Church of St. Gregory the Theologian and St. Martyr Zoe, Odessa

The Church of Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint Martyr Zoe is one of Odessa’s older and more elegant churches. It stands on Staroportofrankivska Street near the former port-franco zone. Built between 1894 and 1896, it was funded by the city’s famous mayor, Grigory Marazli. The church was a gift to the students of nearby schools and dedicated to saints who shared his parents’ names, Gregory and Zoe.

Architect Semyon Landesman designed the church in the shape of an early Christian basilica. It features a tall, slender bell tower and a richly decorated façade. Even at the time of construction, it was considered modern and comfortable. Central heating was installed to serve its role as a house church for the boys’ school and the women’s gymnasium next door. Both schools had side entrances directly into the nave.

The 20th century brought a turbulent history. The church was closed by the Soviet authorities in 1930, briefly reopened during the Romanian occupation in World War II, and then shut again in 1961, when the building was converted into a warehouse for a bread plant. Only in 1991 was it finally returned to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and restored to religious use; a full reconsecration took place in the mid-1990s, and new interior paintings were completed in the early 2000s.

Today, visitors find a softly coloured exterior often described as resembling a small Catholic basilica, with stucco ornament, reliefs, and a warm, calming palette that stands out against the street. Inside, the atmosphere is intimate: a bright iconostasis, hanging chandeliers, and numerous icons create a contemplative setting, complemented by a small church shop with books and devotional items.

For travellers exploring Odessa’s churches, Saint Gregory and Saint Zoe church offers a compact but layered story: philanthropy, architectural ambition, years of silence, and, finally, revival. It is a place to pause, look up at the graceful tower, and sense how much of the city’s educational and spiritual history has passed through these doors.