St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
5
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
About
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral was founded in 1905 and is the first and original Greek Orthodox Christian parish of the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. The present Cathedral was completed during WWII, in 1943. Much of the interior marble, including the iconostasis (icon screen), is from the Greek pavilion of the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. The Cathedral contains actual relics of St. Nicholas of Myra and is a point of pilgrimage for those who seek the intercessions of this most beloved of Christian saints. The Cathedral tower is the tallest architectural structure in Tarpon Springs and serves as the heart of the downtown and city. In the plaza to the north of the Cathedral is the famous "Cross Diver" statue which captures the pinnacle of the annual Epiphany Day (January 6) celebration for which the St. Nicholas Cathedral parish is known the world over. At the base of the statue are the names of young men - Orthodox Christian and non-Orthodox Christian - who made the supreme sacrifice during World War II.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
259 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
46
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Dianne W
Dunedin, FL985 contributions
Feb 2020
The Cathedral is the centerpiece of the Greek community in Tarpon Springs and involved in celebrating Palm Sunday and Easter and other seasonal religious events. The congregation takes pride in preserving and sharing Greek culture be it dance or music or foods. The stained glass windows and icons are a must see.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill34950
Vero Beach, FL275 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This place was closed but the cleaning person allowed us to go in and look around. It was fantastic. It was very reminiscent of the older churches you see in Europe. I would highly recommend reading about the church then coming here. The statue out front to the church itself.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnPatsi
Tullahoma, TN729 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
What an amazingly beautiful Church!
You could see that the folks that contribute to build this church had our Lord in mind. No details were overlooked. I doubt that the church like this could be billed today.
Well worth your time
You could see that the folks that contribute to build this church had our Lord in mind. No details were overlooked. I doubt that the church like this could be billed today.
Well worth your time
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonia F
Milford, NJ274 contributions
Apr 2022
St. Nicholas Greek Cathedral is a must see during a Tarpon Spring visit. The church is packed with beautiful art, including frescoes and stained glass windows. It is a great place to stop for prayer and meditation.
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pasherry
United States1,025 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
You can walk to this Greek church from the sponge docks, about .6 miles. The church is open to the public. It is beautiful inside with dome ceiling, stained glass, beautiful marble and paintings. There was a caretaker that answered any questions. Worth the visit.
Written February 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KMW-FL
Port Saint Lucie, FL649 contributions
May 2023
Beautiful cathedral. Take time to visit and maybe find a docent that was as nice as we had. (sorry, I didn't get her name.) They allow visitors daily if there is not a service being done. So pretty, you'll want to have your camera ready. (Pictures allowed.)
Written May 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeanMurphy2020
Orlando, FL7,549 contributions
Jun 2020
This Neo-Byzantine architectural style Greek Orthodox cathedral is TripAdvisor reviewer #1 rated Tarpon Springs attraction, for good reason. It is the center of Tarpon Springs Greek culture. St. Nicholas hosts an annual Epiphany celebration each January 6, when Greek Orthodox boys aged 16–18 dive into Spring Bayou to retrieve a white wooden cross, said to bring good luck to the finder. It is the Western Hemisphere’s largest such event. A statue of an epiphany diver is in front of the church.
The domed main building was completed in 1943 modeled in part on Hagia Sophia (an astounding architectural marvel originally constructed 1,500 years ago as a Christian basilica) in Istanbul, which features Byzantine and Gothic Revival architectural styles. The 23 stained glass windows adorning the dome like a crown depict episodes in the life of Jesus and the saints. The dome’s three enormous chandeliers were imported from what was Czechoslovakia. The incomparable 60-ton altar is made of Pentelic marble imported from Greece, and was part of a Greek exhibit in the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Mount Pentelicus or Pentelikon (Greek: Πεντέλη, Πεντελικόν or Πεντελικό Όρος) is a mountain situated between Athens and Marathon.
The cathedral was closed when I visited in early June. Viewing Internet photos of the interior caused me to plan another tour of Tarpon Springs next year. There are, however, many interesting features surrounding the structures. A member of the congregation imparted much information about the history of this magnificent cathedral.
