We are honoured to have received a collection of nine ‘matchstick’ models of Russian Churches donated by Mrs Elizabeth J. Harris.

This magnificent collection of intricately detailed models is understood to have been based on centuries-old Orthodox Churches which were destroyed by the communists during the Soviet-era.

The models were acquired by Mrs Harris, in Adelaide in the mid-1990s. The original model artist is not known.

We acknowledge and thank Dr Ann Abbott who presented these models to Holy Cross Mission in fulfillment of her mother’s wishes that they be preserved and displayed in an Orthodox Church connected with the Russian jurisdiction, yet not bound to the Russian language and culture. She wanted the beauty of these expressions of the Faith to be known and appreciated by a wider audience.

Holy Cross Mission uniquely fulfills her intention – an Orthodox community of all nations, living in contemporary English-speaking Australia, and under the canonical protection of Metropolitan Hilarion (ROCOR).

The models are in generally good condition and require only minor repairs and cleaning. We are investigating the best way to preserve and display these wonderful artifacts at the Mission in a manner fitting of their value.

A full set of photographs will be presented once the models are ready for display.

We would welcome learning more about the artist or details of the Churches depicted by the models. If anyone has knowledge of these, please contact the Mission Administrator. (info@australianorthodox.org )

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 0924 and is filed under Mission News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.