St. Josaphat church is capped with five DOMES. Round domes and arches symbolize eternity and perfection. Our domes represent Jesus and the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each dome is crowned by a Cross, the emblem of victory.

     A predominant feature as you enter the church is the CHANDE­LIER. In Byzantine church this is not only for illumination, but to show that the Lord, who dwells in light ineffable, illumines the world with spiritual radiance.

     One of the most important features within the Byzantine church is the ICONOSTASIS. This is a large screen composed of icons separating the Sanctuary from the nave. The iconostasis represents the boundary between the divine and human worlds, between the permanent and transitory. It should not be viewed as an instrument of separation, but as something that unites. It is the great symbol of unity, bringing the two realities of divinity and humanity into one whole. The iconostasis has three doors through which the sacred ministers enter and exit the sanctuary during the Divine Liturgy; two smaller Deacon's Doors and the large central Royal Doors. The Deacon Doors usually feature the icons of St. Stephen and St. Michael, while the Royal Doors feature the icon of the Annunciation and the icons of the four Evangelists-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. To the right and left of the Royal Doors are the icons of Christ the Teacher, and of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus. To the extreme right and left are the icons of the patron saint of the church [St. Josaphat] and St. Nicholas of Myra. Above die Royal Doors is an icon of the Last Supper atop which is a cross. To the right and left are twelve icons depicting the major feasts of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The small table in front of the Royal Doors is called the TETRAPOD, from the Greek meaning, four-legged table. It is here where marriages, baptisms, vespers, and memorial services for the dead (Panakhyda), and other services are performed. On the table is an icon of the feast [holy day] on the left and a cross on the right. It is our custom to kiss these upon entering the church and before taking our seats.

     The CHURCH PROPER is divided into three parts, the Narthex or vestibule, The Nave or body of the church, and the Holy Place or Sanctuary. The narthex symbolizes the call to repent, to continually change our ways, to live a new life. The nave symbolizes the body of believers. Here the people gather for worship. We are surrounded by images of saints who came before us. This reminds us that we are one with all the believers of every age who make up the Body of Christ.

     The Sanctuary, or altar area, represents the glory of God. The Holy Table (altar) at its center represents the throne of God. As it is covered with rich fabrics, representing the Lord "clothed with majesty". (psalm 92)

     Within the sanctuary is the HOLY TABLE with the tabernacle, also referred to the tomb of Christ since I-his Body is placed therein. Behind the altar is a seven- branched candelabra representing the seven Mysteries (sacraments), and on either' side of the tabernacle are two RIPIDIA, round fans in­scribed with icons of cherubim which reminds us that the Holy Table is the Throne of God. Beside the altar is the processional cross, and upon  the altar is kept the Book of Holy Gospels to denote that God Himself is mystically present therein. To the left of the altar is the preparation table, or PROSCOMEDIA where the Holy Gifts are prepared for consecration.

     Above the sanctuary there are three mosaics. The center is The Pontokrator, Christ Enthroned-The All-Powerful which dominates the assembly. It represents Christ as He is now, seated at the right hand of the Father. The left mosaic is of the Nativity, and the right, the Resurrection.

     This left devotional shrine mosaic is of the appearance of the Mother of God [Theotokos] to the Holy Monk Job of Pochajiv in Ukraine. The Mother of God holding the omophor (veil) of the besieged city of Constantinople as a sign of assured protection for the Christians praying the church there, and t Mother of God with Jesus and the holy monks Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev caves.

     The right side devotional shrine is Adam, the first man, Jesus Christ as the second Adam bringing redemption to the human race by means of His passion and death upon the cross. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ with the Mother of God and the holy women to the left and St. John the apostle and the centurion to the right. The entombment of Jesus Christ, and Jesus in glory with an angel on each side of Him.

     Facing the choir loft, the mosaic of The Baptism of Ukraine can be seen on the right. After accepting the faith of his grandmother Olha [Olgа], Volodymyr [Vladimir], Prince of Kiev, with the Cross, led his people to the river Dnieper for a public baptism by the Greek clergy- in the year 988.

     On the left upper wall, is the Exaltation of the Holly Cross. St. Macarius, Bishop of Jerusalem, raises the True Cross amidst the clergy and faithful [4-th century]. In the background:: Constantine the Great and his mother St. Helena [ finder of the True Cross].

     There are twenty-two rites in the Catholic Church. The Ukrainian Catholic Church is the largest Eastern Rite, sui juris (self governing) particular church in full communion with the Holy See, and is directly subject to the Pope. The Primate of the Church, in union with the Holy See, and is directly subject to the Pope. The Primate of the Church, in union with the Pope, holds the office of Archbishop-Major of Kyiv [Kiev]-Halych in Ukraine and All Rus. The Ukrainian Catholic Church is now geographically widespread, having some 40 hierarchs in over a dozen countries on four continents. The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church is His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal Husar. He was elevated to the College od Cardinals by Pope John Paul II on February 21, 2001. He is a graduate of Catholic University in Washington D.C., and holds both Ukrainian and U.S. citizenships. In the United States there are four Ukrainian Catholic dioceses. St. Josaphat Church of Rochester, NY is one of the largest parishes in the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford. The Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford, CT [Byzantine Rite] includes all the Ukrainian Catholic parishes, schools, and institutions in New York State and the e New England states. His Excellency, Most Reverend Paul Patrick Chomnycky, O.S.B.M. is the current bishop of the diocese.

     Our church does not have any 90" angles in its entire structural system. The ihurcli has a capacity of .5+6 people; 486 on the main floor and 60 on the choir balcony. The overall height of the church is 105 feet, makinщ it one of the tallest Ukrainian churches in North America. The chan­delier was custom designed and weighs 3000 lxіrnds and is 30 feet in diameter. The St. Josaphat stained glass window is 16 feet high and 10 feet wide. The cross on the main dome of Jesus Christ is seven feet tall.

     The Byzantine Church is replete with symbols. These express indirectly a reality that cannot be perceived directly. Thc reality is our salvation. It is the Christian belief that through the Incarnation, the sacrificial death on the Cross, and the three-day glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all mankind has been reunited with God the Father. May we all discover in our own lives the Divine Plan for us which our church building expresses in physical form.