If you travel to Rome, you are probably preparing to encounter ancient history and beautiful art. Indeed, in Rome, the history of the formation of the entire European civilization comes to life before amazed travelers. Moreover, numerous architectural, sculptural and artistic masterpieces are not necessarily “hidden” in palaces. Works of art can be found in almost any part of the city, in almost any alley! And the special “guardians” of the cultural and historical treasures of the Eternal City are the cathedrals and churches of Rome. You can find everything there - a rich history, expressive architecture, unique paintings and sculptural masterpieces, and, of course, priceless Christian relics. We invite you to take a look with us at the most famous and interesting basilicas and churches in Rome and find out what treasures they hold.

Main cathedrals of Rome

The Catholic Church identifies several of the most significant among the many Roman churches. These are the so-called “papal basilicas” (Basilica Papale), which have a special status in the Catholic world and report directly to the Pope. Officially, they are part of the Vatican, no matter where they are located geographically. Let's take a look at some of them - the most famous and interesting for tourists.

St. Peter's Cathedral (Basilica di San Pietro)

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is the largest Christian cathedral in Rome and one of the largest in the world. But it is famous not only for its grandiose size. The architectural harmony and luxury of the temple’s decoration amazes the imagination. And this is not surprising, because such masters as Michelangelo (the author of the famous dome of the cathedral), Bernini (the creator of the amazing colonnade on the square), Raphael, Bramante and many other outstanding architects, sculptors and painters worked on the construction and decoration of the cathedral.

St. Peter's Basilica is the heart of the Vatican. And the heart of the cathedral itself is the tomb of St. Apostle Peter. It is above her that the main altar of the basilica is located; it was because of her and for her sake that a temple was built on this site back in the 4th century. In addition, St. Peter's Cathedral houses many other relics and, of course, unique works of art.

St. Peter's Cathedral is so large that, according to legend, an entire army of soldiers was somehow “lost” in it - they say that the commander who was late for duty simply did not notice them. What can we say about tourists who find it so difficult to understand all the variety of interesting artifacts of the cathedral! In order not to get lost in the cultural and historical richness of this temple, explore it with our audio guide! We have created a fascinating audio tour “” so that St. Peter’s Cathedral will open up for you and reveal some of its secrets, stories and legends. Download the Travelry guide with audio guide so you don't miss the most striking masterpieces and most important relics of St. Peter's Basilica.

Opening hours of St. Peter's Cathedral: from October 1 to March 31 – 7.00-18.30 (closed January 1 and 6); from April 1 to September 30 – 7.00-19.00.

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Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano

Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, or Lateran Basilica of St. John, is one of the first Christian churches of the Eternal City. This majestic cathedral was founded back in the 4th century, under Emperor Constantine the Great. It is also called the “archibasilica,” that is, the main basilica. Yes, yes, this particular Cathedral of Rome, in terms of its official status, is the main one in the Catholic world, even more important than St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican! After all, it was here, in Laterano, that the residence of the popes was once located. And until 1870, the elevation to the papal rank took place in this cathedral.

The interior of this grandiose basilica impresses with its grandeur and solemnity. An attentive traveler will find a lot of interesting things in it, especially if with him. Mosaic floor, beautiful statues of the apostles, 13th century mosaic behind the central altar, 16th century organ, magnificent reliquaries…. The temple contains important shrines - the heads of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, as well as part of the table at which Christ and the apostles ate the Meal at the Last Supper.

Address: Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 4
Opening hours: 7.00 – 18.30 (without lunch).

Learn about the Lateran Basilica with many interesting facts and stories with an audio tour " ”, which is available in our Rome guide for iPhone.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

There is a beautiful legend about the construction of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This fragment of ours is about him:

Built back in the 4th century, Santa Maria Maggiore is not only one of the oldest, but also the fourth largest church in Rome. However, despite its grandeur, the cathedral contains very touching relics. Among them are fragments of a wooden manger, in which, according to legend, the baby Jesus lay. Another shrine of the temple is the ancient miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. It is believed that it was written by the holy evangelist Luke. The icon is called “The Salvation of the Roman People,” which is associated with one of the many miracles - the salvation of Rome from the plague epidemic, which occurred in the 6th century through prayers to the Mother of God.

Particularly noteworthy in the cathedral are the ancient mosaics of the 5th century, the luxurious design of the side chapels (especially the Borghese Chapel), the ancient mosaic floor, the majestic coffered ceiling of the 15th century and many other amazing and beautiful details that make up the majestic appearance of the temple.

The cathedral is dominated by a 75-meter Romanesque bell tower, which is considered the tallest in Rome.

Address: Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore, 42
Opening hours: 7.00 – 18.45 (without lunch).

If you are planning to visit the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and are traveling around Rome with an iPhone, we recommend downloading the audio tour " ", in which a detailed and interesting story is dedicated to this cathedral.

Basilica of St. Paul "Beyond the Walls" (San Paolo fuori le mura)

One of the main papal basilicas in Rome. The basilica was founded under Emperor Constantine in the 4th century at the resting place of the Holy Apostle Paul. It is this most important Christian relic that still attracts many pilgrims here. In the courtyard of the temple (created in the 13th century) many other shrines are kept. And the luxurious interior of the basilica impresses with an abundance of beautiful works of art.

Address: Piazzale di San Paolo, 1
Opening hours: 7.00-18.30.

Secrets of antiquity: ancient frescoes, Byzantine mosaics and ancient artifacts

Church Santa Maria in Trastevere(Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere)

One of the oldest Roman churches, built in the 3rd century, even before the official adoption of Christianity! This church is considered the first official Christian temple in Rome. The basilica acquired its Baroque façade already at the beginning of the 17th century. However, despite a number of reconstructions, elements of medieval decoration are well preserved in the church. In particular, the beautiful 12th-century mosaics decorating the façade of the church, as well as the frescoes inside by Pietro Cavallini.

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere
Opening hours: 7.30 – 21.00, in August 8.00-12.00 and 16.00-21.00.

Church of San Clemente (Basilica diSan Clemente)

The Church of San Clemente is also one of the oldest in Rome. While visiting this church, you can study different eras, plunging into the depths of centuries. The fact is that under the main building of the 11th-12th centuries (which in itself deserves attention) an older church, built back in 385, has been preserved. And even lower, under the early Christian basilica, you can see a piece of antiquity! On the lowest level are the ruins of a pagan temple dating from the 3rd century and the ruins of an ancient city from the 1st century - what remained after the great fire of 64 AD, attributed to Nero. An underground river still flows there - part of an ancient Roman aqueduct.

To go down to the lower levels, you must purchase a ticket.
Address: Via Labicana, 95
Opening hours: weekdays 9.00-12.30 and 15.00-18.00; Sundays and holidays 12.00 – 18.00.

Church of Saint Pudenziana (Chiesa di SantaPudenziana al Viminale)

Among the oldest churches in Rome, the Church of St. Pudenziana also stands out. It was built on the site where the house of the Roman senator Puda, father of Saint Pudenziana, once stood. The remains of an ancient 1st century house belonging to Pudu (Palazzo di San Pudente) are located under the church. It was in this house that the first Christian community of Rome met. Senator Pud received the apostles Peter and Paul, as well as other believers, in his home. An ancient tradition calls him “a friend of the apostles.” Subsequently, Pud himself was canonized among the 70 holy apostles. And the church is dedicated to one of his daughters - Saint Pudenziana.

In the second century, baths were built on the site of Puda's house. And at the end of the 4th century, after the adoption of Christianity, one of the first Roman churches appeared here. The church was rebuilt several times over the centuries. The church is notable for its ancient mosaic above the main altar in the semi-dome - it dates from the end of the 4th - beginning of the 5th century and is considered one of the oldest in Rome. In addition, ancient paintings and frescoes attract attention.

Now the Church of Santa Pudenziana is the national church of the Filipino community in Rome.

Address: Via Urbana, 160
Opening hours: 8.30 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 18.00 (break from 12 to 15.00)

Church of Saint Praxeda (Santa Prassede all'Esquilino)

The church was built in the 9th century by Pope Paschal and dedicated to Pudenziana's sister, another daughter of Puda, Saint Praxeda. According to legend, together with her sister Pudenziana, Saint Praxeda sheltered persecuted Christians in her house (they lived during times of severe persecution, in the 1st century), took care of them, and buried martyrs. The relics of the holy sisters rest in the underground crypt of the church.

In this temple you cannot pass by the amazing chapel of St. Zeno. It is decorated with amazing colorful mosaics created by Byzantine craftsmen who took refuge in Rome from iconoclastic persecution.

On the right side of the Zeno Chapel is kept a great Christian relic - the “Colonna della Flagellazione”, the upper part of the pillar to which Jesus Christ was tied during the scourging. This relic was brought in 1223 from Constantinople. Two other parts of the same pillar are located in Jerusalem and Constantinople.

Address: Via di Santa Prassede, 9/a
Opening hours: weekdays 7.30 – 12.00 and 16.00 – 18.30, weekends 8.00 – 12.00 and 16.00 – 18.30.
http://www.romaspqr.it/

We visit all three churches mentioned above - San Clemente, Santa Praxeda and Santa Pudenziana - on an audio tour " » with a guide for iPhone Travelry. In it we remember the amazing history, the shrines of these places, and their cultural treasures.

Church of Santa Cecilia in Trasteverein Trastevere)

The church dedicated to Saint Cecilia, the patroness of music, has existed since the 5th century and, according to legend, was erected on the site of the house in which the saint lived. It is impossible to ignore and pass by the amazingly beautiful and tender sculpture by Stefano Maderno, depicting Saint Cecilia as, according to legend, she was discovered when her relics were found.

The church is also decorated with ancient mosaics from the 9th century, frescoes by Pietro Cavallini, and a Gothic canopy from the 13th century. And in the crypt of the basilica (the underground part) you can see a piece of antiquity - the remains of ancient buildings have been preserved there. In addition, under the altar there is a sargophagus with the relics of St. Cecilia.

Address: Piazza di Santa Cecilia, 22
Opening hours: 10.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00.

