The Church Of St. Gregory The Theologian And The Holy Martyr Zoya In Odessa, Ukraine. Stock Photo

The mayor, Grigoriy Grigorievich Marazli, turned to Odessa City Council with a proposal to build a church at his own expense. The laying of the new temple took place on August 9, 1894, and on March 16, 1896 a solemn consecration was performed. in the name of St. Gregory the Theologian and the Holy Martyr Zoya this was the name of the parents of G. G. Marazli. The place for the church was chosen on Staroportofrankovskaya street in the alley between the City Sixth Grade School and the 2nd City Women`s Gymnasium. The temple is shaped like an ancient basilica with a graceful bell tower and a magnificent facade. The temple successfully served as a home church for these schools. In addition to the main facade, the temple had two side doors, the entrance doors of which were turned: one to the courtyard of the Gymnasium - for the entrance of female students; the other, in the courtyard of the school - for the entrance of students. The area of ​​the church hall is 37 square meters. soot and at that time 450 students were freely accommodated. Already at that time the church had central heating.