Uspensky Monastery in Tikhvin, Leningrad Region. Russia, December 25, 2005
A cathedral in Uspensky Monastery at evening. Tikhvin, Leningrad Region, Russia, December 25, 2005
Uspensky Monastery, view from bell tower. Tikhvin, Leningrad Region, Russia, December 25, 2005
View of Uspeniya Monastery from Tikhvinka River in Tikhvin. Leningrad Region, Russia, August 6, 2016
A log house and a church of Spaso-Troitsky Skit in village of Senno, near Tikhvin, Leningrad Region. Russia, December 25, 2005
Interior of church of an icon of Tikhvin god s mother in Syas Pogost near Novaya Ladoga. Leningrad Region, Russia, August 6, 2016
View from a road to Spaso-Troitsky Skit (remote part of a monastery) in village of Senno, near Tikhvin, Leningrad Region. Russia, December 25, 2005
Church bells and a cathedral of Uspensky Monastery, view from bell tower. Tikhvin, Leningrad Region, Russia, December 25, 2005
A marble tombstone of A. N. Esipova (1851 - 1914) in Necropolis (Tikhvin Cemetery) of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 9, 2004
A church of Spaso-Troitsky Skit in village of Senno, near Tikhvin, Leningrad Region. Russia, December 25, 2005
Church of an icon of Tikhvin god s mother in Syas Pogost near Novaya Ladoga. Leningrad Region, Russia, August 6, 2016
Interior of Uspeniya Cathedral in Tikhvin. Leningrad Region, Russia, August 6, 2016
Lion sculpture in Necropolis of Alexander Nevsky Lavra (Tikhvin Cemetery). Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 3, 2009
Black cat near Uspeniya Monastery in Tikhvin. Leningrad Region, Russia, August 6, 2016
A church and a bell tower in Uspensky Monastery. Tikhvin, Leningrad Region, Russia, December 25, 2005
A tomb of Rimsky-Korsakov (1844 - 1908) in Necropolis (Tikhvin Cemetery) of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 9, 2004
Marble woman on a tomb of a Russian pianist A. N. Esipova in Necropolis (Tikhvin Cemetery) of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2014
A cathedral in Antoniev-Dymsky Monastery near Tikhvin, Leningrad Region. Russia, December 25, 2005
Altar of Uspeniya Cathedral in Tikhvin. Leningrad Region, Russia, August 6, 2016
Bronze head supporting tombstone in Necropolis of Alexander Nevsky Lavra (Tikhvin Cemetery). Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 2, 2015
A church window in Uspensky Monastery. Tikhvin, Leningrad Region, Russia, December 25, 2005
Stone lion in Necropolis of Alexander Nevsky Lavra (Tikhvin Cemetery). Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 2, 2015
Dorms for monks in Antoniev-Dymsky Monastery near Tikhvin, Leningrad Region. Russia, December 25, 2005
Dymskoe Lake near Antoniev-Dymsky Monastery near Tikhvin, Leningrad Region. Believers used to swim three times around the cross (either clockwise or counter clockwise) to be healed. Russia, December 25, 2005
Fragment of a tomb in Necropolis (Tikhvin Cemetery) of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 22, 2007
Artist s conk mushrooms (Ganoderma applanatum) in Necropolis (Tikhvin Cemetery) of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 22, 2007
Figure of an angel with an arrow on a tomb of a Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in Necropolis (Tikhvin Cemetery) of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2014
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
