www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Photo Gallery St. Michael's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, Niles, IL

Some interior views from the last several months.

Very pretty church. Was the white icon screen a trend from a certain time period? I've seen it in other places and wondered...does anyone know?

Nino,

Beautiful. I think Stephanie's question is a good one - hoping someone will have an answer.

Many years,

Neil

Nino: I collect the histories of Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches (I have over 1,000 of them), but I do not have anything from St. Michael's in Niles. Was there ever published a a history of the church and the artists involved in the installation of the unique iconostasis? If so, can you tell me how I might obtain it?

Thank you Stephanie,Neil,and John.

Well,I have seen many of the white wedding-cake icon screens all over the US, Canada and in Europe.In Greece you can also find them but,they are usually white marble.I can put forth two guesses:
1- The people had them in their churches back in the "old country" and wanted to copy what they had there. Also,it seems that there were studios/workshops that turned out many many of them all following a certain set number of paterns depending on the amount of money the parish had to spend and the space to fill ect.. If you look at the photos posted on this board,you can see what I mean. There were also some icon painters that seem to have done many of them as well, either working alone or in tandem with the carpenters.

2- Another thing is that painted wood is easier to build. You don't have to worry about matching grains and can use birch,poplar,pine,and some hardwoods for support. Nail and screw holes can easily be filled and painted over. Add a little gold leaf and voila! I have also seen other colors used such as dark red, blue and green.In the pics that Lawrence posted of his church, the iconostas looks pink--it's really not, just light shades of brown.I also remember years ago when it was white. If you look at the icons on it you will see that they are familiar too. Three churches in the Chicago area also have the same icons.They are from Marenko studios who seem to have cornered the Ukrainian market in this country.

Anyway it seems that a new day has dawned and the white and gold screens are not so popular with natural and stained woods being prefered. It also seems that most Greek Catholic and even some Orthodox churches want more "open" designs. Remember when some of us were altar servers and what used to go on behind some of those huge walls ?!?

And John I will try to find a history, maybe from the 90th year booklet that was put out a couple of years ago.The present church was built in 1965, the old one was/is still on Cambell Ave. off of Fullerton in Chicago. Alot of things from the old church are still in use at Niles.

One more thing. Take a close look at the Beautiful Gates(Royal Doors) and you will see something peculiar to the ACROD. They are bi-fold doors! So many of the churches in the Diocese have them and they can be a little tricky to open and close,especially with a curtain.

Hope this helps a bit and sorry for the long post.

in Christ,
Nino

Nino,

No apologies necesary for the length of the post - the content was well worth it.


Excellent point, having worked tediously to match color when filling holes or using plugs - and still being disappointed in the results - I'll readily admit there are times that I regret my personal preferences for natural wood or wood stain over paint.

Many years,

Neil

Nino, ACROD churches do not use curtains.

Sorry, but you are wrong.

Ours is similar and built in the 60's.

AMM,
yes I've seen pictures of your church and it is indeed similar but taller, more ornate, and in my opinion - grander. It's very beautiful!
Nino

I have been told that about BCC parishes too... But I seem to be moving a curtain back and forth on Sundays....

When did St. Michael's leave the Greek Catholic Church?

Very beautiful!

Perhaps one of the former OCA/Russian tradition parishes that have come into the ACROD may have one, however it is a pretty standard rule to not have curtains behind the Royal Doors in an ACROD parish.

Bi-fold Royal Doors are an excellent idea for a church that wants to have a fairly wide-open altar (as viewed by the laity) but has limited space between the Holy Table and the iconostas.