Russian Orthodox Church in Venice. Orthodox parish of Sts. Myrrh-Bearing Women in Venice. Where was Antonio Vivaldi baptized?

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Venice(Italian: Venezia, German: Wenedig), city in Italy. Population 270,439 people (2009).

The name of the city and the adjacent region of Veneto (Italian: Veneto) probably indicates that the proto-European people of the Veneds lived in these places.

The historical center is located on 118 islands of the Venetian lagoon, separated by 150 canals and channels, across which about 400 bridges are thrown (including the Rialto and the so-called Bridge of Sighs, both dating back to the end of the 16th century).

The industrial and port part of Venice is mainland. Shipbuilding and ship repair, non-ferrous metallurgy, oil refining, chemical, electrical, light industry. Handicraft production of artistic glass (Murano island; museum), lace (Burano island), mosaics. University, Conservatory (1916). Museums (including the Academy of Arts Gallery). The first public opera house (1637-1812), the Fenice Opera House (1792). Island Venice is a seaside resort, a center of international tourism of world importance, a venue for international film festivals and art exhibitions. Intracity transportation on motor vessels, gondolas, barges.

Along the canals and narrow crooked streets there are richly decorated churches and palaces. In the central square of San Marco there is St. Mark's Cathedral (IX-XV centuries), the Doge's Palace (XIV-XV centuries), the Old Library of San Marco (XVI centuries), buildings of religious brotherhoods (schools), monasteries.

Story

Geography

The city and lagoon are included in the World Heritage List. Called Canalazzo by the Venetians, the Grand Canal (Canal Grande) winds its way through the center of Venice in an S-shape, following the old course of the river. Its sides, in turn, define 6 administrative districts (sestieri), which emerged in the Middle Ages.

Orthodoxy in Venice

Orthodox churches and parishes

Shrines

The Roman Catholic churches of Venice are literally filled with the relics of saints glorified by the Orthodox Eastern Church. Most of these shrines arrived there from Constantinople after its capture by the crusaders during the IV Crusade in the city. The location of many of these shrines was still unknown to Orthodox believers; only a few knew about some of them.

In the churches of Venice rest the relics of the holy righteous Zechariah, father of St. John the Baptist, St. First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen, St. Apostle and Evangelist Mark, St. the great martyr and healer Panteleimon, the holy patriarchs of Alexandria Athanasius the Great and John the Merciful, the three patriarchs of Constantinople - the fighter against iconoclasm of St. Patriarch Herman, Hieromartyr Paul and Saint Eutyches, former chairman of the V Ecumenical Council. In Venice are the relics of the first monk, St. Paul of Thebes, St. Martyr Christina, St. Theodore Tiron, so revered in the Russian Church, St. Martyr Lucia of Syracuse, Martyr Valeria, Venerable Mary of Bithynia, called Marinus in monasticism, Venerable Martyr Anastasius of Persian, holy martyrs and unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Arabia, Apostle and Evangelist Luke and other holy saints of God.

Little is known about the fact that part of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker rests in Venice on the Lido Island. The following story is connected with their appearance. After capturing the relics of St. Nicholas by the inhabitants of the city of Bari, the Venetians arrived in Myra Lycia, where the relics of the saint had previously rested. They began to interrogate those who were assigned to the relics, but the latter, even under torture, claimed that the Barians had arrived and taken the relics. Finally, the Venetians decided to leave the church. However, several soldiers who had slowed down in the church caught up with their comrades, who were already preparing to board the ship, and reported that they had smelled a wonderful fragrance in one of the church aisles. The returning Venetians thus found part of the relics of St. that had been kept secret from the Latins. Nicholas and brought it to Venice with great triumph. The relics were placed in the ancient church of St. Nicholas on Lido Island. There is evidence that for some time the miraculous flow of myrrh from the relics of the saint also persisted, which we are still witnessing to this day in the city of Bari.

The plunder of the Middle East and Byzantium, in which the Venetians took a direct part, allowed them to become the owners of a hitherto unprecedented collection of shrines. It is safe to say that in terms of the number of shrines, Venice, together with Rome, ranks first in the entire Christian world.

