I designed the Exo-Narthex at St. Seraphim's Cathedral as an expansion to the existing Cathedral building. Being the point of entry into the main church building with extensive Byzantine decoration inside, I envisioned this area as a transitional place for an unexperienced visitor. The general idea of the mural compositions here is based upon paleo-Christian murals of Roman catacombs— with its affection to decorative elements of late antiquity and white backgrounds. Instead of overwhelming a newcomer with images, the decorative elements and biblical inscriptions explain the teachings of the Orthodox Church. This strategy proves to be especially useful in the bible belt, where this Cathedral is located.
