Getting Married at the Bottom of the World: Trinity Church in Antarctica

Slate ^ | 9/18/13 | Atlas Obscura

[marshmallow]

From the scorching deserts of Sinai to the frozen tundras of Siberia, Orthodox Christianity has a history of building its churches and monasteries in inhospitable places. But only a few can rival Trinity Church on King George Island. The southernmost Orthodox church in the world, Trinity was built near Bellingshausen Station, Russia's permanent outpost in Antarctica.

In the mid-1990s Patriarch Alexius II of Moscow gave his blessing for this audacious project. The church was constructed in Russia and transported by a supply ship to its present location. One or two monks from Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra -- considered the most important Russian monastery as it is the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church -- volunteer to man the church year-round.

[freedom462]

If Biden and Pelosi actually attend church like they say they do - which granted is extremely doubtful, any chance the churches they attend can also be moved down to Antarctica too?

[barmag25]

From the scorching deserts of Sinai to the frozen tundras of Lambeau field.

Fixed the first line.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

At the end of the article they mention a remarkable ossuary, a wall or chapel that displays human bones. And while there are many in Europe, I do not believe there are any in the United States, which is our loss.

An ossuary chapel is a truly spiritual place for many, lending a profound depth and sacred character to those who worship within.

Culturally, perhaps it might help Americans get over their rather strange hang-ups about dying and death.

[kabumpo]

I like the idea of a church, but not this one. Imperialistic to bring one from someplace else, in the style of that place. This was an opportunity to design in response to the site, and they didn’t meet the challenge.

[Dr. Sivana]

I like the idea of a church, but not this one. Imperialistic to bring one from someplace else, in the style of that place. This was an opportunity to design in response to the site, and they didn’t meet the challenge.

I wouldn't use Imperialist to describe a genuine Church, even a state-sponsored one. You build what you know. Poles coming to the U.S. built Catholic Church buildings that appealed to them, as did Italians and Irish. Admittedly, the Mission style churches in the American southwest is an excellent counter-example.

Those religions that don't throw up steel warehouses are going to build what they know. For someone coming from far away, something that looks like what they know is a great comfort, and no more imperialistic than putting an American flag on the Moon.

[353FMG]

This church was built by Russians, for Russians in the typical Russian architecture.

There are no crystal palaces in Russia. Neither do they believe in mega churches.

[narses]

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[kabumpo]

That’s not what I meant. And I never mentioned Crystal or Mega, so I don’t know why you bring it up. I was talking about having the new church be built in response to the landscape, instead of having a pre-fabricated number dumped into it. Perhaps this basic concept of modern architecture is over your head.

[kabumpo]

Well, putting a flag on the moon IS imperialistic, even if its our flag.
The rest of your argument doesn’t hold up either. Just because peasants from Europe with no information or imagination beyond their village(s) replicated their old styles doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. And this wasn’t done by shoemakers and tailors from obscure provinces, but the government of one of the biggest countries in the world, to be the first of its kind in virgin territory. An opportunity to respond to a great occasion. And they didn’t.

[353FMG]

I often duck.