Visiting the basilica is free, entry to the underground crypt costs € 2.50.You can view the medieval frescoes of Pietro Cavallini from 10.00 to 12.30 (€ 2.50).

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Masterpieces of painting and sculpture in the churches of Rome

Church of Santa Maria della Victoria

The Church of Santa Maria della Victoria, built in the 17th century, houses famous masterpieces of Baroque art. One of them is a sculptural composition by Bernini “ Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" Looking at this amazing sculpture, you involuntarily recall the words of Bernini himself: “I conquered marble and made it flexible, like wax, and thereby was able to a certain extent to combine sculpture with painting.” It sounds bold, but... look at the works of this sculptor and decide for yourself how true this statement is.

Also noteworthy in the interior of the church is Cornaro Chapel– its design is distinguished by deliberate theatricality, characteristic of the Baroque style.

Address: Via XX Settembre, 17
Opening hours: 8.30-12.00 and 15.30-18.00

Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo (Santa Maria del Popolo)

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo in its current form is an example of the Roman Renaissance and modestly houses many cultural treasures. Among them - paintings by Caravaggio with scenes from the life of the holy apostles: “The Conversion of the Apostle Paul” and “The Crucifixion of St. Peter.” They are located in the Cerasi Chapel.

Also in the church you can see sculptures of the Baroque master Bernini, painting from sketches Raphael, frescoes Pinturicchio, works Sebastiano del Piombo and other famous artists.

Address: Piazza del Popolo, 12
Opening hours: all days except Friday and Saturday 7.30 – 12.30, 16.00 – 19.00, Fri. and Sat. 7.30 – 19.00 (without lunch).

We visit the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo on an audio tour " " While exploring the city with an audio guide, you will not miss the most interesting places and learn the most interesting stories about it.

Church of San Luigi dei Francesi (Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi)

In the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, built in the 16th century, you can see famous paintings by the mature Caravaggio. As many as three outstanding works of this master, lights and shadows, are in the Contarelli Chapel, in the left nave: “The Calling of the Apostle Matthew”, “St. Matthew and the Angel”, “The Martyrdom of St. Matthew”. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the frescoes Domenichino.

The Church of San Luigi dei Francesi is included in the audio tour route " » with a guide for iPhone Travelry. In it we will talk about the amazing paintings of the painter, and about the history and features of the church, and about many other interesting places in the center of Rome.

Address: Piazza di San Luigi dei Francesi, 5
Opening hours: 10.00-12.30, after a break 15.00-19.00, closed on Thursdays after lunch.

Church San Pietro in Vincoli(San Pietro in Vincoli)

The Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, or “St. Peter in chains,” was built in the 5th century specifically to store an important shrine - the chains of the Apostle Peter. The iron chains with which Saint Peter was shackled when he was detained for preaching about Christ are kept in a special reliquary under the main altar.

And in the 16th century, a masterpiece by the famous Renaissance master appeared here. Michelangelo – Moses sculpture. For her sake, many art lovers flock to this church. The sculptor conceived a grandiose composition, however, he was not able to fully realize it, since Michelangelo was “distracted” by working on St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The project was already completed by the master’s students, but even one mighty sculpture of Moses, created by his hands, is worthy of attention. In addition, the church contains interesting frescoes by masters of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The temple is located a little away from the well-known tourist trails, and therefore not all independent tourists manage to find it. But it was created to help travelers quickly navigate the city and find the places they are interested in, as well as learn a lot of interesting things about them (the application is currently only available for iPhone).

We tell you more about the history and treasures of this church, as well as the famous creation of Michelangelo in the audio tour "".

Address: Piazza S. Pietro in Vincoli, 4a
Opening hours: from April to September 8.00-12.30, 15.00-19.00; from October to March 8.00-12.30, 15.00-18.00.

Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

Jean-Christophe BENOIST, Wikimedia Commons

The Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, built in the 13th century, is considered the only Gothic church in Rome. In the basilica you can see frescoes by Filippo Lippi and a sculpture of Christ by Michelangelo (1521)

Address: Piazza della Minerva, 42
Opening hours: 07.10-19.00, Sun. 08.00-12.00 and 14:00-19.00

We visit the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva on an excursion " » with Travelry audio guide.

Churches of Rome with interesting architecture

Pantheon (Pantheon), Church of Santa Maria "At the Martyrs" (Santa Maria ad Martyres, Santa Maria della Rotonda)

The magnificent Pantheon is not only a unique architectural and engineering monument of antiquity, but also a Christian church. Once upon a time, back in 27 BC, a pagan sanctuary was built here. The temple acquired its famous architectural appearance after reconstruction in the 2nd century. It was then that an amazing dome with a hole (“the eye of the Pantheon”) and a round building – the rotunda – appeared. Until now, this grandiose structure is considered a miracle of engineering and a masterpiece of ancient architecture.

And in 609, the pagan “temple of all gods” turned into the Church of the Mother of God “At the Martyrs” (Santa Maria ad Martyres). Probably due to this, it has survived to this day almost unchanged. Why "At the Martyrs"? The name is due to the fact that 28 carts with the relics of the holy martyrs were transported here from the Roman catacombs. And in later centuries, the Pantheon became the tomb of famous people, including Raphael, the first king of United Italy, Vittorio Emmanuele II, and his son Umberto I. The second name of the church, Santa Maria della Rotonda, is associated with the round shape of the building.

Address: Piazza della Rotonda

Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. 08.30-19.30, Sun. 09.00-18.00.

Tourist visits are not allowed during church services (on Sundays and holidays at 10.30, on Saturdays at 17.00)

Listen to the audio tour about the amazing history and unique features of the ancient Pantheon “ “.

Church of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza

The Church of St. Ivo is one of the brightest examples of Baroque art and the extraordinary, even extravagant architectural style of Borromini. Dynamic architecture with bizarre curves creates the impression of movement, a rapid impulse, in which the building seems to freeze for a moment. The amazing graceful dome also attracts attention.

The church is located on Corso del Rinascimento, but is practically invisible from the street. In order to see it, you need to go into the yard.

Address: Corso del Rinascimento, 40 (entranceWithstreetsCorso del Rinasсimento)

You can visit the church only on Sundays from 9.00 to 12.00. From July to August it is closed even on Sundays.

The Church of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza is included in the route of our audio tour " ”, which is available in the Travelry mobile guide.

Church of the Gesù

The Church of the Jesuit Order, called del Gesù, is a brilliant example of Mannerism and exuberant Roman Baroque. The elegant church with luxurious decoration was built in the 16th century by the architects Vignola and della Porta. It is curious that the design proposed for this building by Michelangelo was rejected by the cardinal. The architecture of Il Gesu has become canonical for Jesuit churches around the world. Following its model, churches of the so-called “Society of Jesus” are built in Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, and Latin America. The founder of the Jesuit order, Ignatius of Loyola, is buried in the temple.

Address: Piazza del Gesù

Opening hours: 7.00-12.30 / 16.00-19.45

Church of San Carlo "At the Four Fountains" (San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane)

The amazing Church of San Carlo, or San Carlino, is located near the intersection of the Four Fountains. Not every tourist gets to this place, and loses a lot! After all, this is one of the main masterpieces of the architect Borromini. The dynamic shapes of the facade, the amazing play of light and shadow, wavy curves and other architectural features make this building an outstanding example of the Baroque style. Moreover, as executed by the talented and unfortunate architect Francesco Borromini, this style is completely unique and original. No wonder many foreign architects, stunned by Borromini’s work, tried to get sketches and copies of the building plan.

Address: Piazza Navona – Via S.Maria dell’Anima, 30/A – 00186 ROMA

Opening hours: weekdays 9.30-12.30, after a break 15.30-19.00, weekends and holidays 9.00-13.00, after a break 16.00-20.00, closed on Sundays.

Twin churches of Santa Maria di Montesano and Santa Maria dei Miracoli

On the south side of the square, opposite the Porta del Popolo arch, two twin temples stand out: Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, built according to the design of the architect C. Rainaldi in the 17th century. The buildings are located in a mirror manner and are an important part of the overall architectural ensemble of the square. They are incredibly similar, however, if you look at them very carefully (and especially if you see them in plan), you will notice that Santa Maria dei Miracoli is round, and Santa Maria in Montesanto is oval. This is due to the fact that the architect needed to somehow fit the building into the complex of pre-existing buildings.

Address: Piazza del Popolo

We will see the twin churches at the very beginning of the audio tour " ».

Roman relics revered by the Orthodox

Today Rome is known as the capital of the Catholic world. But this city is much older than the Catholic Church itself, and its significance for the entire Christian world is much greater and more important than it might seem. After all, long before the division of churches into Catholic and Orthodox occurred (and this tragic event occurred in 1054), Rome was the ancient cradle of all Christianity. It was in Rome that the holy apostles Peter and Paul preached, it was in Rome that they suffered and suffered martyrdom. During times of persecution, Rome showed the world countless Christian martyrs. And later, after the legalization of Christianity under Emperor Constantine the Great, it was here that magnificent Christian churches and basilicas began to grow, which became models for later buildings. It is not surprising that today Rome houses a great many common Christian relics that are revered by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians.

Shrines from Jerusalem

Many shrines came to Rome thanks to the active work of the holy Queen Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine. Already at a very old age, Elena undertook a long and difficult journey to the Holy Land, to Jerusalem, in order to find shrines associated with the earthly life of Jesus Christ. In those days this was an incredibly difficult task, because Jerusalem was completely destroyed in the 1st century. However, Elena was able to find and brought many important relics to Rome.

Among them - shrines associated with the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is part of the Cross on which the Savior was crucified, a thorn from the crown of thorns, a nail that was used during execution, a tablet with the inscription of guilt attached to the Cross. The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Santa Croce in Gerusalemme) was built especially to store these shrines brought by Queen Helena. In addition, the cathedral houses the finger of St. Thomas the Apostle, the cross of the “prudent thief,” as well as a full-size copy of the Shroud of Turin.

