Page Twelve

T HE M C H IGA N D A ILY

Sunday, May 22, 1955

Page welveTHE _ICHIGN.DAIY Suday, ay 22 195


Byzantium in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor's Only Eastern Orthodox Church
By TAMMY MORRISON
the Orthodox church has dropped' Vladimir's Russian Seminary in
0N MAIN STREET stands a red the term in everyday usage. New York City and at the Univer-
brick Byzantine structure that sity of Athens. He was ordained in
seems strangely out of place in the THE ORTHODOX CHURCH lays Greece in 1953.
bustle of downtown Ann Arbor, a great deal of stress upon the St. Nicholas, patron of the Ann
It is the church of St. Nicholas, ancient character of Christianity. Arbor church, was known for his
Ann Arbor's, only Eastern Ortho- "We feel that we have held onto charitable deeds. There is a paint-
traditional beliefs and judge every- ing of him over the front door, un-
dox Church. thing in the light of the past," der which is lettered in Greek,
The church was established in Father Stephanou said. "Blessed are the merciful, for they
1935 by 30 immigrant families of The Orthodox Church uses the shall obtain mercy."
Greek origin. The congregation synodical form of administration,
has grown to about 200, not in- as opposed to Catholicism's belief HE OUTSTANDING feature of
cluding the Student Guild, which in the Primacy or the Pope. This the church is the iconostasis,
numbers 200 University students,'means that the local bishops decide or screen which separates the
issues and settle problems and sanctuary from the church proper.
"THE GREEK Orthodox Church periodically meet to determine Only the priest and server are al-
as a whole," said The Rev. Fr. doctrines and policy. lowed inside the sanctuary, where
Eusebius A. Stephanou, pastor of "No one bishop has supreme au- the Liturgy is celebrated.
St. Nicholas', "dates back to the thority although the Patriarch of Upon entering, members of the
veryooriginshofgChiistianitysiItsed Patriarchlas ot
Constantinople isoconsidered asgco votive candles
very origins of Christianity. Its Constantinople"i osdrda ogeainlgtvtv ade
history is unassociated with the honorary head or presiding bish- and venerate the icon of St. Nicho-
Roman Catholic and Protestant op, Father Stephanou said. las placed near the door. "We use
traditions," he continued, no statues, but flat-faced images
Greek and Roman Churches T. NICHOLAS' young, bearded called icons," Father Stephanou
were one until 1054 A.D., when pastor was born in Fond du Lac, explained.
they separated. The break came as Wisc. 30 years ago. He comes from Icons above the screen depict
a result of theological disagree- a long line of priests, since in the events the life of Christ, and
ments and the gradual separation Orthodox Church, priests are al- there is a painting of the Cruci-
due to the Latinization of the lowed to marry before ordination. fixion behind the altar. The Holy
western Church. Father Stephanou has studied at able is set in the middle of the
Both Churches call themselves IAoly Cross Seminary in Brookline, sanctuary and is covered with
catholic, but to avoid confusion, Mass., at the University, at St. w te s k On it st athr d candle
the Gospels.
z$"We consider our Liturgy a lit-
eral reenactment of the Last Sup-
per as well as the Sacrifice," Fa-
ther Stephanou said. The congre-
gation stands during the celebra
tion of the Liturgy, as well as for
Holy Communion.
The church has eight stained
glass windows and two gold and
lass chandeliers hang from the
ceiling.
At the 'ack of the church is a
' ; large icon of the Resurrection, un-
derneath which is written in
Greek, "Praise God in Assemblies."
1aily Pictures by John Hirtzel

z
-i
t

THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS
STORE HOURS 9:30 TO 5:30 DAILY

AS SEEN IN CHARM
Smal Charge
306 South State
Store Hours: 9 to 5:30 and Monday evenings.

HOLY TABLE DRAPED WITH
WHITE SILK

f:

HOSIERY-MAIN FLOOR
DOWNTOWN

ICON OF ST. NICHOLAS