Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels
SOME FACTS ABOUT OUR CHURCH
1527
Bedford Street Stamford, CT 06905
Phone: (203) 348-4216 Fax: (203) 353-0371
This House of Worship was built by the Greek Orthodox Communicants of the Church Community of The Archangels. This magnificent edifice is humbly offered to Almighty God as manifestation of our love and complete devotion to His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our personal Saviour. It is offered also to the people of this City, the State and to all America as a spiritual fortress, linking ancient Christianity with modern Christianity. We offer to the Western world an integral part of Byzantine civilization which did so much to enhance the cause of the Christian Church for over a thousand years.
This Church has been designed in the 11th century Byzantine style. It has been built in plan and detail (as far as possible in the United States) archeologically correct. It follows in type and detail the beautiful Churches of Byzantine design in Athens, such as the Church of the Holy Apostles, just below the Acropolis, the Kapnikarea and St. Eleftherios. These magnificent Churches are all of the 11th and 12th centuries.
As you enter the Narthex (vestibule) of the Church you will observe a Marble Niche on the left wall which has the following inscription, “AGIASON TOUS AGAPONTAS THN EFPREPEIAN TOU OIKOU SOU”, which means, “Bless those who love the beauty of thy house”, This is a prayer taken from the regular Sunday Service of St. John Chrysostom’s Divine Liturgy. At this Marble Niche is a memorial book containing the names of those who have contributed towards the construction of the Church.
CANDLE STANDS IN THE NARTHEX – Various Byzantine designs of the 11th century, depicting Christian symbols of Faith. The burning of candles is symbolical of the warmth of our Faith in Jesus Christ.
BRIDE’S ROOM IN THE NARTHEX – Today we call it the Bride’s room. During the Byzantine era it was an area where the catechumens (people who were studying to become Christians) were kept. They were allowed to stay on during half of the Service and then they were obliged to leave since they had not as yet been accepted by the Church as Christians.
THE DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE on the glass doors. They are symbolical of the Byzantine Empire in all its glory and splendor. The eagle is symbolical of power and wisdom. The two heads symbolize the Byzantine Empire of the EAST and the WEST of Europe and of Asia. The Cross symbolizes that Christ is the head of the Empire – the crown that the Emperor will rule in the name of the Christian Church. The two scepters symbolize the power of the STATE and the power of the CHURCH. Each has its own authority.
SEATING CAPACITY OF THE CHURCH – 375 in the Church proper and 50 in the choir loft. This is total capacity. During the regular and average Church Service, 375 may be seated downstairs and 25 in the balcony together with 25 choir members.
THE STYLE OF BYZANTINE CHURCH – The style is cruciform. The Church is built in the shape of a cross. The conventional Dome of the Church built over a square with pendentives. The curves in the overhead walls are called “Vaults” and are built of acoustical material.
THE MOSAICS – An art which consists of the arrangement of various small cut pieces of marble, colored glass, stone etc., called tessarae, into a picture or painting.
THE MOSAIC OF CHRIST IN THE DOME, - This consists of 210,000 pieces of cut marble, colored glass etc. It is called the PANTOKRATORA which means Omnipotent – all powerful – all mighty. Christ is coming down to us. He is with us as we pray. He gives His blessing with His right hand and with His left hand he holds the New Testament. His index finger points to His commandments which we have pledged to uphold.
THE MOSAIC OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN AND CHILD – This consists of 260,000 pieces of marble, colored glass etc. This is of typical 11th century design.
THE FOUR ARCHANGELS ON THE FOUR PENDENTIVES – They are four of the seven Archangels; Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael. These are called murals and are painted on the wall directly, using pigments etc. of the llth century masters. The traditional method of egg
tempera was used by the artist, Demetrios Dukas. Mixed with the paint pigments were egg yolks, such as the ancient masters used. This method insures the preservation of the murals for centuries.
