Each temple is dedicated to God, but may be named after a sacred event, a revered icon or a saint.
Dome color
It should be noted that not only the color of the domes is symbolic, but also the color of the external walls of the temple. White - serves as a sign that the temple was consecrated in honor of the Transfiguration or Ascension, blue - in honor of the Mother of God, red - for the great martyrs, green - for the venerable one, and yellow - for the saint.
Most often, temples and churches are crowned with golden domes, which are a symbol of eternity and heavenly glory. Already when laying the foundation, it was clear to whom or what the temple would be dedicated, and in accordance with this, the color of the dome was subsequently chosen. Gold is a dedication to Jesus Christ or great Orthodox holidays. Moreover, in the past, domes were actually covered with gold, which was first dissolved in mercury, and then the finished mixture was applied to heated copper sheets. St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg was covered in exactly this way, and 100 kilograms of precious metal were used to gild the domes.
If an Orthodox church is covered with blue domes with stars scattered on them, this means dedication to the Mother of God. The stars are reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem, which announced to the world the birth of the Savior, and the blue color is a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary. Sometimes you can see just blue domes, like at the Trinity Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Initially, it was built for the Izmailovsky Regiment, whose officers wore uniforms of the same blue color.
Green domes, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, crown churches dedicated to the Holy Trinity or Orthodox saints. In honor of the saints, silver domes are also installed, denoting holiness and purity.
Green domes, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, crown churches dedicated to the Holy Trinity or Orthodox saints. In honor of the saints, silver domes are also installed, denoting holiness and purity.
It’s not too often that you see multi-colored domes, like those on St. Basil’s Cathedral. Bright colors are intended to remind believers of the beauty and radiance of Heaven.
Number of domes
Orthodox churches can have a different number of domes: from one to thirty-three, but you can never see churches with four or six domes. Quantity is invariably a symbol of a certain concept. One dome represents the unity of God, two symbolize both the human and divine essence of the Savior, three – the Holy Trinity.
Five domes remind Orthodox believers of Jesus Christ and the four evangelists, and seven speak of the number of sacraments of the church, just as nine speak of the number of angelic ranks.
If thirteen domes are installed on the temple at once, then they represent the Savior and the twelve apostles, while 33 domes represent the number of years that Jesus spent on earth.
Dome color
It should be noted that not only the color of the domes is symbolic, but also the color of the external walls of the temple. White - serves as a sign that the temple was consecrated in honor of the Transfiguration or Ascension, blue - in honor of the Mother of God, red - for the great martyrs, green - for the venerable one, and yellow - for the saint.
Most often, temples and churches are crowned with golden domes, which are a symbol of eternity and heavenly glory. Already when laying the foundation, it was clear to whom or what the temple would be dedicated, and in accordance with this, the color of the dome was subsequently chosen. Gold is a dedication to Jesus Christ or great Orthodox holidays. Moreover, in the past, domes were actually covered with gold, which was first dissolved in mercury, and then the finished mixture was applied to heated copper sheets. St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg was covered in exactly this way, and 100 kilograms of precious metal were used to gild the domes.
If an Orthodox church is covered with blue domes with stars scattered on them, this means dedication to the Mother of God. The stars are reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem, which announced to the world the birth of the Savior, and the blue color is a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary. Sometimes you can see just blue domes, like at the Trinity Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Initially, it was built for the Izmailovsky Regiment, whose officers wore uniforms of the same blue color.
Green domes, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, crown churches dedicated to the Holy Trinity or Orthodox saints. In honor of the saints, silver domes are also installed, denoting holiness and purity.
Green domes, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, crown churches dedicated to the Holy Trinity or Orthodox saints. In honor of the saints, silver domes are also installed, denoting holiness and purity.
It’s not too often that you see multi-colored domes, like those on St. Basil’s Cathedral. Bright colors are intended to remind believers of the beauty and radiance of Heaven.
Number of domes
Orthodox churches can have a different number of domes: from one to thirty-three, but you can never see churches with four or six domes. Quantity is invariably a symbol of a certain concept. One dome represents the unity of God, two symbolize both the human and divine essence of the Savior, three – the Holy Trinity.
Five domes remind Orthodox believers of Jesus Christ and the four evangelists, and seven speak of the number of sacraments of the church, just as nine speak of the number of angelic ranks.
If thirteen domes are installed on the temple at once, then they represent the Savior and the twelve apostles, while 33 domes represent the number of years that Jesus spent on earth.