I saw the Myra church. Wasn't St. Nicholas the Bishop of Myra?

 

Lilli

yes, he was as I understood it to be, the one responsible for Old St. Nick, (lol)......

 

The church itself is actually below  grade of the present earth, as we went down many steps to reach it.  They explained it was due to many earthquakes in that region over the long millenia.

 

I recall it was in rather poor repair, from many years of rain *below grade*.....but I also recall the Russians had donated money for a mosaic floor which was being restored.

 

It was very interesting of course, but it was in the condition as I recall that even some much more ancient churches, (like the ones in the cliffs & rocks, from the Byzantine  era  high in the mountains....where the early Christians hid out in these caves  &  created churches, approx the same  condition)....and about 2,000 years old and rivaled the condition of the St.Nicolas Church in Myra.

 

It was exciting to see the cave / cliff churches of which there were many indeed, hidden from the public, (I suppose the Romans)......high in the mountains on sides of cliffs when persecutions of Christians was taking place.

So colorful, pictures drawn on the caves walls with pigments from the local plants (I suppose)....still in excellent condition everywhere.

 

 

 

 

I only was able to post one photo of the "outside" of a cave church because flash is not allowed inside.,so we have video of the ,and the one inside without a flash he was able to take.

 

Look at the photo called "Rock Chapel Ceiling" to see that one (the really really old approx 2,000 yr. of drawings they did back then)

 

BTW, have you visited News & Views lately??......I think I posted the same photos there too.,on the Bush link.

 

Stargazer would probably be happy to hear from us, (she's all alone there).....

 

I posted once or twice there since I've been back .

 

(He added more photos on today here)...