The domed main building was completed in 1943 modeled in part on Hagia Sophia (an astounding architectural marvel originally constructed 1,500 years ago as a Christian basilica) in Istanbul, which features Byzantine and Gothic Revival architectural styles. The 23 stained glass windows adorning the dome like a crown depict episodes in the life of Jesus and the saints. The dome’s three enormous chandeliers were imported from what was Czechoslovakia. The incomparable 60-ton altar is made of Pentelic marble imported from Greece, and was part of a Greek exhibit in the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Mount Pentelicus or Pentelikon (Greek: Πεντέλη, Πεντελικόν or Πεντελικό Όρος) is a mountain situated between Athens and Marathon.
The cathedral was closed when I visited in early June. Viewing Internet photos of the interior caused me to plan another tour of Tarpon Springs next year. There are, however, many interesting features surrounding the structures. A member of the congregation imparted much information about the history of this magnificent cathedral.
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nomad824
Succasunna, NJ106 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
We visited Tarpon Springs Florida the other day with the intention of eating an Authentic Greek Meal. Friends had recommended the restaurant "Mykonos" and the sponge docks too. I always check out an area I'm going to visit for any "not to miss" interesting things. St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church caught my attention. From the outside you can see the unmistakable shape of the traditional dome. It was raining so we scurried inside. We lit candles, said prayers for our families, and then had the sanctuary to ourselves to enjoy. We wandered around with our necks craned, looking upwards in awe. The stained glass windows are really beautiful, and there are many, especially the ones way up in the dome. However, what makes this church special are the beautifully painted murals with the vivid colors. I imagine worshiping here would be very special.
Written April 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glomarrone
Cocoa Beach, FL2,920 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
.Although I have been to Tarpon Springs on several occasions, I have never actually been inside St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. On my most recent visit to Tarpon Springs in January 2016, I finally had the opportunity to do so. I was excited to finally see the Weeping Icon of St. Nicholas. It is just inside the entrance doors. It is said that the icon weeps during the Christmas season. The last time that he wept was on December 8, 1973. After close examinations by experts, no one can explain the phenomenon. I did purchased a pamphlet to learn more information about the icon.
The pamphlet also gave me a history of the church. Greeks, mostly from the Dodecanese Islands in the Aegean Sea started immigrating to Tarpon Spring in 1906 to work in the sponge industry. They brought with them their families, their culture, their traditions and their deep faith. The Greek community purchased property in 1907 and built a frame church with a seating capacity of 250. By 1935 the Greek population reach 2,700. The original frame church was no longer adequate. The community began the tough job of raising enough money for a new larger church. In January 1943 the new church was dedicated by Archbishop Athenagorase, late Patriarch of all Orthodoxy in Constantinople (Istanbul.) The beautiful domed church was built in the Neo- Byzantine style of architecture. Its model was Saint Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul. It is said to be one of the most beautifully decorated Greek Orthodox Church in the US. The marble altar was a gift from Greece and part of the Greek exhibit at the first New York World's Fair.
Although I am not of this religion, I was very moved by the many exquisite, ornate religious icons, paintings, art work and 23 stained glass windows in the church. It was very uplifting to sit in a pew and gaze at the beauty of the interior. There is so much to see and absorb. The three large chandeliers came from Czechoslovakia. We had called to schedule a talk but the church could not accommodate us. A very devout Greek lady, a church member was there and answered our questions, instead. She was so proud of her church. She explained the significance of the paintings and icons to us and showed us a relic on display in the church. If you wish to visit the church, it is open to visitors between the hours of 9-5. There is a book store on the church property. Outside, in front of the church there is a statue of an Epiphany diver.
On January 6th, the church holds an Annual Epiphany Celebration. The Epiphany is the celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. The Epiphany Celebration focuses around a blessing of the fisherman, their boats and the waters. This is followed by a Traditional Procession that includes the clergy, local children dressed in traditional costumes, a girl carrying a dove and the boys who will dive for a white wooden Epiphany cross. The cross is thrown by the visiting dignitaries into the Spring Bayou. Local Greek Orthodox boys between the ages of 16-18 dive into the water to retrieve it. It is a great honor to be the boy who retrieves the cross. He is said to be blessed for a year. I hope someday to attend this celebration.
