In the Old Town of Slovácko, a new Church of the Holy Spirit will be consecrated

Ivo Goropevšek: Church of the Holy Spirit in Staré Město near Uherské Hradiště

Staré Město (Uherskohradišťsko) - In Staré Město, a blessing for the Church of the Holy Spirit will take place on Sunday at 16:00 after twelve years of construction. Believers will be able to use the new church, although it still lacks many elements before it can be consecrated and fully completed. For consecration, it is necessary for the church to have a solid altar, a tabernacle, and other elements, said Jiří Gračka, spokesperson for the Olomouc Archdiocese, to ČTK today.
    The parish started the construction of the Church of the Holy Spirit in 2002, with costs amounting to nearly 90 million CZK. The building, designed by Slovenian architect Ivo Goropevšek, is located in close proximity to the memorial of Great Moravia, in the axis of the 9th-century church, whose foundations are at the memorial. "This symbolizes how both buildings are related and connect history with the present," said the priest of Staré Město, Miroslav Suchomel.
    The floor plan of the new church is in the shape of a rotunda, representing the Great Moravian church. "The main nave is supported by twelve columns, symbolizing the twelve apostles, connected by a ring representing the crown of the Virgin Mary in connection with Christ. The roof follows in the shape of a semicircular arch reminiscent of a canopy and symbolizes lightness," described Gračka.
    From the side of the memorial, there is an entrance, and the front of the church features two towers representing the two Slavic apostles, St. Cyril and Methodius. The axes of the columns and towers converge at one point, symbolizing the direction towards one goal - God. The towers are connected in the middle by a cross, the shape of which comes from a find during archaeological research of this location.
    The main nave is designed with an external glass cladding, symbolizing the penetration of rays (gifts of the Holy Spirit) and the openness of the church. In the basement below the main nave, a hall is planned for social use, cultural, and educational events. At the front, there is a liturgical space with an altar and a tabernacle, which will be shared by the church and the winter chapel.
    According to Suchomel, the liturgical space has been approved so far, where there is currently only a provisional altar, tabernacle, and ambo, a sacristy, a chapel, and a room for mothers with children. For the consecration, which the parish would like to complete by 2020, it would be sufficient to equip the church with permanent liturgical items, which will be provided by sculptor Otmar Oliva from Velehrad. However, the hall, towers, and chapel are not yet completed, so the parish will need approximately another ten million CZK, according to Suchomel.
    In addition to the church itself, the space around it is also being transformed. The town hall realized the Event Center project there and is completing the Crossroads of Great Moravia project. Together they will cost about 50 million CZK. The new Great Moravian Square has brought the town a place for relaxation, concerts, and seating not only for the believers. The reconstructed Jesuit cellar and information center are open, and facilities, new furnishings, and greenery are not missing.