THE TWELVE APOSTLES OVER THE ALTAR (in the Apse) – These are the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. The method of painting is the same as used with the Archangels.
THE ICON SCREEN (Iconostasion) – This wooden screen separates the Church proper from the sanctuary. The icons are from left to right; Archangels Michael on the left door; the TAXIARCHAE, the two Archangels Michael and Gabriel to whom the Church is dedicated; the Blessed Virgin and Child; Christ; St. John and last, Archangel Gabriel.
This order of Icons is the same in every Orthodox Church in the world.
THE HOLY ALTAR – The carvings (four) symbolize the four evangelist, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The center X – P and A – Ω
Symbolize JESUS CHRIST the beginning and the end of all.
Above the Icon Screen, joining the Icons are the Apostles with Jesus at the LAST SUPPER.
The Church proper area is symbolical of the Church on Earth and the Sanctuary is symbolical of the Church in Heaven. The Icon Screen with its various Saints are symbolical mirrors through which we see Heaven.
THE BISHOP’S THRONE is of 11th century design. The hand carvings depict various Byzantine carvings of ecclesiastical artwork, such as the double headed eagle, the grape vine, which symbolizes Jesus Christ, since He is referred to as the vine of life.
CANTOR’S STAND AND CHAIR – The cantor invariably assists the Priest during the morning Prayer Service before the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and also during the evening Vesper Services.
THERE ARE NO CHANDELIERS IN ANY TRUE BYZANTINE CHURCH.
The marble pillars are from Italy. The designs typical of the 11th century. Exterior marble also from Italy. The round glass windows throughout the Church are typical of 11th century. THERE ARE NO STAINED GLASS windows in true Byzantine Churches.
The room to the right of the Icon Screen is the Altar Boys’ room. The room to the left is the Vestry room of the Priest. His vestments are kept in there and also the HONEFTERION, a small sink where all Holy water and Baptismal water is disposed of. A specially constructed copper pipe carries the Holy waters to an area into the ground (not into the usual sewage system).
THE PULPIT is decorated with the Greek insignias of the Twelve Apostles.
This Church is the only true Byzantine Church in the Western Hemisphere. Hundreds of semi and pseudo-Byzantine Churches have been constructed in the United States, but this is the only authentic 11th century Church.
THE BYZANTINE COURTYARD typical of those found in Byzantium, Europe and Asia. The fountain is symbolical of spiritual cleanliness. The pine cone symbolical of Greek Hospitality. The inscription reads the same backwards as it does forwards and means “wash your sins not only your countenance (face)”. During the Byzantine era the soldiers of the Empire upon returning from battle, invariably went to the great Church of St. Sophia to give thanks for victory in battle. Before entering the Church they would wash at the fountain. Thus the reason for this ancient inscription. LION HEADS symbolize strength of the Empire.
THE EXTERIOR BRICK is of Byzantine detail. Every method used by the ancient masters has been emulated in the construction of this edifice. Because of necessity, modern materials have been used.
THE CHURCH PEWS – An innovation in our Church.
OUR ARCHITECT – W. Stuart Thompson, the greatest authority of Byzantine Architecture in the United States.
OUR ICONOGRAPHER – Demetrios Dukas of Lynn, Massachusetts, one of the finest Iconographers in the Western Hemisphere. His Mosaics and Icons, together with the murals in our Church are truly magnificent in every detail.
The Church of the Archangels is, of course, a Greek Orthodox Church, built by and for the people of Stamford who profess that Faith. Yet in a larger sense, it has become the common possession of all the citizens of Stamford. Proudly they bring their visiting friends to see it. Very often they return themselves, unmindful of the barrier of language, to share in the mystical beauty of Orthodox worship.
In the years since its dedication, the Church of the Archangels warm glowing interior has made it a landmark for tourists, much in the manner of the great historic Churches of the Old World.
All are welcome to rest, to pray, or merely to look.
Last Update > Monday, May 12, 2008