On the days of remembrance of the saints, whose relics rest in Venice, at the parish of Sts. Myrrh-bearing women established a tradition of performing divine services at these shrines. The Catholic side welcomes this initiative, and the rectors of the churches where the relics are located are meeting the Orthodox halfway.

Italy and Orthodoxy are concepts that, at first glance, are incompatible and have no common ground. Italy is a country that is the cradle of Western Christianity, and for thousands of years - the center of the Catholic Church. From here came the orders to organize crusades to the Holy Land, one of which, the fourth in a row, unexpectedly “turned” into the borders of the Byzantine Empire and plundered it. Over the centuries, calls have been heard from Italy for the conversion of pagans and “schismatics” to the “true Catholic faith,” for which knightly orders were created to help the preaching monks. Metropolitan Isidore came from Italy and tried to impose a union in Moscow after the Ferrara-Florentine Council of 1438. From Italy the Union of Brest-Litovsk of 1596 came to the Slavic land, which brought so much grief to Ukraine and divided the triune Slavic people.

In recent years, many pilgrims have come to venerate the shrines of Italy and, first of all, to visit its most famous shrine - the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bari.

But Italy is not only rich in shrines; its dormant strength lies in the preserved rich spiritual tradition, dating back to the times of the apostles. Due to the isolation of Western Christianity from its church roots - the legacy of the Church Fathers of the 1st millennium - and the almost complete ignorance of Byzantine thought, which continued the patristic line in Orthodox theology, in the 20th century. There was a noticeable crisis in Western theology against the backdrop of a deep crisis in the Western worldview as a whole. This prompted thoughtful people in the Roman Catholic Church to study the ancient Church Fathers, bypassing the medieval commentaries, and also to study the theological and monastic traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy. Thanks to this “discovery” of the Orthodox East in the West, a great interest in Orthodoxy arose among believers and the Catholic clergy and a powerful movement arose aimed at studying Orthodox culture and theology in the broadest aspect - from the Church Fathers to the writers of the Russian religious and philosophical renaissance of the 20th century.

Therefore, the topics “Italy and Orthodoxy” or “The Catholic Church and Orthodoxy” are not identical to the topic “Vatican and Orthodoxy,” which continues to remain very painful in the relations of the two Churches. A return to the patristic roots, to the commonality that once united the Western and Eastern Churches, is the most important task of modern theologians.

In Venice, one of the cities closely connected with the history of relations between East and West, a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church opened in 2002. The newly formed parish of St. Myrrh-Bearing Woman became part of the Korsun diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. The candidate of theology of the St. Tikhon's Theological Institute, priest Alexy Yastrebov, became its rector. Father Alexy previously taught in Moscow, he is the author of a number of articles on patrolology, and is now writing a dissertation on Fr. Pavel Florensky

Since ancient times, the ecclesiastical region of Venice has been of great importance not only for Western, but also for Eastern Christianity. Indeed, Venice seemed to connect these two worlds: in the early Middle Ages it was an outpost of the Byzantine Empire in the West, then it owned many Greek territories, and in the 15th century it provided shelter to Greek refugees after the fall of Constantinople. The fact that the diocese of Venice has had the status of a patriarchate since ancient times speaks for itself - the strong influence of the Orthodox East has always been felt here.

With the blessing of the Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Angelo Scola, the parish of Sts. A church has been designated for the Myrrh-Bearing Women in Venice for Sunday and holiday services. Now the ancient temple of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist (chiesa San Zan Degola), which was previously served only occasionally, comes to life - a new page of its almost thousand-year history opens. Thus, the historical significance of Venice as a kind of “bridge” between East and West is restored.

The churches of Venice are literally filled with the relics of saints glorified by the Orthodox Eastern Church. Most of these shrines arrived there from Constantinople after its capture by the crusaders during the IV Crusade in 1204. The location of many of these shrines was still unknown to Orthodox believers; only a few knew about some of them.

With God's help, the parish of St. The Myrrh-Bearing Women managed to “return” their shrines to the believers: they gradually became known in Russia. Immediately the number of pilgrims, previously small, increased several times, so that a parish pilgrimage service was even opened, preparing trips to the North of Italy.