There was also a staircase from Jerusalem to Rome, which was once located in the palace of Pontius Pilate. Jesus Christ, condemned to execution by Pilate, ascended and descended several times along it. Holy Staircase (ScalaSanta)– that’s what they call it in Rome. You are only allowed to climb these steps on your knees. The relic is kept in a special building next to the Lateran Basilica of San Giovanni, which we mentioned above. There was also the chapel “Holy of Holies” (Sancta Sanctorum), which received its name because of the many relics located in it.

The power itself Queen Helena rest in Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli on Capitol Hill. We visit it with By the way, this basilica is interesting in itself - its harsh appearance will take you to the Middle Ages, and the interior decoration will amaze you with its wealth and beauty.

The Church of Santa Prassede also houses the so-called " Flagellation Column“- part of the pillar to which Christ was tied during the scourging.

And in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, high under the ceiling you can see tabletop on which the legendary “Last Supper” was celebrated.

We will see most of the shrines brought to Rome from Jerusalem on the “” tour with the Travelry audio guide. In this audio tour we will visit the unique ancient churches of Rome and learn a lot of interesting things about them.

Rome - the city of the apostles

The capital of the great ancient empire was at one time the center of European civilization, and therefore Christian preachers flocked here. Many of them met their death in Rome and still rest in the Eternal City. Saint's Tomb Apostle Peter(whom Catholics consider the first Pope) is located in St. Peter's Basilica in . And over the grave apostle paul the large Basilica of St. Paul “Beyond the City Walls” was built, which we also talked about above.

Heads of the apostles Peter and Paul are kept separately, in a special reliquary in the Church of St. John (San Giovanni) in Laterano. We talk a lot and interestingly about this church on a tour with an audio guide ““.

Roman martyrs and early Christian saints

Ancient fresco in the Basilica of San Clemente (life of St. Alexius, Man of God)

Christian pilgrims in Rome are also attracted to the churches in which the relics of early Christian martyrs and saints rest. There are a great many of them in the Eternal City. In particular, in Rome rest:

Great Martyr George the Victorious(Church of St. George in Velarbo – San Giorgio in Velarbo)

St. Alexius the Man of God and St. Boniface(Church of St. Bonifatius and Alexios on the Aventine Hill - SS. Bonifacio e Alessio)

St. Cosmas and Damian(under the main altar of the Church of Cosmas and Damiano on Via Fori Imperiali – Chiesa di Santi Cosma e Damiano). This church is included in the audio tour route ““.

Saint Cyril, one of the creators of the Slavic alphabet and educator of the Slavs (Basilica of San Clemente - Basilica di San Clemente, which we visit on the excursion “ “)

Hieromartyr Clement(Basilica of San Clemente – )

St. Eustathius Placidas(Church of Sant’Eustachio near the Pantheon – Chiesa di S. Eustachio in Campo Marzio). We talk about this church, as well as about Saint Eustace, in the audio tour ““.

Holy Martyrs Archdeacons Stephen and Lawrence(Church of St. Lawrence “Behind the Walls” – Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuori le mura)

St. Cyprian and Justina(Lateran Baptistery – Battistero Lateranese, which is included in the audio tour “ “)

Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Darius, patrons of marriage (Church of the Twelve Apostles – Basilica dei SS. XII Apostoli, included in the free audio tour “ “)

St. Eugenia and her mother Claudia( – Basilica dei SS. XII Apostoli)

Holy Martyr Agnia(the head of the saint is kept in the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone in Piazza Navona, and the body is in the church of St. Agnes “Behind the Walls”, Chiesa di S. Agnes fuori le mura). About the Church of St. Agnes on Piazza Navona and we talk about the life of the saint herself in the excursion “” with an audio guide.

Saint Cecilia of Rome, patroness of music (Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - Santa Cecilia in Trastevere)

Saint Anastasia of Sirmium(Church of Santa Anastasia al Palatino)

Saint Chrysogonus(Church of St. Crisogono in Trastevere – Basilica di San Crisogono)

St. Praxeda, Pudenziana and many martyrs(Church of St. Praxeda – Santa Prassede, which we visit on an excursion with an audio guide “ “)

St. Anne(in the reliquary located in the courtyard - Chiostro - of St. Paul's Cathedral "Beyond the Walls", San Paolo fuori le mura).

Miraculous icons in Rome

Despite the fact that the icon painting tradition developed primarily in the Eastern Orthodox Church, you can see several amazing ancient icons in the Eternal City. Some of them, according to legend, were written by the holy evangelist Luke.

One of the most famous and revered icons in Rome is the icon of the Virgin Mary, which is called here the “Salvation of the Roman People.” According to legend, the image was painted by the holy evangelist Luke. It is stored in Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (SantaMariaMaggiore).

Miraculous image “Salvation of the Roman people”

We talk about the amazing history of this icon and the miracles associated with it, as well as other relics and treasures of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in the “” tour with an audio guide in Rome.

And on the beautiful Aventine Hill, in Church of Saints Bonifatius and Alexios (Santi Bonifacio e Alessio), the ancient miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Edessa” is kept, which came to Rome presumably in the 10th century. The Romans call her Madonna di San Alessio.

Icon of the Mother of God “Edessa” (Madonna di San Alessio)

At the top of Capitol Hill, in Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, above the main altar is a revered Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary, dating back to the 10th century. You can learn about the history and features of this place in the audio tour ““.

The miraculous image of the Mother of God in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Madonna Aracoeli)

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God, dating back to the 10th century, is quietly kept in Church of Santa Maria in Via Lata (SantaMariainviaLata) on Corso street. We visit it in the free audio tour “”.

Russian Orthodox churches in Rome

Orthodox tourists and pilgrims are often interested in questions: are there Russian Orthodox churches in Rome, and how to find them. There are, and even two! One of them - Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker- located in the ancient building of the mansion of Princess M. A. Chernysheva (Palazzo Czernycheff), who bequeathed her house on Via Palestro to the Russian Church back in 1897. Since the church is located in a residential mansion, it is easy to miss: there is no dome or external signs characteristic of churches, only a modest sign at the entrance. But once inside, Russian visitors, no matter where they come from, feel “at home.”

Another Russian church in Rome is still quite young, but you definitely won’t confuse it with any other: the characteristic “onion” domes and the general appearance of the building clearly indicate that this is a Russian Orthodox Church. This Church of St. Catherine, located near the Vatican.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Rome

Address: via Palestro, 69/71
www.romasannicola.it

Russian Church of St. Catherine

Address: Via del LagoTerrione, 77/79
www.stcaterina.com

Where and how to find all these places in Rome if you are traveling on your own?

If you are traveling with an iPhone, we recommend downloading . It will help you not get lost and easily find the churches we mentioned, as well as other attractions of Rome. In addition, in the guide you will find information about the opening hours of many places, their photographs and other useful information. And our Masterpieces and relics "and find out:

By Manfred Heyde, via Wikimedia Commons

Where do Byzantine mosaics come from in Rome?

Some ancient churches in Rome are decorated with incredibly beautiful mosaics created by Byzantine masters. How did these masters suddenly end up in Rome? This was during the time of iconoclastic persecution in Byzantium, when the creators and admirers of any iconographic images were brutally persecuted. But Pope Paschal I received and sheltered in Rome Byzantine craftsmen who fled from the Eastern Empire. Gathering them under his wing, he began decorating Roman churches with Byzantine mosaics.

By Livioandronico2013, via Wikimedia Commons

Why are some churches in Rome called basilicas? What is a basilica and why is it special?

The first basilicas appeared in ancient Rome. This was the name for buildings (in the ancient period these were administrative buildings), arranged inside in the form of a rectangular space divided by columns into an odd number of parts. The ancient Romans, in turn, borrowed this method of organizing space from the Greeks. And later, architects began to use such a device in the construction of Christian churches. The rectangular spaces of the church, separated by rows of columns, are called naves. In Christian basilicas, the main nave is perpendicularly intersected by the so-called transept (transverse nave). Thus, a cruciform arrangement of space is formed.

Initially, the concept of “basilica” meant precisely an architectural device. But over time, this name also developed into a special title that is given to important churches in the Catholic Church. Only the Pope can assign such an honorary title to a temple.

• Consider the operating mode of basil. Only the largest of them work without lunch. And most close for a day break, which lasts 2-4 hours. In our you will find information about the opening hours of most Roman churches and other tourist sites.

• When visiting the cathedrals and churches of Rome, you should remember the dress code. In very short skirts, shorts or bare shoulders, you may simply not be allowed in.

• In some churches, you can turn on special lighting for an additional fee to better view the ancient mosaics. For example, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore or in the Church of Santa Prassede.

• In Roman churches it is not customary to venerate relics or icons - there is simply no such tradition in Catholicism. As a rule, shrines are kept either very high or hidden under the altar, and therefore it is impossible to get close to them. But no one prevents believers from praying near the shrine.

• Many Roman churches are “equipped” with real “time machines”! Temples with a rich history often have underground crypts in which you can see the remains of more ancient buildings, ancient frescoes or mosaics. Going down to the underground level, you can “look” into the first centuries of our era. Entrance to the crypto is usually paid. We also talk about some of these temples.

• Another interesting “secret” of ancient Roman basilicas: some of them have a special courtyard called Chiostro. Entrance to it is usually paid. Once there, you will find yourself in a small atrium - a cozy open courtyard, which is usually decorated with flowers, greenery, often a fountain, and is surrounded by an elegant colonnade. Such courtyards exist, in particular, in the basilicas of San Giovanni in Laterano and San Paolo “Behind the Walls”. Few tourists know about the courtyard, yet it is often one of the most picturesque parts of the basilica.

The Church of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine is a functioning Orthodox shrine of modern times in Rome, subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate. Located on the territory of the residence of the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

The Church of Catherine is interesting by the very fact of its existence - the center of the Russian Orthodox faith in the heart of the papal Catholic diocese. Confessional tensions are softened by the personality of the great martyr herself, because she was revered by Christians in an era when Catholics and Orthodox Christians were united.

During her lifetime, Catherine was a noble resident of Alexandria, received a decent education, and at the beginning of the 4th century. accepted Christ. Wanting to open the eyes of her contemporary to paganism, Catherine entered the imperial palace and participated in a theological debate with the court sages, as a result of which they all believed in Christ.

