Myra Lycian - the most ancient city. He became famous thanks to Bishop Nicholas, who later became a saint. Few people know the great saint. They go to Mira to worship the temple where Nicholas the Wonderworker once served, to walk along the paths that his foot stepped on.
It is hardly possible to accurately name the number of miracles performed by St. Nicholas. The great Christian was distinguished by sincere faith and love for God.
History of the city
According to the records in the annals, it is assumed that the city appeared in the fifth century, although the exact date is unknown. It was not far from Mir, according to legend, near the Andrak (Andriake) river that the apostle Peter and his followers met on the way to Rome.
Since the second century, the city has become a diocesan center. The Lycian worlds are part of the confederation of ancient Lycia. There are many attractions in the city located near the sea.
On the map of Turkey, the Mirliki settlement is located near the modern town of Demre. The name "worlds" comes, according to one version, from incense.
Another word sounds like Maura. After numerous sound transformations, the sound has been reduced to "worlds". As a major city, Myra became the Lycian capital since the reign of Theodosius II and acquired the right to mint its own coins.
Due to the constant looting and flooding by the river, the city began to decline. The population moved to a safer place, located a few kilometers from the old world.
The city of St. Nicholas
Since 300, Nicholas the Pleasant has become a bishop in Mira. He served in the city until his death in 325.
According to legend, the oldest representative of the local community had a vision that the first person to come to the temple would become a bishop. The name of this person is Nikolai.
On that morning, the saint was the first to cross the threshold. After the death of the presbyter, the Lycian world was recognized as a saint.
God glorified his name with miraculous manifestations. To the tomb of Nicholas, which is located in the temple of the same name, there is often a huge queue.
It is explained by the fact that those who come to the city make wishes, staying for a long time near the relics. At the same time, according to Orthodox traditions, it is not customary to stand for a long time and detain others.
It is enough to bow down and ask the saint mentally for intercession.
sights
The city has preserved the ruins of an ancient theater and ancient tombs carved into the rocks. Their uniqueness lies in their location: they are all on a noticeable hill, according to the traditions of the Lycian population.
In this way, the dead were given the opportunity to quickly get to heaven. All structures are decorated with amazing spectacular reliefs. Many tombs are decorated with intricate canopies. From the bas-reliefs one can find out what kind of craft the buried person was engaged in.
In May 1087, the relics of the holy pastor, kept in the church, secretly transported them to Bari. In the new place, the Miracle worker of Mirlikia was declared a heavenly patron.
On the territory of ancient Mir, after the relics were moved to Italy, a sarcophagus made of marble remained in the Mirliki temple. The church building also suffered from the raids of enemies.
It was especially badly destroyed in 1034. Emperor Constantine Monomakh gave an order to build a fortress wall around the church.
As a result, the building was transformed into a monastery. In 1862, Russian Emperor Nicholas I initiated work to restore the temple. After the restoration, the external appearance of the building has noticeably changed. Domed vaults were replaced with ordinary ceilings, and the church itself was supplemented by a bell tower.
In 1964, during excavations carried out on the monastery territory, marble mosaics left over from wall paintings were discovered. Many monuments of Mira have lost their former appearance. The most popular is a group of tombs called the Painted Grave. Despite the fact that the paint has come down, the bas-reliefs decorating the burials look great.
The Lycian worlds are of the greatest importance to Christians. The city owes this to the Orthodox Nicholas the Wonderworker. December 19 in Orthodoxy celebrates the day of his memory.
Miracles of Saint Nicholas
The great saint is known for his intercession. There are many stories associated with the miracles he performed. During her lifetime, the presbyter saved the girl from marriage because of her parent's debts. Soon the saint interceded for the sisters of the saved one. He secretly gave them a bag of money. Problems have been resolved.
Many people were healed at the saint's shrine. There is a known case of saving a ship from flooding by pacifying a storm. He also showed himself as a miracle worker as a zealot of Orthodoxy. This is reflected in the story called "the standing of Zoe" associated with a disrespectful attitude towards the icon.
Over time, in the West, Saint Nicholas turned into the fairy wizard Santa Claus, bringing gifts on Christmas night. Most of those who visit the resort Antalya do not even think that they are a couple of hours from the holy places where you can pray.
Not a single request will be left without attention. Biography Nikolai was born in the city of Patara in the aristocratic family of Nonna and Theophanes. The saint's parents were well-to-do people. Despite the possibility of a comfortable existence, they chose a godly life.
Only thanks to their fervent prayers and the promise to devote the child to the service of the Lord, Theophan and Nonna were given joy. They had a baby named Nikolai. The newborn on Wednesdays and Fridays refused to drink breast milk, fasting.
In adolescence, the future bishop showed special talents in the sciences. Empty entertainment did not interest him. Almost all the time the young man was in prayer. After the death of his parents, Nikolai inherited a considerable fortune.
However, wealth did not bring him joy. Having taken the dignity, the ascetic began to lead an even more strict life. He performed his good deeds in secret from everyone, according to the commandments of the Gospel. Hence the tradition, according to which little ones find gifts on Christmas morning. The elder remains the image of love, meekness and humility.
He preferred simple clothes, denied jewelry. The saint's food was exceptionally lean. He ate only once in a day. The pastor did not refuse his help to anyone.
During the life of Nicholas, persecutions began against Christians. He was subjected to severe tests and imprisoned. The presbyter retired to the Lord for about eight decades. The date of death fell on December 6 (19 new style).
The worlds of Lycian at present
Little is left of the former greatness of the city. Everything is being transformed by the modern tourism industry, even previously quiet places. On the outskirts of the temple where Saint Nicholas once served, pilgrims see a large Santa Claus made of plastic. This is a reminder of the Christmas celebrations.
Closer to the church there is a figure of the Wonderworker, made in the canonical style. The Turkish authorities only allowed church services on a single day, December 19th.
According to the research of scientists on the relics of the saint, signs of finding him for a long time in damp and cold were found.
Radiological examination confirmed the similarity of the iconographic image with the reconstruction carried out in Bari based on the skull found in the tomb.
The city of Nikolai Ugodnik itself has not survived in its original form. However, there is an opportunity to visit its ruins. They attract many tourists who are interested in ancient history.
Each coastal hotel, of which there are a lot, offers its own version of an excursion to the city of Nikolai Ugodnik.
Peace and silence descend on the Lycian Worlds in only the cold season. Then, when looking at the building of the church, you can feel eternity.
