By Mary Wolbach Lopert 

Drive east on Jay Road from Highway 119 and you will see the almost-completed structure of Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church.  Built in the classic Byzantine style of a domed, equilateral cross, the church represents the growth of the Eastern Orthodox community in Boulder County and many years of hard work.

According to Father Nicholas C. Papedo, or Fr. Nick as he prefers to be called, “The community has grown.  There has been a lot of immigration from Eastern Europe and the Middle East.  We have people from Greece, Serbia, Russia, Israel, Lebanon plus many who have converted.”  Besides these new members to the church, Sts. Peter and Paul draws congregants from Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Lafayette and Broomfield.

The new church represents all the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church.  Fr. Nick said, “Our churches are built as equilateral crosses because of a vision that Constantine the Great had in A.D. 312 at the battle of Milvian Bridge.  Constantine saw a cross with equal lines and the words IC XC  NI KA, which mean Jesus Christ and Victory, in each quadrant.  He painted this cross on his soldiers’ shields and won the battle the next day.”

As for the dome, Fr. Nick stated, “It represents the coming together of heaven and Earth as a place where people can pray.”

The dome of Sts. Peter and Paul is rather unique.  In many Eastern Orthodox churches, the dome is raised up from the roof, often by columns which Fr. Nick referred to as “sleeves.”  By eliminating these sleeves, “We will be able to see the dome better and the icons,” which eventually will be painted on it.

Icons represent a very important concept to the Eastern Orthodoxy.  “Just as with a computer where icons represent programs,” Fr. Nick explained, “icons in Eastern Orthodox churches represent Jesus Christ or Mary the mother of God. We pray to God the Father and will know Him through Christ.”

Most of the altar appointments from the current church will be moved to the new facility.  The screens from the altar will be moved into the entrance or the narthex, where parishioners light candles before entering the main sanctuary.  A new screen for the altar will be made by Tony Azar.

Completing this project has been a community affair.  “There are so many people to thank,” Fr. Nick said.  “Robert Van Pelt is the architect, Dave Kreutzman is the general contractor.  A special thank you needs to go to Ron Brotzman, as well as Michael Kolovas, president of the parish council.”

Built to hold 200 parishioners, the church will be dedicated on Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m.  The Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver will open the door of the new church.  Everyone is welcomed to join in this joyous event.

The community is welcomed to join in Greek Orthodox Easter services on Sunday, April 30.  Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church is located at 5640 Jay Rd.  For more information on services call 303-581-1434 or email at sspeterpaul@aol.com. 

Father Nicholas C. Papedo stands in front of the new Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church. The building will be dedicated on Wednesday, April 26 in time to celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter on Sunday, April 30