Saint Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, looking northeast
Location	1324 S. Normandie Avenue, Byzantine-Latino Quarter Los Angeles, California
Country	United States
Denomination	Greek Orthodox
Website	www.saintsophia.org
History
Status	Active
Architecture
Heritage designation	Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #120
Designated	June 6, 1973
Style	Byzantine Revival—Renaissance Revival
Completed	1952
Specifications
Capacity	750
Administration
Archdiocese	America
Metropolis	San Francisco

Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral is a famous church in Los Angeles, California. It was built in 1952 for the city's Greek-American community. The name Hagia Sophia (Ἁγία Σοφία) is Greek for "Holy Wisdom."

The cathedral is a type of Christian church called Greek Orthodox. This is a branch of Christianity with deep roots in Greece and Eastern Europe. The church is located in a neighborhood known as the Byzantine-Latino Quarter.

A Hollywood Story: The Cathedral's History

The story of Saint Sophia Cathedral is like something out of a movie. It was built because of a promise made by a man named Charles Skouras. He and his brothers, Spyros Skouras and George Skouras, came to America and wanted to succeed in the movie business in Hollywood.

Charles made a promise to God. He vowed that if he became successful, he would build a beautiful cathedral as a thank you. His career took off, and he became the head of a major movie studio called Fox West Coast Theatres. True to his word, he built Saint Sophia Cathedral.

The south side of Saint Sophia Cathedral.

The cathedral remains an important center for the Greek Orthodox community. In 2005, a special service was held in three languages: Spanish, English, and Greek. This showed how diverse the community had become.

Architecture and Design

The cathedral is known for its stunning architecture. The style is called Byzantine Revival, which is inspired by the grand churches of the ancient Byzantine Empire.

What Does the Cathedral Look Like?

From the outside, the building looks grand but simple. Inside, however, it is filled with amazing decorations. The walls and ceilings are covered with colorful paintings of religious figures and scenes. There are also huge, beautiful chandeliers that hang from the high ceilings, making the space feel bright and majestic.

Because of its beauty and historical importance, Saint Sophia Cathedral was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument on June 6, 1973.

The Cathedral's Community

Today, Saint Sophia Cathedral serves a large community. People travel from all over Los Angeles County and Orange County to attend services. The congregation, or group of people who attend the church, is mostly of Greek heritage.

Over the years, many famous people have been part of the church. Some were well-known actors from the Hollywood movie industry.

Famous Members of the Congregation

Some of the notable people who have been members of the church include:

• George Chakiris, an actor who won an Academy Award.
• Telly Savalas, a famous actor known for playing the detective Kojak. His funeral was held at the cathedral.
• Tom Hanks, a world-famous actor, and his wife, actress Rita Wilson.
• Peggy Stevenson, who served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1975 to 1985.

See also

• List of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in South Los Angeles
• Greek Orthodox cathedrals in the United States