Apr 25, 2008 12:07 am US/Pacific
Mosaic Of Jesus Nears Completion At SF Church
Sharon Chin, Reporting
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
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The creator of this mosaic of Jesus' face at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church says it is the largest one of its kind on the Western Hemisphere.
A giant mosaic of the face of Jesus is nearing completion at a Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco. Its creator, Robert Andrews, said it's the largest mosaic of Jesus' face in the Western Hemisphere.
One glimpse of the Jesus mosaic inspired Frances Dutro to sing "Christ is Risen."
"It was just overwhelming. It's something that can't be described," Dutro said.
The massive mosaic occupies the giant 3,400 square foot dome at San Francisco's Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
"It's a very unusual feeling that you get being surrounded by this huge mosaic," Andrews said, "makes me feel great."
This mosaic gives new meaning to the phrase coming face to face with Jesus. From the top of the head to the chin, it's 23 feet.
There are more than 2 million pieces of mosaic glass, each one about the size of a fingernail. The gold here is even smaller.
For months, workers reconstructed the roof. Then a three-person crew from Italy spent 6 weeks cementing in pre-set foot-long squares of tile. First the crew worked on the face of Jesus, then the halo and seraphim.
And as he works, Andrews himself finds communion with God.
"There's a lot of praying that everything goes well, too. And it has," Andrews said.
83-year old Andrews, who is from Massachusetts, has created other mosaics for this church over four decades.
He worked with founding priest Father Anthony, who has passed away. But Andrews pays tribute to him in a four-inch ceramic near Jesus' hand.
"Just so he's here. That's all," Andrews said.
Some church members plan to see the mosaic up close.
"I'm going up. I have to. It's close to God," Church member Arthur Thanash said.
The whole church will see the unveiled work in June.
"Hopefully, they'll be inspired," Andrews said.
When asked how he could top the massive project, Andrews responded: "You don't. This is really primo."
He hopes the congregation will echo, "Amen."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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