The Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Rotterdam -

Interieur van de Grieks-Orthodoxe kerk getekend door Octave de Coninck
Hier Rotterdam, 4 oktober 1957

“Rotterdam is the city that, in the Netherlands, is the richest in places of worship of foreign origin. In the foreseeable future, a Greek church will also be added to the row of ‘seamen’s churches,’ which will rise along Westzeedijk. Given the considerable number of Greek ships navigating the Waterway, the small Greek colony in our country deemed it necessary to embark on this grand plan. (….) The architects have endeavoured as much as possible to align the original architectural style of a Byzantine church with the local conditions. The church will be 20 by 12 meters in size, forming a cross motif through vaults and columns.” Source: Leeuwarder Courant, September 3, 1954

An Own Church

The blossoming of the Dutch economy after World War II became a magnet for the establishment of many Greek shipping companies. As a result, there was a continuous increase in the Greek presence and the attraction of more and more Greeks with the aim of finding employment.

This increase in the Greek population in the city of Rotterdam naturally led to the effort to acquire a church where they could perform their religious duties.

The Association of Greeks in the Netherlands

Shortly after the Second World War, the Association of Greeks in the Netherlands initiates a fundraising campaign to build their own Greek Orthodox church. The Greeks attend services at the related Russian church in The Hague, but these services are conducted in Russian. There are also services at the Old Catholic church on Nieuwe Binnenweg. The desire for their own church grows, and Rotterdam is chosen as the location, not only because of the presence of a small Greek community but also due to the frequent arrival of Greek ships. This allows Greek sailors to make use of the church as well. At that time, there are approximately two hundred Greeks living in the Netherlands, including women and children, with 65 percent residing in Rotterdam. Greek churches already exist in Hamburg, Antwerp, and London.

A schematic drawing of the Greek church.

A few months after the first meeting of the Administrative Board of the Union of Greeks in the Netherlands, specifically on January 4, 1947, it was decided to seek the assistance of the municipality of Rotterdam. An application was submitted requesting the free grant of land for the construction of a temple dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.

The involvement of the then Greek ambassador to The Hague, Nikolaos Lelis, was also invaluable. Mr. Lelis, along with M. Fiorentino, the President of the Union, N. Kakogiannis, the Vice President, and N. Mavroleon, visit Greek shipowners in London and encourage them to contribute to the construction of the church.

Professor Sofia Antoniades

Initially, there is talk of a church building in the traditional Byzantine style, designed by the Greek architect Antoniades, a brother of Sofia Antoniades, professor of Greek language and literature in Leiden. Based on his ideas, the Dutch architects De Jongh, Taen, and Nix create the final design. Thomas Nix (1904-1998) is particularly involved in the design. A piece of no man’s land at the foot of the Westzeedijk behind the Boijmans-Van Beuningen Museum and the Diaconessenhuis is chosen as the location. The Scheepstimmermanslaan and Van Vollenhovenstraat have traditionally housed some Greek cafés.

On Thursday, February 4, 1954, the then Prime Minister of Greece, mr. Alexandros Papagos, laid the foundation stone of the Holy Temple of St. Nicolas. The solemn ceremony was officiated by Bishop Meletios of Rigos and Archimandrite Emilianos Timiadis.

When financing is not progressing smoothly, a fundraising campaign is initiated; every Greek ship visiting Rotterdam donates ƒ40 for the construction of the church. Professor Antoniades contributed the earnings from one of her books to the building fund. There are also plans for a Greek seamen’s house, but that doesn’t materialize.

Significant contributions are also noted from ship repair and Dutch businesses in general, as well as from Greek residents.

In 1950, the Rotterdam City Council decides to grant free land for the construction of the church. A plot of 346,896 square meters in an excellent location, behind the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum.

1950 Maquette of Museumpark with the Greek Orthodox Church (Stadsarchief Rotterdam)

The foundation of the church

On Thursday, February 4, 1954, the then Prime Minister of Greece, symbolic construction commences. Marshal Alexandre Papagos, the Prime Minister of Greece, plants a simple wooden cross at the construction site. The cross bears the inscription in Greek and Dutch: ‘Hier wordt een Grieks-Orthodoxe kerk gebouwd’ (‘Here a Greek Orthodox church is being built’). Subsequently, the cross is consecrated by Bishop Meletios of Rigos and Archimandrite Emilianos Timiadis. Construction cannot begin immediately, as some remnants of concrete walls dating back to the war need to be cleared first. Almost a year later, on January 27, 1955, the first foundation stone is laid. It marks the establishment of the first Greek Orthodox church in the Netherlands. The church is dedicated to Saint Nikolaos, known in the Netherlands as Sint Nicolaas.

On April 23, 1955, another solemn moment takes place. A stone is embedded with the inscription, in both Greek and Dutch:

‘De Vereniging der Grieken in Nederland stichtte deze heilige Grieks-Orthodoxe kerk ter ere van de heilige Nikolaos. De eerste steen werd gelegd door de minister-president van Griekenland maarschalk Alexander Papagos tijdens het gezantschap van mr. N. G. Lely op vier Februari 1954.’ (‘The Association of Greeks in the Netherlands founded this holy Greek Orthodox church in honor of Saint Nikolaos. The first stone was laid by the Prime Minister of Greece, Marshal Alexander Papagos, during the embassy of Mr. N. G. Lely on February 4, 1954.’)

