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Kalighat… a place cocooned with history and macabre. Amidst such hustle-bustle, stands a rich archaeological glory .The Greek Orthodox Church, dwells in Kalighat near Tram Depot, Library road.
The Greek Orthodox Church, looks more like Greek Temple than a Church, with its four columns supporting the giant triangular pediment over decades. The yellowish-whitewash facet stands out amidst the chaos of Kalighat.Surprisingly, this church has an antique look but it is among the newest of the Kolkatan churches. Believe it or not this church was constructed only in 1925. This place dates back almost to the days of Job Charnock (the controversial founder of the city). As per history, the first Greek Orthodox Church in Kolkata was established around 1752. Well, you will not find any Greek orthodox in Kolkata but the members of this church consist mainly of Bengali converted Christians. Delve deep in nostalgia the moment you enter this church. The small, marvelous and elegant interior is amazingly well maintained by the church community in spite of the problem which they are facing. Another fact, which caught our eyes, was the attire of Father Raphael. Instead of White Vestment, Father Raphael wear Black Vestment.
Apart from the wooden polished alter with beautiful panels and paintings, visitors will find no conference room in the church. This city is a treasure trove for heritage sites and whoever is willing to explore the trove ought to visit the Greek Orthodox church. The churches of Kolkata will never be a disappointment at all. The best part is the paintings on canvas depicts a brief history of Christ after his transfiguration. One will find Jesus with his apostles and Virgin Mary and the archangels Gabriel and Michael employing swords. These paintings is a 19th Century art by D. Tsevas of Athens which dates back to 1930.
If St. Paul Cathedral is a place for serenity then Greek Orthodox church reflects the amalgamation of different cultures. These churches of Kolkata reflect the city’s rich history which is long forgotten. Among the many attractions that Kolkata holds, this Greek church stands tall as a testament to Kolkata’s architectural glory.
