The Greeks had a flirtation with Church in the Round back in the 1970s. St. Katherine's in Falls Church, VA, is one example of this unfortunate genre. I think it proves pretty decisively that Byzantine worship is inextricably tied to Byzantine- and Byzantine-derived architecture. Hagia Sophia casts a very long shadow.
Personally, I don't find the architecture or the iconostas unusual. However, the icons (which have been less-than-affectionately called "cave paintings" by more than one person) are what make the whole space seem strange. Imagine that same interior with good iconography--wow!
I don't mind it that much, nor do I mind the church that much...art is definitely subjective. I love the use of the gold, and the modern rendition of the classical chandeliers of Mt. Athos and Aghia Sophia in Constantinople.
However, I do not like the particular rendition of Christ's face on the dome..but maybe that is just me.
Agreeing with Father David, I don't find the temple itself objectionable (though my preference isn't for a circular design) but the iconography does nothing for me. I agree with Alice as to the rendition of Christ's face but would extend the same comment to the majority of the Apostles surrounding it - almost all (save one, as I recollect) reflect very similar, distorted (and not merely 'unworldly' or 'unrealistic' as might be typically expected) facial expressions.
Many years,
Neil
"One day all our ethnic traits ... will have disappeared. Time itself is seeing to this. And so we can not think of our communities as ethnic parishes, ... unless we wish to assure the death of our community."
I actually think that last church is kind of cool looking, for lack of a better way of expressing myself at the moment. I suppose I prefer something more traditional for the most part, but I notice that when Byzantine worship spaces combine modern architecture with astounding and bold magnifications of traditional elements, as this church does, some amazing effects can be achieved.
I have noticed, too, that, for the most part, Byzantine/Orthodox churches have more success with modern church architecture and design than do Roman Catholic churches. Roman Catholic churches usually end up doing modern remarkably badly. This may be precisely because Byzantine churches adorn their modern designs with traditional art, whereas Western churches usually end up modernizing their art, also, to match the modern architecture.
I've been to an Antiochian Orthodox church, locally, that is of the "in-the-round" design and clearly built in the 60s or 70s. If it were a Roman Catholic Church it would be dismal. But being an Eastern church, the interior is wholly adorned with traditional iconography, cleverly harmonized with the design of the interior, including a handsome iconostasis. The interior enjoys something of a timeless atmosphere, therefore, despite the otherwise dated architectural design of the place.
Anyway, I was watching on YouTube. It looks like there's what looks like a temporary iconostas at a Chinese UGCC. Not entirely sure. If only I could learn Cantonese, this wouldn't be too hard for me to pick up on. I'm assuming this is a new Church in that part of the world?
Also, it's something that they have girls serving at the altar, too. That kind of goes against tradition.
My understanding of this , from this video is that the parish mentioned is in fact RC and was hosting this Liturgy which was served by Fr Kenez , visiting from Australia.
The Iconostasis is clearly a set of moveable screens , and I don't expect they are in use normally in this Church - well not as an Iconostasis anyway.
Girls servers - yes - vested in albs which they probably are, when serving at Mass.
Come on - how many Eastern Catholics are there in Hong Kong ?
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Where's Ed when you want him