Which church has a green dome. Variety of dome shapes
Why do many temples have domes of different colors? Are the ones around the edges the same color (usually blue), but the central ones are gold plated? What does it symbolize?
Thank you.
Hieromonk Job (Gumerov) answers:
The tradition of building one or more domes over the main building of the temple came to us from Byzantium. The dome is a symbol of the heavenly (sphere) and eternal (circle).
Golden domes symbolize Divine glory. Therefore, temples dedicated to the Lord's holidays are most often arranged with golden-domed ones. blue or Blue colour domes symbolically depict heavenly purity and purity. These domes crown temples dedicated to Mother of God. Domes of temples dedicated to the Blessed Life-Giving Trinity, usually have green color. Temples consecrated in honor of saints also have green domes.
We must remember that we are talking about tradition, not rules. In reality, the coverage of the dome often depends on the material possibilities of the parish.
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What do domes mean Orthodox churches
From early times christian religion was filled with special signs - they were embodied in the architecture of temples. What is the meaning of believers in the shape, color and number of domes of the Orthodox Church - we understand together with the portal "Culture.RF".
Colour: gold to black
Gold. The most common color of Orthodox domes represents eternity and heavenly glory. Temples with golden domes were dedicated to Christ and the great church holidays- Christmas, Candlemas, Annunciation. Such domes crown the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Kremlin cathedrals - Assumption, Annunciation, Arkhangelsk.
Today, domes are not lined with gold, but earlier the metal was dissolved in mercury, and then the resulting amalgam was applied to a hot copper sheet. The gilding process was very expensive and labor intensive. For example, 100 kilograms of gold were used to cover the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Blue with stars. Temples with such domes are most often dedicated to the Mother of God. The blue color symbolizes the purity and purity of the Virgin Mary, and the stars refer to Star of Bethlehem commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Such domes are crowned with the Suzdal Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built under Vladimir Monomakh. It was the first stone temple in the Vladimir-Suzdal land.
But there are also cathedrals with blue domes that are not associated with the name of the Virgin. The Trinity Cathedral in St. Petersburg was built in 1838 for the Izmailovsky regiment of the Imperial Guard. His officers wore blue uniforms, so that color was chosen for the domes.
Green. This color is considered a sign of the Holy Spirit. Most often it can be found in churches dedicated to the Holy Trinity. One of these buildings is the Church of the Holy Trinity "Kulich and Easter". The idea to give the temple the shape of traditional Easter dishes belonged to the customer of the construction - Prince Alexander Vyazemsky. At his request, the architect Nikolai Lvov built a pyramidal bell tower and a rotunda church with a low green dome.
Similar domes are also crowned by churches built in honor of Orthodox saints. For example, the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl is one of the key monuments of the local school of the 17th century.
Silver. This color in Orthodoxy is associated with purity and holiness. Temples dedicated to saints are crowned with silver domes - for example, the Church of St. Nicholas on Lipna near Veliky Novgorod and St. Sophia Cathedral in Vologda. The temple in honor of St. Sophia was erected in 1570 by decree of Ivan the Terrible. The tsar ordered that it be built on the model of the Assumption Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin.
Black. Domes of this color are rare and adorn monastic churches. Black domes crown the cathedrals of the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent in Moscow - convent in the Art Nouveau style, designed by Alexei Shchusev. Funds for its construction were donated grand duchess Elizaveta Fedorovna is the widow of the Moscow governor-general, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. Domes symbolizing monasticism can also be seen on the cathedrals of the Transfiguration Monastery in Murom.
Multicolor domes in Orthodox tradition remind believers of the beauty of Heavenly Jerusalem. This is how the heads of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg and St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow look like. Foreign travelers admired the colored patterns of the domes and compared them to the scales of the cedar cone, pineapple and artichoke. This type of dome was acquired after a fire in 1595 - then the temple was restored and rebuilt.
Shape: not only bulbs
The spherical dome in the Orthodox tradition symbolizes eternity. The Romans began to build temples with similar domes: in the 2nd century they learned to build ceilings of a large area without supports. The Roman pantheon of 128 AD, built in this way, has survived to this day. e. In Russia, spherical domes crown Moscow's Yelokhovsky Cathedral, the site of Alexander Pushkin's baptism.
The helmet-shaped dome refers to the words of the Apostle Paul: "Put on the whole armor of God...and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God". Such domes are typical of Russian pre-Mongolian architecture: they decorate, for example, the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir and the Church of Peter and Paul in Smolensk.
