Orthodox Church in Kingisepp. Leningrad Region, Russia, February 9, 2013
Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church at 40 Nevsky Prospect. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 1, 2003
Interior of orthodox church "Soroka muchenikov Sevastiyskih"(?) near a parking place. Pechory, Russia, August 8, 2004
Russian Orthodox church of Peter and Paul in Siverskaya, 45 miles south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 6, 2003
Wooden Orthodox Christian church in Sapiornoe (Tserkov Konevskoy Ikony Bozhiey Materi, built in 1994). North from Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 23, 2015
Interior of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church at 40 Nevsky Prospekt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 15, 2005
Old Orthodox churches in Kolomenskoe museum. Moscow, Russia, August 30, 2001
Peter and Paul orthodox church on Krasnaya Street. Siverskaya south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 20, 2015
A cat at the entrance of wooden Orthodox Christian church in Sapiornoe. North from Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 23, 2015
Recently renovated orthodox Christian Church Saint Vladimir Cathedral on Lenina Prospekt Street in Kronstadt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 4, 2010
Interior of Vladimir Cathedral (orthodox church) at 9A Lenina Street. Kronstadt, part of Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 28, 2013
Orthodox Church inside Ivan Gorod Fortress. Leningrad Region, Russia, February 9, 2013
Tourist excursion of Christian Orthodox church in Konevets Island in Ladozhskoe Lake, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 8, 2002
A dome of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church at 40 Nevsky Prospekt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 15, 2005
An Orthodox church remotely seen from entrance of Yuriev Monastery. Novgorod, Russia, August 1, 2001
An Orthodox church in Gorodishche Area (Yaroslav Courtyard). Novgorod, Russia, August 1, 2001
Orthodox Church in Ivan Gorod Fortress. Leningrad Region, Russia, February 9, 2013
Interior of Christian Orthodox church in Konevets Monastery, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 8, 2002
Recently built wooden Orthodox Christian church of Boris and Gleb in Agalatovo. North from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2011
Interior of Archangel Cathedral in Kremlin (Arkhangelsky sobor of Russian Orthodox church). Moscow, Russia, July 3, 2011
A yard of a Christian Orthodox church in Konevets Island in Ladozhskoe Lake, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 8, 2002
An Orthodox church at Karl Marx (now Bolshoi Sampsonievskiy) Prospect in Saint Petersburg, Russia, April 21, 1999.
Firing squad executing a group of orthodox priests for political reasons on a wall icon "Novomucheniki Petrogradskiye" (Petrograd martyrs) in Kazanskaya Church in Novodevichiy Cathedral. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 26, 2010
Wall painting in a Christian Orthodox church in Konevets Island in Ladozhskoe Lake, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 8, 2002
Wooden Orthodox Christian church in Sapiornoe (Tserkov Konevskoy Ikony Bozhiey Materi, built in 1994). North from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2011
Old monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) together with Orthodox Church of St. Peter Afonsky and Dutchess Olga at Military Base No. 28287 in Morye, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 13, 2021
Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God near the train station in Sestroretsk. The huge icon of Jesus and the rocket models is part of a distinct chapel and memorial complex dedicated to the Royal Martyrs (Tsar Nicholas II and his family) and the spiritual protection of Russia. The "Face" Facade: The large face is a giant icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands (Spas Nerukotvorny). Below it, the red banner reads "Holy Royal Martyrs, Pray to God for Us", referring to the canonized Romanov family. Community: This church is known for its "Cossack" guard and a very distinct, staunchly monarchist and patriotic atmosphere that differs from typical Russian Orthodox parishes. Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 9, 2025
Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God near the train station in Sestroretsk. The huge icon of Jesus and the rocket models is part of a distinct chapel and memorial complex dedicated to the Royal Martyrs (Tsar Nicholas II and his family) and the spiritual protection of Russia. The Rockets: The models of space rockets (one clearly marked "VOSTOK") are part of a unique, patriotic, and somewhat eclectic display. The local spiritual community, led by Father Gavriil (Gabriel), is known for combining intense Orthodox devotion with Soviet/Russian patriotic symbols, viewing the country s history (including the space age) through a spiritual lens. This particular "installation" links the idea of "spiritual ascent" with the physical ascent of space exploration, a quirky but sincere local expression of faith. The "Clock Tower": The transparent model tower with clocks is a stylized representation of the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin. The Kremlin is often associated with state power, and its inclusion here reinforces the church s focus on the spiritual destiny of the Russian state. This is one of the most idiosyncratic religious sites in the St. Petersburg region--a place where Tsarist martyrdom, Orthodox mysticism, and Soviet space achievements are all visually blended together. Russia, October 9, 2025
