Ivan Savvidi

Building of the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a gift to Rostov-on-Don from the Greek Diaspora and the Charitable Foundation of Ivan Savvidi.

Building is constructed in honour of an old Annunciation Church that was built by public subscription in 1907. In 1930s the Church was closed, later the building was used for economic needs. In 1964 the Church was knocked down, and the Puppet theatre was built there.

Modern Church of Annunciation of 28 meters high is made in Byzantine style. One of his peculiarities is a Byzantine masonry: walls are made of interchanging stone and ceramic bricks, which form beautiful polyfoil. According to experts this building is going to be a monument of architecture. Gennady Schevchenko is a main project manager.

In 2007 this place was consecrated in front of Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk Panteliemon, representatives of clergy, Rostov authorities and citizens of the city. This project was blessed by Patriarch of Russia Aleksey II.

In January 2014 main construction works were finished. Today decoration works are in progress. On the walls were set unique mosaic icons that were handworked in manufactory of covent of the Virgin Mary in Attic, Greece. In October 2014 on the domes of the Church were exalted roods of 2 meters high. Ivan Savvidi is a ktetor of the Church