Such a daring act led to the girl’s imprisonment and quick execution, but before that, with her passionate speeches and unshakable faith, she converted the emperor’s wife and part of his army to Christianity - all of them were also executed.

Three centuries after these bloody events, Catherine’s followers found her incorrupt remains on Mount Sinai and transferred them to a new temple.

Story

The idea of ​​founding an Orthodox church in Italy appeared at the end of the 19th century. The first step was taken at the beginning of the 20th century, when the Russian embassy bought a plot of land on the embankment for the construction of a church, but the revolution turned the entire structure of society upside down and such a factor as religion disappeared for a long time from the life of Soviet people. The Diaspora at that time also could not provide significant assistance.

In the 90s of the last century, many immigrants from those countries that constitute the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate arrived in Italy. The idea of ​​​​creating a symbol of the Russian Orthodox Church in a foreign land has gained new strength. The initiative quickly gained support among the clergy and in 2001, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow solemnly blessed the creation of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine. Construction of the main part took only 4 years.

In 2006, the temple was consecrated for the first time, and since then regular services have been held there, and a children's parish school operates at the temple.

In May 2009, the world Christian community observed the solemn Great Consecration of the Shrine, a great celebration of faith and unity of the Russian Orthodox people, who dared to take a desperate step and did not stop at any difficulties.

Architecture and interior decoration

The chief architect was Andrei Obolensky, whose team was able to create an ideal harmony between the Orthodox tradition and Roman architectonics. The territory is located on a hill, which predetermined the architectural composition of the temple, starting from the foot of the Janiculum hill (Gianicolo) and ending at its top. In order not to be dissonant with Roman architecture, the main church is built in the form of a tent, and all the walls are lined with travertine, traditional for the original Roman architecture.

The lower aisle of the church complex is marked with a faience iconostasis in honor of Constantine and Helena. And the main part, the so-called upper church, has a main marble iconostasis. The latter’s project was created and mostly implemented by Alexander Soldatov, a teacher at the Moscow Icon Painting School. Being unconventional for the Russian church, the iconostasis consists of only two rows. The lower one is made in a modest manner without frills and inappropriate shine using fresco technique. The top row is already made in the usual medallion technique with gilding and rich decoration, paying tribute to Russian Orthodox traditionalism.

In 2012, painting began on the inside of the temple, which represents pictures of the path of the Great Martyr Catherine from birth to ascension. Within the walls of the temple there are a number of Orthodox relics, which attract hundreds of parishioners every day, both on their own initiative and as part of pilgrimage tours of Orthodox Christians from Russia and all over the world.

• To obtain a license to build a temple, had to make changes to some laws in the Lazio region, which previously prohibited any development in this corner of Rome.
• At the height of construction, local architectural authorities limited the height of the church, since no building in Rome could be taller (Basilica di San Pietro). The architect did not abandon his plan and solved the problem by “sinking” the building into the hill.

How to get there?

• Address: Via del Lago Terrione 77
• Bus: No. 64, go to the San Pietro stop.
• : Line A, Ottaviano-San Pietro station.
• Working hours: services are held at 9:00 and 17:00 according to the schedule indicated on the website.
• Official site: www.stcaterina.com

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Parish of St. Nicholas

The Russian Church in Rome is the oldest of the Russian churches in Italy. On the recommendation of the College of Foreign Affairs, on October 6, 1803, Emperor Alexander the First signed decree 06 establishing the “Greek-Russian Church” at the Roman mission. The Holy Synod was instructed by the spring of 1804 to “prepare the church with all its needs.” Initially, it was intended to be consecrated in the name of the Holy Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul - probably as a sign of recognition of Rome as the owner of the relics of the Apostles and as the See of St. Peter.

The fight against Napoleon distracted Russia from the church “project”: the church at the mission was built only 20 years after the signing of the Imperial Decree - in 1823. The single-altar church in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was placed in the embassy house, on Corso 518. Subsequently, the church moved from one house to another: from 1828. she was in Palazzo Odescalchi on the square. Holy Apostles, since 1836 to 1845 - in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Piazza Navona, since 1845. - in the Palazzo Giustiniani near the Pantheon, since 1901. - in Palazzo Menotti in Piazza Cavour and since 1932. - in a modern room.

The Roman temple belonged to the St. Petersburg diocese, was at the same time under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was an embassy church.

A major success was the approval of the arrival of the status of a legal entity, E nte Moga le , by royal decree of November 14, 1929. The next important event was the parish taking possession of the M.A. mansion. Chernysheva (“Palazzo Chernyshev”). Princess Chernysheva (died 1919) bequeathed her house on Via Palestro to the Russian church back in 1897, but due to legal complications, the parish officially received the inheritance only in 1931. On April 10, 1932, a newly built church was consecrated in it - the decoration was moved from Palazzo Menotti to piazza Cavour.

The design of the church was drawn up by the architect Prince. V.A. Volkonsky and engineer F. Poggi. The idea of ​​​​building a cruciform church in plan was accepted, but, unfortunately, the proximity of the neighboring site did not allow the construction of the left “branch” of the cross. On the side of the courtyard, a special extension was made with a semicircular apse for the front part of the church (starting from the solea). Internal partitions were removed and arches were built, giving the hall a cozy look. The altar and pre-altar arches were lined with gold mosaics and green marble, giving the temple - especially with additional consecration - an elegant, festive look. Princess S.N. helped financially with the construction of the new temple. Baryatinskaya (in memory of her late husband V.V. Baryatinsky), Princess S.V. Gagarin (in memory of her late parents), as well as Queen of Italy Elena of Savoy (Montenegrin).

If by the beginning of the 1980s. The Russian community in Rome mainly consisted of old emigration, but already from the mid-1980s, when Rome became one of the transit points of “new emigrants” (former Soviet citizens looking for new opportunities in the West), the number of parishioners began to increase rapidly. Many newcomers received Holy Baptism in Rome, got married, baptized their children, some settled in Italy, others maintained contact with the church in other places of residence.

Although the church was often moved from one place to another and was subjected to robberies, most of the ancient and valuable decoration was still preserved. The iconostasis, built in the 1830s, became the true decoration of the temple. mainly at the expense of the ambassador at the Papal Court, Prince. G.I. Gagarin. The composition of the wooden iconostasis, painted like white marble and sometimes gilded, belongs to architect. K.A. I'm drowning. The single-row high iconostasis in the classical style is reminiscent of the work of this master for the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.On the frieze of the iconostasis is the inscription: “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.”

Among the shrines of the temple:

• Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, painted in 1901 by Athonite monks in memory of Emperor Alexander III (located near the choir),
• four icons (workshop of the artist M. E. Malyshev), painted in Sergiev Posad in 1893: St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Alexander Nevsky (in the right compartment, in icon cases) and two large images of the Savior and the Mother of God (near the left wall);
• an image of St. Joasaph of Belgorod, painted before his glorification;
• a reliquary cross donated by the Greek prince Christopher Georgievich (located in the altar);
• a small icon of Saint Princess Olga, painted for the temple by the Greek royal Mary;
• the image of the Mother of God “Goalkeeper” (“Portaitissa”), painted by the Athonite monk Victor (Karavogeorgas);
• 18 small icons of Kyiv saints, painted in the workshop of L. K. Plakhov;

On the main staircase, at the entrance to the church, there are memorial plaques with the names of the organizers of the temple: Archimandrite Simeon (Narbekov), Princess M. A. Chernysheva and Princess S. N. Baryatinskaya.

ORTHODOX RUSSIAN CHURCH IN ROME

in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

STORY

The Russian Church in Rome is the oldest of the Russian churches in Italy. According to the recommendation of the College of Foreign Affairs on October 6, 180Zg. Emperor Alexander the First signed decree 06 establishing the “Greek-Russian Church” at the Roman Mission. A staff was approved with one priest and two “churchmen” (i.e. psalm-readers). The Holy Synod was entrusted with the task in the spring of 1804. "to prepare the church with all its needs." Initially it was supposed to be consecrated in the name of St. the supreme Apostles Peter and Paul - probably as a sign of recognition of Rome as the owner of the relics of the Apostles and as the See of St. Peter.

The fight against Napoleon distracted Russia from the church “project”: the church at the mission was built only 20 years after the signing of the Imperial Decree - in 1823. The single-altar church in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was placed in the embassy house, on Corso 518. Subsequently, the church moved from one house to another: from 1828. she was in Palazzo Odescalchi on the square. Holy Apostles, since 1836 to 1845 - in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Piazza Navona, since 1845. - in the Palazzo Giustiniani near the Pantheon, since 1901. - in Palazzo Menotti in Piazza Cavour and since 1932. - in a modern room.

Like all other foreign churches, the Roman Church was included in the St. Petersburg diocese, but in many ways, first of all financially, it depended on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was called the Ambassadorial Church.

He became the first permanent priest in 1827. to 1831 Hieromonk Irinarch (in the world - Yakov Dm. Popov, died 1877). who previously served in Prince’s house church. Golitsyna-Terdi in Bergamo.

He was replaced in 1836. Hieromonk Gerasim (died 1849, buried in Naples), whom. transferred to Rome from a temporarily abolished mission with a church in Florence. In I844r. in Venice about. Gerasim was ordained to the rank of archimandrite. From that time on, priests from the “black” clergy in this rank were appointed abbots of the Roman Church.

Since 1849 to 1852 the rector was Archimandrite Theophan (Avsenev; died 1852, buried in Testaccio St.). From the professors of the Kyiv Theological Academy, then from 1852. to 1855 - Archimandrite Jacob, former abbot of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery.

In 1860-1864. Archimandrite Palladius reigned in Rome. He replaced him in 1864-1866. Archimandrite Porfiry (in the world - Georgy I. Popov; died 1866, buried in Testaccio St.) was, among other things, a spiritual writer - in particular, he wrote “Letters from Rome”, published in the “Orthodox Review” .

