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Press Release - Šibenik, December 1st 2009 |
After 65 years a Mass in the church of St. Nicholas will be served again
This Sunday a bishop Ante Ivas with his blessing marked the start of construction of St. Nicholas church in Mandalina, where the Holy Mass last time was served back in 1943.
The initiative for the renewal of St. Nicholas church, the saint patron of children and sailors, arrived from Mr. Goran Prgin, with the full support of the Sibenik - Knin diocese.
Mr. Prgin, owner of Nautical Center Prgin whose 10 companies are specialized in nautical business, said: "Five years ago, when I came to Mandalina and saw this beautiful but demolished church, I promised myself that my family and I would renewe it as a sign of gratitude to God and the local community, who received us so well. Apart to local community, this church will be opened to thousands of sailors who come to Mandalina every year."
Church of St. Nicholas will be rebuilt by the project of architect Zdeslav Slavica and engineer Luka Najev, who predicted the retention of the existing dimensions of the church. In addition, bell-tower with sealight shape will be built. It will be 27 meters high and will also be a new lookout point of Sibenik. The NCP will provide all necessary funds for the construction of the roof of the church, procurement and installation of windows and doors, and a built of the first tower plate. Šibenik diocese will participate in part of financing the reconstruction. The residual funds will be provided from voluntary contributions to foundation, which will also be established by NCP. On voluntary contributions for the rconstruction, the NCP will mainly encourage boaters that visit Mandalina Marina every year.
The event was also attended by Deputy Mayor Franko Vidovic, whose arrival signed a full support to this project of the city of Sibenik.
Construction of the church of St. Nicholas in Mandalina started in 1916, at the time of the Austro - Hungarian Monarchy. Given the close proximity of Repair Shipyard church of St. Nicholas was a place for prayer for all mariners and sailors who spent their time in port of Sibenik, as well.
Due to different circumstances, the construction lasted for many years so the first Mass was held in 1940. but it lasted for few years only. In 1943 the church of Sv. Nicholas was hit during the Second World War, when complet roof was destroyed. Over the past 65 years there have been several attempts of reconstruction, but non of them succeeded. The church for more than half a century was abandoned, so out of that beautiful building now remained only four walls.
Ivas Bishop thanked Mr. Prgin on his initiative, announcing that the first Holy Mass in the new Mandalina church will be served next year, at St. Nicholas day. |
