddess." But later it underwent phonetic changes, as a result of which the name came out - Worlds. From the ancient city, the ruins of the theater (Greek-Roman) and tombs carved into the rocks, the uniqueness of which lies in the fact that they are located on elevated places. This is an ancient tradition of the peoples of Lycia. Thus, the dead should have a better opportunity to go to heaven.
Being a large city, Lycian Myra has been the capital of Lycia since the time of Theodosius II. In III-II centuries BC. e. she had the right to mint her own coins. The decline came in the 7th century. Then the city was destroyed during the Arab raids and flooded with the mud of the Miros River. The church was also repeatedly destroyed. It was especially severely defeated in 1034.
Establishment of a monastery
After the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomakh, together with his wife Zoya, gave instructions to build a fortress wall around the church and converted it into a monastery. In May 1087, Italian merchants took possession of the relics that belonged to the shepherd and transported them to Bari. Here Nicholas the Miracle Worker Mir Lycian was declared the patron saint of the city. According to legend, when opening the relics, the Italian monks smelled the spicy smell of myrrh.
In 1863 the monastery was bought by Alexander II. Restoration work has begun. But they were soon stopped. In 1963, excavations were carried out on the monastery territory, as a result of which colored marble mosaics were discovered - the remains of wall paintings.
Honoring the World of the Lycian wonderworker Nicholas
For Christians, the city has a special meaning. And he owes this to the Orthodox Saint Nicholas, whose day of remembrance is celebrated on December 19. It's greatmiracle worker, known for his quick intercession and patronage for children. Especially orphans, travelers and sailors. He appeared to many in person, either for instruction or for help. There are many stories of miracles associated with the saint.
Even during his lifetime, the shepherd saved one girl from a shameful marriage because of her father's debts. And soon her sisters. He threw a bag of gold coins out the window when it was night. The happy father was able to solve all the pressing problems and save his daughters from marriage for the sake of money.
Many people were healed at the shrine of the saint. There is a known case of pacifying a sea storm by Nikolai and saving a ship from sinking.
In Russia there was a story called "Standing Zoya". It happened during the Soviet era. But here St. Nicholas the World of Lycia proved himself to be a strict zealot of Orthodoxy.
Customs and modernity
In the Western tradition, St. Nicholas became the prototype for the creation of the fairy-tale hero Santa Claus. He is seen as the protector of children, to whom he brings gifts on Christmas night.
Of course, from the point of view of a believer, this is blasphemy against the image of a saint who has become eccentric, lives in Lapland, starred in Coca-Cola commercials and wears a red jacket. And most tourists visiting the beaches of Antalya do not even suspect that they are only a two-hour drive from a holy place where you can pray and ask for the most secret, and not a single request will go unanswered.
From the former holy city, little is left, because the modernthe tourism industry leaves a powerful imprint on everything, turning even quiet places into a kind of Disneyland. Already on the outskirts of the temple, where the Archbishop of the World of the Lycian Wonderworker once served, tourists are greeted by a large plastic Santa, reminding them of the New Year holidays. Farther away, closer to the church, stands the figure of Saint Nicholas, made in the canonical style.
Quiet and peaceful, these places can be seen in the cold season. The church of the saint evokes feelings of eternity. It is a pity that the relics of St. Nicholas are in Bari.
Excursion to Myra is offered in every hotel on the coast. The cost will be 40-60 dollars. Most tours include lunch and a boat trip to about. Kekova to view ancient ruins.
The identity of the saint
Nikolai himself was born in the city of Patara. His father and mother - Feofan and Nonna - come from aristocrats. Nikolai's family was quite prosperous. But, despite the possibility of a luxurious existence, the saint's parents were adherents of a charitable Christian life. Until a very old age, they did not have children, and only thanks to fervent prayers and a promise to dedicate a child to God, the Lord gave them the joy of being parents. In baptism, the baby was named Nicholas, which means from Greek - the victorious people.
According to legend, from the first days the baby fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, refusing mother's milk. In adolescence, the future saint showed a special disposition and ability for the sciences. He was not interested in the empty amusements of his peers. Everything bad and sinful was alien to him. The young ascetic spent most of his time reading Holy Scripture and praying.
After the death of his parents, Nikolai became the heir to a large fortune. However, it did not bring the kind of joy that comes with fellowship with God.
Priesthood
Having taken the priesthood, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Lycia led an even more strict life of an ascetic. The archbishop wanted to do his good deeds secretly, as commanded in the Gospel. From this act in the Christian world, a tradition began, according to which children on Christmas morning find gifts secretly brought at night by Nikolai, who in the West is called Santa Claus.
Despite his high position, Presbyter Nicholas remained a model of humility, love and meekness. The Shepherd's clothes were simple, without any ornaments. The saint's food was lenten, and he took it once a day. The pastor refused no one to help and advice. During the service of the saint, there were persecutions of Christians. Nicholas, like many others, was tortured and imprisoned on the orders of Diocletian and Maximian.
Scientific approach
Radiology studies confirmed the presence of signs on the relics indicating that St. Mir of Lycian had been in dampness and cold for a long time … And also during the radiological studies of the remains of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker (1953–1957), it was found that the iconographic image and portraitthe image coincides with the appearance reconstructed from the skull from the tomb in Bari. The height of the miracle worker was 167 cm.
At a fairly advanced age (about 80 years old), Nicholas the Wonderworker passed away to the Lord. According to the old style, this day fell on December 6th. And in a new way - this is 19. The Temple in the Worlds exists today, but the Turkish authorities allow worship only once a year: December 19.
