Russian orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene on slope of Mount of Olives, view from Derekh Ha Ofel road. Jerusalem, the Middle East, December 13, 2002.
Russian orthodox church of Mary Magdalene on a slope of Mount of Olives. Jerusalem, the Middle East, October 31, 2002
Russian Orthodox church of Peter and Paul in Siverskaya, 45 miles south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 6, 2003
View of Herzl, Kefar Giladi, Haqishon Street from Migdal Shalom tower. Russian Orthodox monastery is on horizon. Tel Aviv, the Middle East, October 25, 2001
Russian orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene on slope of Mount of Olives from Derekh Ha Ofel Road. Jerusalem, the Middle East, October 31, 2002
Orthodox Fiodorovskiy Cathedral in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
Orthodox Fiodorovskiy Monastery in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
An Orthodox church in Gornensky Convent for women (the Russian Orthodox Mission of Moscow Patriarchate in Jerusalem). Ein Kerem (western Jerusalem). The Middle East, August 15, 2002
Interior of Archangel Cathedral in Kremlin (Arkhangelsky sobor of Russian Orthodox church). Moscow, Russia, July 3, 2011
A cemetery in Gornensky Convent for women (the Russian Orthodox Mission of Moscow Patriarchate in Jerusalem). Ein Kerem (western Jerusalem), the Middle East, December 30, 2000
Interior of an Orthodox church in Tur Malka Russian monastery on Mount of Olives. Jerusalem, the Middle East, July 12, 2001
Graves of Russian nuns in Gornensky Convent for women (the Russian Orthodox Mission of Moscow Patriarchate in Jerusalem). Ein Kerem (western Jerusalem), the Middle East, December 30, 2000
An Orthodox church in Gornensky Convent for women (the Russian Orthodox Mission of Moscow Patriarchate in Jerusalem). Ein Kerem (western Jerusalem), the Middle East, December 30, 2000
A church yard in Gornensky Convent for women (the Russian Orthodox Mission of Moscow Patriarchate in Jerusalem). Ein Kerem (western Jerusalem), the Middle East, December 30, 2000
A gate of Christian Orthodox monastery on Konevets Island in Ladozhskoe Lake, with a Russian inscription "Close gate firmly. Draught destroys the painting". North from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 8, 2002
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
The initial "temporary" stage of burial, showing rows of fresh earthen mounds topped with simple wooden Orthodox crosses and small identification plaques. Despite the lack of permanent monuments, the graves are densely decorated with vibrant artificial flowers and a profusion of flags--including the Russian tricolor, a Soviet hammer-and-sickle banner, and the flag of Uzbekistan--highlighting the diverse origins and ideological affiliations of the recently deceased. The raw, uneven ground and the sheer number of identical crosses extending into the background visually confirm the high volume of recent casualties processed at the site. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 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 "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
This panoramic view from the tower of St. Nicholas Church looks south-west towards Toompea Hill, capturing the dense layering of Tallinn s medieval and religious history. The striking structure with black onion domes is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral built in 1900 in the Russian Revival style. Its imposing presence on Toompea Hill contrasts sharply with the surrounding red-tiled roofs, symbolizing the complex history of the Russian era in Estonia. In the foreground and middle distance, you can see key parts of the city s defensive network: The square tower with the tall red roof in the foreground is the Maiden Tower, a 14th-century defensive structure that now houses a cafe. Just behind and slightly to the left of the Maiden Tower (partially obscured) is the massive Kiek in de Ko"k artillery tower, whose Low German name ("Peep into the Kitchen") referred to the guards ability to see into nearby homes. Connective sections of the medieval city wall run between these towers, marking the boundary between the lower town and the upper citadel. The green space visible near the base of the wall is the Danish King s Garden (Taani kuninga aed). According to legend, this is where the Danish flag (Dannebrog) fell from the sky during a battle in 1219, turning the tide in favor of the Danes. The garden sits on the slope directly facing St. Nicholas Church. Estonia, October 16, 2025
This perspective from the St. Nicholas Church tower looks south-west towards Toompea Hill, highlighting the architectural contrast between the medieval fortifications and the 19th-century Russian influence. The dominant feature is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a grand Russian Orthodox church built between 1894 and 1900. Its distinctive black onion domes and Russian Revival style stand out vividly against the red-tiled roofs of the Old Town. This location on Toompea Hill was chosen symbolically to face the governor s palace, representing the power of the Russian Empire at the time. In the foreground, you can see part of the city s defensive wall system. The limestone wall connecting the Maiden Tower to the other fortifications (like the Kiek in de Ko"k, just out of frame to the left) marks the historic boundary between the lower town and the upper citadel of Toompea. Estonia, October 16, 2025
