OFFSITE TOUR: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor
Orthodox Iconography: Become What We Behold: God Face to Face
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was established in 1935 on North Main Street in Ann Arbor. Nearly 66 years later, in 2001, construction began at the current location west of Ann Arbor. On March 2, 2003, the first Divine Liturgy was held, and later in the same year three large Byzantine crosses were elevated above the church’s exterior. In 2014 iconographer Themis Petrou arrived with his team from Greece to begin the installation of icons, an essential element of Orthodox faith and worship. During this tour we will examine the history, understanding, and use of Orthodox iconography over a span of 2,000 years by focusing on the spectacular icons covering the walls and dome of St. Nicholas. Father Nicolaos H. Kotsis is the Priest of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in divinity from Holy Cross. He was ordained to the Orthodox priesthood in 2004, and assigned to Saint Nicholas Church in 2005. Driving and parking information will be sent to class registrants a few days before the tour.
