To get to the other end of the world, doing way in 14000 kilometers from Moscow to the largest port and Beach City of Mar del Plata Argentina and feel like at home! These are the thoughts I visited when I came off the bus near the Plaza Francisco de Gurrughaga and headed toward the Russian Orthodox Church. This is the first place in Argentina, where I felt that I got in one of Russian villages.
I was walking along a dirt road near a forest, where the locals gather mushrooms and BlackBerry. Around singing the roosters, horses and goats grazed, dogs were running. But no dog bark at me. They waved their fascination or tail, or sleeping, or playing with each other. Here is an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Looking for owners of houses, fences subconsciously I felt that live here not only Argentines, but also Russians and Ukrainians. Confirming my thoughts became Russian machine which first met me for 3 weeks travel in Argentina. And for a moment you can forget that you're in Argentina, and only two kilometers from you is a huge sandy beach of the Atlantic Ocean, which Navy Seals like to swim up to warm up and get some sleep.
Temple in honor of Regal Martyrs
Beautiful and peaceful place to live. But the Orthodox man is difficult to live without the temple is the House of God, where he can cure his soul and summon the grace of God. And here there is such a place!
It was more 11:00 and coming to the temple, I knew that already or ended, or coming to an end. I was even ready, that no one is there already, and I only have to do photos of Church from the outside. Because the place is pretty quiet and is poorly populated, I visited and thought that the point on the map, perhaps marked incorrectly and the Church is somewhere else. And finally, for the next quarter, seemed a small temple with a dome.
When in Buenos Aires, Russian Orthodox churches are among other buildings standing next to each other and to feel the spirituality, need to go inside, then here is the terrain and the appearance of the Temple are creating this atmosphere of spirituality.
The church stood a few machines, and the suite was a familiar Russian speech. Greeting him, I asked whether the Temple still is open and I was told that I can go, and then was told that all drink tea and after being invited in the refectory.
A few minutes later my lonely staying inside the Church, the Rector of the Church came to me-hieromonk Gerasim, to get to know me. I was very pleased to talk with them. We in this place so much and I like the new people that came here felt to imagine an individual approach, both zvannomu and desired. The father asked about me, and then told me that he was sent here from the Solovetsky monastery and is here for more than three years. Then father Gerasimos held me in the refectory and introduced me to all the parishioners, who was on duty that day, including the Chief Architect of this church-Yuri Kuznetsov, which I'll discuss a little later.
All have gathered here a little more than 15 people. It was a very warm and friendly welcome. People have been wondering where I was, they asked about my trip to Argentina and about how I found and that led me to this temple. I too was very interested in learning more about the Church and the people who live here, but, unfortunately, time was limited and was only a little interview some of them. But still, they had me tell a little about the history of this temple, named in honor of Regal martyrs.
The history of the Church in honor of Regal Martyrs in Mar del Plata
Chief Architect and creator of the project of the temple is Yuri Nikolaevich Kuznetsov, which at the moment the city of Mar del Plata and St. Petersburg sister cities. He is credited with the original that, working in the administration of Mar del Plata, he managed to agree with the authorities of the city of allocation of land for the construction of the temple, as well as the adjacent plot to preserve the architectural independence from other possible structures. You have to understand that in such a distance from Russia, get financing, land, necessary documents and permission for the construction of the Russian Orthodox Church in Argentina, is more complicated. Therefore, each small success here is of great importance. To obtain a permit from the authorities of Argentina, it took six years, since the emergence of ideas.
Construction of the temple is a special joy for all Orthodox Christians living not only in Mar Del Plata, and other cities in Argentina. Here, among the parishioners, I met people living in La Plata and Buenos Aires, which are in the 350 kilometres away.
The first stone in the Foundation of the Temple was laid on May 12, 2006 year. Core funding for the construction was obtained from the Moscow Patriarchate, which in turn collected money from all those wishing to contribute to this good cause. During the opening ceremony of the temple, which was also attended by Valentina Matvienko, Yuri Nikolaevich Kuznetsov was awarded the order of Sergius of Radonezh, on behalf of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill. Awarded his Lord Argentine and South American Leonid.
Opposite the temple is square, dubbed the "Slavic", in the land which has been added the land, brought here from N .ganinoj pits in the memory and for the consecration of this place in honor of the martyr's death of the imperial family of Nicholas II.
At the beginning of the year 2016 in the temple another solemn and momentous event-opening and lighting of the monument with the name "St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra (exec. San Nicolas Taumaturgo de mira) ".
Schedule of services
Below attached picture with a schedule of services. Information is valid for April 2016 onwards. You can verify this information by calling the Church at + 54 (223) 467-3250. News of the temple are regularly updated on the official Facebook page, which is available at this link.
How to get to the Russian Orthodox Church in Mar del Plata
The temple is located about 10 kilometres from the Centre of the city of Mar del Plata on at 5019 Calle 36 Bis, 7600. It is within walking distance from the lighthouse, so get to it can be on any bus that goes in the direction of El Faro (directions usually are shown at bus stops). If you are travelling with a phone that has the Navigator, on the map, you can find the temple, typing the word "Orthodox". Below on Yandex map outlines the position of the Russian Orthodox Church.