In the churches of Venice rest the relics of the holy righteous Zechariah, father of St. John the Baptist, St. First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen, St. Apostle and Evangelist Mark, St. the great martyr and healer Panteleimon, the holy patriarchs of Alexandria Athanasius the Great and John the Merciful, the three patriarchs of Constantinople - the fighter against iconoclasm, St. Patriarch Herman, Hieromartyr Paul and Saint Eutyches, who was the chairman of the V Ecumenical Council. In Venice are the relics of the first monk, St. Paul of Thebes, St. Martyr Christina, St. Theodore Tiron, so revered in the Russian Church, St. Martyr Lucia of Syracuse, Martyr Valeria, Venerable Mary of Bithynia, called Marinus in monasticism, Venerable Martyr Anastasius of Persia, holy martyrs and unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Arabia, Apostle and Evangelist Luke and other holy saints of God.

In Venice there are many relics of Roman martyrs of the first centuries, about whom practically nothing is known except their names. For example, in Venice the relics of the holy martyrs Sergius and Bacchus rest. Little is known about these martyrs, but the once young Bartholomew took monastic vows with the name Sergius, and then became a great saint not only for Russia, but for the entire Christian world. They did not know about the location of his relics in Russia, but now there is an opportunity to venerate the relics of the saint, in whose honor the “abbot of all Rus'” was named in monasticism - St. Sergius of Radonezh.

On the days of remembrance of the saints, whose relics rest in Venice, at the parish of Sts. The Myrrh-Bearing Women established a tradition of performing divine services at these shrines. The Catholic side welcomes this initiative, and the rectors of the churches where the relics are located are meeting the Orthodox halfway. Prayers are held for the saints at their relics, and pilgrimage groups from Russia come.

On May 8, 2004, on the day of remembrance of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, in the famous cathedral named after him, considered in the Catholic Church to be second in importance after the Cathedral of the Apostle Peter in Rome, the first Orthodox liturgy in the entire history of this temple was celebrated at the relics of the saint. In contrast to the Cathedral of St. Peter - a monument of the Renaissance, very “Western” in its style, the Cathedral of the Apostle Mark is, as it were, an icon of the Orthodox East, written specifically for the West.

Venice is rightfully becoming one of the centers of pilgrimage in Western Europe. Considering the importance of Venice for Orthodoxy, the Russian community should have its own church, as the representatives of the Patriarchate of Constantinople have. His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II blessed this endeavor. However, sufficient funds are needed to build a church abroad, and especially a pilgrimage center.

Father Alexy appeals to everyone with a request to help build a Russian church in Venice. Collecting donations is hampered by the fact that the parish does not yet have its own current account.

Information about the parish can be obtained by calling Father Alexy in Venice at:

(+39)-041-972-583 and

(+39)-338-475-3739.

For those who wish to go on one of the pilgrimage trips to the North of Italy, organized by the parish of Sts. Myrrh-Bearing Women, we provide a telephone number in Moscow: 258-6767 (Konstantin Hotov).

Finding yourself among palaces, canals and the noisy fun of a multilingual crowd, discover a different Venice, carefully preserving numerous Christian shrines in its churches.

The rector of the Russian Orthodox parish of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, Archpriest Alexy Yastrebov, took us through the most important places of this amazing city.

In honor of the patron saint

It is simply impossible to miss the main square, where the famous St. Mark’s Cathedral is located, so Father Alexy, like dozens of other guides, begins his story here.

– In 828, the Venetian merchants Buono and Ristico, saving the relics of the Apostle Mark from desecration, secretly took them out of Alexandria captured by the Muslims. This saint, who once preached in the cities of northeastern Italy, was declared the patron saint of Venice, and his symbol - a winged lion - began to be depicted on the flag, coat of arms and buildings of the republic.

A basilica was built especially for the relics of the apostle, but in the 10th century, during a palace coup, a fire broke out, the flames spread to the basilica, and it completely burned down.

A new temple was built on this site. However, in 1063 it was rebuilt. The new basilica was created on the model of the Constantinople Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles - the famous "Apostleion". Its consecration took place in 1094. But this date cannot be considered the year of completion of construction - over the subsequent centuries the temple was continuously expanded and decorated. The unique appearance of the cathedral is given by the famous quadriga, taken by the crusaders from Constantinople, and the colonnade of multi-colored marble. In general, San Marco is a rare example of Byzantine architecture in Western Europe.

