www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall The Architecture of Ukrainian Churches

I recently watched a video of St.Elias Church of which we were told that the structure is known as a Boika/Boyka? which means it is a traditional one built using wooden logs and all is made of wood, however St.Elias Church would be built with much heavier wood than traditionaly used.

My questions is...is it less expensive to build a UGC Church in the Boika style? and if so, what figures would we be talking between lets say a concrete Church building to a log/Boika one?

Rath De Ort
Stephen

Depends on where you live and the availability of suitable timber. Canada has lots, Ireland not so much.

Here is a great website which shows the most common architectural styles of Ukrainian churches:

http://www.ukrainianchurchesofcanada.ca/architectural_styles/

So many of these beautiful churches are now abandoned on the prairies of central Canada as the descendents of the builders of these churches have moved into the cities.

Rybak,

Thanks for posting that link. That site has long been among my favorites for the incredible work that Sterling Demchinsky has done in documenting the architecture, iconography, and history of the Ukrainian temples. It's value is priceless, particularly since so many of those in western Canada are isolated and might otherwise be lost to memory.

There is also a European site that displays each of the varying styles commonly found in Eastern churches of the Slav Tradition. As I'm not at home right now, I don't have the link at hand (it's been posted here several times in years past). If no one else posts it in the meantime, I'll try to remember do so tomorrow.

Many years,

Neil

Thanks guys and thanks for that link Rybak. and Neil I look forward to you posting the link should you remember it.

The Churches in that link are all so beautiful and it would be a dream for the UGC Ireland I'm sure to have a Church built to call their own.

Slan go foill
Stephen

Stephen,

If quality specs are followed, concrete should require less maintenance and, all things being equal, would be cheaper in the long run. However, buildings, bridges and stadiums built in the USA over the past 30 years have a poor quality record. I suppose that wood is fairly expensive in the Emerald Isle, I saw very little (actually none) harvestable timber when my wife was there looking for relatives. If my memory serves me correctly, Transfiguration Church in Annandale, Virginia used some novel materials and methods which preserve a wooden church style using modern materials. Check out the pics at Ephiphany Church [epiphanyofourlord.org]
The email address is on the website and I'm sure they would be delighted to share their experience.

May God bless your efforts,
Fr Deacon Paul

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Thank you for that info Fr.Deacon Paul. My initial thought that wood would be cheaper seems to have been thrown out in favor of concrete. I was adamant to my wife that wood would be cheaper but she voiced that concrete is way cheaper and your most recent post here proves her point. It's easier to maintain. I would love to stress to someone that a Church needs to be built here. but to whom? Obviously I would be doing it without realising the serious financial status of the UGC in building one but its always worth a shot even though such a proposition would be a longshot indeed.

Stephen

Would it be possible for the Roman and Eastern leaders to discuss the possible use of a Roman Church that is currently not in use?

I understand the wish to see a dedicated Eastern catholic church for the Dublin congregation but wonder about the practicalities of a 'new build' for a relatively small, mostly migrant, community...

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A Roman Church that is not in use is a great idea but I think that this would only encourage latinaztion of the EC when Vatican II clearly instructs the EC's to be their own people and stick to their traditions. Thus an EC Church built in Ireland that would more or less make visible the EC presence in Ireland is whats needed. To create an awareness to the Irish people that our Church is a multitude of rites and treasures.

The building doesnt neccesarily have to be a large grandiose one but at least a regional/village type structure/building would suit well.

It would not be built for a relatively small migrant community because thats not the purpose of having an EC mission in Ireland ( at least I hope not ). It is for everyone, migrant or natives of Ireland.

As I said to Sub Deacon John in another thread. If the UGC is presenting itself in the west as only a Church that caters for those far from their slavic home, then it is making a huge mistake. We dont establish Churches and missions just to preach to the choir or make people feel more at home. We establish them to bring the Gospel message to the ends of the earth and to a people of every race for God has no favourites.

Afterall our late Fr.Serge ( Eternal memory ) was of irish origin, became a Orthodox priest and then reverted to UGC. He is a perfect example of someone who embraced Ukrainian, English and Irish language as well as Russian and Greek. He imitated Christ in that he had no favourites but cared for the welfare of everyone. He always stressed to me the need for more parishes in Ireland. And that Dundalk ( my hometown ), Newry and Belfast was on his list to establish more parishes. He was a priest with a vision that had the conversion of the whole of Ireland as well as Slavic communites travelling here in mind.

The community may be small now, but it will sprout and grow into that big tree where the birds of the air ( laity ) will eventually come to rest in its branches. But if we dont build it, they will never come.

So I say the UGC needs to make their presence in ireland and the UK stronger than it is. And they need to start building that presence now. The Church in Ireland as you know is on it's knees at the moment. The west needs the lung of the east. With both lungs breathing together in this country they will give it the life it needs and breath life back into it.

Slan Go Foill agus Rath De ort

Stephen