St. Seraphim Church in New York fundraises for unique frescoes dedicated to unity of the Russian Church

St Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff (NY, USA) fundraises for the unique frescoes dedicated to the 1000-year history of the Russian Orthodox Church and the reestablishment of unity with the Russian Church Abroad in 2007. "I call upon all of you whose hearts and souls burn with love and fervor toward the Russian Orthodox Church, toward the glorious pages of its history, toward the many burdens of its peoples, toward her culture, to answer the call of this worthy project by donating funds," Archpriest Serafim Gan, Parish Rector, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Secretary of the First Hierarch, said in his address posted at the official ROCOR website on Monday.

In the main part of the church - from the main entrance to the cupola - there will be a depiction of the Millennium of Russian Orthodoxy: from the Baptism of Russia up to and ending with the signing of the Act of Reconciliation in Moscow. Apostle Andrew, Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir and Olga, the saints of the Synodal period, Patriarch Tikhon, the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, and the saints of Russian Orthodoxy Abroad will be depicted in a historical context, featuring churches and holy sites in Russia and Abroad.

The walls of the altar will depict Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Saint Alexey, Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia in memory of Patriarch Alexy II, Holy Martyr Laurus in memory of Metropolitan Laurus.

The Mother of God of the Sign will be depicted in the altar apse as the Protectress of Russians abroad. Upon the altar ceiling above the iconostasis the Ascension of Our Lord will be depicted, as on this feast day the Act of Canonical Reconciliation was signed in 2007.

The approximate cost of a square foot of fresco in the church is $150 US. The names of all the donating participants along with their living and deceased relatives will be entered into a special commemorative book.

"May this fresco be an everlasting witness to our Orthodoxy and Russian culture, so that both would grow inseparably within our future generations abroad. May this church become a place of prayerful commemoration of all those who kept and multiplied the spiritual treasures and sacred Russian Orthodox ideals, while living through difficult times abroad," Fr. Serafim said in his address.

Source: Interfax religion