To the next archimandrite. Gury (later - Archbishop of Tauride) had to experience the hardships of politics: in 1866. There was a temporary rupture in relations between Russia and the Papal State, as a result of which the Russian priest was exiled to Naples just before Easter.

In 1867 Imp. Alexander II approved a new staff of the Roman Church consisting of an archimandrite rector, a deacon and two psalm-readers.

The next Roman abbots were: in 1871-77. Archimandrite Alexander (in the world - Andrei Kulchitsky), in 1878-80. - Archimandrite Nikolai, in 1880-81. - Archimandrite Mitrofan, in 1881-84. Archimandrite Nikon (in the world - Philip Yegorovich Bogoyavlensky), in 1884-97. - Archimandrite Pimen. (in the world - Dmitry Dmitrievich Blagovo; died 1897, buried in Testaccio St.). Archimandrite Pimen occupies a prominent place in the history of Russian culture. Highly educated, from an old noble family, he accepted in 1880. monastic tonsure. His main literary work, “Stories of his grandmother, collected by his grandson D. D. Blagovo,” became a kind of monument to the entire Russian era. In Rome, Archimandrite Pimen, together with Ambassador N.N. Vlangali, set up the Russian hospice house of St. Stanislaus (now the property of the Polish Catholic Church), collected a valuable library, and wrote his own memoirs about Moscow life.

Archimandrite Clement, who replaced Archimandrite Pimen (in the world - Konstantin Vernikovsky), initiated the construction of the Russian temple. The idea of ​​building a church in the “Roman Catholic Patronal City” has been discussed for a long time. The beginning was made by the widow of the court councilor Elizaveta Kovalskaya, who in 1880. appealed to the Holy Synod with a request for permission to build a church at my own expense on the cell. St. Lawrence (Verano), in order to “honor the memory of her husband who served in Rome.” Church authorities decided to make inquiries in Rome. The Russian ambassador, Baron Iskul, responded to the request of the Holy Synod as follows: “A temple in the world center of the Roman Catholic faith must correspond to the high significance of Orthodoxy and, at least, not be inferior in size and elegance to non-Catholic churches that have been built in Italy since 1870 ...Kowalska’s funds are not sufficient...". As a result, the widow did not receive permission.

Archimandrite Clement (later Bishop of Vinnitsa) from the very beginning of his abbot declared “the need to have an Orthodox church that meets the dignity of Orthodoxy and the greatness of the Fatherland.” Already in 1898 fundraising began, which in 1900. was officially authorized by the Imp. Nicholas II, who made a “royal contribution” of 10 thousand rubles. To raise funds, Archimandrite Clement even went to Moscow, where he managed to receive money from the Grand Dukes Sergei Alexandrovich and Mikhail Nikolaevich. from Moscow manufacturers and Siberian gold miners - a total of 265,000 Italians were collected. lyre Count L.A. Bobrinsky (died 1915) promised to donate his house and garden in the center of Rome (Villa Malta) for the construction of the temple.

Unfortunately, the new rector, appointed in 1902, was Archimandrite Vladimir (in the world - Vsevolod Putyata). began to pursue a different line: he questioned the value of Bobrinsky’s site (Villa Malta went to Bobrinsky’s heirs, and then to the Jesuits) and suggested looking for another place, rejected the original candidacy, Arch. M.T. Preobrazhensky, the builder of the Russian church in Florence, and began to promote his candidate, Arch. N.Yu. Yanga. Disputes divided the participants in church construction, but the matter continued: in 1906. A Construction Committee was formed, which included Russian diplomats in Italy, members of the Russian colony and Archimandrite Vladimir.

The first attempt in the history of the Russian Church to establish a Western European episcopal see is associated with the name of Archimandrite Vladimir. The question was raised for the first time in 1897. Archbishop Anthony (Vadkovsky) of Finland. subsequently - Metropolitan of St. Petersburg. Ambassador in Rome A.I. Nelidov, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, actively supported the idea. Summer 1907 Archimandrite Vladimir was consecrated bishop of Kronstadt, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese to lead all Russian Orthodox churches abroad (with the exception of Constantinople and Athens). Unfortunately, the Western European Diocese, for unknown reasons, was abolished two years later. In 1911 Ep. Vladimir left Rome.

In 1912-14. Archimandrite Dionysius served here, who, in particular, published “A Companion to the Russian Orthodox Pilgrim in Rome” (1912). Under him, the construction business did not stop: in the fall of 1913. Imp. Nicholas II allowed the collection of donations throughout Russia, and in the summer of 1914. The State Bank opened a special account in the St. Petersburg office. The Construction Committee composed an appeal to the Orthodox of Russia with pathetic words: “... The Throne of God is placed in a rented apartment.”

Since 1914 to 1916 The church was rectored by Archimandrite Philip, who was killed after the revolution in Russia. In 1915 he formed a new composition of the Construction Committee, headed by Prince. S.S. Abamelk-Lazarev. The Prince imposed on the Committee another, already third, architect - Vincenzo Moraldi. The Italian's project was subjected to examination and serious criticism by the architect. V.A. Subbotin, who then supervised the construction of the Russian church in Bari. The committee nevertheless accepted the project and, with the assistance of Moraldi, acquired a plot of land on the embankment in the name of the Russian Embassy. Tiber, near Ponte Margherita (Lungo Tevere Arnaldo da Brescia). Death in 1916 Abamelek-Lazarev and events in Russia interrupted the construction of the temple (in 1924, the land plot was seized by the Soviet embassy and then sold).

A new stage in the history of the church is associated with the appointment to Rome in 1916. Archimandrite Simeon (in the world - Sergei Grigorievich Narbekov). According to Metropolitan Eulogius - “a good, thoughtful monk” (“Memoirs”. Paris, 1947, p. 434) - Archimandrite Simeon served here for almost half a century - he died in 1969. and was buried on the cell. Testaccio. In the spring of 1921 Archimandrite Simeon founded a Roman parish, which included about a hundred full members, and organized a Parish Council, headed by former Consul General G.P. Zabello. Thus, the house church at the Russian (in the future - Soviet) embassy, ​​located in. administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. became independent, parochial. Queen Olga Konstantinovna of the House of Romanov entered the parish as an honorary member (Arch. Simeon performed her funeral service in 1926).

A major success was the approval of the parish's status as a legal entity, Ente Mogale, by royal decree of November 14, 1929. The next important event was the parish taking possession of the M.A. mansion. Chernysheva (“Palazzo Chernyshev”). Princess Chernysheva (died 1919) bequeathed her house on Via Palestro to the Russian Church back in 1897, but due to legal complications the parish officially received the inheritance only in 1931. April 10, 1932 a newly built church was consecrated in it - the decoration was transferred from Palazzo Menotti from Piazza Cavour. The design of the church was drawn up by the architect Prince. V.A. Volkonsky and engineer F. Poggi. Princess S.N. helped financially with the construction of the new temple. Baryatinskaya (in memory of her late husband V.V. Baryatinsky), Princess S.V. Gagarin (in memory of her late parents), as well as Queen of Italy Elena of Savoy (Montenegrin).

Initially, the Roman community entered the Western European Diocese established by Metropolitan Eulogius with its center in Paris: by decree of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of All Russia, dated May 5, 1922. Metropolitan Evlogy was entrusted with the management of Russian parishes abroad. Archimandrite Simeon was appointed dean of the Russian churches in Italy. However, in 1927, as Metropolitan Evlogy wrote, “out of personal devotion to Metropolitan Anthony,” he came under his omophorion (Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad). Due to the special situation of the Orthodox community in Rome, it was until 1985. directly subordinate to the Chairman of the Synod of Bishops (since 1950, the residence of the Synod has been located in New York).

In the post-revolutionary period, the community received a lot of help from Prince. M.P. Abamelek-Lazareva. Born Demidova (died 1955), she lived in Pratolino, near Florence. as well as at the villa of her late husband in Rome (now Villa Abamelek is the residence of the Russian ambassador). The princess paid maintenance to the abbot and some parishioners. In 1921 She received the honorary title of “temple trustee.”

The Serbian and Bulgarian embassies also provided some material support. The Second World War brought many “displaced persons” to Italy, whom the community helped in every possible way. Church life was also temporarily revived by Orthodox Christians from the Allied forces. In the 1950-60s. the Roman parish took care of the Latina refugee camp and the house of Far Eastern refugees Villa Olanda near Turin.

Since 1946 in Rome, Archimandrite Simeon was concelebrated by abbot (later archimandrite) Callistus (died 1964), who had previously, since 1935. to 1945 was rector in S. Remo and Archimandrite Zosima (died 1960). When in the mid-1950s. the elderly Archimandrite Simeon retired, Archimandrite Callistus became rector of the church. In 1965 Archpriest Viktor Ilyenko was appointed to St. Nicholas parish. In the 1960s the community was subordinate to Rev. Anthony. Archbishop of Geneva.
In 1984 O. Victor was replaced by Fr. Mikhail Maklakov is an American by birth. The community came into conflict with the new rector because of his strict anti-ecumenical line and for a number of other material reasons, Fr. Mikhail Maklakov had to leave Rome.

The search for a stable canonical position brought the parish back under the omophorion of the Western European Archdiocese, which was then headed by Archbishop George (Wagner). By decree of November 25, 1985 A Serbian priest, a professor at the Theological Institute in Paris, Archpriest Nikolai Chernokrak, was temporarily appointed rector. In February 1987 Archpriest Mikhail Osorgin, who is also the rector of the Parisian Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Seraphim of Sarov, was appointed rector.

If by the beginning of the 1980s. The Russian community in Rome mainly consisted of old emigration, but already from the mid-1980s, when Rome became one of the transit points of “new emigrants” (former Soviet citizens looking for new opportunities in the West), the number of parishioners began to increase rapidly. Many newcomers received Holy Baptism in Rome, got married, baptized their children, some settled in Italy, others maintained contact with the church in other places of residence.

In addition to Russian parishioners, the church feeds Serbs (the community traditionally celebrates Serbian Glory), Copts, Bulgarians, Romanians and Orthodox Italians. Before the construction of the embassy Greek church (Via Sardegna, 153), Greeks were also in the parish.

