St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

St. Nicholas is a Greek Orthodox church in Tarpon Springs with Byzantine Revival architecture and a distinctive dome. The interior features 23 stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes, a 60-ton altar made of Pentelic marble, and three large chandeliers suspended beneath the dome.

The parish was founded in 1896 when John Cocoris brought Greek sponge divers to the area, who built their first church by 1907. The altar originated from the Greek pavilion at the 1939 New York World's Fair before being installed in the church.

The church displays icons painted by Greek artist George Saclaridis, reflecting traditional Orthodox artistic styles throughout the interior. These religious artworks tell stories from Christian tradition and shape how visitors experience the sacred space.

Visitors can attend Sunday Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM or join weekday prayer services from Tuesday through Saturday. The Byzantine architecture and detailed interior require time to appreciate properly, so plan your visit without rushing.

Three large chandeliers from Czechoslovakia hang beneath the dome and represent a unique connection to European craftsmanship. These fixtures bring an unexpected touch of Central European artistry to this Florida church and rarely appear as a notable feature in discussions about the building.

Location: Florida

Architectural style: Byzantine Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 28.14720,-82.75670

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02