How did this happen after such a long period of non-religion?
I asked our Russian guide and she explained that while the majority of churches were closed and used for other purposes, if at all, a few were left open for the old babushkas (grandmas) to use until they died. Apparently, in their (party leaders) belief that religion would not be passed down to the younger generation because everyone was a devoted communist, they figured when the babushkas died they could shutter the remaining churches. NOT!
While I have already posted many pictures of cathedrals and churches, here are a few more, all inside the Kremlin walls.
Ivan the Great Bell Tower next to the Church of St. John Climacus-under-the Bells (right) with Cathedral of Michael the Archangel on the left
Tolkien Bonus: O is for Orcs, the evil servants of Melkor and later Sauron. Great crossword answer and very high on the creepy scale.
That's a contradiction that I too have often wondered about. I still can't imagine how the Communists let these few churches stand.
ReplyDeleteWell, they used many for storage and they were badly damaged, but after the fall of the SSRs the people restored them. Their expression of faith was just amazing.
DeleteI don't think I'd ever grow tired of seeing this photos, Denise!
ReplyDeleteI'be been able to relive this trip so many times because of A to Z. Otherwise, these photos would have just sat on my computer or on Pinterest (yet to do). Glad you are enjoying them too.
DeleteI love all the gold!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/
Orthodox churches are always so beautiful...
ReplyDeleteI guess even party leaders were afraid of their grandmothers' wrath!
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
Their own grandmothers? I never even thought of that. LOL
DeleteI like that thought, one doesn't think of party leaders having grandmothers even. Wonderful churches Denise. I am so glad they have been restored. It has apparently cost a hell of a lot of money but I think it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteIt's like Stalin had a mother? Really? How weird is that thought? I can't imagine what the cost to restore everything has been. I guess that is why they encourage so many tourists to visit (even if the Visa application is a strain).
DeleteBeautiful pictures! I remember asking my mom that question when I was little. She told me that no matter how much a country tries to get rid of something, like religion, there will always be people who will practise what they believe in and keep the faith. It might be under the radar but this is something that may be the only thing they have to believe in
ReplyDeletePeople who had no church just worshiped in their homes. I just saw a travel program on Prague and never knew they forbade the practice of Catholicism at one time, so folks just did it unknown to the authorities.
Deletethey were under communist rule so they could not either
DeleteI'd read about people continuing to practice in their homes or at secret meeting places during the years they weren't allowed to practice publicly. Where there is a will, there is a way... These are breathtaking photos... Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment. I am busy trying to pin some of these photos to Pinterest. They look better than I thought they would when I was photographing.
DeleteJust 'Wow'. Those churches are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow is a very popular comment I would never have associated with Russia before my trip.
DeleteI love those onion domes. I wish I'd visited the Russian church in Nice.
ReplyDelete