Churches in rome

Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr in Rome

Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr - the current Orthodox shrine of modern times in Rome, subordinated to the Moscow Patriarchate. Located on the territory of the residence of the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

The temple of Catherine is already interesting by the very fact of existence - the center of the Russian Orthodox faith in the heart of the papal Catholic diocese.Confessional friction is mitigated by the personality of the great martyr, because she was revered by Christians in an era when Catholics and Orthodox were united.

St. Catherine

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

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

Three centuries after these bloody events, the followers of Catherine on Mount Sinai found her imperishable remains and transferred 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 the land on the Tiber embankment for the construction of the church, but the revolution turned the whole way of society and such a factor as religion for a long time disappeared 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 make up 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 the Moscow Patriarch Alexy II solemnly blessed the creation of the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr. The construction of the main part took only 4 years.

In 2006, the temple was first consecrated, and since then there are regular divine services, a parish school operates at the temple.

In May 2009, the world Christian community observed the solemn Great Consecration of the shrine, the 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

The main architect was Andrei Obolensky, whose team was able to create the perfect harmony of 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 Gianicolo hill and ending at its top. In order not to discord with Roman architecture, the main church is built in the form of a tent, and all walls are lined with travertine, traditional for primordially Roman architecture.

The lower aisle of the church complex is marked with a faience iconostasis in honor of Konstantin and Elena. And the main part, the so-called upper church, is the main marble iconostasis. The project of the latter was created and for the most part implemented by Alexander Soldatov, a teacher at the Moscow Icon Painting School. Being non-traditional for the Russian church, the iconostasis consists of only two rows. The lower one is made in a modest manner without frills and inappropriate brilliance using the fresco technique. The top row has already been 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 is a picture of the path of the Great Martyr Catherine from birth to ascension. Within the walls of the church there are a number of Orthodox relics, attracting hundreds of parishioners here daily, both on their own initiative and as part of pilgrimage tours for Orthodox Christians from Russia and the whole world.

Interesting Facts

  • To obtain a license to build a temple, had to amend some laws of the Lazio region, previously prohibiting 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 than St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro). The architect did not abandon his plan and solved the problem by “drowning” the structure in the hill.

How to get there

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

Watch the video: A closer look at the "Saint Catherine Russian Orthodox Church" in Rome (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Churches in rome, Next Article

Roberto Cavalli sued for plagiarism
Business and Economics

Roberto Cavalli sued for plagiarism

The fashion house of the most talented fashion designer Roberto Cavalli received a subpoena, where a trial of plagiarism will take place. Representatives of the famous fashion house Roberto Cavalli (Roberto Cavalli) will meet in court with American graffiti artists who accuse the designer of copying their drawings.
Read More
Ferrari 355 S sold for 21 million dollars
Business and Economics

Ferrari 355 S sold for 21 million dollars

Purchased for thousands of dollars and sold for more than 21 million. This deal is worth it to be recorded in the annals of the history of the car, because the object of trade is neither more nor less, but Ferrari. More precisely, the 1955 355 S model, a museum exhibit, which at the end of last year after long private negotiations was acquired by an Austrian collector.
Read More
Venice plans to build a new port
Business and Economics

Venice plans to build a new port

Paolo Costa, the head of the port of Venice, hopes that the city will again become a significant figure in terms of shipping and profit. The authorities in Venice announced the construction of a huge port in the city, despite a recent decree prohibiting cruise liners from entering Venice starting in 2015. Paolo Costa, the mayor of the city in the past and the head of the Venetian port in the present, explained that Venice risks becoming only a monument of architecture, the only source of income for which will remain tourists.
Read More
Metro stations in Milan will be called the names of sponsors
Business and Economics

Metro stations in Milan will be called the names of sponsors

“We won’t survive on tickets only” The municipality of Milan is preparing a decree: large companies will have the opportunity to add their name to the name of the metro station in exchange for investments and assistance with modifications. But not everyone agrees with this decision. Basilio Rizzo, President of the Municipal Council: “The city is not for sale” The project is designed for all one hundred stations of the Milan metro.
Read More