Recently, many residents of different countries, when the question arises of how to spend a weekend or vacation, turn their attention to pilgrimage trips and tours. The island of Patmos (mountainous Altai) has a history closely intertwined with Orthodoxy. It is very interesting not only to believers, but also to ordinary people.
So, in the Aegean Sea there is a land area with exactly the same name. Now this territory belongs to Greece. During the Roman Empire, objectionable people, including Christians, were exiled to this place. So among the islanders was the Apostle John the Theologian. A monastery was founded there in his honor in 1088.
History
Several millennia later, in Russia in 1855, Bishop Parthenius was sent to the diocese of Tomsk to spread the faith of Christ among the pagan population. He studied the life of John the Theologian and read the story of how the apostle had a vision of two temples that hover in the air above the water.
One of these cathedrals has already been built - in the place where the saint lived and worked for many years. The bishop began to dream that the second one would appear in the regions of his new flock. But he did not imagine how he could get a temple islandPatmos (mountainous Altai), because the relief is based on ridges and river valleys.
Then, driving around the area that he got for his activities, in the area of the village of Chemal, Parfeniy saw a rocky area in the middle of the Katun River. Vladyka liked the place so much that he consecrated it. It is not known exactly who gave the Greek name to that land, but it stuck. Gradually, the Orthodox community grew stronger, new churches were built. In 1914, the island of Patmos (mountainous Altai) served as the site for the construction of the Church of St. John the Theologian.
The fate of the shrine
With the advent of Soviet power, the church was destroyed. The restoration was due to the artist V. N. Pavlov. During the journey, he was very impressed by nature. And also there is a legend that the wooden building was burned by another creator who did not want anyone else to be able to depict the temple in the picture.
Pavlov moved to Chemal from Moscow and worked on the construction of the holy house for ten years. In 2001, the island of Patmos (mountainous Altai) acquired a new church named after John the Theologian. From the moment the object was consecrated by the nuns, miraculous phenomena were noticed - on the old icon of the Mother of God, which needed restoration, colors and contours self-renewed. And the other face, which is nearby, streams myrrh.
Today
Thus, for various reasons, Chemal, the island of Patmos, the Altai Mountains attract a large number of guests. Firstly, this area has the status of a tourist and recreational zone. There are recreation centers and places for camping. There is a bus service fromGorno-Altaisk. There is an entertainment infrastructure.
Clean air and a favorable climate were appreciated at the end of the 19th century. It was then that the first resort vacationers appeared in these territories. In the 30s of the last century, a recreation area for government circles was created there.
Today everyone can visit Gorny Altai, the island of Patmos. The village of Chemal has its own attraction - a hydroelectric power station. Now it is not operated, but until 2011 it provided electricity to the village and adjacent facilities. In the warm season, boats and catamarans are rented, you can ride water slides or jump with insurance from the reservoir dam.
Altai Culture Center
Very interesting for professional ethnographers and ordinary history buffs are the village of Chemal and the island of Patmos (mountainous Altai). Photos of national costumes, ritual songs, rituals and much more Bardin Alexander collected and combined into the Center of Altai Culture. This person is a native. His family has been known since the 6th century. Having received an agricultural education, he worked in this area, studying the natural conditions of the mountains and foothills. In 1990, he was elected an elder of his kind, and two years later - the head of the entire Altai people.
The museum is a traditional dwelling of local peoples - ail. It has various expositions that characterize the way of life, life and religious ways. During his lifetime, Alexander Bardin himself oftenconducted excursions, told about the history of the people and traditional beliefs.
Movements
Chemal is the center of the entire district, so the bus service to this point is quite active - 5-6 trips during the day, including passing routes. Of course, it is most convenient to travel to these places by private vehicle. So you will not depend on the schedule and will be able to independently plan the route. So, traveling along the lower Katun, you should definitely visit Patmos Island (Altai Mountains). How to get there, it is better to know in advance.
Initially, you should get to Biysk. It is through it that the only route in the right direction passes. It has the designation M52. This section follows the channel of the Katun upstream, starting from the confluence with the Ob. On the way you will meet several large settlements, but the movement should continue along the main road. And only after 150 km from Biysk, at the fork near the village of Ust-Sema, before the bridge over the river, you should turn left, following the sign to Chemal.
Trails
Once in the regional center, you can easily find the island of Patmos (Altai Mountains). Reviews speak of the extraordinary beauty of the combination of a rocky massif and a temple. Leaving the car in the parking lot and walking about 500 meters along the path, you will come out to the river. It can only be crossed by a suspension bridge. When passing through it, you must observe safety precautions. And because it sways, some are hesitant to enter the island.
At the height of the season, a lot of people flock tovisiting a temple, they often want to take a memorable picture. Because of this, there are "traffic jams" on the suspended structure. This is especially important when the capacity of the bridge is small - no more than 6 people at the same time. You can also approach the rocks from the side of the hydroelectric power station. To do this, you will have to use the "Goat Path" - a narrow path along the cliff. You should move along it very carefully.
Other places of interest
People staying in Chemal have the opportunity to visit natural attractions located near the village. So, Karakol lakes have amazing beauty. They are located in the mountains on the western slope of Iolgo. The nearest settlement to the reservoirs is 30 km away - the village of Elekmonar. It is from there that horseback riding and hiking are often organized. Part of the route can be covered by off-road vehicle. During the summer season, the transportation service is provided by local residents. Approximately 8 kilometers will have to be walked before the first lake appears.
Che-Chkysh waterfall is located 15 km from Chemal. There is a good paved road, so you can get there by any transport. The camp site can serve as a guide. Not far from it, a path leaves the road to the left. Walking along it, you will find yourself at the waterfall. Also nearby are an observation deck and a tract with rock paintings.
