SAINT SERAPHIM OF SAROV CHURCH IN MINSK
General layout for the St. Seraphim of Sarov church on the Beletsky street in Minsk includes a number of individual objects. They are united by a single idea based on the sacred topography of the Holy Land. The complex itself is located in a park area between Beletsky, Gromov and Yesenin streets, in the depths of a green area. The complex is a big visual-spatial dominant of the site.
In the eastern part of the site there is an already constructed chapel with a fenced area. A large neo-Byzantine cathedral-like church is being built in the center of the site. The system laid down by this project is arranged around the church. On the south side, a building of a spiritual and educational center with a bell tower is being designed. Behind the altar apse on the east side, gatehouses are symmetrically located. On the western side of the site, a standing area is designed in front of the entrance to the church. There is a central rotunda and an observation platform there. From there, a pedestrian bridge leading to the park area to the west can be designed later.
To the north of the main entrance to the temple, a church kiosk is designed. The Golgotha (cross for veneration) is arranged next to it. A copy of the Edicule from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is recreated. As in Jerusalem, it stands next to Golgotha, to the north of it, on the site of the Resurrection of Christ. As in Jerusalem, the Edicule is slightly below Golgotha in relief.
To the east of the Edicule, on the north side of the temple, the Rotunda is designed. It is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, which also refers to the topography of Jerusalem.
In the eastern part of the site there is an already constructed chapel with a fenced area. A large neo-Byzantine cathedral-like church is being built in the center of the site. The system laid down by this project is arranged around the church. On the south side, a building of a spiritual and educational center with a bell tower is being designed. Behind the altar apse on the east side, gatehouses are symmetrically located. On the western side of the site, a standing area is designed in front of the entrance to the church. There is a central rotunda and an observation platform there. From there, a pedestrian bridge leading to the park area to the west can be designed later.
To the north of the main entrance to the temple, a church kiosk is designed. The Golgotha (cross for veneration) is arranged next to it. A copy of the Edicule from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is recreated. As in Jerusalem, it stands next to Golgotha, to the north of it, on the site of the Resurrection of Christ. As in Jerusalem, the Edicule is slightly below Golgotha in relief.
To the east of the Edicule, on the north side of the temple, the Rotunda is designed. It is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, which also refers to the topography of Jerusalem.
To the south of the main entrance, there is a chapel for holy water, dedicated to the Feast of Theophany. One level below it, there is a chapel and a grotto dedicated to the Nativity of Christ. To the east and with a shift to the south, closer to the spiritual and educational center, there is a place for a rotunda. It will be dedicated to the Annunciation of the Mother of God.
Exactly along the axis of the temple, behind the altar apse from the east, there is a rotunda. It is dedicated to Saint Seraphim of Sarov, which is also the dedication of the whole complex.
Also, the site has a playground, a refectory, bathrooms, and parking lots. The project also indicates paving, planting, points for placing lamp-posts, benches and litter bins.
The Nativity Chapel is an architectural composition with a ciborium on four pillars with unfolded piers on the sides. The paving reflects the idea of the Star of Bethlehem. The same star crowns the dome. The project includes the sketches of ornamental stone carving and drawings for mosaics.
Exactly along the axis of the temple, behind the altar apse from the east, there is a rotunda. It is dedicated to Saint Seraphim of Sarov, which is also the dedication of the whole complex.
Also, the site has a playground, a refectory, bathrooms, and parking lots. The project also indicates paving, planting, points for placing lamp-posts, benches and litter bins.
The Nativity Chapel is an architectural composition with a ciborium on four pillars with unfolded piers on the sides. The paving reflects the idea of the Star of Bethlehem. The same star crowns the dome. The project includes the sketches of ornamental stone carving and drawings for mosaics.
The chapel for holy water is a domed structure on eight pillars. Inside it has a large decorated tank for the distribution of consecrated water. The decorated floor covering is isolated from the surrounding paving. Elements of carving and details are designed, too.
The central rotunda on the observation platform is also a domed structure on eight pillars. The shape of its dome resembles steps, which is a reference to Golgotha. The floor is also decorated with separate paving. On the northern and southern facades, there are two-sided icon cases built into its structure. The rotunda has a fence. The project includes the drawings of all carvings and decoration.
The church kiosk is a small building with a porch, sharing the neo-Byzantine style with the temple. But it is made in lighter colors, as the other small-scale architectural forms on the general layout. The facades are decorated with bas-reliefs and decorative plinthiform brick. Inside there is a counter and shelves for goods and books. On top, the kiosk is crowned by a cross with a weather vane angel.
The cross for veneration is double-sided. It is designed in the traditional manner with a reference to Russian Art Nouveau.
The Edicule is an exact copy of the Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The only difference is that this one has a small additional room inside.
The rotunda dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God is sunk into the floor by several steps. This symbolizes the cave with the burial place of the Theotokos near the walls of old Jerusalem. The structure itself is a dome system on four pillars. Below, in the center of the composition with a slight offset, there is the symbolic Epitaphios of the Theotokos. All carving elements and floor coverings have been designed, too.
Saint Seraphim rotunda is a domed structure on eight pillars. There is a statue of Saint Seraphim as an old starets praying on a stone. All carved decorations and flooring have been designed.
All small-scale architectural forms can be made either from natural stone or from composite materials imitating stone. If the composite material if used, all carved elements are made by molding and casting. Some elements can be made in mosaic. Inside, a supporting metal frame is designed. It is recommended to use copper or lead for roofing.
The project includes benches of individual design, fences with poles and main entrance gates, litter bins. Lamp-posts of the recommended height have been selected. This version of the project is a draft. It needs to be finalized when designing the general layout and storm-water drainage. All elements of the project are transferred to the contractors. In turn, they develop the detailed work projects. They cannot violate the given design, proportions, details of carving and other elements. Several elements, such as the rotunda of the Annunciation, the grotto and others, were not included in this project. Their paving is designed separately. On the northern and southern facades, there are double-sided icon cases built into the structure. The rotunda has a fence. Drawings of all carvings and decor have been designed.
The project includes benches of individual design, fences with poles and main entrance gates, litter bins. Lamp-posts of the recommended height have been selected. This version of the project is a draft. It needs to be finalized when designing the general layout and storm-water drainage. All elements of the project are transferred to the contractors. In turn, they develop the detailed work projects. They cannot violate the given design, proportions, details of carving and other elements. Several elements, such as the rotunda of the Annunciation, the grotto and others, were not included in this project. Their paving is designed separately. On the northern and southern facades, there are double-sided icon cases built into the structure. The rotunda has a fence. Drawings of all carvings and decor have been designed.
Head of the project: Dmitry Ostroumov
Architects: Liana Pribolovets, Alexandra Zablotskaya, Valeria Sikorskaya
Year: 2022
Architects: Liana Pribolovets, Alexandra Zablotskaya, Valeria Sikorskaya
Year: 2022
