Every sacred building begins with a single quiet idea. That spark—the one that asks what could be—is what we as architects are called to listen to, interpret, and shape. Recently, I had the honor of working on a conceptual design for the Holy Archangel Michael & All Angels Skete, a monastery that tragically lost most…
In the field of Orthodox church design, architecture goes beyond structure—it becomes a form of cultural continuity. Every component of a traditional church, from layout to materials, carries symbolic meaning shaped by centuries of liturgical practice. Within traditional church architecture, proportions, orientation, and light are not simply aesthetic choices. They serve a purpose rooted in…
Enjoy a stunning example of Orthodox architecture in America. Built in 1910, Saint John the Baptist Church in Lansford, PA, offers a notable example of early 20th-century Russian Orthodox architecture in the American Northeast. Founded in 1892 by immigrants from the Russian Empire, the parish served a growing community of workers employed in the anthracite…
Fresh Vision, Ancient Roots: Orthodox Architecture Reimagined Here’s a stunning example of how canonical Orthodox architecture can meet the 21st century without losing its soul. The Church of St. George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow is more than a monument—it’s a masterclass in blending tradition with innovation. Designed by Anatoly Polyansky, G. I….
Real men wore pink—especially in church. In today’s world, pink is often boxed in as a “girly” color. But just two centuries ago, it was the color of bravery, valor, and noble masculinity. In 18th and 19th century Russia, pink was proudly worn by soldiers—and sometimes painted on their churches. Take this striking example: the…
Golden domes that dazzle—yet feel borrowed and bold. After Orthodoxy’s migration south from Alaska in 1867, San Francisco became home to one of the most ambitious Russian-style cathedrals in America. Designed by émigré architect Anatoly Abramov-Neratov, the Holy Virgin Cathedral (1961–65) commands attention: five towering onion domes, glinting in 24-karat gold mosaic, perch above a…
Frank Lloyd Wright’s final masterpiece was an Orthodox church. Few know that the swan song of America’s most iconic architect wasn’t a museum or a mansion — but an Orthodox church. Yes, that Wright — the genius behind Fallingwater and the Guggenheim. His final work wasn’t for the wealthy or the worldly. It was for…
What Do You Really Know About Asceticism? Visited the Orthodox skete of Holy Archangel Michael and All Angels today — a hidden monastic community tucked deep in the forest. But this wasn’t just a visit. It was a lesson in what architecture becomes when stripped of every comfort. Not long ago, a fire destroyed most…
Every line on paper leads to a moment like this. Today in Savannah, Missouri, we broke ground for the future chapel of St. Elizabeth and All Military Saints — a small but meaningful architectural project that’s been in the works for quite some time. In traditional architecture, ceremonial milestones matter. There are usually three: the…
When Orthodox tradition meets Hemel Hempstead carpentry… This is what happens when an architect takes on a church project squeezed between a condo and a shed. The Belarusian Memorial Chapel in North London may charm the design world with its CNC-cut ribs and lyrical shadows—but from the standpoint of Orthodox canon, it veers far off…