Zagreb’s Orthodox community can now gather for Christmas services on January 6 and 7 at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord after its major renovation completed in 2022. Wrapped in scaffolding following the terrible earthquake that shook the Croatian capital in March 2020, the Zagreb Orthodox Cathedral on central Cvjetni trg has since seen its bell tower, frescos and plasterwork significantly restored.
Built by Viennese architect Franjo Klein in the 1860s, the church stands on the site of a previous house of worship dating back to the 1300s. Under the Habsburgs, local Serbs, Greeks and Aromanians were allowed to follow the Eastern Orthodox religion. The Zagreb Orthodox Parish was then able to purchase the dilapidated original church in the earlier 1800s and commission a new building.
With its magnificent iconostasis, glowing candles and aromas of incense, the Orthodox Cathedral is a heady place to visit for believers and non-believers alike. Following the Julian calendar, Orthodox Christmas Eve takes place on Friday, January 6 with a holy liturgy at 9am, followed by another service on Orthodox Christmas Day, Saturday, January 7, at 9.30am. A vigil is then held at 5pm. Sunday’s service takes place at 9am.
Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Preobraženska ulica 4, 10 000 Zagreb (mitropolija-zagrebacka.org).