DECORATION

When the church was built, Chernysheva’s three-story mansion was significantly remodeled. The right half of the first floor was allocated for the temple. The construction project was drawn up by the engineer F. Poggi and the architect Prince. V.A. Volkonsky, who cared a lot about this temple construction. The idea of ​​​​building a cruciform church in plan was accepted, but, unfortunately, the proximity of the neighboring site did not allow the construction of the left “branch” of the cross. On the side of the courtyard, a special extension was made with a semicircular apse for the front part of the church (starting from the solea). Internal partitions were removed and arches were built, giving the hall a cozy look. The altar and pre-altar arches were lined with gold mosaics and green marble, giving the temple - especially with additional consecration - an elegant, festive look.

On the main staircase, at the entrance to the church, marble memorial plaques were erected expressing prayerful gratitude to the organizers of St. Nicholas Russian Church: Archimandrite Simeon, Princess M.A. Chernysheva and Princess S.N. Baryatinskaya.

Although the church was often moved from one place to another and was subjected to robberies, most of the ancient and valuable decoration was still preserved. The true decoration of the temple was the iconostasis, built in the 1830s, mainly at the expense of the ambassador to the Papal Court, Prince. G.I. Gagarin. The composition of the wooden iconostasis, painted like white marble and sometimes gilded, belongs to architect. K.A. I'm drowning. The single-row high iconostasis in the classical style is reminiscent of the work of this master for the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. On the frieze of the iconostasis is the inscription: “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.”

The iconostasis is topped with a four-pointed cross. The images of the iconostasis are painted in an academic manner. The greatest value, of course, is Bryullov’s Royal Doors.

In a letter dated September 27, 1838. Karl Bryullov wrote to the Society for the Encouragement of Artists: “Now all the Russian artists who are in Rome have taken upon themselves the consent of the Lord Envoy (Prince G.I. Gagarin - M.T.) to donate their works to decorate it, I got to write the Tsar’s doors." The artist painted six medallions on copper, about 35 cm in diameter. The most successful are the images of the Evangelists, made very expressively, although not according to iconographic canons.

Local images of the Savior and the Mother of God are painted. Hoffmann, and in the image of the Virgin Mary one can see the influence (at least compositionally) of the “Sistine Madonna”.

The right doors are decorated with a beautiful temple image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (artist F. Bruni), the left ones are decorated with the image of St. Alexander Nevsky (artist A. Markov). The icons represent the Heavenly Patrons of the Emperor. Nicholas the First, under whom the iconostasis was built, and Imp. Alexander the First, under whom the Roman temple was founded.

According to the canon, an image of the Last Supper (art. Haberzetel) was erected above the Royal Doors, now placed above the altar vault. Before being moved to Chernysheva’s mansion, the iconostasis also had two side images - the gift of Vel. book Elena Pavlovna - which had to be dismantled. These are the icons of St. Queen Helena (Academician I. Ksenofontov) and St. Great Martyr Catherine (Academician P. Pleshchanov), which have now been moved to the right side compartment.

At the Mountain Place there used to be a picturesque image of the Crucifixion (art. Yanenko), now it is in the church sacristy.

In 1855 The iconostasis was restored and decorated at the expense of Archimandrite Jacob. At the beginning of the century, headman N.A. Protopopov supplied the church at his own expense with a rich sacristy, utensils, and icons. He wanted to build a chapel behind the right choir in the name of St. Alexis in memory of the birth of the Heir, but the Holy Synod rejected this idea.

The temple's attractions also include:

The revered Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, painted in 1901. by the inhabitants of St. Athos in memory of the Emperor. Alexander the Third, with an inscription on the reverse side (near the choir),
four icons from the art workshop. Malyshev, written in Sergiev Posad in 1893; two - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Alexander Nevsky, in icon cases (formerly stood on the choir, now in the right side compartment) and two large images of the Savior and the Mother of God (near the left wall),
Parsun of St. Joasaph of Belgorod, written even before the glorification of the Saint (above the candle box),
cross-reliquary, gift of the Greek prince Christopher Georgievich (in the altar), small icon of St. Princess Olga, gift of its author, Princess Mary, daughter of the Queen of the Hellenes Olga Konstantinovna,
large image of the Mother of God "Goalkeeper". Or "Portaitis", the work of the Athonite monk Victor Karavogeorgas (on the back wall),
18 small icons of the Kyiv Saints, in two common frames, in the Vasnetsov style, from Plakhov’s workshop (in the side compartment),
14 small “holiday” icons in three common cross-shaped frames,
two stained glass windows: on the left - the Savior Pantocrator, on the right - the Mother of God (along the edges of the solea), a large image of St. Sava of Serbia, the work of Lydia Rodionova, a gift from the Serbian brothers Sava and Spiro Raskovich (on the left wall), the image of the Mother of God "The Sign" by Vadim Zaitsev-Lukomsky (in the right side compartment), a carved Greek lectern with an icon of the Mother of God (near the left wall).
Over the course of a century and a half of Eucharistic life, in all its manifestations, including material and artistic, a prayerful, warm atmosphere was established in the church.

CEMETERY "TESTACCIO"

The history of the Russian church in Rome is inextricably linked with the Testaccio cemetery. otherwise called “Non-Catholic” (acattolico) and “Protestant”. According to the cemetery regulations, approved in 1921. and edited in 1953. "non-Catholic citizens" are buried here, although members of the Catholic Church may also be buried here in the graves of their "non-Catholic" relatives.

The first Protestant burials at Testaccio Hill near the Pyramid appeared in the middle of the 18th century, but for a long time “non-Catholic” funerals could only take place at night, and the installation of crosses on graves was prohibited (until 1870).

Permanent burials of Orthodox subjects of Russia at Testaccio began in the 1830s, after a permanent Russian church appeared in Rome.

Until the First World War, the cemetery was de facto managed by the German Embassy, ​​which bought it in 1894. new plot of land. In 1921 howled, a General Committee was constituted from representatives of “non-Catholic” countries, which elects

Cemetery administrator.

Priests of the Roman Church are buried in the cemetery; Archimandrites Theophanes (died 1852), Porfiry (died 1866), Pimen (died 1897), Zosima (died 1960), Kallist (died 1964), Simeon (died 1969), archpriest Kh. A. Flerov (died 1927), psalm-readers A.G. Rozhdestvensky (died 1849), P. Zotikov (died 1855). P.F. Dolotsky (died 1893): elders: P.V. Den (died 1971), A.A. Myasoedov (died 1988), donors: M.A. Chernysheva (died 1919), Zabello family, Baryatinsky family, representatives of prominent Russian families: Gagarins. Golitsyn. Volkonsky, Yusupov, Baryatinsky, Meshchersky, Stroganov, Trubetskoy, Obolensky, Shcherbatov, Sheremetev and others, generals: A.A. Karneev (died 1840, I.F. Paskevich (died 1843), N.A. Wrangel (died 1927), I.P. Astakhov (died 1935), P.P. Bogaevsky (died 1961), diplomats: N.V. Muravyov (died 1908), G.G. Lermontov (died 1908), V.V. Zhadovsky (died 1916), A.N. Kuprensky (died 1916). 1923), artists: M. Tamarinsky (died 1841), I. S. Serebyanin (died 1842), P. Petrovsky (died 1842), K. M. Klemchenko (died 1849), K. P. Bryullov (died 1852), K. V. Grigorovich (died 1855), A. I. Ivanov (died 1863), P. N. Orlov (died 1865), I. P. Panfilov (died 1876), S.P. Postnikov (died 1880), Ya.G. Khapalov (died 1886), P.A. Svedomsky (died 1904), A.A. Svedomsky (died 1911) and others, architect S.A. Ivanov (died 1877), sculptor P.A. Stawasser (died 1850), opera singer F.P. Komissarzhevsky (died 1905) , Decembrist Count Z. G. Chernyshev (died 1862), daughter of the poet P. P. Vyazemskaya (died 1835), daughter of the writer T. L. Tolstaya-Sukhotin (died 1950); poet Vyach. Ivanov ( passed away 1949) and his daughter Lydia (died 1985) - both Catholics - and many others.

At different times, through the efforts of the Roman parish, three common (“fraternal”) Russian graves were built (Zona terza, Riquadro secondo), in which dozens of emigrants were buried who did not have sufficient funds to obtain separate graves.

There are also many Russian graves in the city's two Roman cemeteries: Verano (S. Lorenzo) and Prima Porta.

Address of the Testaccio cemetery: 6, Via Caio Cestio (metro station "Piramide"), tel. 06-57.41.900, opening hours - from 8 a.m. until 12 noon and from 3 p.m. until 17:00

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Church services are performed:
on Saturdays - all-night vigil at 18:00.
on Sundays - Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am. and Vespers at 6 p.m.
on weekdays, on Thursdays and on Great Holidays - Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. with the all-night vigil the day before at 6 p.m.

Church services are held: on Saturdays - all-night vigil at 6 p.m. on Sundays - Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. and Vespers at 6 p.m. on weekdays, on Thursdays and on Great Holidays - Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. with the all-night vigil the day before at 6 p.m.

PARENTAL HOLIDAYS

Memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, "Winter St. Nicholas", December 19(6).
Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to Bar-grad, “Nikola the Summer,” May 22 (9). Of particular importance is the presence of the relics of the heavenly patron of the community in Italy, in Bari, where pilgrimages are sometimes organized. May 8, 1990 rector of the temple, Rev. Mikhail Osorgin, for the first time after the “division” of the Churches, performed the Orthodox liturgy on the throne where the relics of the great Pleasant of God rest.

Memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, "Winter St. Nicholas", December 19 (6). Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to Bar-grad, "Summer St. Nicholas", May 22 (9). Of particular importance is the presence of the relics of the heavenly patron of the community in Italy, in Bari, where pilgrimages are sometimes organized. May 8, 1990 rector of the temple, Rev. Mikhail Osorgin, for the first time after the “division” of the Churches, performed the Orthodox liturgy on the throne where the relics of the great Pleasant of God rest.