And indeed, looking at this cathedral, you understand that you will never confuse it with any other. It amazes and engraves itself in the memory immediately and forever.

On earth or in heaven?

We enter the basilica and find ourselves surrounded by gold, precious stones and sparkling mosaics that create the unique atmosphere of San Marco.

“The oldest mosaic of the cathedral covers an area of 4240 square meters,” Father Alexy continues his story, “and covers not only the facade of the temple, but also the vaults of the domes, arches inside the cathedral, and also decorates the floor. In the center of the basilica, in the altar of the cathedral, rest the relics of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark.

San Marco is a rare example of Byzantine architecture in Western Europe. The oldest mosaic of the cathedral covers an area of 4240 sq. m.

The oldest mosaic of the cathedral covers an area of 4240 square meters

Behind the throne is a real masterpiece of Byzantine art - the “Golden Iconostasis” (Pala de Oro). This is the oldest shrine, prayed for centuries. The pala is made using cloisonne enamel technique and consists of two parts.

In its upper part are seven Byzantine icons that were taken from the Constantinople monastery of Pantocrator, the tomb of the Byzantine emperors. And the lower one is a four-tiered iconostasis, in the center of which there is an image of the blessing of the Lord, surrounded by four evangelists.

In total, Palu includes 250 enamels, richly decorated with precious stones.

What can this truly royal splendor be compared to? Perhaps only with the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Following the Russian ambassadors who arrived in Byzantium to get acquainted with Christianity, I would like to say: “And they did not know whether we were in heaven or on earth...”

Temple Treasury

We go around the iconostasis and find ourselves in the chapel of the basilica, where the revered image of the Mother of God “Nicopea” is located.

“The first mention of this image dates back to 610,” says our companion. – According to ancient legend, he was highly revered in Byzantium and especially in the imperial army. Hence the Greek name of the icon “Nicopeia”, which means “Victorious”. Emperors always took the shrine with them on campaigns. In battle it was captured by the Franks on the eve of the fall of Constantinople in 1204.

From the right side gallery we move into the treasury of the cathedral, which is rarely visited by noisy tourists. Here, in eleven niches, the rarest shrines are kept: relics of the Passion of Christ and the relics of God's saints.

I will list just a few of them: part of the stone of the Holy Sepulcher, part of the cloth soaked in the Blood of Christ, part of the Tree of the Holy Cross, four thorns from the Savior’s Crown of Thorns, the holy nail of the Lord, the honorable hair of the Most Holy Theotokos, the honorable foot of St. George the Victorious, part of the relics of Theodore Stratilates, part the heads of John the Baptist, part of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, the honest finger of St. Mary Magdalene, part of the relics of the Great Martyr Panteleimon.

There are even personal belongings of St. Mark - a ring and a Gospel, written, as experts suggest, by the hand of the apostle himself.

Such a concentration of Christian shrines in a small space seems incredible! A separate temple or monastery could be built for each of them, but the Venetians, of course, would never part with their treasures, which had been collected for centuries.

Having bowed to the shrines, we approach the display cases with ancient church utensils. This collection is unique. Many items were taken from the imperial treasury and the sacristy of the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

One of the oldest in the city

After leaving the Cathedral of San Marco, we head to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior - one of the oldest in the city. Since the 7th century it has undergone several reconstructions. Now it is a three-nave church, built in the shape of a Latin cross.

Here Father Alexy drew our attention to two works by Titian, “The Transfiguration” and “The Annunciation.” But the main reason why the priest brings pilgrims here is the opportunity to venerate the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates, which are kept in the shrine above the throne on the right. The head of the saint is clearly visible through the glass lid,

crowned, imperishable hand and feet, shod in sandals.

The venerable head of righteous Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, is kept in the sacristy of the temple, but, unfortunately, it is not available for worship by believers.

To Basil the Great

Are there Orthodox churches in Venice? It turns out there is only one. This is the Greek Church of St. George. This is where Father Alexy leads us.

“The construction of the stone church and bell tower was completed in the 16th century,” explains the priest. – Icons, frescoes and mosaics date back to the 16th–17th centuries. The best craftsmen of that time worked on the interior decoration of the temple. Thus, the iconostasis was created by famous Cretan icon painters - Michael Damascene and Father Emmanuel Dzanes Bunialis.

