Religion in Russia plays a key role in their society. But it's not the religion I was used to see in the Western world during my past travels.
Back in 2010 I took a diploma course in modern history and one of the main subjects was Russian history which, has been influenced a lot by religion: The Orthodox.
This religion is based in the same principle as the Catholic/Christian but with one big difference (among a few other rather small) they don't agree with the authority of the Pope and the whole organization around it.
I bet you've heard about the Orthodox Church even if you think you haven't, I'll give you some clues: if you've heard about Calvinism (Calvin) or Luther (Lutheran Church) well, they are highly related to The Orthodox Church history.
Well this isnt a history class, besides I'm only writing this out of memory and I don't want to get too deep into this or I might say something wrong or false.
Anyway, the first day I walked around Russia I noticed there was a lot of weird looking
churches (weird for me, that I wasn't used to
this kind of architecture) and boy, they were a lot! So I gave myself the task of taking photos of every church I found in my way while walking through Russia.
Wow! Beautiful brother! I wonder why they all have the rounded roof tops? Is that just somethin' they did out of symbolism for the churches hmmmm? Love em' though. Marvels they are. I have no issue with them not supporting the Pope by the way. To each their own. Enjoyed.
One thing is for sure that the Russian architecture is unique and much different from rest of the world. For me I have always associated their designs to fantasy castles ..........not exactly sure why, but there it is.
The pictures you've put in this post are so good that I was wondering that if you could make whole series out of them :-)
very interesting to read a foreigner's observations and studying of your own country;)
What's your education if you studied Russian culture?
And why isn't Pope the main in Orthodox? He does play a key role in the religion.
Yes, you're right religion is like water here.
There's a famous phrase - "religion is opium for people", and it's exactly the truth.
It was forbidden during the USSR times, and new history of independent countries are deeply connected with religion.
Moreover, for now it's a powerful instrument of influencing and ruling people. Though it's not only in Russia. it's a commin function of religion.
Do you agree?
Are western countries have less churches?
Hey @anomadsoul, I'm wondering to see those Russian Churches architecture. It has various designs and showing us their difference than Europe other states. I think with found Russian history you've great knowledge about Russian religious things and culture. Find cultures everywhere around the world build up great relationships and you can connect with them very easily. What about you know The Orthodox Church history? However you got massive experience their life Eric.
I had heard of the orthodox religion but had not really researched it, although I knew that it is very similar to the catholic one, the fact of not believing in popes is interesting (I think I am orthodox without knowing it) as far as the churches are beautiful! a really outstanding architecture, elegant I would love to see inside each one of them, in my country we have beautiful churches, you should come to know it.
Maravilloso, que hayas tenido la oportunidad de disfrutar in situ lo que ya sabias de la historia de Rusia. En tus fotografías todas las iglesias lucen preciosas y unas más majestuosas que otras. ¿Tuviste oportunidad de verlas interiormente?
These structures are really beautiful and worth beholding. The environment is also blissful and serene.
Between, any idea why they all have an Onion Dome? I am sure there must be a reason for the Domes. Or were they all built by the Persians?
I'm pretty sure that first church you photographed may or may not have been one that I found on google images years ago that was used for a failed photoshop by my friend, lol. I was gonna have him laser etch Putin riding a bear in front of a church just like that on something for me. Can't quite remember why it didn't work, but instead I got the Soviet Bear etched on the item and I'm just as happy with that.
Yeah the churches in Russia (and the former soviet union countries) are very different from the churches in western countries. The interesting thing is that these days there are a lot of churches in Russia, but during the soviet regime any religion was forbidden, and many churches were destroyed and only in last 10-20 years were rebuilt and renovated
Russian culture started growing very beginning of the (before 10th century).
And at a time Russian church architect was famous in the rest of the world and the design of ROC (Russian Orthodox Church) we're famous in the world. Later, other European and American architecture followed this and started designing Orthodox Church in their countries.
But as of my knowledge ROC history and culture is older than one thousand years..
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In my opinion, all these Architectural Structures are reflecting amazing essence and for sure people who will explore these places will going to get the great essence. And when we go for any tour and something like that then for sure we try to explore all places and when we get to see these kind of structures then for sure it's an Aspect of Exploration.
And when we see any Creations then every place and at every Geography we can see an different essence, design and art in every creations, and whoever created it for sure they've put lot of mind and imagination, that's why the end results are just beautiful.
And the numbers in tourists always increases due to the Historical Aspects and Architectural Structures because, these aspects always expands the richness of particular place and for sure people will visit to explore and know more.
I hope that you really had great time there and pictures for sure showcasing that you had an great time. Wishing you an great day and stay blessed. 🙂
Thank you @anomadsoul for these beautiful photos of churches - I didn't know there were so many in Russia. Your steemit name reminds me a show of my paintings last year in France which I entitled "Ame Vagabonde" (Vagabond Soul)
Russian churches and religion are indeed very unique. Only after I moved to the States and lived here for a while, I started figuring out why... I think. Russia truly standsbetween East and West, and Russia's churches and cathedrals are the best representation of this position. They are like Catholic churches mixed with mosques. The gilded domes (very middle-eastern, IMHO) topped with undoubtedly Christian crosses. I love to follow your Russia adventure!
Wonderful serie Eric! 😉
Oye Acid también compartió hoy una foto de una catedral calvinista en Helsinki, qué casualidad.
Vermoo esos Rusos de verdad tienen historia, bella arquitectura..
No esta en mis metas de viajes pero me gustaria pasar por rusa algun dia.
Gracias por compartir estas bellas imágenes.
Que variedad de diseños, muchas de ellas parecen palacios, pero indiscutiblemente son impresionantes. La última fotografía es de ensueño. Saludos
I like your Post and the Photos very much. Churches are a great object and the Russian ones are very expressive very special. I like it - thank you!
The structures are indeed weird.
They are ALL magnificent, but I definitely think the last is my favourite @anomadsoul. It looks like something out of a fairy tale!!!
Really interesting post! I like this beautiful photos
Which city did you like more?
I really love St. Petersburg. It is more harmonious...
Yeah there are a lot of churches but you must admit that they are really beautiful. At least for me, they look amazing :D
Yes, there are so many! The further you go into Russia, like in Siberia, the more you'll find 'wooden churches' - Siberia is famous for it's wooden architecture and gosh had I fun discovering it all!
Impressive collection you've made here @anomadsoul!
Todas están geniales ¿No entraste por que que quemabas? xD
Big churches are very nice, but the catacombs in Ukraine, Kiev are cooler in my opinion :D
I'd love to see again, the atmosphere in there is unlike any other.
que hermosas esas iglesias!
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@anomadsoul que belleza esas arquitecturas, diferentes culturas, diferentes colores, que agradables a la vista. Gracias por compartir este hermoso trabajo. SALUDOS DESDE VENEZUELA!!!
Bello RUSIA QUE GRANDIOSO
Very beautiful photos. Good luck to you and Love.
Es impresionante la cantidad de detalles que tiene cada iglesia, son bellisimos, algunos sencillos otros majestuosos. Saludos
The first one, church of St. Vasilije, is the most magical one.
When I was a kid, I used to look at it with my big eyes and wonder if it is a castle from Russian tales. :) These coloured lollypop roofs are very interesting to build, did you ever looked at how it-s made? I had to. :)