Church of St. Catherine

Far from the railway station "Aivazovsky" - former "Sarygol" is St. Catherine's Church. It was built in 1871 on the means of actual state councilor, Professor VI Lapshin.

Church is very elegant, vivid, unusual, its architectural appearance differs sumptuous decoration. Erected a temple in the Russian style, the architect of its innovative features lavishly decorated in different sizes, capitals and columns, thickened in the middle. By the entrance to the temple is a small arched porch above it arranged a low, rectangular bell tower. The domes are painted blue and covered with golden stars. Light drum is a pyramid with a small golden dome. On each side of the drum are arranged four large arched windows decorated with lancet riding and carved patterns. The light penetrates the temple and through the rectangular windows in the walls. His whole appearance of the church reminds the Russian beauty in a lush decor. It was consecrated in honor of St. Catherine.

Catherine was the daughter of the ruler of Alexandria, Egypt Konst. She had an extraordinary beauty and rare intelligence, many noble young men wanted to marry her, but she said she would marry only for those who will be equal to her wealth, beauty, and erudition. Holy hermit drew her to Christ. Once in a dream saw the First Lady of Christ who stretched out her ring and said: "You elect a bride." When he awoke, she found the ring on his hand. Since then, Catherine devoted herself to the holy faith, and her fiance Jesus Christ.

When in Alexandria, where she lived, came the Emperor Maximilian, and prayed in a pagan temple, Catherine came back and tried to persuade him to renounce the idols. Wanting to persuade a beautiful girl, Maximilian invited pundits who have entered into an argument with Catherine in front of the people. But by the scientists themselves have decided to become Christians. Angered emperor gave the girl a terrible torture, after which she was beheaded. The relics of St. Catherine at rest in the monastery on Mount Sinai. Church celebrates the memory of St. Catherine on December 7. Holy the art of healing, so it expectant mothers plead for help.

Twenty years rector of the St. Catherine's Church was the Rev. Andrew ludovich Kosovo (1878-1920). Known about his life that he received a spiritual education, was married in the family had two sons - Vladimir and Dmitrij. February 26, 1901 Catherine was appointed to the temple city of Theodosia. Father Andrew was loved and respected by the parishioners of selflessness, dedication to his flock. He led the county branch of the Tauride instituted Diocesan Council and was an observer Theodosia church schools. The changes that have taken place in the revolutionary in 1917, caused concern not only to the cleric, but his parishioners. Shepherd spoke openly and directly with the people that he was worried that he could not accept the new government: the closure of churches, arrest and exile of priests. The Soviet government did not tolerate criticism. Rev. Andrew Kosovo was arrested right in the temple on Dec. 7, 1920, the feast day of Catherine the Great. He was accused that spoke disapprovingly of the Soviet regime, made prayers, asking for victory over the Bolsheviks. Relatives called the Cheka the request to release his father Andrew's home, as he suffered a typhoid and malaria, was still weak and in need of care. But this request was not granted.

Parishioners wishing to help their pastor, made a motion to release the patient archpriest, in which he wrote: Archpriest Andrei Kosovo in our parish for twenty years, and during that time was for us a very good minister, was a member of our needs, was very fair . For all the questions we have always turned to him, and he has never and in no way denied. Conversations on the subject against the Soviet regime, we have not heard from him. Generally, Archpriest Andrew Kosovo was our good shepherd. "The Commission of Inquiry of the Special Division of the Cheka of the Black and Azov Seas December 16, 1920 ruled:" Because of the discovery of his guilt in the utterance in the church sermons aimed at discrediting the Soviet government on the issue of separation of church and state, taking into account its frank recognition and application of numerous parishioners - to transmit all the incriminating material in the People's Court further held. "But before the trial never took place. rukovoditeey One of the Cheka, a man named Kovalyov, I decided that the sentence is too soft and made his : "Kosovo, as an enemy of the RSFSR, isolated from the Society of the free citizens - predavvysshey penalty - death by shooting." synodal commission on canonization of the New Martyrs Russian decided to glorify Archpriest Andrei ludovich Kosovo in the face of the saints.

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