Though the young women–custom’s agents–inspecting my luggage at the airport failed to recognize the very basic symbol of Jesus Christ, I hoped they were the “exception,” not the “rule.” \u00a0Without recognizing the cross, how could they know His name?<\/p>\n
Just a short one hundred years ago, Russia’s last Tsar, Nicholas II, considered the Christian Orthodox faith a key\u00a0pillar<\/em>\u00a0for all Russian life.<\/p>\n More than five hundred years ago (1453) in the midst of the “dark ages,” Russia stepped up to protect the Orthodox church during the fall of Constantinople to the brutal Ottoman Empire of Turkey. \u00a0After saving numerous sacred items from destruction–papyrus biblical scrolls, books on everything from science to medicine to historical records, and ceremonial Christian items–Russia considered itself the “center of Orthodox Christianity.”<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Without Russia’s intervention, all<\/em> of Byzantium might have been lost as many Greek scholars and church leaders hurried towards the security of a strong Russia.<\/p>\n Going even further back into Russia’s history–over a thousand years ago (988)–the prince of Kievan Rus (Vladimir I) chose Christianity as their national religion. \u00a0Thus, I believe christianity flows deep through the veins of this land. \u00a0 Just as my own country began under God, so did Russia. \u00a0I need to understand. \u00a0What\u00a0changed the spiritual direction of this country?<\/p>\n As the last Tsar died during the Revolution in 1917, Russia moved from a “Nation under God” to one replacing God with science. \u00a0First, the Bolsheviks destroyed many churches; abandoned others; and kept a few as symbols of Russian architecture and beauty. \u00a0 Next, new laws prevented people from gathering together publicly (within a structure) to worship God. \u00a0Little by little, personal freedoms were replaced and removed by a forceful government interference including the freedom to know God Word.<\/em><\/p>\n Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Without God’s leading and direction, everything spins into moral chaos. \u00a0Not all churches disappeared. \u00a0These grand structures remain. \u00a0I intended to discover a few. \u00a0But, instead of feeling the fullness of God’s presence, I felt an emptiness increase upon entering the famous St. Petersburg church, “Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.”<\/p>\n Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in the distance as seen from the perspective of the Tsar’s carriage ride<\/p><\/div>\n The location of this church is different from most. \u00a0Built upon the spot where Tsar Alexander II was murdered in 1881, this onion domed structure appears majestic against its surroundings. \u00a0While riding\u00a0in his carriage along the banks of this narrow waterway two separate assassins attacked him–both using explosives. \u00a0Revolutionaries killed Alexander II because his new laws (emaciating serfs) failed to redistribute the amount of wealth demanded by the masses. \u00a0(As in other countries, an old feudal system<\/em>\u00a0ruled Russia; it was just a matter of time before the great masses<\/em>\u00a0of peasants revolted against their nobility.)<\/p>\n Built to commemorate this Tsar, on the place of his assassination, it was built as a memorial more than a church sanctuary.<\/p><\/div>\n Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood<\/strong><\/p>\n This is the medieval Russia I longed to see–romantic and colorful with its churches topped with architectural domes. \u00a0Similar to L’Hermitage, this church suffered from mobs ransacking and destroying it during Russia’s \u00a0revolution. \u00a0The Church contains over 7500 square meters of tiny mosaics (more than any other church in the world).<\/p>\n From the outside of the church of the savior of spilled blood<\/p><\/div>\n Nothing prepared me for actually seeing this amazing church in person. \u00a0 Pictures fail to depict the truly stunning interior. \u00a0From the mosaic floors inlaid from semi-precious stones, domed ceilings and arched windows to the gold icons, ivory iconostasis, and crystal chandeliers, everything inside glimmers and shines.<\/p>\n Inlaid semi-precious stones are finely polished to a gleaming shine.<\/p><\/div>\n Looking up, the mosaics seem to go on and on!<\/p><\/div>\n Royal doorway<\/p><\/div>\n Every mural tells a story<\/p><\/div>\n Iconostasis misses six out of the seven icons contained in it.<\/p><\/div>\n With so much to see upon stepping inside, I didn’t know where to begin. \u00a0Fortunately by purchasing the self guided tour (portable headphone), I followed the guided path on the recording instead of wandering around. \u00a0From one area of the church to another I looked at each intricate mosaic image or scene all the while those gleaming faces peered back at me! \u00a0 I learned the history of this church; the expensive and unique materials used in its construction; the knowledge and abilities of the architects and builders; and the many talented artists and tradesmen necessary in this type of craftsmanship. \u00a0Sadly, most of the Icons are missing\u2014either stolen or destroyed during a revolution or government action\u2014so the semi-precious stone Iconostasis stand nearly empty. \u00a0I wanted to know more about the missing Icons. \u00a0What did they depict, and where did they go?