REPRESENTATIVE

Archpriest Mikhail Georgievich Osorgin, who is also the rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and St. Seraphim of Sarov in Paris, and also cares for the house church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Kings Constantine and Helen in Clamart (France).

The Roman Church is part of the Archdiocese of Orthodox Russian Churches of Western Europe with the diocesan administration in Paris, 12, rue Daru, 75008, Paris, FRANCE, headed by Archbishop Sergius (Konovalov). The Archdiocese is subordinate to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

COMMUNITY ELDER

Maria Aleksandrovna Ferzen, who is also the vice-chairman of Ente Morale.
Maria Fersen, 3, Piazza Gucchi, 00152 ROMA.

Maria Alexandrovna Fersen, also the vice-chairwoman of Ente Morale. Maria Fersen, 3, Piazza Gucchi, 00152 ROMA.

ADDRESS

Chiesa Ortodossa Russa di San Nicola Taumaturgo
Via Palestro, 71 00 185 ROMA, ITALIA
(a few minutes walk from Stazione Termini heading north along Via Marghera).
Tel: 06-44.50.729
St. Nicholas Orthodox Parish in Rome will be grateful to everyone. who can help the church. Donations are accepted to the bank account:
CREDITO ITALIANO, Agenzia 15
Via della Conciliazione, 6 00193 Roma
Conto No. 22509/00 - Intestato a: Chiesa Ortodossa Russa in Roma.
OPPURE
c/c POSTALE 12652004
CHIESA ORTODOSSA RUSSA DI ROMA
DI SAN NICOLA TAUMATURGO
VIA PALESTRO 71
00185 ROMA RM

Sources and literature:

Chiesa Ortodossa Russa di San Nicola TaumaturgoVia Palestro, 71 00 185 ROMA, ITALIA (a few minutes walk from Stazione Termini north along Via Marghera). Tel: 06-44.50.729 St. Nicholas Orthodox Parish in Rome will be grateful to everyone. who can help the church. Donations are accepted to the bank account: CREDITO ITALIANO, Agenzia 15Via della Conciliazione, 6 00193 RomaConto No. 22509/00 - Intestato a: Chiesa Ortodossa Russa in Roma.OPPUREc/c POSTALE 12652004CHIESA ORTODOSSA RUSSA DI ROMADI SAN NICOLA TAUMATURGOVIA PALESTRO 7100185 ROMA RM

Archive of the Russian Church in Rome (parish registers, minutes of meetings, correspondence, etc.).
Synodal funds of the Russian State Historical Archive, (formerly Central State Historical Archive of the USSR).
"Orthodox churches and Russian institutions abroad." Comp. prot. A. P. Maltsev. Berlin, 1906
M. Rudnev. "Orthodox Russian churches in Western Europe" / Tula Diocesan Gazette, No. 35-37, 1907.
I. Bocharov, Y. Glushakova. "Karl Bryullov. Italian finds." M. 1977
J. Beck-Friis, // cimitero acattolico ill Roinn, Malimo, 1956.

October 30th, 2013 , 08:48 pm

The history of the Russian Orthodox parish in the Eternal City dates back to October 1803, when the All-Russian Emperor Alexander I signed a decree establishing the Russian church at the Roman embassy mission and appointed priest Vasily Ioannovich Ivanov to Rome to serve. However, the European foreign policy situation at the beginning of the 19th century made it possible to return to the issue of establishing a temple in Rome only 20 years later. Initially, the temple in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was located in the embassy house on Via del Corso. Subsequently, during the 19th century, the church was moved three times along with the Russian diplomatic mission in Rome from one building to another. Like all foreign Russian parishes, the Russian Church in Rome was included in the St. Petersburg Metropolis, but in many ways, primarily financially, it depended on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire and was called embassy.

By the end of the 19th century, the idea of ​​building a Russian church in the Eternal City began to be actively discussed. Already in 1898, fundraising began, which in 1900 was officially authorized by Emperor Nicholas II, who made a royal “contribution” of 10 thousand rubles. Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and his wife, Reverend Martyr Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna, donated their donations to the temple in Rome. In the fall of 1913, Sovereign Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich authorized the collection of donations throughout Russia.

In 1897, Russian princess Maria Alexandrovna Chernysheva (1847-1919), daughter of Prince Alexander Ivanovich Chernyshev, Minister of War of Russia († 1857), bequeathed her Roman house at Via Palestro 71 to a Russian Orthodox church.

St. Nicholas Parish (exterior and interior) on via Palestro 71

King of Italy Victor Emmanuel III

In November 1929, the Italian monarch King Victor Emmanuel III signed a decree establishing the “Russian Orthodox Church in Rome” and our parish received the right of a legal entity on the territory of the Italian state. And on March 30, 1931, an official certificate from the Italian authorities was issued to register the church community’s ownership of the building of the mansion of Princess Maria Chernysheva. Architect Prince V.A. Volkonsky and the Italian engineer F. Poggi drew up a design for the church and, after carrying out the necessary engineering work, on April 10, 1932, the Russian Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on Via Palestro in Rome was consecrated. The decoration for the church (the iconostasis built according to the design of K.A. Ton, icons by K.P. Bryulov, F.A. Bruni, A.T. Markov, P.V. Basin) was moved from Palazzo Menotti to Piazza Cavour.

Princess S.N. helped financially with the construction of the new temple. Baryatinskaya, Princess S.V. Gagarin and the Queen of Italy and Albania, Empress Elena of Ethiopia (née Princess of Montenegro), the Serbian and Bulgarian embassies also provided material support.

Since 1927, the Russian parish in Rome chose the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, where it was located until 1985.

The first regular Orthodox services in Rome began to be performed in the 1820s by Hieromonk Irinarch (Popov, †1877), later Archbishop of Ryazan.
Further, the abbots of the Russian Church in Rome were: since 1849 - the famous philosopher, “thinker of the living mind,” professor of the Kyiv Theological Academy, Archimandrite Theophan (Avsenev, †1852); from 1852 to 1855 - Archimandrite Jacob (Pospelov, †1896), later the famous abbot of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, now a locally revered saint of the Tula and Vologda dioceses.

From 1855 to 1860, Archimandrite Zephaniah (Sokolsky, †1877) served in the parish; in the 1870s, he served as Archbishop of Turkestan. In the summer of 1831, the then hieromonk Zephaniah was preparing Dimitri Alexandrovich Brianchaninov, the future Saint Ignatius, for tonsure as a monk, with whom they had been friends and communicated for many years.

In 1860, a famous scientist - sinologist, head of the 13th Russian Orthodox Mission in Beijing, creator of the Chinese-Russian dictionary, Archimandrite Palladius (Kafarov, †1878) was appointed to Rome. The abbot of the Moscow Simonov Monastery, Archimandrite Porfiry (Popov, †1866), who replaced him in 1864, had the gift of a spiritual writer - in particular, he penned numerous works about the life and works of the saints. fathers and beloved by many Orthodox “Letters from Rome.”

The next abbot, Archimandrite Gury (Karpov), served in China for 18 years, first as a member and then as the head of the Spiritual Mission. In Rome, he had to become an unwitting witness to another breakdown in relations between the West and Russia, as a result of which the Russian priest was exiled to the Kingdom of Naples just before Easter 1866. After a forced return to his homeland, Archimandrite Gury was soon consecrated Bishop of Cheboksary, and in December 1867 he was installed at the Tauride See. Archbishop Gury reposed in the Lord on March 17, 1882, leaving behind a wonderful memory of himself as a tireless worker on the Field of Christ. By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate on May 18, 2008, Archbishop Gury was canonized.

Metropolitan of Kiev and Galicia Flavian (Gorodetsky)

The young hierodeacon Flavian (Gorodetsky) served in Rome with Archimandrite Gury. Father Flavian, after returning to Russia, was sent to Beijing, where for ten years he also carried out missionary service in the spiritual mission; in 1879 he was appointed its head. In 1882, Archimandrite Flavian was in Japan with St. Nicholas of Japan, Equal-to-the-Apostles, to present for ordination to the priesthood the Orthodox Chinese, the future hieromartyr Mitrofan Tzu. As an archpastor, Saint Flavian worked at the Kholm and Warsaw sees, Kartalin and Kakheti (being Exarch of Georgia), ending his earthly journey in 1903 as Metropolitan of Kyiv and Galicia, Holy Archimandrite of the Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.

In 1871-77, the rector of the Russian parish in Rome was a descendant from the family of St. Innocent of Irkutsk, Archimandrite Alexander (Kulchitsky, †1888, buried in the Kostroma Ipatiev Monastery), later Bishop of Kostroma and Galich.

For 13 years (1884-1897), Archimandrite Pimen (Blagovo, †1897) served in Rome. Archimandrite Pimen, as a memoirist, historian and poet, occupies a prominent place in Russian culture. Highly educated, from an old noble family, he took monastic vows in 1880. His literary work “Stories of a Grandmother, Collected by Her Grandson D.D. Blagovo” has become a kind of monument to an entire historical era. In Rome, Archimandrite Pimen, together with the Ambassador of the Russian Empire A.G. Vlangali, set up a Russian hospice house, collected a valuable library, and wrote memoirs about his Moscow life.

Replaced Fr. Pimen Archimandrite Clement (Vernikovsky, †1909) took the initiative to build a Russian “temple in Rome, corresponding to the dignity of Orthodoxy and the greatness of the Fatherland.” Father Clement (later Bishop of Vinnitsa), starting with the Highest command to collect funds in Russia, carried out a lot of preparatory work for the construction of an Orthodox church in the Eternal City.

Archimandrite Dionysius (Waledinsky, later Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland), rector of the parish in 1911-1913.

During the period 1911-13. Archimandrite Dionysius (Valedinsky, in 1923-48 - Primate of the Polish Orthodox Church, †1960) served in the Roman church, who tried to continue the construction work. Father Dionysius wrote and published a book that is very popular today, “A Companion to the Russian Orthodox Pilgrim in Rome. Description of Rome, sacred places and the universal shrines located in them.”