The construction of the church is completed in early 1957. According to mrs. Hermioni Psoma-Panagiotidou, the secretary of the union at that time, the construction cost 144,500 guilders, to which an additional 10,619 guilders were added for supplementary works.

“Behind the Boymans Museum in Rotterdam, an unusual structure is currently emerging: a Greek church. It captures general attention due to its distinctive design, reminiscent of the Near East. The architects, Mr. De Jongh, Mr. Taen, and Dr. Mr. Thomas Nix, incorporate elements of Greek Orthodox religion in the design. For the contractor, who is constructing the building in collaboration with several subcontractors, this posed various challenges, with the main one being the unique roof structure. However, it proved possible to overcome these challenges and construct the church as envisioned by the architects and the Association of Greeks in the Netherlands. Initially, the church was scheduled to be consecrated on December 5, as it was founded in honor of St. Nicholas, widely revered by the Greek Orthodox. However, this proves not feasible as the altar pieces cannot arrive in our country on time.” Source: Algemeen Handelsblad, November 18, 1955.”

On Saturday, June 29, 1957, the grand inauguration of the church took place, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul. The consecration was performed by the Most Reverend Jakobos of Apameia, the assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Thyateira. The priests Dionysios Chatzivasileiou, the first parish priest of the Holy Church of St. Nicolas, and later the Metropolitan of Memfis, and Archimandrite Emilianos Timiadis concelebrated.

His congregation consists of one hundred and fifty families and over forty singles. In Rotterdam, between Museum Boymans and the Westzeedijk, stands his church. ‘In the most beautiful spot in Rotterdam, which has indeed supported and assisted us exemplarily,’ expressed the grateful archimandrite. Archimandrite Theoklitos Michalas is a particularly impressive figure. A tall man in a long, black robe, interrupted only by a large shiny cross on the black chest panel. On his head, he wears a black cap with stiff edges and a black cloth covering the neck. He has a powerful face, featuring a prominent nose, but even more striking is the lush black beard interwoven with silver threads, flowing into white sideburns near the ears and up to the high forehead. His dark, lively eyes are set in deep sockets. His entire personality radiates gentleness and compassion. Love for fellow human beings is evident in every word and gesture. He later said, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself is, for me, the most important divine commandment.’ Source: Het Vrije Volk, January 25, 1958.

Important Dates in the History of the Temple

1987: Due to the many years since the construction of the temple, large sums of money were required for its maintenance and restoration of damages. Among the most significant were the complete replacement of damaged tiles, plumbing repairs, renovation of the bell tower, and partial repairs to the heating system of the temple. Additionally, during this period, efforts began for the iconography of the temple.

1988: Stands, benches, and a liturgical lectern were purchased and installed.

1990: A contract is signed between the Union and the iconographer Argyris Liakos, to whom the execution of the project was entrusted.

1995: The iconography of the church is completed, with a total cost of 455,000 florins.

2010: The temple was transferred by a donation deed from the Union of Greeks in the Netherlands to the Metropolis of Belgium and Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, which in turn established the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation of the Church of St. Nicolas in Rotterdam. The Foundation is responsible for the operation of the Greek Orthodox church, which is a municipal-listed monument.

2018: After extensive damage to the dome of the church due to moisture infiltration into the walls, the ecclesiastical committee sought financial resources for the restoration of both the exterior and interior damages. In March 2018, following a request for assistance, the shipowner Mr. Martinos Athanasios decided to undertake the entire project of external reconstruction, replacing all the tiles and waterproofing the entire dome with insulating material. More specifically:

The old cross was removed, preserved, waterproofed, and repositioned in its place.

All the old-style roof tiles were removed and replaced with new ones, and the entire exterior of the dome was waterproofed with insulation material.

All the windows of the dome were replaced with new ones, and ventilation was installed in each of them.

All the icons of the dome were removed due to complete destruction and new ones were painted by the iconographer Mr. Georgios Barbas.

All the icons of the temple were preserved and cleaned.

The cost of all the above amounted to 210,000.00 euros. The work was completed in the second quarter of 2019.

2020: The renovation of all the electrical and plumbing installations of the temple was completed, giving it a new lease of life for the years to come.

2023: In an exciting development in 2023, the Church forged a valuable partnership with “Het Grootste Museum van Nederland,” a prestigious organization affiliated with the renowned Catharijne Museum of Utrecht. This fruitful collaboration marked a significant milestone as the Church graciously welcomed the public and enthusiastic tourists from all corners of the globe to marvel at the enchanting treasures of the Orthodox tradition. With its doors flung wide open, the Church beckoned visitors to immerse themselves in the unparalleled beauty and profound cultural heritage that awaited within its hallowed walls.

Epilogue

The future of our Church lies in the hands of every devoted parishioner. Together, we have the power to shape a path of greatness and ensure the preservation of our cherished heritage. Let us embrace this responsibility with unwavering optimism, unwavering unity, unwavering love, and unwavering selflessness. Our predecessors have entrusted us with the sacred duty to uphold and elevate our Orthodox faith. By putting aside any personal differences and working harmoniously, we will create a foundation that will inspire and empower future generations. With confidence in our collective abilities, we will triumph and leave an indelible mark on the history of our Church.

Passionately embracing the essence of Orthodoxy, we must always bear in mind that the very heart and soul of every parish resides in its sacred church. It is within these hallowed walls that our devotion and unwavering faith are kindled, illuminating our path towards spiritual enlightenment. Let us never underestimate the profound significance of the divine sanctuary that binds us all together in the tapestry of Orthodoxy.

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