Post by denise on Jan 24, 2009 13:06:24 GMT -5
:)I was very privileged to visit this Russian Orthodox church last Sunday. It is only opened for services on weekdays 18.00-1900h and on Sunday mornings 11.00h-12.30h. So I guess they don't want to encourage tourists.
The address is 98 Rue de Crimee in the 19th arrondisement which was not far from my hotel and can be reached by metro 5 ( direction Bobigny, Pablo Picasso) stop at Laumiere.
There is a gate on the street from which can be glimpsed this lovely pink and white building.
Then turn to your left and you see the church up some steps.
The service was on and I went inside. It is quite small about the size of a chapel. The walls are decorated with fading frescos and gold which is quite beautiful with the sun streaming in through the stained glass windows.
There was about 8 priests at the front dressed in gold robes, chanting the service. I could hear the wonderful voices of a male choir out of sight. It was like the Russian army choirs you hear, very melodious. Then the male choir, about ten of them came out to the front and formed a semi circle behind the priests in the centre and they joined in the singing. There was no accompaniment just the male voices. Oh how they lifted my soul!
The congregation was sitting in wooden chairs at the front or round the sides. Conscious of being respectful I covered my head with my scarf, as all the other women and joined in. There were children with lovely lace scarves around their heads.
A young woman at the side of me started taking pictures which I felt was not respectful, so I stood there disapprovingly, but then one of the priests joined her , they kissed on both cheeks and went out!
Suddenly a hidden door in the far wall opened to reveal another priest dressed all in white with a white and gold crown.
He came out and after a while all the priests and the choir came to the other end of the church still singing.
Everyone got a candle and lit it, so I followed suit. There were large buckets of water at the end where I was stood and I now know that this was a service to bless the water.
I felt it disrespectful to take pictures inside but you can view some on the official website here. see visite de l'Eglise.
paroissestserge.free.fr/
Denise
love from England xx
The address is 98 Rue de Crimee in the 19th arrondisement which was not far from my hotel and can be reached by metro 5 ( direction Bobigny, Pablo Picasso) stop at Laumiere.
There is a gate on the street from which can be glimpsed this lovely pink and white building.
Then turn to your left and you see the church up some steps.
The service was on and I went inside. It is quite small about the size of a chapel. The walls are decorated with fading frescos and gold which is quite beautiful with the sun streaming in through the stained glass windows.
There was about 8 priests at the front dressed in gold robes, chanting the service. I could hear the wonderful voices of a male choir out of sight. It was like the Russian army choirs you hear, very melodious. Then the male choir, about ten of them came out to the front and formed a semi circle behind the priests in the centre and they joined in the singing. There was no accompaniment just the male voices. Oh how they lifted my soul!
The congregation was sitting in wooden chairs at the front or round the sides. Conscious of being respectful I covered my head with my scarf, as all the other women and joined in. There were children with lovely lace scarves around their heads.
A young woman at the side of me started taking pictures which I felt was not respectful, so I stood there disapprovingly, but then one of the priests joined her , they kissed on both cheeks and went out!
Suddenly a hidden door in the far wall opened to reveal another priest dressed all in white with a white and gold crown.
He came out and after a while all the priests and the choir came to the other end of the church still singing.
Everyone got a candle and lit it, so I followed suit. There were large buckets of water at the end where I was stood and I now know that this was a service to bless the water.
I felt it disrespectful to take pictures inside but you can view some on the official website here. see visite de l'Eglise.
paroissestserge.free.fr/
Denise
love from England xx
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha