Church of the Icon of Christ the Saviour
Church of the Icon of Christ the Saviour Not Made by Hands ⛪ — a majestic Orthodox cathedral in the Byzantine style. Built for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games on the site of a 10th-century ancient temple discovered in 2010 during excavations at the construction site, it has become the main spiritual center of the Imeretinskaya Lowland. Beneath the altar, in a separate crypt, there is a reliquary containing relics found at the excavation site. The snow-white walls, golden domes, and strict architecture harmoniously blend into the surrounding landscape, creating an atmosphere of serenity and solemnity. It is the perfect place for those who wish to touch the spiritual heritage, appreciate the beauty of Orthodox architecture, and find a moment of silence amidst the active resort infrastructure!
ℹ️ Features:
Architecture and interior: classic Byzantine style with elements of ancient Russian architecture, featuring a spacious prayer hall, a carved iconostasis, fresco paintings, and a bell tower with bells.
Interactivity: the opportunity to light a candle, venerate holy relics, listen to church singing during services, or simply enjoy the contemplation of the architecture and panoramic views of the surroundings. A cultural and historical center and the St. John the Baptist Shelter operate at the church.
✅ Who it is suitable for:
Believers and pilgrims — the opportunity to attend solemn services, confess, or receive communion in a modern yet fully canonical church.
Lovers of architecture, history, and painting — a chance to appreciate the skill of the architects who recreated the traditions of the Byzantine style and to learn the history of the place where an ancient Byzantine temple once stood. The wall paintings were executed by artists from Ilya Glazunov's Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. A team of 25 artists worked on the frescoes for four months. The painting style is Art Nouveau or realism, reminiscent of the paintings of Viktor Vasnetsov.
Families with children — a calm and safe place where you can tell children about cultural and spiritual traditions in an accessible way.
📝 Practical tips:
How to get there: Sirius settlement, 1 Spasskaya Street. Take the "Lastochka" electric train to the "Olympic Park" station, then walk for about 10–15 minutes. You can also take buses (No. 105, 125, 535, etc.) to the "Hotel 'Russian Seasons'" or "Olympic Park" stop.
Comfort: when visiting an active church, it is recommended to observe the traditional dress code: women should have their heads covered and wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees, while men should remove their headwear.
Ethics: during services, please maintain silence, turn off mobile phone ringtones, and do not conduct professional photography without the blessing of the rector.
🗺️ Integration into the location: The church is located in the heart of the Sirius tourist cluster, right at the entrance to the Olympic Park. Nearby are Sochi Park, the Singing Fountain, the Automobile Technology Museum, and the Imeretinskaya Embankment. It is convenient to start or end a walk along the embankment from here, renting a bicycle or scooter to tour the Olympic facilities.
Opening hours: daily, usually from 08:00 to 20:00 (it is recommended to check the schedule of services in advance).
Admission: free.