San Giorgio dei Greci, Orthodox cathedral in Castello district, Venice, Italy.
San Giorgio dei Greci is an Orthodox church in Venice's Castello district, built with Renaissance design featuring a white facade and a bell tower that leans noticeably toward the adjacent canal. The domed structure stands as a distinctive architectural presence within the city's religious landscape.
Construction started in 1539 following approval from Venetian authorities and the Vatican, with funding raised through taxes collected from ships arriving from Orthodox territories. This permission represented a turning point for Orthodox Christians seeking a permanent place of worship in the city.
The church serves as a spiritual center for Orthodox Christians in Venice, with its interior decorated by works that have held meaning for worshippers across centuries. These artworks remain actively venerated by the community that gathers here.
The church remains an active place of worship for Orthodox Christians and serves as the seat of the Metropolitan of the Holy Archdiocese of Italy. Visitors should be respectful of ongoing religious services and customs observed within the space.
Three precious icons brought from Byzantium by Anna Notaras before Constantinople fell in 1453 remain among the church's most treasured possessions and carry deep personal significance for worshippers. These objects connect the community to their earlier homeland in a tangible way.
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