Cathedral of the Transfiguration (Markham, Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of the Transfiguration |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
The Cathedral of the Transfiguration in 2012
|
|
| 43°53′39.53″N 79°22′16.17″W / 43.8943139°N 79.3711583°W | |
| Location | Cathedraltown, Markham, Ontario, Canada |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | Transfiguration of Jesus |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Eparchy of Saints Cyril and Methodius of Toronto (1984-2006) Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Saint-Sauveur of Montréal (2016-) |
The Cathedral of the Transfiguration is a large Catholic church in Markham, Ontario, a town just north of Toronto, Canada. It is named after the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. This beautiful building was first used by the Slovak Greek Catholic Church. Now, it is used by the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. The cathedral is the main building in an area called Cathedraltown, which was named after it.
Contents
Discovering the Cathedral's History
The land where the cathedral stands was once part of a farm. This farm belonged to Stephen Boleslav Roman. He was a famous farmer who raised Holstein cows. Mr. Roman also started a mining company called Denison Mines.
Mr. Roman came to Canada from Slovakia in 1937. He gave the land for the cathedral. He wanted to build it as a symbol of religious freedom. This was especially important for people from his home country. Many Slavs were living under difficult conditions at that time. The cathedral's design was inspired by a church in Veľký Ruskov. This was the village in Slovakia where Mr. Roman grew up.
Building the Cathedral
Construction of the cathedral started in early 1984. A very special event happened in September 1984. Pope John Paul II visited Canada. During his visit, he blessed the cornerstone and altar stone of the cathedral. This was the first time a Pope had blessed a church in North America.
The Slovak Greek Catholic Church Foundation owns and manages the cathedral. It was built for Slovak Catholics in the Greater Toronto Area. Until 2006, it was the main church for the Slovak Catholic Eparchy of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Mr. Roman passed away in 1988. He did not get to see the cathedral finished. His funeral service was held inside the building. Even though it was not complete, 1,600 people attended.
Famous Visitors and Movie Appearances
In 1990, Václav Havel visited the cathedral. He was the first president of a democratic Czechoslovakia. This was after the end of the Communist government.
The outside of the cathedral has also been in movies. It was used in the 1995 film In the Mouth of Madness. In the movie, it was called the Black Church. You can also see it on some of the movie posters. In 2013, it was featured in a Canadian movie called "Rearview."
Changes and Reopening
After 2006, the cathedral was closed for a while. There was a disagreement with the Slovak Greek Catholic Church Foundation. The Slovak Catholic Eparchy of Saints Cyril moved its main church to Toronto.
During this time, a lot of work was done inside the cathedral. In November 2016, the City of Markham gave permission for it to be used again. Now, the Jesus the King Melkite Greek Catholic Church uses it for worship.
Amazing Design and Art
The cathedral has three shining gold towers. These towers represent the Trinity. The middle tower is called the Tower of the Transfiguration. It stands very tall at 64 meters (210 feet).
This tower holds some of the world's largest bells. There are three bells in total. They weigh a massive 14,500 kilograms (32,000 pounds)! The bells were made in France in 1986. Each of the two side towers is 45 meters (148 feet) tall.
.jpg)
Inside the cathedral, you will find incredible mosaics. A huge mosaic of Christ Pantocrator covers the entire dome. It is 25 meters (82 feet) wide. There is also a mosaic of the Virgin Mary on a curved wall.
In 2017, more mosaics were added. These are in the circle under the dome and in the areas connecting the dome to its pillars. These mosaics show Bible stories. But they also have some unique features. Besides the 13 Apostles, you can see images of St. Mary Magdalene. There is also a French saint, St. Madeline Sophie Barat. Two Canadian saints are also featured: St. Kateri Tekakwitha and St. Brother André of Montreal.
The mosaics in the pillars show the four Evangelists. Instead of traditional animals, they feature Canadian animals. You can see a wolverine, a peregrine falcon, and a cow.
The cathedral also has a beautiful Casavant Frères concert organ. It has been carefully restored.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de la Transfiguración de Nuestro Señor (Markham) para niños
- Slovak Catholic Eparchy of Saints Cyril and Methodius of Toronto
- Slovak Greek Catholic Church
- John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness
Newspaper reports
- "Thousands attend as new cathedral's giant bells blessed." The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa: Aug 16, 1986. pg. A.23
- "Church at the centre; A European-style community will take shape around golden-domed Byzantine Slovak cathedral Built by magnate with grand vision" by Pat Brennan. Toronto Star. Toronto: Apr 17, 2004. pg. M.01
- "Eparchy site in Markham Roman reticent about role in constructing cathedral" Kelley Teahen. The Globe and Mail. Toronto: Oct 26, 1985. pg. A.21
- "Progress slow on Byzantine shrine Hundreds worship in unfinished cathedral" Caroline Byrne. Toronto Star. Toronto: Jul 3, 1989. pg. A.6
