Храм Святого Равноапостольного Великого Князя Владимира

Painting of the Church Altar

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Vladimir - the Great Prince and Equal-to-the-Apostles, Russian Orthodox Church in Houston!

By the grace of the Lord our parish has initiated a pleasing to God charitable cause - painting and renovating of our Church Altar. Fresco painting of orthodox churches is an ancient tradition, well-kept-up over the centuries. The external magnificence of the walls and the inner inspirational beauty of the church vaults vastly decorated with murals, has been designed not only to delight the senses of the faithful, but, more importantly, to fine-tune them to the sublime prayer. The symbolic significance of the sacred wall paintings is to clearly express the dogmatic teaching of the Church as spiritual images.

Monumental sanctuary painting is a complex, laborious and expensive work, requiring, in addition to the iconographic talent; special technical devices as well, and furthermore distinctive paints that can maintain durability, brightness and resistance to various environmental conditions. Over the years a great deal of study has been done to develop modern dyes, paints and varnishes, ideal to conserve and maintain church murals, even in such difficult weather conditions as the high-temperature heat and humidity, i.e., in a climate typical of the city of Houston. These unique paints are very expensive, but to acquire them is absolutely necessary.

Fr. Lubomir, the rector of our Church, is an excellent and experienced artist-iconographer. He has already made detailed sketches for the Altar paintings. In addition, Fr. Lubomir has expert knowledge of the wall painting – the technical and artistic means by which it should be carried out. At the moment Batushka acquires all the necessary materials: paints and equipment for the murals.

Dear parishioners and friends of our church!

Thanks to your ultimate selfless help in raising funds for the Altar painting, the hard work has already begun! But the started work should not stop: to continue paintings, the Church needs your further charity contributions. Your support is greatly appreciated!

In the name of the Lord Jesus, the worshipers’ families could also sponsor upon request individual fragments of wall paintings - complete iconography images as one. This is possible to be done either as donation once (at the same time), or separately in parts - as the work progresses. The names of the members of these families will be carefully documented in a record book and, upon completion of the work, listed in a place of honor at Church (benefactors’ honorary board). Additionally your names will be forever remembered as benefactors of the Church in the worshippers’ prayers.

The donations (checks, money orders or cash) can be placed in the donation boxes in Church, or checks/money orders sent by mail to the Church address - 24 Tidwell Rd, Houston, TX, 77022 (with a note – “For Altar Beautification”). Donations can also be made through the Church secure web page (therein the sketches of Altar paintings are published) http://www.saintprincevladimir.org/donations or by wire transfer to the Church account: St Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church; Bank of America; Routing No: 540750108; Account No: 005742299679.

All donations are tax deductible.

St. Vladimir Church Board of members will keep you informed on the progress of the mural work, funds collected and expenditure of your offerings.

Thank you in advance for your heartfelt response to this appeal!

Your generosity allows our congregation to flourish and thrive! It gives the gifts of a caring community, spiritual home, and the opportunity to transform inwardly ourselves as well as the world around us.

God bless you for your participation and support!

St. Vladimir Church Committee in Houston.