For the first time in nearly 50 years the Greek Orthodox Church of Wellington has colour on its dome. But finding an artist trained in the ancient Byzantine art of iconography to carry out the work wasn't easy.
While there are a couple of Kiwi iconographers, they are not currently practicing in New Zealand. So the Wellington Church set their sights overseas in hope to find someone qualified.
Sister Thekla, a nun originally from central Africa, was sent to take on the challenge. But it it's a long and painstaking task, with one angel taking days to complete.
She wasn't entirely sure she could do it alone - until she found a helper.
As a young child Anton Macarov lived in Russia. He says when he stepped into a church for the first time he felt transported into a fairy tale because of the bright colours inside.
"When we left with my mum I told her, if I become an artist I will do something for churches," he told Newshub.
But when he came to New Zealand the church he visited was beautiful but not complete. Many walls were still white.
So when he found out that Sister Thekla needed help, he moved from Auckland to Wellington to help her.
For Mr Macarov, the work was more than just assisting. He says he became her student and learnt as much as he could while she was in New Zealand.
With a lot of help from volunteers from the Greek community, it took the pair three months to complete the dome, which has a 30-meter circumference.
A documentary maker from the Greek community, Angelo Gianoutsos, who runs Stellar Studios, documented the process.
He filmed breath-taking shots starting from the very beginning when the dome needed cleaning right through to the church dome's completion.
Mr Gianoutsos told Newshub that his documentary will now serve as a history book and archival tool for generations to come to look back on.
Greek Orthodox iconography carries on
Working on the dome led to Mr Macarov's dream job as a classic drawing teacher and iconographer.
He's started a classic drawing school is at the back of the Russian Orthodox Church in Wellington, and is calling for anyone to come along and learn the basics.
He dreams of having a team of artists to collaborate with on future projects, including painting the saints at the Greek Orthodox Church in Auckland.
The new project is welcomed by the priest in Auckland, Father Paul Patitsas, who says the Orthodox Church is very old and full of traditions.
"If we don't have people who learn those traditions and can transmit them to the next generation, they'll be lost forever," he says.
Mr Macarov now carries a heavy weight on his shoulders as it is up to him to carry on teaching and practicing Byzantine art here in New Zealand.
But with his help, Greek Orthodox iconography in New Zealand is now safely in the hands of the next generation.
Newshub.
