The Extended Transepts

Christ- the Judge of the living and the deadThe two extended areas at the corners where the nave and transept meet (corresponding to the two sacristies) can be seen as additions to or partial extensions of the transepts. In the north extended transept, on the north wall, Prof. Bucmaniuk depicted the Last Judgment. It consists of two scenes, separated by the cornice. In the upper portion of the wall, on the arc-shaped filed, is Christ- the Judge of the living and the dead, holding an open book on His knees. A cross and a scale appear on the covers of the book. On both sides of Christ are angels with trumpets, summoning all to judgment. On the lower portion of the wall, the painting represents an angel, with the blessed on his right, and the damned on his left in hell-fire; above them appears the skeleton of death with a scythe, and the devil.

On the adjacent west wall, in the arc above the windows, is Archangel Michael, with sword and shield. He has Satan pinned underfoot.

In the south extended transept, on the south wall, Prof. Bucmaniuk created the “Ukrainian Corner.” On the lower portion of the wall, on a background of tridents, he painted Sts. Volodymyr and Olha, and Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves. Prince Volodymyr (980-1015), who officially introduced Christianity into Rus’-Ukraine, is depiected with a cross and sword, and a crown on his head. Princess St. Olha, Volodymyr’s grandmother, who ruled in Kyiv from 945 to 964, is holding a cross and gazing heavenwards. Sts. Anthony and Theodosius are wearing monk’s robes. The Church of Holy Wisdom, and the Dormition Church of the Cave Monastery appear among the saints at the bottomof the painting.

In the arc above the saints is St. Nicholas in Episcopal vestments. On one side of him is Christ, and on the other the Mother of God. Below them are St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

On the adjacent west well, in the arc above the windows, the artist painted St. George, mounted on a steed and spearing a dragon. A young girl is kneeling in gratitude for being saved from the beast.

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