St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral Is A Gorgeous Cleveland Church That's Colorful And Heavenly
By Nikki Rhoades|Published December 20, 2020
×
Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Cleveland and the surrounding community are full of surprises. You may expect that our area is a modern rust belt community, full of sleepy people and old, rotting factories. On the contrary, there’s actually a rich variety of cultures in Greater Cleveland, especially when it comes to religion and religious architecture. Today, we’re going to take a look at one of the most beautiful churches in Greater Cleveland… this one is tucked away in Parma, and you’d never guess at its immense beauty from its simple exterior. Take a look:
Located off of Broadview Road in Parma is a building that's vaguely reminiscent of Byzantine architecture.
The local congregation at Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral can trace its roots back to 1909, though their history dates back centuries. The church actually faced the stressors of a modern schism, something that was only recently repaired in the last few decades.
Inside, the building is absolutely breathtaking - something you'd never suspect from its mundane architecture.
This building was constructed fairly recently, circa the early 1960s. While it may be younger than many of Greater Cleveland's churches, it is overflowing with beauty that few local landmarks can rival.
Advertisement
Every inch of available space is decorated in some way; an undertaking that took years to complete.
Fresco, of course, is a word of Italian origin. Frescoes have long been part of Italian culture, enjoying a particularly elevated status during the Renaissance. Some of the most famous examples of frescoes can be found in the Sistine Chapel, shaped by the hands of Michelangelo himself.
Advertisement
The fresco project, which was originally conceived in 2008, was done in phases due to the sheer size of the church.
According to their website, the St. Sava Cathedral team brought in experts from the School of Iconography and Preservation in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. The project, which began in 2008, took until 2014 to complete. Phase one focused on the eastern wall, phase two on the north and south walls, and when the sun finally set on this project, phase three focused on the western wall.
You'll spot all sorts of familiar figures and scenes amidst the colorful designs of this cathedral. Look for Saint Archangel Michael, Saint Peter in Chains, Moses and the Burning Bush, and The Last Supper amidst the designs.
Many members of the church and community sponsored these beautiful designs, a respectable feat that has led to a work of art that the whole community can appreciate.
Visitors of all ages can learn about Biblical stories by exploring these lovely images. There's so much to see that it could take you several trips to take it all in!
If you'd like to visit the church, be sure to connect with them online and on Facebook.
Saint Sava is one of the most beautiful churches in Greater Cleveland. Have you ever visited this colorful spot? Are there any other local churches that you find to be striking? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Want to check out another stunning church? Visit St. Theodosius in Tremont for more exquisite architecture.
Discover Cleveland’s hidden gems and top-rated attractions with this list.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
