Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Dormition

What secrets lie beneath the vibrant exterior of the Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Dormition? This Russian Orthodox church, dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God (or the Assumption of Mary), rests within the serene Liers Cemetery in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, France. Its story begins in 1927 with the purchase of the Château de la Cossonnerie as a haven for Russian émigrés. The church, whose cornerstone was laid on September 21, 1929, became an integral part of this community. Consecrated on October 17, 1938, by Metropolitan Euloge, the Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Dormition stands as a testament to faith and resilience. The church’s design draws inspiration from 15th and 16th-century Novgorod architecture. Its square layout, white plastered walls, and vibrant roof create a striking visual. The green roof, symbolizing earth, contrasts with the blue onion dome, representing heaven. Nearby, a rectangular bell tower echoes these colors, housing six bells that call the faithful to prayer. Above the porch, a fresco depicts the Dormition of Mary. Inside, the painted wooden iconostasis, crafted by Grékoff, presents icons of the twelve major religious feasts. The church holds a poignant memorial. A plaque on the table for the deceased commemorates thirty thousand Cossacks (men, women, and children) who met a tragic end in Lienz on June 1, 1945. Betrayed by the British Allies and handed over to the Soviets, they were mostly exterminated. The crypt beneath the church serves as the final resting place for several figures. Bishops of the Orthodox diocese of Russian parishes in Western Europe, the architect and fresco painter Albert Benois, his wife Marguerite, and church benefactors like Vladimir Kokovtsov, are interred here. The Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Dormition became a listed historic monument on July 1, 1974, cementing its place in French history.