St. Gregory of Nyssa

Only in San Francisco would you find a church like St. Gregory of Nyssa. This creative interpretation of an Episcopal church sits in the Potrero Hill district, tastefully combining artwork, influences, and liturgical inspiration from around the world into an inspiring and literally moving worship service. The sign in front of the church proclaims that it belongs to Episcopal tradition. However, as far as I can tell, this building and its unique service was founded and created by two, extraordinarily wealthy men with the resources and power to take liberties reinventing the standard construction, decoration, and worship practices commonly used in other cities. As a result, it has attracted diverse and active members while providing a beacon of creative energy for other parishes and spiritual communities.

The basic shape and look of the building dramatically breaks away from the both the neo-classical style of the 40’s and the large concrete monstrosities of the 60's and 70's. As you walk along the North side of the church, the first thing that catches your eyes is an exquisite medal gate in the form of an Asian dragon and you enter through large doors with aboriginal-looking carvings of the primordial oceans. Unlike most other churches, the building features two main spaces, a large round room for a ceremonial processions and rectangular area with pews facing each other in front of bright Byzantine mural showing the marriage of Christ to your soul, represented by a young woman. God is shown a woman (of course!), a motherly figure presiding over the union. And, below stands St. Gregory, the name sake of the church, a 4th century married bishop from Cappadocia (now in Turkey) known as mystic, theologian, and humanist.

Services and other holy occasions, take the drama of high-church rituals to a whole new level. The clergy themselves wear loud, colorful fabrics, tunics, and cloaks in bright tied-dyed patterns and carry crosses from Ethiopia. They travel around the floor with umbrellas trimmed in gold and light incense and myrrh while the entire congregation manages to pull off complex acapella harmonies. Members read passages in front of a menorah and sacred silences are punctuated by Tibetan singing bowls or a gong. Then, under the gaze of 90 modern saints in Byzantine-style mural, everyone participates in an ancient procession, a type of simple dance, spiraling around a central altar in the baptisary.


The 90 painted "saints" form a curious collection that evoke more than a few questions. I understand why Gandhi and Harriet Tubman made the list. But, why Malcolm X and Lady Godiva? Even though Shakespeare made incredible contributions to literature, theater, and linguistics, I’m not sure I would consider him saint material. What exactly is a saint and who gets to decide such things anyways?

http://www.saintgregorys.org/

Photos from the wedding of Reba and Oliver at St. Gregory's on May 31, 2008