Orthodox Church's wall painting has been restored successfully

Dome depicting Holy Trinity
photo by Architect Cai

Shanghai Real Estate Science Research Institute undertook the restoration of Orthodox Church's wall painting this year following the requirement of municipal bureau of housing, land and resources administration. Orthodox Church is Byzantium architectural style built in 1933, which is situated at Xin Le road and Xiang Yang road (N). The church interior wall is simple, but between arch ceiling and wall, there hid 9 elegant paintings covered by plaster during past repairs. The institute organized researchers from different majors to establish special study team, to seek special restoration and protection materials for the wall painting, adopt a special restoration technique, under the condition of not to damage original wall and painting, it restored the wall painting successfully in the end of September, which made 9 paintings hid by plaster nearly half century reappear its splendid color. The wall painting restoration done by Institute is appraised by the professionals.

Occupying the space in the central dome, one can see vivid colors of a unique fresco of the Christ Child sitting at the bosom of the Father with the Holy Spirit descending upon Christ in the form of the dove surrounded by angels. This representation of the Holy Trinity also known as "Ancient of Days" replaces the normal depiction of Christ Pantocraktor in the dome. Further below the dome are depicted eight saints most likely from the Old Testament, and are commemorated as a group by the Orthodox Church on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers.

Viewing clockwise from northwest to southwest are frescoes described as follows:

1. Full figure of Righteous Forefather Noah standing on dry land holding a miniature ark with both hands and rainbow color as backdrop. (cf. Gen. 6)
2. Full figure with white hair and beard standing in front of tree.
3. Full figure of what seem to be a Pharoah standing with staff in right hand with Egyptian architectural backdrop.
4. Full figure with what looks like a crown head gear and white beard, with red cape over a gold garment, with left hand holding bowl of round red objects, standing between what looks like pillars.
5. Full figure with brown hair robed in blue with white undergarment.
6. Full figure with black hair and young face with left hand holding a cane diagonally not touching the ground.
7. Full figure with brown head gear and beard with a scroll hanging from the left hand, standing next to a building.
8. Full figure with frescoe of face faded with what seem to be white hair and beard, robed in white with light olive undergarment standing on dark ground with shrubs.

from Smith Family, November 2, 2007