The onion dome in Orthodox architecture is the embodiment of prayer, the desire for heaven. According to researcher Yevgeny Trubetskoy, such a dome on the basis of a drum resembles a candle flame. Onion-shaped domes are typical of Russian architecture of the 16th–17th centuries. Examples of temples with similar domes are the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Uglich and the churches of the Rostov Kremlin.
A tent instead of a traditional dome is interpreted in Christianity as an image of the Mother of God or Heavenly Light. Tent temples were widespread in the 16th century, although similar churches were built earlier. They were usually built from wood: it was very difficult to repeat the design of the tent in stone. The most famous example of tent architecture is the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye. It was built by order of Prince Vasily III in honor of the birth of the long-awaited heir to the throne, the future Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible.
Quantity: from one to thirty three
One dome reminds believers of the unity of God. Single-domed temples were especially popular in pre-Mongol times. The most famous of them are the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl and the Demetrius Cathedral in Vladimir. Both temples were built in the 12th century - they survived the devastating Mongol-Tatar invasions and have survived to this day.
The two domes are rare and signify the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ. In Moscow, the Church of Cosmas and Damian in Old Pani is crowned with two domes. This is one of the oldest churches in the capital: its wooden predecessor was built back in 1468.
Three domes are associated with the Holy Trinity. Three domes crown St. George's Cathedral of St. George's Monastery - the oldest monastery in Veliky Novgorod. The cathedral was erected in 1130 by the decree of Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich. The chronicle preserved the name of the architect - Peter. It is believed that he also built the Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral and the Church of the Annunciation on Gorodische
Five domes are a symbol of Jesus Christ and the four evangelists: John, Mark, Luke and Matthew. Five-domed temples are found in Russia more often than others. The most famous of them are the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir and the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin built in its image.
Seven domes signify for the Orthodox seven church sacraments, seven Ecumenical Councils(meetings at which the main Christian dogmas were adopted) and the seven main Orthodox virtues. Seven-domed cathedrals are not as common as three- or five-domed ones. These include the Ascension Church in Novocherkassk - the main cathedral of the Don Cossacks - and the Holy Cross Cathedral
It is easy to find an Orthodox church in any city by the shape of the dome and its color. It is interesting that the drums are illuminated and decorative, and domes located on a decorative base are called domes.
Domes and their number
The head of the church is usually called the covering of the dome, located on the so-called drum. The number of domes above the temple is also not a random number.
33-domed church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Ust-Medveditsky Monastery, Volgograd Region
The number, symbolism and colors of the domes are the dedication of the temple to God, the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God or one of the saints or martyrs.
- one dome is a symbol of the One Supreme Creator;
- three - Holy Trinity;
- five chapters symbolize the Savior and the apostles close to Him;
- seven domes over the temple - a symbol of the seven church sacraments;
- nine ranks of Angels - seven heads;
- Jesus and 12 apostles - a type of the thirteen-domed temple.
The specific shape of the domes of Orthodox churches
Historians do not have a common opinion about the appearance in Russia of temples with a spherical top and an elongated top. The keeled top resembles an old Russian helmet and is similar to the buildings of Byzantine architects.
The historical drawings show that the church buildings in pre-Mongolian Russia were covered with arched domes, which were borrowed from Byzantium. Such heads met in Kyiv, Chernigov, Smolensk.
The helmet-like shape of the dome was reminiscent of the spiritual warfare waged by the Church against the forces of evil.
In the XIV-XVI centuries, the Vladimir-Suzdal region was rich in helmet-shaped heads of churches, then they began to appear in the principalities of Moscow and Tver, and then throughout Russia.
From the middle of the 16th century, Russian churches began to be covered with onion domes. It is difficult for a simple Christian who does not have deep architectural knowledge to see the difference between these tops at a glance.
Bulb domes differ from helmet-shaped domes only by the ratio of the diameters of the dome and the drum.
For the former, the diameters of the drums are less than the diameter of the dome, while for the helmet-shaped ones, the opposite is true. The height of the bulbous top is equal to its diameter, while the heads, like a helmet, have a width greater than the height.
Borrowed from Byzantium, the spherical shape of the covering of temples stretched over time, transforming into a kind of helmet - a symbol of protection and onion domes resembling the shape of a fire or a candle.