The main shrine of the temple is a silver reliquary made in the shape of a hand. The right hand of St. Basil the Great is kept in it. At the request of the pilgrims, the clergy take the shrine out of the altar and place it on the head of the believers.

Where was Antonio Vivaldi baptized?

While sightseeing in the Venetian district of Costello, we very soon reached the Church of St. John the Baptist.

“In this ancient temple, founded in the 8th century, the famous composer Antonio Vivaldi was baptized,” the priest continues his story. – And we come here to venerate St. John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria.

The relics of St. John were transferred to Venice in the 13th century. Their arrival was marked by a real miracle. Initially it was assumed that they would be kept in the Cathedral of St. Mark, but the galley with the ark, passing by the Church of St. John the Baptist, suddenly stopped dead in its tracks. They couldn't move her. Then it was decided to carry the ark overland. However, it turned out to be so heavy that no one except the rector of the Baptist Church could lift it. The priest carried the precious reliquary to the main square of the city, but such a heavy downpour began that all participants in the solemn procession hid in the nearest church. It turned out to be the Church of St. John the Baptist. Here the cancer remained - for one reason or another it was not possible to move it to another place.

In the temple, everyone can venerate the holy relics, which are located under glass in a marble shrine, and in addition, venerate other great shrines. Here are kept two thorns from the Savior's Crown of Thorns, part of the Life-Giving Tree of the Cross of the Lord, part of the rib of John the Baptist and the monastic cross of St. Savva the Sanctified.

St. Helen's Church

The next stop on our route is the Church of St. Helena, which is located on the island of the same name. You can reach it on foot: first along the embankment, then along the bridge.

“There was a temple and a hospital on this site already in the 12th century,” says the priest. – In the 13th century, it was reconstructed and consecrated in honor of the holy Queen Helen. This most likely happened immediately after the transfer of her relics.

In 1211 (or 1212), a priest named Aicardo, while in Constantinople captured by the crusaders, found the relics of Saint Helena and took them to Venice.

Only the honest head of the holy queen, dressed in a silver reliquary, has survived to this day.

On Lido Island

Not everyone who comes to Venice knows that you can venerate the relics of St. Nicholas not only in Bari, but also on the island of Lido. We go there by means of transport that is unusual for us - a water bus. From the water at the exit of the lagoon there is a wonderful view of the monastery of St. Nicholas - the patron saint of travelers and sailors. On the way, Father Alexy says:

– The relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker have been kept in this temple since the 11th century. The story of their appearance in Venice is truly amazing. As we know, the inhabitants of Bari first arrived in Myra Lycia, where Saint Nicholas served and died. They were in great haste to remove the relics of the miracle worker, and part of this priceless shrine could remain within the walls of the temple.

A few years later, citizens of the Republic of St. Mark went to Myra with the hope of finding at least a small part of the shrine - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was deeply revered by the inhabitants of the Venetian islands.

Arriving at Myra Lycia, the Venetians began to interrogate the servants where they were hiding the remaining relics, but they claimed that the Barians had taken everything. The soldiers were about to leave the church, when suddenly a wonderful fragrance was felt in one of the aisles.

Having dismantled the floor, the Venetians discovered a copper casket containing the relics of the saint. Having taken the precious relic, they went home. It was so pleasing to the Lord that the ship with the shrine arrived in Venice on the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and was greeted by the local residents with great honors.

Father Alexy is the author of the guidebook “The Shrines of Venice,” in which you can find all the information pilgrims need. In addition to the history of Venice and useful information about Christian relics, the guide contains a detailed map of the city, indicating temples to visit. Depending on your free time, routes are offered for several hours, the whole day, or 2–3 days. In total, 44 temples are mentioned where you can venerate Christian shrines, so make pilgrimages around the city of “bridges and canals”
maybe a week or two. You can purchase the guidebook in the bookstores of St. Mark's Cathedral or the Parish of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women

Twelve years without a temple

Two years ago, the parish of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women celebrated its 10th anniversary. But still believers do not have their own temple. In 2003, the Catholic diocese gave the parish the opportunity to conduct services in the ancient Basilica of the Beheading of John the Baptist (San Giovanni Decollato, local dial. San Zan Degolà) in the sesterre of the Holy Cross.