The pamphlet also gave me a history of the church. Greeks, mostly from the Dodecanese Islands in the Aegean Sea started immigrating to Tarpon Spring in 1906 to work in the sponge industry. They brought with them their families, their culture, their traditions and their deep faith. The Greek community purchased property in 1907 and built a frame church with a seating capacity of 250. By 1935 the Greek population reach 2,700. The original frame church was no longer adequate. The community began the tough job of raising enough money for a new larger church. In January 1943 the new church was dedicated by Archbishop Athenagorase, late Patriarch of all Orthodoxy in Constantinople (Istanbul.) The beautiful domed church was built in the Neo- Byzantine style of architecture. Its model was Saint Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul. It is said to be one of the most beautifully decorated Greek Orthodox Church in the US. The marble altar was a gift from Greece and part of the Greek exhibit at the first New York World's Fair.
Although I am not of this religion, I was very moved by the many exquisite, ornate religious icons, paintings, art work and 23 stained glass windows in the church. It was very uplifting to sit in a pew and gaze at the beauty of the interior. There is so much to see and absorb. The three large chandeliers came from Czechoslovakia. We had called to schedule a talk but the church could not accommodate us. A very devout Greek lady, a church member was there and answered our questions, instead. She was so proud of her church. She explained the significance of the paintings and icons to us and showed us a relic on display in the church. If you wish to visit the church, it is open to visitors between the hours of 9-5. There is a book store on the church property. Outside, in front of the church there is a statue of an Epiphany diver.
On January 6th, the church holds an Annual Epiphany Celebration. The Epiphany is the celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. The Epiphany Celebration focuses around a blessing of the fisherman, their boats and the waters. This is followed by a Traditional Procession that includes the clergy, local children dressed in traditional costumes, a girl carrying a dove and the boys who will dive for a white wooden Epiphany cross. The cross is thrown by the visiting dignitaries into the Spring Bayou. Local Greek Orthodox boys between the ages of 16-18 dive into the water to retrieve it. It is a great honor to be the boy who retrieves the cross. He is said to be blessed for a year. I hope someday to attend this celebration.
Written February 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle M
Tarpon Springs, FL57 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
I have been wanting to stop by here for 6 months and when I did today, I wished I had earlier. Truly beautiful! I have never been in a Greek Orthodox Cathedral before and it was breathtaking. Be sure to read about the portrait of St. Nicholas.
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandraw576
9 contributions
I would like to know the hours the church is open to the public ?
joycea233
Tampa, FL99 contributions
the sign in front says 9am to 3pm
sandraw576
9 contributions
What hours is the church open to the public ? I have always wanted to visit but was always closed when I was there. Hope to see the church when I visit at the end of this month.
INginger
Indpls, IN37 contributions
We visited at around 4 PM. It was beautiful.
can i get my wedding there I'm nondomination religion and I want to know if I can bring my own ministry
Synetos
Chania Town, Greece137 contributions
To be married in an Orthodox Church at least one member of the couple must baptized and confirmed into the Orthodox Christian Faith and be an active communicant of a local parish. The other member of the couple must, at minimum, be a Christian who is baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. All sacraments - of which marriage is one - must be celebrated by duly ordained clergy. Hope this helps.
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Frequently Asked Questions about St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
- Hotels near St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral:
- (0.08 mi) The 1910 Inn
- (0.13 mi) Studio, sleeps 5. In the center of Tarpon Springs, sponge docks, walk to shops!
- (0.11 mi) Tarpon Inn
- (0.28 mi) Ashley's Victorian Haven Bed And Breakfast
- (0.22 mi) The Saint Michael House Vacation Rental
- Restaurants near St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral:
- (0.02 mi) Quirky Fork Euro Cafe
- (0.03 mi) Mainely Delicious
- (0.09 mi) Tarpon Tavern
- (0.09 mi) The Bistro
- (0.13 mi) Toula's Trailside Cafe