RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, BRUNSWICK

The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God is located in 1 Albion St, Brunswick, an inner suburb of Melbourne. During the late 1970's and early 1980's clergy and parishioners of the Protection of the Mother of God Cathedral in Collingwood began seeking a new church site.  The move was necessary as the site in Collingwood was not large enough to expand.

The decision to build rather than buy was made on the rationale that a church in Russian style is more aesthetically pleasing to those who will worship in it than a renovated church in the style of a western denomination.

Three architects were invited to submit proposals for the plans for this new church (Vlad Chernov,  Alex Kamenev and John Petrakis).  John Petrakis secured the contract with a competitive estimate.  He had a working relationship with Brunswick Municipal Council - which was another advantage.  John, who was later to become an honourary Russian dubbed Ivan Petrov, developed the design further and approached the Brunswick city council about a Planning Permit for a Church and a Community Centre.  His diplomacy in dealing with the City Council, managing to appease them whilst not compromising design is a credit to him.

The foundation laying ceremony took place on the 5th November 1989.  Within the stone some relics of Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth were placed with a parchment within a sealed copper/brass cylinder.  This is based on the ancient Christian practice of building churches above the graves of holy martyrs.

Psalm 99
1 The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
4 The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
8 Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.

This post is part of the Psalm Sunday meme,
and also part of the Weekend Reflections meme,
and also part of the Nature Footsteps Waters meme,
and also part of the Shadow Shot Sunday meme.