St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral
St. Spiridon Cathedral in Seattle is a Russian Orthodox cathedral complete with traditional onion-shaped domes and golden Orthodox crosses.
History of St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral
Founded jointly by 19th-century Greek, Russian, and Serb immigrants to Seattle, St. Spiridon Orthodox Church held its first service on September 18, 1895.
About half the congregation of 100 were born in America. The service was led by an itinerant missionary, Father Sebastian Dabovich, who soon moved on.
The Greeks of Seattle formed a separate congregation in 1918 when they obtained use of an Episcopal Church; they built St. Demetrios's Church in 1921.
In 1923, 6,000 Russians fleeing the Bolshevik Revolution passed through Seattle. St. Spiridon was an important institution in helping the refugees to settle.
In 1941, St. Spiridon's built a new church at 400 Yale Avenue N, and it was designated a cathedral. Whereas the first St. Spiridon's followed a modified New England style, the new building resembled the churches of northern Russia.
St. Spiridon's Cathedral is a member of the Orthodox Churches in America.
What to See at St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral
St. Spiridon is a medium-sized brick building surmounted by a cluster of blue domes topped with gold crosses. The interior is dark and intimate, with the smell of incense providing instant transport to Russian and Byzantine lands.
St. Spiridon now conducts most of its services in English, but there are regular Slavonic language liturgies as well. An annual fall bazaar at St. Spiridon offers a chance to eavesdrop on Russian tradition, snack on piroshky and browse books in Cyrillic.
Quick Facts on St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral
Site Information | |
Names: | St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral |
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Country: | United States |
Categories: | cathedrals |
Dates: | 1941 |
Status: | active |
Visitor and Contact Information | |
Coordinates: | 47.622158° N, 122.330162° W |
Address: | Seattle, Washington |
Lodging: | View hotels near St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral |
References
- St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral - official website (quite attractive and comprehensive)
- HistoryLink.org
More Information
- Reviews of St. Spiridon Cathedral - TripAdvisor traveler reviews
- Orthodox Church in America - official website
- Eastern Orthodoxy - ReligionFacts
- Photos of St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral - here on Sacred Destinations
Map of St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral
Below is a location map and aerial view of St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.