The language of the services is mainly Church Slavonic, but certain parts of the services are spoken in Italian and Romanian. The parish of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women is international; it consists of people from the CIS countries: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. There are also Italians, Serbs and Romanians.

Liturgy and prayer services are performed not only in the Church of the Beheading of John the Baptist, but also in other Catholic churches - at the relics of saints. Orthodox pilgrims from various countries of the world participate in such services.

At the presentation of the Makariev Prize to Father Alexy for his guide to Venice

In turn, the community of the holy Myrrh-Bearing Women itself often visits places associated with the life and feat of great Christian ascetics. Orthodox Venetians have already visited the Holy Land three times and are preparing for their fourth trip.

Not yet having the opportunity to build a stone temple on Venetian soil, Father Alexy is building it among the people. The priest sees the meaning of his service abroad in conveying, whenever possible, the opinion of the Orthodox Church on various events in the modern world.

When it comes to the religious picture, everything related to Italy is usually associated with traditional Catholicism. Venice, of course, is a Catholic land. But the religious situation in Venice has always been special.

Historically, Venice occupied a middle position between the Churches of the West and the East. This is a characteristic feature of the local spiritual and secular culture.

The medieval desire to imitate Byzantium - albeit initially in the rites and ceremonies of the imperial court - persisted even after the Fourth Crusade: the influence of Eastern Christianity is still felt here today. This is especially striking in the grandiose St. Mark's Cathedral, where you can see, for example, a marble Gothic iconostasis from the end of the 14th century (while Catholic churches usually do not have iconostases) or an image of the Virgin Nikopeia (“victorious”) from the 11th-12th centuries, in front of which in Byzantium, the imperial troops asked for intercession on the eve of battles (ironically, or rather, by the Providence of God, the icon was captured just before the defeat of the Romans and the sack of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade). And the Cathedral of St. Mark itself was erected under the leadership of Byzantine masters, following the model of the Apostleion of Constantinople (the temple of the 12 apostles).

Orthodoxy continued to influence Venice after the capture of Constantinople by the Turks: through the Greek islands (including Crete), which were under the rule of the Venetian Republic from the 13th to the 18th centuries. By the way, this influence was mutual: for example, in modern Greek churches, benches appeared precisely during the period of close contacts with the Venetians. And Venice, in turn, celebrated the memory of the saints of the undivided Church for centuries.

The Venetians themselves proudly considered themselves, first of all, citizens of their city-state, and only then - belonging to a certain religious tradition. “Veneziani, poi Cristiani” - “first the Venetians, then the Christians”: the inhabitants of the lagoon never lacked either self-sufficiency or a sense of superiority. In the 20s of the 16th century, Doge Andrea Gritti even put forward the idea of a “new Rome”, proclaiming Venice the heir to the long-extinct Roman Empire.

The Senate of the “Republic of St. Mark” itself appointed its patriarchs - this is how the ruling bishops of the Venetian borders have been titled since the end of the 6th century to the present day. A characteristic episode occurred at the turn of the 16th–17th centuries: the Venetians boldly refused to submit to the Vatican when Pope Clement VIII ordered all candidates for bishops of Italy to appear in Rome for the “examination of bishops.” Venice believed that it must elect and approve its ruling bishops itself. And the Vatican eventually had to give in...

However, the flip side of this independence was another dependence: on secular authorities. The state intervened in pastoral matters and appointed bishops and priests. The result was a kind of theocracy, formalized after the construction of St. Mark's Basilica. The holy apostle was declared the “head of state”, “ruling” together with the doge. After the fall of Constantinople, this doctrine became official. As a result, the Doge, for example, being the secular head of the city-state and not the head of the Church, nevertheless had the authority to teach the people the “solemn blessing” on major feast days - this was taught from the “pergola,” a special pulpit in St. Mark’s Basilica. And the basilica itself was the house church of the doge, and its clergy were subordinate not to the bishop, but precisely to the “vicar of St. Mark”...