For more than 50 years from 1874 to 1927 in the Russian parish of St. Nicholas of Rome, he worked conscientiously, first as a full-time deacon, and then (from 1907) as a second priest, Fr. Christopher Flerov.

From 1913 to 1916, the rector of the parish was Archimandrite Philip (Gumilevsky, later Archbishop of Vladimir), who ended his zeum life in the Gulag in 1936.

A significant page in the history of the parish is associated with the appointment of Archimandrite Simeon (Narbekov +1884-1969) to Rome in 1916; it was he, after the outbreak of the famous events of 1917 in Russia, who held a fateful meeting of the Russian church community in March 1921, at which it was decided leave the tutelage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Soviet Russia and organize an independent parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in Rome.
Father Simeon served in Rome for more than half a century, he survived the First and Second World Wars, the collapse of the Russian Empire, the reign of the Duce, post-war devastation, and the difficult situation of our emigrants. Although often in sorrowful circumstances, Father Simeon himself, according to the testimony of parishioners, always remained an example of a true Christian for everyone. The church community of the parish at the beginning of the ministry of Fr. Simeon consisted "primarily of old aristocratic monarchists." The first Queen of the Hellenes, Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna, who helped the Russian church in Rome a lot, also entered the parish as an honorary member.

In 1966, Archpriest Viktor Ilyenko, a graduate of the Irkutsk Theological Seminary, was appointed to Rome, to the St. Nicholas parish, from Los Angeles. After the coup d'etat that occurred in Russia in October 1917, he fought in units of the Volunteer Army. Having left Russia in 1920, young Victor served as psalm-reader and regent at the embassy churches in Constantinople and Rome. After taking holy orders in 1929, Fr. Victor served in parishes in France, Belgium, Holland, and the USA. Mitred Archpriest Viktor Ilyenko served in Rome until 1984; having celebrated his 90th birthday here, he was retired. Father Victor is more familiar to modern Orthodox people in Russia as the author of the widely published book “Lives of Saints for Children” today.

In 1984, a new rector, priest Mikhail Maklakov, an American by birth, was appointed to the parish from the United States. From the very beginning, Father Michael took a tough anti-ecumenical position; he did not allow parishioners to visit Catholic churches where holy icons and relics of saints revered by the Orthodox Church were located (and this is the vast majority of Roman basilicas). Because of this and other internal reasons, having entered into difficult relations with the community, he was forced to leave Rome.***

On February 15, 2000 in Paris, in a conversation with the administrator of the Archdiocese of Orthodox Russian Churches in Western Europe, Archbishop Sergius (Konovalov), Fr. Mikhail reported that the entire parish council and 95% of the members of the parish assembly of the Russian parish in Rome have the intention of returning to the Moscow Patriarchate, paying special attention to the word “return” and not transfer. This question was never answered. On October 26, 2000, the parish meeting of members of the Ente Morale “Russian Orthodox Church in Rome”, in accordance with its charter, almost unanimously voted to return to the Russian Orthodox Church MP.

After returning to the Moscow Patriarchate in 2000, the parish adopted the necessary changes to its charter, which were officially recognized by the Italian state in 2006.

Like the parish of St. Nicholas in Rome left ROCOR - November 1985 ***

In the spring of 1985, a young priest, Fr. Mikhail Maklakov, Irish by birth, converted to Orthodoxy from Catholicism, married, elevated to archpriest after three years of priesthood.

This inexperienced man, who had little understanding of the Russian people, but was strong-willed and quirky (he walked around Rome with a staff), came into conflict with the parishioners, among whom were no longer young people who had been caring for the parish for many decades.

The situation became so critical that the Synod sent Archbishop Anthony of Los Angeles to Rome. As a result, after a “thorough consideration of the case,” the Synod of Bishops adopted Decree No. 81/46/150 dated June 12/25, 1985, signed by Metropolitan Philaret and Bishop Gregory. This decree stated that “Refusing to respect the rights of the legally appointed rector, some parishioners of St. Nicholas Parish in Rome gathered for meetings of the Council members without the Rector as the legal Chairman or even in spite of him. They not only gathered for such meetings in violation of the Parish Charter, but also decided to arbitrarily convene an emergency general parish meeting.” In accordance with the canons, the decision was made: “The leaders of this undertaking: Alexander Alexandrovich Myasoedov, Olga Petrovna Bossi and Olga Nikolaevna Ferzen, for the sin they committed, are excommunicated from Communion until they repent. Added to their attempt to tear St. Nicholas parish away from the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad is the sin of Maria Santorelli, who appropriated all church notes to impede church splendor and John Lindsey Opie, who did not give money for the renovation of the church building, despite the lawful demand of the rector, which is also a sin, as any misappropriation of church property, which is subject to the same measure.”

So, instead of healing the sick parish from its rector, the situation worsened to the point that the Synod instructed Vl. Anthony of Geneva to restore order in the Roman parish. Fr. was appointed Bishop. Peter Cantacuzene (future Bishop, now deceased) to conduct a general parish meeting and regulate church life.. Appointment of Fr. Peter had a calming effect. But by that time, many parishioners were already ready to move to another jurisdiction. At some point, in early September 1985, Fr. Peter had to leave Rome temporarily and asked Fr. Veniamin Zhukov will replace him. Hence the following correspondence between the Secretary of the Synod, Bp. Gregory and Fr. Benjamin.

About 30 years have passed since that time... On July 27, 2009, Administrator of the ROAC parishes in the USA, Bishop. Andrey (Maklakov) filed a complaint with the President of the Russian Federation, mentioning his origin: “Together with Orthodox Baptism and my name, I also adopted a Russian surname. There is not a drop of Russian blood in me...”

There is no doubt that Fr. Mikhail Maklakov and Bishop. Andrey (Maklakov) is the same person. He's Mak Lean.

Letter from Bishop Gregory (Grabbe)

Dear Father Benjamin,

I am sending you a copy of the letter from Fr. Mikhail Maklakov. Please let me know what you think about it? To what extent do you think we can satisfy it? As far as I know, he really spent a lot of his money, but I don’t know how much of this is clear from his accounts? I would like to know what you think about this in connection with the general situation.

Regarding the Romanians, I sent you a telegram from the Metropolitan.

Thank you for all your hard work. May God's blessing be with you.

Yours sincerely +Bishop Gregory.

Letter about. Veniamina Zhukova

His Eminence, Most Reverend Bishop Gregory.

Master bless!

God bless you for your letter from 30 Oct/12 Nov. with the attachment of a letter from Fr. Mikhail Maklakov.

IN First of all, let me report on the Romanian issue And thank you for the telegram sent, which was received in the most favorable terms, and I was able to deliver it to its destination two days before the scheduled meeting of the diocesan council. The last one, included 45 members, passed in perfect order; the protesters turned out to be 3-4 people, among whom Fr. Vasile Boldeanu, who disagreed mainly with the erection of Fr. Mihail Constandaca as archpriest. Fr. who was at the meeting. Popescu, seeing that everything was in order, confirmed his With by its parish it belongs to the diocese. Romanians consider, that the Synod saved them once again from destruction. They sighed for a moment.

ABOUT The situation of the Roman parish is much more difficult for me to report. Firstly, because I did not familiarize myself in detail with the economic issue, without carefully reviewing the accounts, being only a deputy O. Petra Cantakuen for a very short time. Secondly, because That, What I had to get acquainted with during this period looked like a gloomy net cast over the multifaceted life of the parish, with such phenomena that the question arises to what extent some actions are brought under normal responsibility.

On our conscience lies in the destruction of normal parish life and the bringing of many honest parishioners into a state of despair. ABOUT.Michael and the Synod lost credit not only in the parish itself, But and in famous circles in Rome. This was partly facilitated by a Catholic priest and his journalist accomplice, who O Mikhail trusted in a difficult moment.

We need to try to restore the normal life of the parish and the good title of the Synod. Trust is already beginning to penetrate into hearts with directness of action. O. Petra. In parallel, it would be necessary to conduct a study of counting books and inventory of property, and transfer the receipt under management Vl. Anthony of Geneva.

Probably research in economic terms will lead to Church and canonical responsibility of Fr. Mikhail. In this case, the act of surrender of Fr. Michael to rent to a Catholic priest a garage, a basement and two rooms (withuse of the kitchen and bathroom) in the abbot's apartment, consisting of only three rooms, may find a way to termination. In this matter need to act consistently and make appropriate decisions.

In his letter to Fr. Mikhail touches on the money issue in general. He's trying to report. But his presentation is unconvincing. From his reporting it is impossible to imagine, at least a general, but accurate picture. He claims that the only funds he raised for the parish came from donations. Total 25.000 dollars It would mean from this amount to calculate his salary for the duration of his stay, i.e. 6,000 dollars, even if it comes with a sewing machine, a Canon photo machine and money “cough”, only 4,000 dollars. Where's the rest of the money? He doesn't indicate. Maybe this is written somewhere, but it is not clear from his letter. There is also an understatement, like an extract from the account book of a significant amount for transportation to Germany, or the amount for furnishings, as Fr. reported to me about this. Peter, without going into details. There is also an inaccuracy, as evidenced by the extract regarding the prosphora needed for baking.

With his letter to Fr. Mikhail apparently hopes to stop any investigations into financial matters in the Roman parish. Is this how parishioners will look at it? After all, someday the audit commission will get down to business. Forgive me, Vladyka, that I will advise you not to enter into any agreements with Fr. Mikhail will not carry out a corresponding study on this issue until the economic state of the parish during this time becomes clear.

It is possible that the normalization of parish life carried out by Fr. Peter, and, in particular, the possible termination of the contract for the rental of most of the abbot's apartment, will allow humane solutions. God willing! In the hope that such an incident will not happen again.

Asking, Lord, your holy prayers. Etc. Veniamin Zhukov.

I just called Fr. Peter to Rome and found out the result of the meeting: 23 goals. for transition (leaving ROCOR), 7 against, 1 air.

However, I am sending the previously written review and repeating the hope that such a second case will not happen in our Church. I ask for your holy prayers. With sincere devotion. Prot. Veniamin Zhukov.

With a copy of Vl. Anthony.