Church of Saint Nicholas
New Plymouth, New Zealand
Image Courtesy: Here
I have to admit, I have never been to New Zealand but it has always been high on my list of destinations - and that even before Peter Jackson's production of The Lord of the Rings!You can't imagine my happiness when a friend of mine mentioned this lovely St. Nicholas church located in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth is located on the North Island and it is named after Plymouth in Devon, England from whence the first English settlers came. It's located upon the Tasman Sea but it is also within distance of snow covered mountains! Like Seattle in the USA it is one of those amazing locations where sports minded people can surf the waves in the morning and snowboard in the evening.
Mt. Taranaki in the Distance
New Plymouth in the Foreground
Image courtesy: Rugby Source
And another view of this gorgeous city
Image Courtesy: Bandmhut
The Church of St. Nicholas is part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of New Zealand and Islands in the South Pacific. It was founded in 1970 when it became detached from the Archdiocese of Australia.
The Archdiocese of New Zealand and Islands of the South Pacific
Image Courtesy: Here
His Eminence Archbishop of New Zealand and Exarch of Oceania, Amfilochios
Image courtesy: Here
There is a lovely video with beautiful and moving Greek Orthodox chanting on y-tube concerning the opening of this very special St. Nicholas church. I was struck by two newspaper's headlines - "Orthodox Church a Miracle for New Plymouth," and "'Dream Come True' in New Plymouth Orthodox Opening" I am touched by the enthusiasm of the congregation of these people in far off (to me that is!) New Zealand. It is such a lovely and friendly looking church - almost like a house (well, I guess it is!).
If I ever make it to new Zealand, I shall definitely visit! (And get more photos!)
22 comments:
New Zealand is on my "must visit" list too!! Such a gorgeous country. The chanting in the video is really moving, just like you said :)
i hope you get to go Ann
and take lots of pictures :D
it is another beautiful church!
BEAR HUGS
~victoria~
I would love to visit NZ but it is never likely to happen unless we win the lottery!! Now this church may be a lovely little church. but I like churches to look like a church and this looks like a house to me! Diane
What a fine location to have such a church. Beautiful photos. New Zealand must be breathtakingly beautiful in real life.
Maureen
I have a friend whos been to NZ.
Id like to go too.
The N.Z. church is much like our Ozzie ones. They also have a lovely stone one that looks out to a mountain with a huge window with a gold cross inside. Rejoicing should always be the order for a new church.. good on the orthodox. xx
New Zealand really is beautiful Ann. I have friends that have been and they say it's amazing coastline.
I loved the church in Finland. It's interior is gorgeous.
I hope you have been having a wonderful Summer my friend and that Fall will be for you as well. I really hate to see summer go because I am a warm weather creature, but Fall is a glorious time of year too.
hugs from here...
It's very nice there! Ps. I will have for you one Greek church of this name:)
So many places in the world I would love to travel to and of course New Zealand is one of them.
That is such a sweet looking little church.
Sometimes tiny can hold a wealth of miracles.
It does look like a house, doesn't it? I can well imagine the warm welcome you would get there xx
You have taken me out of these Ozark Mountains for just a little while and let me tour some beautiful sights form New Zealand. The church is just charmin'!
God bless ya sweetie and have yourself a fabulous weekend!!! :o)
What a beautiful little church. It seems to smile at you!
New Zealand is also on my wishlist of places to visit. If I am honest most of the places I read about on the blogsphere are, but this is the joy of blogging the virtual travel.
Precious Ann,
I LOVE THE LOOK of that first church! So homey and sweet; God resides everywhere....but your fantastic pictures of other sites are always so majestic.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING TODAY!!! Much love to you and Sir Edward!! Anita
Wonderful post. You have invigorated me today. Thank you! Cathy
Hellooo! Thank you for visiting my blog! My lady has been to New Zealand. She says it is absolutely beautiful. She wanted to move there but she had too many animals to go and she wouldn't leave us.
Great post! That is somewhere Beth has always wanted to go....
Absolutely beautiful church in New Zealand. The white against the gorgeous blue sky is breathtaking...you find the most beautiful churches.
Hugs to you and Edward.
Madi and Mom
'Just poppin' in to wish ya a blessed weekend!!! :o)
Hey I have been there...many many years ago...I love NZ!
Happy weekend
Hi Ann,
I really do hope that you get to NZ one day, it is a beautiful Country.
New Plymouth is a lovely City and we actually went there for a concert to hear Mark Knoflpher and we were staying in the same hotel.
I enjoyed your post on this beautiful little church.
Hope that you have a lovely week
Hugs
Carolyn
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