Center of Shrines

The already mentioned belief made Venice the center of shrines: “more relics - more patrons.” Shrines were brought by the first founders of the city and laid in the foundation of temples and altars; Byzantium donated holy relics to its allies; during the era of anarchy in some parts of the empire, the heritage of Christianity was plundered; During the Arab and Turkish conquests, the relics were taken out, saving them from desecration.

Thus, the “city of bridges and canals” became the owner of a unique collection of relics - according to the 18th century catalog, 49 relics of saints were kept in the city! Unfortunately, the Napoleonic wars made their own adjustments to these statistics: in 1797, the republic fell under the onslaught of the French, and then passed into the hands of the Austrians. Churches were devastated, relics could simply be thrown away - the conquerors were much more interested in precious reliquaries.

However, what remains deserves the attention of every reverent Christian.

Bridge

...It happens that people who almost never go to church in Russia, coming to Venice to relax, begin to become interested in church life: it is difficult to be indifferent to the world of Orthodox holiness, which many probably unexpectedly encounter here in the West. Venice was both the robber of Orthodoxy and its patron, “Little Byzantium.” And for me, this city is, first of all, a city of bridges, both literally and figuratively. “The bridge between East and West” - although this expression has become hackneyed.

Saints do not belong exclusively to the East or the West. They are the blessed possession of everyone who accepts and honors them with faith and love; they are a reality that helps us, Orthodox and Catholics, better understand each other.

That is why, when people come here, they come not to visit, but to come home - to our saints, brothers and sisters in Christ glorified by the Church - to ask for their prayers and blessings.

What do we know about Venice? World famous gondolas, canals, Venetian masks, festival... But
today it is the second city in Europe - after Rome - in terms of the number of shrines of the undivided Church. A city that once dared to disobey the decree of the Pope. A city that was an outpost of Byzantium in Italy, and later sponsored the Crusade against Constantinople. A city originally free of its pagan past. "Republic of Saint Mark".

Guide book “Shrines of Venice”

The author of the book is Archpriest Alexy Yastrebov, who, with the blessing of the hierarchy, has been caring for the parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in Venice since 2003. Father Alexy has been collecting data about the city’s shrines for several years, while simultaneously researching the prerequisites for the emergence of such an amazing collection of shrines. Thus, the guidebook is not just a complete catalog of relics of the faith, but contains historical information explaining the peculiarities of the geopolitical position of the Republic of St. Mark at the crossroads between East and West. The Venetian civilizational “bridge” has not lost its relevance today. The city has been and remains an important center of social and cultural life on the planet, a place of inter-Orthodox meetings and a platform for inter-Christian dialogue.

St. Mark's area

The main temple of Venice and the sestiere are named after the apostle and evangelist Saint Mark. This area is the center of the political, religious and cultural life of the capital. Being the residence of the richest families of the republic, it was not inferior in the vibrancy of its trade to the commercial district of San Polo, fortunately the Venetian aristocrats were at the same time merchants - a phenomenon unheard of in medieval Europe. The trade that still flourishes in the alleys adjacent to the Rialto in the San Marco district is adjacent to an orderly row of exquisite palazzos, which, like pearls, make up the precious necklace of the Grand Canal.

Every corner of the sestiere, both in ancient times and today, is filled with crowds of people. There are two main attractions of the city here - the Basilica of St. Mark and the Doge's Palace. This is also where the city government is now located - the mayor's office (Ca' Farsetti), the prefecture, and public utilities. This human whirlwind calms down, and even then only partially, during the “low season” - in December-January.

Castello area

The area owes its name (castello - castle) to an ancient legend that once, back in Roman times, there was a fortress on the island of Olivolo, on the eastern outskirts of Venice.

Castello is the largest of the Venetian "sixes" - sestiere. Starting behind the complex of buildings of the Basilica of St. Mark and the Doge's Palace, the area extends to the very eastern tip of the city. Its main attractions are the former cathedral - the majestic Church of St. Peter the Apostle, the famous Venetian Arsenal, described by Dante Alighieri in “The Divine Comedy” (Inferno, canto 21), hosting within its walls the no less “remarkable” Biennale - an exhibition of contemporary art, held every two years (hence the name: la Biennale, "biennial") In the same area is the tomb of the Doges - the Church of St. John and Paul (San Zanipolo).

