800 years ago, on May 13, 1221, in the city of Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, in the family of Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and Princess Feodosia, the second son Alexander was born – the future Grand Duke, a wise ruler, an experienced diplomat, an outstanding commander who covered his name with military glory, canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Heroes of Russian antiquity. Alexander Nevskiy
Ah, Russian names!
They are like the names of ancient fortresses …
In them – the rumble of bells,
The noise of the veche, the rustle of the wind, the blow of the sword on the guardian’s shield …
Albert Likhanov “Prince”
On the eve of this significant historical date, within the framework of the Year of Alexander Nevsky, the Simferopol branch library №4 named. M.M. Kotsyubinsky, continuing the program “Mighty Will, Great Glory – Heritage for All Time”, organized for her readers an excursion into the history of the Fatherland “Heroes of Russian Antiquity. Alexander Nevskiy”.
“And the name of Alexandrovo became famous in all countries, and to the Egyptian sea, and to the Ararat mountains, and on both sides of the Varangian sea, and to the great Rome!”, – we read in the “Legend of the life of Alexander Nevsky”.
The informational accompaniment was the book exhibition “Alexander Nevsky – a patriot of the Russian land”, which presented to the attention of users of the publication from the library fund: “Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky” A.M. Volovik, collections of “Traditions of the Russian Land” “One Hundred Great Battles”, “Rulers of the Russian Land”, “Izbornik: Tale of Ancient Rus”, “Legends of the Russian people, collected by I.P. Sakharov ”, the complete encyclopedia“ Generals of Russia ”by Yu.K. Shkolnik, “World History in Persons: The Early Middle Ages” by V. Butroseev, the magazines “Rodina”, “Honor of the Fatherland”, “Svoy”, telling about the “life and great deeds” of Alexander Yaroslavovich, about the Battle of the Neva, for the displayed military leadership and courage in which Alexander was nicknamed Nevsky (the name under which he went down in history), about the great victory at Lake Peipsi. Alexander Nevsky not only defended our Fatherland from the invasion of enemies, but also managed to build such relations with the Horde, which ensured the preservation of Russia from the constant raids of nomads, which required great wisdom and diplomatic tact from him. The prince’s words “We are few, and the enemy is strong, but God is not in strength, but in truth!” for centuries have become the motto of the Russian people. Each volume of the presented information and analytical almanac “Russia: Moscow the First Throne” in the “History of the Fatherland” section contains information about the life and heroic path of the “Holy Defender of the Russian Land”, the history of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, holy and historical places associated with the name of the prince …
Many churches are dedicated to the holy noble Prince Alexander Nevsky in Russia. His images appeared already in the 16th century after canonization. Many artists and icon painters worked on the image of the holy prince.
Crimean streets, Orthodox churches proudly bear the name of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky. In the capital of Crimea, the pre-revolutionary name of Rosa Luxemburg Street was returned, which again became Nevsky Street. The name of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky in Simferopol bears the Cathedral, consecrated in 1829, destroyed in 1930 and is currently being restored. As noted in the Simferopol and Crimean dioceses: “The revival of the temple is evidence that the soul of the people has not died.” The history of the Holy Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in the Crimean capital is introduced by the unique publication “Fundamentals of the Orthodox Culture of Crimea”. Drawings of the artist A. Prusakov “Alexandro-Nevskaya Street” and “Alexander Nevsky Cathedral” from the book “Simferopol – the City of Benefit” by G.А. Babenko and V.P. Dyulichev.
The book by L. Obukhovskoy “Property of the Republic” tells about the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is the main Orthodox cathedral in Yalta, built in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II.
Another Crimean temple in the name of St. Alexander Nevsky is located in Alushta, in the village of Utyos. Initially, it was a small house church of Princess Gagarina, located next to her palace and built in 1904-1907. In Soviet times, a sanatorium was set up on the estate, the church was closed. But it has survived and is now active again. Interesting facts about the history of this temple can be found in the publication “Castle in the Cliff” by G.А. Lapaeva.
In 1913, an Orthodox sanatorium named after Alexander II was opened in Alupka for teachers and students of parish schools, in the building of which there was also a house church in the name of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky. In 1916, the sanatorium was visited by Emperor Nicholas II with his family, who was also present at the divine service in the church of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky. Today it is a church at the sanatorium of St. Luke.
Unfortunately, in Crimea there are also lost shrines – the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in the city of Feodosia, erected in the 19th century on the territory of the present sea garden (today the place of its former location is marked with a memorial sign).
Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky. This name is significant and revered today, after eight centuries. His whole life, state and political activity was determined by his sincere love for his people and his great devotion to the faith of his fathers. The image of the Alexander Nevsky century serves as a source of faith and moral support in overcoming difficulties and hardships, a symbol of victory.