In the Cathedral of the Divine Savior in Ostrava, the reconstruction of the adoration chapel has begun

Ostrava - The Adoration chapel in the Cathedral of the Divine Savior in Ostrava, where people come during the day for silent prayer, will have a new appearance. The central feature will be a tabernacle in the shape of a drop of blood. Below ground, a crypt will be created to serve as a resting place for bishops. The cost of transforming the chapel will be 12 million crowns. This was announced today to journalists by the spokesperson of the Ostrava-Opava diocese, Ondřej Elbel.

"Ten years after the completion of the major renovation of the Cathedral of the Divine Savior in Ostrava, it is time for the last unrenovated part – the Eucharistic chapel at the front of the temple," said the spokesperson. The new design is based on a proposal from architect Marek Štěpán. "In accordance with the original design by Gustav Meretta from 1883 to 1889, it will also open into the side nave, not just into the chancel. In the future, it will be possible to celebrate services in the chapel for smaller groups of people," Elbel stated. The wall behind the tabernacle will be gilded.

"I wanted the contemporary modern design to grow from conservative roots. The main motif of the apse is a large yet subtle steel cross, the coordinates of our direction in space and time,” described his design Štěpán.

Under the floor, a resting place will be created for the bishops of the Ostrava-Opava diocese. Architect Štěpán also consulted his design with the former bishop František Václav Lobkowicz, who wished to be buried in the cathedral. "I am glad that thanks to the upcoming renovation, a place will be created in the cathedral that will invite quiet reflection and prayer amid the bustling city and will be a unique intersection of transience and eternity,” said Bishop Martin David.

The chapel is already cleared, and a drywall wall has been erected to separate the construction site from the rest of the temple. "This is important, among other things, due to the current reconstruction of the organ in the cathedral's choir. We are starting the chapel's repairs right now, before the transport of pipes. During the organ building, there should not be a dusty environment in the cathedral,” stated Miroslav Přikryl on behalf of the diocese.

Construction workers will bring material into the chapel directly from the street to minimize the operation of the cathedral. "Starting in January, we will simply move the morning services to St. Wenceslas Church so the company can work right from early morning,” said Pastor Vítězslav Řehulka.