Cannaregio area

Starting in the city center, near the Rialto Bridge, this vast sestiere stretches along the banks of the Grand Canal all the way to the railway station.

Very diverse in atmosphere, this area, like the Castello, is full of residential areas that retain the authentic atmosphere of Venetian everyday life.

The world's first Jewish ghetto appeared and still exists here.

The famous painter Tintoretto lived in the same area. The son of a simple fabric dyer, he achieved European fame during his lifetime, but, according to contemporaries, he always remained a simple and very God-fearing person. Decorated with many of his works, the Madonna dell'Orto church, next to which his house still stands, is considered the jewel of the sestiere in terms of Christian art.

St. Paul's area

This small sestiere is located in the very heart of the city, in the thick of shopping arcades, not far from the Rialto Bridge. In the center of the area is Piazza San Polo, which takes its name from the church of St. Apostle Paul (San Polo). On the western border of the shestina rises the colossal Basilica of the Most Holy Illustrious Virgin Mary of the “Brothers” (Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari), and next to it is the church and famous for its paintings by Tintoretto Scuola Grande of St. Roja (chiesa e Scuola Grande di San Rocco). It is the abundance of objects of cultural attraction that explains the overcrowding of the sestiere with tourists.

Dorsoduro District

The attractions of the area, in addition to the Accademia Gallery, are the Guggenheim Museum, numerous palazzos located along the banks of the Grand Canal, Piazza San Barnaba and Santa Margherita, the Ca Foscari University of Venice and many churches. The most grandiose of them is Santa Maria della Salute, crowning the eastern tip of Dorsoduro - Cape Dogana.

Holy Cross area

The sestiere of the Holy Cross, like the sestiere of St. Paul, belongs to the small Venetian sixteens. Its territory covers the areas adjacent to the Grand Canal, starting from Palazzo Corner della Regina and extending to the Piazzale Roma bus station. But unlike San Polo, this is not a tourist area of the city.

The name sestiere comes from the monastery of St. Cross, later abolished by Napoleon. All that has survived from the monastery to this day is a lonely column on the corner of the brick wall of the park. It can be seen from the Grand Canal, sailing or walking along the embankment past the Papadopoli Gardens in the area of the bus station.

In this area there is the Church of St. St. James the Apostle is the center of a Catholic parish, which includes two more churches - St. Eustache (chiesa di San Stae) and the Beheading of St. John the Baptist (chiesa di San Zan Degolà), where the services of the community of the parish of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women of the Russian Orthodox Church are held.

Venice Islands

Venice is located on 118 islands. Its basis is made up of “fused” pieces of land, connected by 400 bridges and forming a city of six sestiere districts. Even on the “main island” there are still place names that remind us that it was once not united. Such are, for example, the islands of St. Helena and Olivolo, still surrounded by water, but long ago firmly “moored” to Venice with the help of bridges. Giudecca and San Giorgio are also practically included in the core of Venice, as its integral parts. The large islands - Burano, Murano, Lido, Giudecca - have their own characteristics, from the types of crafts common on different islands to the manner of building and decorating houses. Peculiarities are manifested even in the dialect, which, for example, on the island of Burano differs from the usual Venetian.

Lido Island - Lido di Venezia
The length of the Lido is about 12 kilometers, while the width ranges from one kilometer to three hundred meters. Inhabited since ancient times by people from Padua, this narrow strip of land serves as a natural protection for the bay from sea disturbances. Since 742, the residence of the Doges was located in the southern part of the island, called Malamocco. On Lido Island there is Church of St. Nicholas on Lido Island— chiesa San Nicolò a Lido, in which rest the relics of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra of Lycia (December 6/19, May 9/22), the relics of St. Nicholas “Uncle”, Archbishop of Myra of Lycia (local celebration December 11), the relics of the Hieromartyr Theodore (local celebration on January 24).

Orthodox shrines in Venice - Documentary Film

Nicholas the Wonderworker - So that sadness turns into joy

Orthodox parishes in the city of Venice

Parish in honor of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women
Rector: Archpriest Alexy Yastrebov
Address: Campo San Zandegola, 1, Santa Croce, Venezia
Tel.: +393384753739