Bulbous domes of the temple - a symbol of the flame of a candle
How to determine its dedication by the color of the dome
Orthodox architects agree that the sphere of the head of the temple is a prototype of heaven, therefore not only the shape of the top is important, but also its color:
- Gold, a symbol of the glory of the Lord, covers the heads of churches dedicated to Jesus and the 12 great Orthodox holidays. Such a coating in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Three gifts were brought by the sages as a gift to the newborn Jesus, frankincense, myrrh and gold, a symbol of eternity, kingship and glory.
- Silver domes mean that this building has a patron in the form of a saint, buildings in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord and His Ascension are famous for their white coatings.
- Blue coverings with yellow stars commemorate the birth of Jesus on Christmas night, temples Holy Mother of God easily recognizable by the blue color of the domes, a symbol of purity and the Immaculate Conception.
- Color eternal life green - dedication to the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity.
- It is rare to find churches with a red coating, a symbol of blood and martyrdom, the holy martyr is the guardian of such a church.
- The bright coloring and intricate shapes that adorn St. Basil's Cathedral symbolize Heavenly Jerusalem.
- In monasteries, it is customary to paint the domes black; an example is the Pokrovsky Monastery, the keeper of the relics of the Holy Matronushka of Moscow.
Symbolism of Orthodox domed crosses
Domes of temples can be not only gold, but also blue, green, silver, black. Each color of the dome has its own meaning and should be taken into account when building a temple. But this is not always followed.
Black domes usually have monasteries, since black is the color of monasticism.
Temples have golden domes, the construction of which is dedicated to Christ. The golden color is the color of heavenly glory. Such temples are very common.
No less rare color of domes is blue. There are also blue domes with golden stars. Such domes are near the temples, which are dedicated to the Virgin.
Temples dedicated to saints, as well as to the Holy Spirit, are crowned with green and silver domes. Green is believed to be the color of the Holy Spirit.
But as we know from St. Basil's Cathedral, domes can be multi-colored. Such a variety of colors of the domes of the temple also has its own meaning - it is a symbol of the beauty of Heavenly Jerusalem. Moreover, not only a variety of colors, but also the shapes of domes.
And where did you see the black domes. Wherever I didn’t see the church, I only met golden ones all around, which can be seen from afar and which glow in the sun.
There is a black color of the domes of temples. They can be seen in monasteries, where black means monasticism. Domes of temples can be painted in golden, blue, green, silver colors. The most common color is gold plated.
No, domes do not have to be gold or gilded colors. This happens only in those cases when the temple is dedicated personally Jesus Christ, and in its name it is indicated. The temple can also be dedicated to one of the Twelfth Feasts, which can also be reflected in golden domes.
And domes of black color are most often used in monastic churches because black is the color of monasticism.
But I assure you that in this domed symbolism the church often allows discrepancies, and the colors for the domes are chosen quite freely. I know many temples with gilded domes that are dedicated to saints. I think that the black color can be used in the design of any temple, if it harmoniously fits into the overall palette.
This temple is located in Zhukovka, Bryansk region.
Domes come in different colors, because nowhere is it indicated what they should be.
But, for example, in my city there are most of all golden domes, but there are even blue and green ones. It probably depends on availability...
The black color of the domes on the temple is mainly found in monasteries. After all, it is the black color that means monasticism. Although many people believe that different colors symbolize different things. But personally, I think this is not so, I saw the tin dome and how it later turned green. And in the 90s with master's shoulder suddenly shone gold. It turns out that the church was first dedicated to this, and then to this, and further to the highest rank. Once upon a time, most churches and temples were made of wood and had their own natural color, which changes over time under the influence of nature. Everything in the world depends on money, whatever one may say. They will give it to gold, it will be gold, they won’t let us make what kind of paint it will be. But black is somehow considered a color for monastic churches.
Your question is closely related to the question of the symbolism of temples and monasteries. It is known that black domes are found in monasteries, because the black color symbolizes monasticism itself. And, if you meet a temple with green domes, then this temple is Trinity and dedicated to the Holy Spirit.
The color of the dome usually tells who the temple is dedicated to. Golden domes near churches that are dedicated to Christ and 12 major holidays (except Easter). If the dome is blue with stars, then the temple is dedicated to the Mother of God, since the star is a symbol of the birth of Christ. Green is the color of the Holy Spirit, so churches with green domes are dedicated to him. The silver color of the domes indicates that this temple was erected in honor of one of the saints. But black domes are found in monasteries.
In general, this is not a rule at all and is not always observed.
Often the color of modern domes does not carry any meaning (of course, if we are not talking about a large historical church).
