St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral |
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| 40°47′18″N 73°57′15″W / 40.78833°N 73.95406°W | |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Russian Orthodox Church |
| Website | ruschurchusa.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1902 |
| Founder(s) | Saint Tikhon (Belavin); Alexander Hotovitzky |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Bergesen |
| Architectural type | Moscow Baroque |
St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a very important church in New York City. It is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This beautiful building serves as the main center for the Russian Orthodox Church in North America.
History of the Cathedral
The story of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral began in the early 1890s. A group of people who followed the Russian Orthodox faith started meeting on Second Avenue. They wanted to build a bigger, more permanent church.
In 1899, they began collecting money for a new building. Czar Nicholas II, who was the emperor of Russia at the time, even gave them some money to help with the project.
Building the Cathedral
The new cathedral was designed by an architect named John Bergesen. He was from Finland. The construction was completed in 1902. The church stands at 15 East 97th Street in Manhattan.
The very first church service in the new cathedral happened on July 20, 1902. It was led by Tikhon. At that time, Tikhon was the Orthodox Bishop of North America. He later returned to Russia and became the Patriarch of Moscow in 1917. He is now honored as a Saint in the Orthodox Church.
Since 1903, St. Nicholas Cathedral has been the main headquarters for the Russian Orthodox faith in the United States. It plays a key role in guiding the church's activities across the country.
A City Landmark
Because of its historical and architectural importance, the building was recognized as an official city landmark in 1973. This means the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission decided it was a special building that should be protected and preserved for future generations.
Inside the Cathedral
The cathedral's design is in a style called Moscow Baroque. This style is known for its decorative details and often features bright colors and onion-shaped domes. Inside, you can see beautiful artwork and decorations that are typical of Orthodox churches.
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The beautiful interior of the cathedral.
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A closer look at the main dome inside.
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The detailed ceiling of the cathedral.