<\/p>\n The government closed up this church in 1930; already suffering extensive damaged, it became a morgue during WWII; and later converted into a vegetable warehouse. \u00a0Restoration didn’t begin until 1970 with a reopening in 1997. \u00a0Though this church once held memorial services in memory of the assassinated tsar, it now functions strictly as a museum.<\/p>\n Everywhere I look…variations of mined stonework set into floor mosaics<\/p><\/div>\n It’s stunning to look at, but no mention of God or prayer. \u00a0With a church of this one, failing to proclaim God to those who enter, how will anyone know of God’s name? \u00a0This is just another museum (albeit unique and beautiful in every way)–built in tribute to an assassinated Tsar.<\/p>\n As I walked away from this church and followed the narrow roadway along the waterway, I “people watched:\u201d \u00a0women with fur trimmed coats and hats; men with caps with scarves wrapped around their necks; everyone wearing boots, gloves and all things necessary to shut out the frosty air. \u00a0With my right arm still hurting from the fall in London, it felt good to finally keep it tucked inside the sleeves of a down filled coat.<\/p>\n The colorful buildings with detailed architectural elements kept my mind occupied despite the cold!<\/p>\n Many of these buildings were former palaces belonging to the nobility and built during Peter the Great\u2019s construction of this city.<\/p>\n Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan<\/strong><\/p>\n When I first saw this cathedral, I didn\u2019t realize it was a church. Unlike the previous church, this cathedral blends into the skyline around it. \u00a0The two long semicircular colonnades flank the domed cathedral and hide entrance into the sanctuary.<\/p>\n In 1710, the holy Icon, \u201cOur Lady of Kazan,\u201d was brought to St. Petersburg by Peter the Great and considered the palladium of this city. Originally placed in a wooden church, \u201cNativity of the Virgin Mary,\u201d it was later moved by Empress Anna into a stone one (on Nevsky Prospect) in 1737. Here Empress Catherine II became an Orthodox Christian and married her husband, Emperor Peter III. Though this church later gained the status \u201ccathedral\u201d it soon became dilapidated and a new one was needed. \u00a0Thus, upon ascending the throne in 1796, Emperor Paul I ordered a new, larger cathedral to be built, at this site, to house their national icon.<\/p>\n A “stop sign” caught in the camera’s lens as I photographed this church sanctuary. God is not stopped here.<\/p><\/div>\n It is not clear if this particular Icon, \u201cOur Lady of Kazan,\u201d is the one brought to St. Petersburg by Peter the Great or a duplicate copy since the original may have been lost or stolen during Russia’s revolution in 1917. \u00a0After the Bolsheviks ascended into power, this cathedral descended into disrepair and devastation; the valuable icons and stands, liturgical vessels and silver decorations were confiscated by the Soviet government. Emptied and destroyed the cathedral closed in 1931 and then reopened a year later as the \u201cMuseum of the History of Religion and Atheism\u201d–part of Russia’s Academy of Science. \u00a0Despite the removal of God, joint use of the cathedral (combining both science with religion) occurred sixty years later (1991) after years of restoration to both exterior and interiors of this cathedral. \u00a0The cross returned to the church dome. \u00a0The Patriarch of Moscow established the status of the cathedral as a Metropolitan Church and the seat of the “Eparchy of St. Petersburg.”<\/p>\n Left of the Royal Doors is the main Iconostasis with the treasured “Our Lady of Kazan” icon.<\/p><\/div>\n But not until July 21, 2002, did the Icon, \u201cOur Lady of Kazan\u201d finally return to its rightful place in the main iconostasis of the Kazan Cathedral. \u00a0Today (like most days) a long line formed in front of the holy Icon with people either\u00a0wanting <\/em>a closer look or those\u00a0needing<\/em> a blessing or miracle in their life.<\/p>\n Quietly to the side of this expansive cathedral, a priest, robed in a simple Orthodox garment, performed a daily mass with only a few standing in attendance. \u00a0He moved about speaking quietly while offering up petitions and prayers;\u00a0a smoking brass censer, containing a sweet smelling incense, swung from his hands. \u00a0After completing the midweek service he turned and provided an opportunity for those present to come and receive a blessing.<\/p>\n![\"DSC01645\"](\"https:\/\/findinggodeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC01645.jpg\")
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