Archbishop Alexander consecrates Miami’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral
A dream that began decades ago was fulfilled on Sunday, May 27, 2018 as His Eminence, Archbishop Alexander joined the clergy and faithful of Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Miami Lakes, FL for the consecration of their recently completed church.
“The consecration marked the completion of a building project that began in the late 1980s, when the parish moved to Miami Lakes from its former location,” said Priest Joseph Lucas, cathedral Rector. “The consecration service included prayers by Archbishop Alexander and visiting clergy followed by the blessing and anointing of the temple walls.”
Following the Divine Liturgy, a banquet was held in Stoyka Hall, which was attended by faithful and supporters from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas. Also in attendance were Archimandrite Gerasim [Eliel], Administrator of the Diocese of the South; Archpriest Marcus Burch, Chancellor of the Diocese of the South; Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid; and Marta Diaz of the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
“The cathedral is unique in South Florida,” Father Joseph explained. “Hand-painted frescoes adorn its interior, covering the ceiling and walls entirely. The team of icon painters, led by Dimitri Shkolnik, took 10 years to complete their work. The elaborate woodwork inside the temple was hand-carved and, along with the chandelier, imported from Greece. An admirer at the consecration service commented, ‘This place is a hidden gem, right in the middle of Miami Lakes!’”
Founded in 1962 by the late Archpriest George Gladky, the cathedral has continued to grow, providing a home to Orthodox Christians from Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and other nations, and reaching out to others interested in the teachings and religious traditions of Orthodox Christianity. Archpriest Philip Reese, former Rector of the cathedral, oversaw the building project. Father Joseph, who had been serving as the cathedral’s Associate Priest since 2011, was recently appointed Rector of the cathedral.