The Church of St. Sophia, Wisdom of God in Kachi-Kalyon is located in the southeastern part of the cave city and was founded in the 8th-9th centuries. The building has an oval elongated shape: a length of just over 5 meters, a width of about 2.5 meters, and a height of no less than 2 meters. Although Christian churches are usually oriented to the east, this church faces southeast, which sometimes occurs due to the peculiarities of the terrain.
The temple consists of two parts, as its size is limited. There is no narthex. The naos, intended for worshippers, is small and accommodates no more than 10 people. In this part, as in early medieval Greek churches, a bench for worshippers is carved out. On the southern side, there is a grave with a tomb. Niches for icons are made in the walls, and remnants of two Greek inscriptions have been discovered.
The apse, the main altar part, is quite spacious for such a small temple. A synthron, a bench for clergy, is carved out in it. The wall has two niches: for the altar and the icon of the altar. On the walls opposite the solea, the narrow space at the altar, there are cutouts for installing a wooden iconostasis.
Unusually for ancient and medieval churches, there are two entrance doors in this church: one leads to the naos, and the other, a later addition, leads to the apse.
Several gravestones have been found near the temple, indicating the existence of a cemetery, which was common at that time. Also nearby is a large fragment, presumably a former burial site, which was later converted into a winemaking complex.
The Church of St. Sophia existed until 1778, when mass emigration of Crimean Christians to the Azov region due to Islamic oppression led to its abandonment. In the mid-19th century, the church was restored by landowner Khvitsky, to whom Empress Catherine II had granted these lands with the condition of their development. The church became a household church and was consecrated in honor of St. Martyr Anastasia the Deliverer. After Khvitsky's death in 1851, the church passed to the Uspensky Skete, now the Bakhchisarai Holy Uspensky Monastery, and became part of the community of St. Anastasia, which existed until the 20-30s of the 20th century.
In 1921, the Soviet authorities closed the Uspensky Monastery. The monastic dormitory lasted until 1932, when collectivization began, and the lands were transferred to the state farm 'Kommunar'. The monks were exiled beyond Crimea, and their further fate is largely unknown.
Today, the Anastasiivska Church is partially active. Thanks to the revival of the local skete, services are sometimes held on festive days. Inside, it is slightly furnished with necessary church utensils. The entrance to the church is closed with a grille, and access inside is only possible during rare services.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.
To leave a comment, sign in with Google.