Black domes are rare and do not carry a bad meaning. This is the color of the monastery - it means that the church has its own household and adjacent buildings in which monks and nuns live.
I read somewhere that the number and color of domes have certain meanings. So...
The traditional gold ones symbolize the glory of heaven. At the main temples and dedicated to Christ. Indeed, gold is the most common.
Blue (blue) domes with stars crown the temples dedicated to the Mother of God. The star symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem and Christmas.
Green color, it turns out, corresponds to the Holy Spirit. Also, green and silver domes crown temples dedicated to saints.
And black turned out to be simply the color of monasticism, such domes are found in monasteries.
It also says that this is not a strict rule. Take at least St. Basil's Cathedral with its colors.
The colors of the domes, as well as their number, has its own symbolism in Christianity. So traditional golden domes have churches that are dedicated to the saint, that is, for example, the Church of Michael the Archangel in my hometown is crowned with golden domes. The blue domes belong to churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, the white color of the domes symbolizes the Ascension or Transfiguration. The black color of domes can rarely be found in cities, since black is the color of monasticism and churches at monasteries are crowned with such domes. However, in many monasteries, for example in Greece, the domes are still blue. Well, here are the domes of the Pyukhtitsky Monastery in Estonia:
Why do domes of Orthodox churches come in different colors?
The tradition of domes came to us from the Byzantine Empire. For believers, they are symbols of the heavenly (sphere) and eternal (circle). In Russia, the golden color of domes has always been the most popular, in addition to it, blue, green and even black domes are found in churches.
What does the golden color of the domes symbolize?
Golden color in the Orthodox tradition is a symbol of heavenly glory. That is why golden domes in our country were at the main temples and at the temples dedicated to Christ and the Twelve Feasts. It is natural that the main temple modern Russia- the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior domes of exactly this color. Initially, the domes of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God (St. Basil's Cathedral) - the main temple of Red Square - were also golden.
Gilding of domes is present only in Orthodox traditions, you will not find it in other confessions. For Orthodox person gold is primarily a symbol of eternity, incorruption, royalty and heavenly glory. In this regard, we can recall that one of the three gifts brought by the Magi to the baby Jesus, along with frankincense and myrrh, was precisely gold.
What do the blue domes symbolize?
Blue domes with stars indicate that the temple is dedicated to the Mother of God. The blue or blue color symbolizes heavenly purity and purity, and the stars are reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem, which heralded the birth of Christ from the Virgin Mary.
Which temples have green domes?
Domes of green crown the temples dedicated to the Holy Trinity, because green in the Orthodox tradition is the color of the Holy Spirit. Also, green domes may indicate that the church is dedicated to some saint. In addition, the domes of the temple dedicated to the saint can also be gray or silver.
In what temples can you find black domes?
Black domes are present on the monasteries. This is the color of monasticism. They can be seen, for example, at the famous Intercession Monastery, where the relics of the holy blessed Matrona of Moscow rest, and where thousands of pilgrims flock every day.
What does the number of domes on the temple mean?
Not only the color, but also the number of domes on the temple has a certain symbolism. So, one dome symbolizes the One God, three - the Holy Trinity.
The five domes represent the Savior and the four evangelists. Seven domes speak of the seven sacraments of the Church (baptism, chrismation, communion, repentance, priesthood, wedding and unction).
Nine domes symbolize nine angelic ranks. Thirteen - the Savior and 12 apostles. And 33 domes (yes, there are such temples) are erected in memory of 33 years of the Savior's earthly life.
What does the color of the temple say?
The color of the temple often gives an answer to the question - what holiday, or what saint is this or that church dedicated to.
The white color of the temple means that it is consecrated in honor of the Transfiguration or the Ascension of the Lord.
Blue Walls - the church was built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Red Temple is usually dedicated to the martyr(s).
If the color of the church is green, then it is most likely consecrated in honor of the saint, and if it is yellow, then it was built in honor of the saint.
However, it must be understood that in this case It's about tradition, not rules. In our life it happens that the covering of the dome depends on the material possibilities of the parish. And it happens that climatic conditions also make their own adjustments. For example, the Orthodox church in honor of the Holy Trinity in Antarctica, not far from the Russian polar station Bellingshausen, does not have green domes. It is completely made of wood and its color is natural. Wood in Antarctica does not rot because there are no bacteria that are harmful to this material in this area. Accordingly, there is no need for additional processing. This temple is Patriarchal Compound Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the southernmost Orthodox church in the world.
