Most Beautiful Churches I've Seen

One of my favorite things about traveling with Fun For Less is the opportunity to hear from Michal Wilcox.  And one of my favorite things about him is the respect he has for other religions.  I have learned so much from him and my appreciation of all religions has grown as well.  In Russia he taught us about the Russian Orthodox Church.  Surprisingly, we share many common beliefs.

During the Soviet times 98% of churches in the USSR were closed as well as thousands of monasteries and 60 seminaries.  Now churches are being rebuilt and faith is experiencing a reawakening.  During our visits, the beautiful cathedrals were state run museums but some are being returned to the church in 2019.

The two cathedrals we visited in St. Petersburg rank as the most beautiful churches I've ever seen.  I still have to rate Sagrada Familia #1 but then I have a soft spot for anything in Barcelona!  And, since 1995 when we moved there, we have seen it change from a construction zone to a stunningly beautiful basilica so it holds a special place in my heart.

In St. Petersburg we visited two main churches.  First St. Isaacs which was constructed between 1818 and 1858. 

And then the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.  Construction on this one began in 1893 and was finished in 1907. 

When we were there, the top was under scaffolding but it was still quite impressive! 

There is so much gold inside of St. Isaacs that the whole building seems to be filled with light.

The architects knew how to direct our gaze, and presumedly our thoughts, heavenward.

Absolutely beautiful!  Definitely celestial looking!

In Russian Orthodox churches there is a sacred doorway called an iconostasis which separates what we might call the 'holy of holies' from the rest of the church.  As you might guess these are simply divine.

The whole scene causes a person to pause and look at the Savior.

The iconostasis in the Church of the Spilled Blood is different but equally inviting. 

This main door of the cathedral is a work of art in itself.

 Look at the detail in that carving. 

The walls of the Church of the Spilled Blood are totally covered with gold mosaics depicting Bible stories. In the center of this area is an artistic representation of Jesus with the little children.  

My personal favorite - the Annunciation to Mary. 

In each of the very highest domes, there is a face.  Our guide warned us not to strain our necks looking up so high.  It was worth a stiff neck the next morning!  

In one is a very unusual mosaic of a young, beardless Jesus.

And in another a mature Jesus

In each of the others, one can see a woman.  

Not sure who they are but I assume Mary. 

George's brother John noticed this mosaic which clearly shows God the Father, Jesus Christ and a dove representing the Holy Ghost.  The official belief of the Orthodox on the trinity is "Eastern Orthodox Christians believe in a single God who is both three and one (triune); the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, "one in essence and undivided". The Holy Trinity is three "unconfused" and distinct divine persons (hypostases), who share one divine essence (ousia); uncreated, immaterial and eternal." Not sure I totally understand that.

One of their beliefs that Michael Wilcox shared with us is best explained through a metaphor on the atonement.  Western thought often describes  the atonement as more of a legal question.  Jesus pleads for us at the bar of God as an advocate.  We have broken laws so we need a defense lawyer to lessen our punishment.   This isn't incorrect, but the Orthodox explanation of the atonement is so tender.  They explain the atonement with the idea that we are born in his image but sin prevents us from remaining like him.  In essence, sin makes us sick and we are in need of a physician to heal us.  Jesus restores our divinity and makes us whole again.