In 1925 a Russian parish formed in Sao Paulo. Many White Russian emigrants lived there. The Orthodox Russian colony was the largest in the country. Estimates suggest 600 to 1000 Russians lived in Sao Paulo. For a time the parish fell under the Church of Antioch. A Syrian Orthodox priest named Christopher conducted services for the Russians. This is the story of the Igreja Ortodoxa de Sao Nicolau.
The carved wooden iconostasis was crafted by Pskov master M T Pugachov. Icons for the new church were donated by Protopriest Konstantin Izraztsov. On June 11 1927 Russian priest Mikhail Klyarovsky arrived from Estonia. He would play a vital role in the Igreja Ortodoxa de Sao Nicolau’s history.
On April 8 1928 the new church was consecrated. A Russian emigrant newspaper reported on the event. It described a large gathering of faithful celebrating a national Russian Orthodox holiday. The new Russian church was in a rented hall. It surprised people with its comfort and special spiritual lightness.
Father Mikhail Klyarovsky later moved to Paraguay. Hieromonk Mikhei Ordyntsev became his replacement. He also became rector of the Holy Trinity Church. This was built in 1931 in Sao Paulo’s Vila Alpina district. A branch of the Saint Vladimir Brotherhood and the Brotherhood in the name of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God was organized at the Igreja Ortodoxa de Sao Nicolau.
In 1934 Orthodox Christians in Brazil petitioned the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. They requested the establishment of a Russian Orthodox episcopal see. They also requested a bishop be sent to them. The Brazilian diocese was established on September 4 1934. Bishop Theodosius Samoilovich was appointed its ruling bishop.
Bishop Theodosius oversaw the construction of the current Igreja Ortodoxa de Sao Nicolau building. It was built in eight months. Funds came from parishioners and Protopriest Konstantin Izraztsov. Architect Konstantin Trofimov designed the building. On August 6 1939 the Igreja Ortodoxa de Sao Nicolau was consecrated as a cathedral.
After World War II the cathedral parish grew. New immigrants arrived from the USSR and China. The Igreja Ortodoxa de Sao Nicolau became the center of the Russian community in Sao Paulo. Its story is a testament to faith perseverance and the enduring spirit of a community far from home.