Shutter Mike Photography

My post yesterday gave an overview of St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery and highlighted some of the churches and chapels that are on the monastery grounds.  However, there is so much detailed work that has been done in constructing and furnishing the buildings as well as in the layout and design of the surrounding gardens.  So I am doing another post to show some of the details.

Fountain of the Cross

f/11 – 1/80 – ISO 100 – Focal Length 40 mm

Unlike the standard Christian “plus sign” cross the Orthodox cross has three horizontal bars.  The top bar represents the sign that was placed on the original cross that read “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.”  The middle bar was where Jesus’ arms were stretched out.  The third bar at the bottom (not shown in this image) represented the foot rest.  It is slanted with the right side pointing up and the left pointing down.  This is to represent the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Jesus.  The one on the right is said to have gone to heaven, so the bar slants up, and the one on the left to hell, so the bar slants down.

Beautiful Wrought Iron Details

f/16 – 1/30 – ISO 100 – Focal Length 60 mm

Stasidia

f/2.2 – 1/5 – ISO 100 – Focal Length 50 mm

The stasidia are tall seats that line the walls of the churches and chapels.  They are similar to the pews you may find in other curches but usually more intricately carved.  Also, since the monks stand during their services these are only used for occasional rests during the long services.

St. Seraphim’s Fountain

f/18 – 1/30 – ISO 100 – Focal Length 30 mm

St. Seraphim is one of the most respected and renowned saints in the Russian Orthodox church.  This Spanish style fountain and the nearby outdoor Russian peasant chapel are dedicated to St. Seraphim.

Detail of St. Seraphim’s Fountain

f/18 – 1/20 – ISO 100 – Focal Length 35 mm

Detail of St. Demetrios’ Chapel

f/14 – 1/100 – ISO 100 – Focal Length 85 mm