European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 11, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Russian orthodox Chapel in Wiesbaden memorial and resting place for a teen aged Bride. Is s4s domes is some of the oldest icons in the Western world enhance Interior of tiny bad Homburg Chapel. Sarcophagus of 19-year-old Niece of Czar Nicholas elaborate icon in Wiesbaden Chapel. Page 14 the stars and stripes by Amalia Lopez staff writer of everyone can go to the soviet Union but West ger Many also offers a glittering glimpse of old Russia the Russia of chanting priests priceless ornate icons venera ble bearded patriarchs onion domed churches and in Cense that reached a religious High Point in the 19th Century. Three chapels of the russian Branch of the orthodox Eastern Church in Wiesbaden Darmstadt and bad Homburg provide a brie sampling of russian Art and religion plus a love Story with a movie tie in and even a bit of the old Sod. But the russian transplants to German soil Are More than relics of a bygone age that attract tourists. Despite their very limited space for worshippers the chapels Are. Still in use for services although not on a regular basis. The enchanting czarina portrayed in the movie Nicho Las and Alexandra was born 105 years ago in the hessian town of Darmstadt where one of these chapels is. After her marriage to Nicholas Romanov ii in 1894, the protestant born Alexandria adopted her husband s Faith joining the russian orthodox Church. The Empress returned to Darmstadt each year to visit the Palace where she was born the Park through which she Rode her Pony and the Hunting Lodge at Kranic Stein where she strolled with her family and her great grand Mother Queen Victoria of England. These visits prompted Nicholas the last Czar of Russia to have a byzantine styled Church built former in Russia and sent piece by piece embedded in russian soil to Darmstadt where the soil was spread Over the foundation. Because of this the Church is said to be built on russian soil. Visitors to Darmstadt usually assume there is some relationship Between the russian Church topped by three onion shaped cupolas covered in Gold Leaf and the nearby Hochzeit Sturm wedding Tower with its five frs thrusting skyward. There is no connection. The wedding Tower was a gift of the town of Darmstadt in1908 to hessian grand Duke Ernst Ludwig and grand Duchess Eleonore von Solms Hohe Solms Lich who we remarried in 1905. C an icon belonging to the czarina s sister and wife of Bergius Romanov Princess Elizabeth found its Way along with sculptures intricate mosaics and finely carved wooden doors to the Darmstadt Chapel. When the Princess and her husband then governor general of Moscow were killed by russian revolutionaries the icon was mysteriously delivered by an Anonymous Monk to the Queen of Sweden. The Queen gave the Metal trimmed portrait of the Virgin Mary and child Jesus to Germany s Prince Ludwig of Hesse who returned it to the Chapel in 1960. Built by the grand Duke Adolphe of Nassau As a memorial and resting place for his teen aged Bride Princess Elizabeth of Russia the Wiesbaden Chapel on a wooded Hillside overlooking the City is the dest and biggest of the three russian churches. It was built Between 145 and 1855 after Elizabeth Atliece of Czar Nicholas died a year after her wed Ding to the Duke at the age of 18. Her remains Are in a sarcophagus of italian Marble set in a Crescent shaped Grotto that forms a Wing of the building. After backing Austria in a losing fight against Prussia the Duke moved to Luxembourg leaving his wife s re Mains in the care of the Wiesbaden russian Community. The Cornerstone laying of the miniature but equally Beautiful bad Homburg Church located in a Park was conducted by the grand Duke Nicholas ii of Russia. Some of the oldest icons in the Western world decorate it Interior. This Chapel is the smallest of the three with space for Only about eight or 10 people. The altar of an orthodox Church is Cut off from the rest of the Chapel by an intricately carved or decorated iconostasis or screen. A three chapels without seats or organs in the orthodox tradition Are open to the Public. In bad Homburg on sundays and holidays from 10 . To 7 p.m., but in Wiesbaden and Darmstadt the Chapel do not have fixed hours you just have to take your chances. In Wiesbaden services Are held every saturday and sunday before 10 . And in Darmstadt and bad Hom Burg services depend on demands of the tiny russian orthodox population. Is s&s.,.-.is by Pete Mia Russia s ill fated last Czar Nicholas had a Chapel built in Darmstadt for his wife Alexandra who returned often to the place of her birth. Tuesday october 11/1977 the stars and stripes Page 15