I would like to thank my dear reader Joyce for the recommendation to assemble this list of Russia’s Most Beautiful Orthodox Churches.
One of the aspects of my conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy that I truly cherish is the beauty of the Church. As a former Catholic, I have always felt as though the Western Church possessed the most stunning buildings. There is no doubt that Catholic churches, specifically those found in Europe, are incredible works of art. I wouldn’t necessarily say the Orthodox churches of Eastern Europe and Russia are more magnificent, because while subjective in nature, it just wouldn’t be an honest statement. I would simply say that they are of a different variety of beauty, and that stylistically speaking, it is a beauty that resonates more deeply within me personally.
Certainly, the Notre Dame in Paris, St. Stephen’s in Vienna, St. Paul’s in London, St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle and even the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., are all amazing works of art. They are elegant gothic or baroque structures, often featuring enormous vaulted ceilings, gorgeous and highly detailed stained glass windows, ornate floors, breathtaking statues and much, much more. It is undeniable that the Roman Catholic Church possesses the buildings that strike most enthusiasts as artistically superior.
Yet, it is the often colorful, onion shaped cupolas and the stunning iconostasis’ of the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches that has fully captured my heart. Russian church architecture in particular, is a testament to its remarkable diversity, with each passing century witnessing a transformation in the grandeur of Orthodox places of worship. Amidst this ever-evolving landscape, it is the resplendent domes that stand most prominently, not only as a symbol of the era and locale to which a church belongs but also as a profound homage to the sacred purpose it was devoted to.
The presence of three onion domes signifies the divine Holy Trinity, while five domes represents the revered Christ with His Four Evangelists. The grandeur of thirteen domes is often reserved to honor Christ and the esteemed Apostles. However, there are instances where churches boast an astonishing twenty-five domes, exemplified by the magnificent first stone Orthodox church constructed in Kievan Rus during the late 10th century. Regrettably, this remarkable church, adorned with domes symbolizing not only Christ and the Apostles but also the Twelve Prophets, has regrettably not withstood the test of time.
The practice of constructing an iconostasis is an age-old tradition. As per the sacred customs of the Church, it was the esteemed Holy Hierarch Basil the Great who first commanded the veiling of the altar with a magnificent curtain during the latter half of the fourth century. However, even before this time, the presence of distinguished partitions between the altar and the nave was already an integral aspect of various churches, such as the illustrious Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The iconostasis is also profoundly significant in the realm of spirituality and liturgy. This sacred structure serves as a representation of the celestial realm, where saints and angels reside—the Heavenly Kingdom, a realm that remains beyond our grasp. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual state we should strive to attain, a place of utmost serenity and enlightenment. Although the Heavenly Kingdom remains distant and unattainable while we dwell on this earthly plane, it is our duty as Orthodox Christians to embark on a journey towards it, utilizing the salvific means bestowed upon us by the Church and its divine Head—Christ himself.
For these reasons, it is both the style and the substance of the Russian Orthodox Church that I am most drawn to, and it is that which I would like to bring you on a virtual tour of today. If one performs an internet search, he or she will discover various lists that are similar to the one I am about to offer, but I think you may find my list slightly more unique than that which can be found on Trip Advisor or other general travel sites which offer a somewhat generic and impersonal listing of the most well known Orthodox Churches. At the heart of this list is my personal taste and preference, that of someone with a deeply personal connection to these sites. You won’t find St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow or the Church of the Savior on Blood in Petersburg on my list. Not that those Churches aren’t gorgeous in their own right, but they are on every list of this nature. I don’t want this to be every list, I want it to be “my” list.
Due to the length of these posts with photo attachments, and the Substack email length limit, I will be splitting this post into a three part series.
So without further ado, I present Part I of my Top 10 Virtual Tour of the most beautiful Russian Orthodox churches.
10. Annunciation Cathedral, Voronezh
The Annunciation Cathedral in Voronezh is one of the tallest Eastern Orthodox churches worldwide. Religious services at the Voronezh cathedral were halted in 1929. Following the devastation caused by the Great Patriotic War, the cathedral was completely destroyed and replaced by the main building of Voronezh University. In 1998, a decision was made to rebuild the cathedral in the Pervomaysky public garden, which is located a short distance away from its original historical location. The design of the cathedral draws inspiration from St. Vladimir's Cathedral, which was demolished by the Bolsheviks in the 20th century.
Named after the Ukrainian Baroque cathedral built in the 18th century, the Annunciation Cathedral in Voronezh stands on the site of a previous church commissioned by St. Mitrofan. The current bell tower resembles the one created for the old cathedral by Giacomo Quarenghi. In 2003, a monument honoring St. Mitrofan was unveiled in front of the church, where his relics are also preserved.
The exterior of the Annunciation Cathedral is no doubt beautiful. With a classic white aesthetic accompanied by black and dark green onion domes, adorned with golden crosses, it is an extremely refined and elegant church stylistically. However, it is what one discovers inside the Cathedral that places this church in my top 10. The ornate natural wood iconostasis with stunning blue walls and golden icons is a cut above.
Official Website
9. Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ Zvyozdny Gorodok (Star City)
Star City witnessed the construction of the Transfiguration Church, a magnificent Russian Orthodox church, approximately a decade ago. Crafted entirely from wood, this architectural marvel stands out with its striking dark-blue domes, which form a captivating contrast against the surrounding landscape. While the church may exude an aura of simplicity, its windows are adorned with intricate and exquisite ornamental details, adding a touch of grandeur to its overall design.
This Church is probably my personal favorite from an exterior aesthetic point of view. Ultimately, it represents what I like most in both exterior design as well as dome placement. I absolutely love the dark blue onion domes against the natural wood exterior. That said, I would probably place the Church of the Transfiguration higher on this list if not for the fact that it isn’t exactly traditional in design, and also because from an interior perspective, the Iconostasis and overall interior leaves a little to be desired in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I would be thrilled to have this as my regular place of worship, but the interior aesthetic resembles that of a log cabin, and as Russian Orthodox churches go, there are many that possess an interior of superior design and beauty. Nonetheless, the exterior alone places this church in my Top 10.
Official Website
8. Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Ufa Bashkortostan
There is something about the pastel blue exterior and golden onion domes of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Ufa that I just love. Additionally, this Cathedral boasts one of the more beautiful interior designs on the list. In terms of possessing both an exemplary interior and exterior aesthetic that is a cut above, this Cathedral checks the boxes. Unfortunately, it is the property of this entry that moves it down further on the list than some of the other locations. Located in the heart of the city center in Ufa Bashkortostan, the church is flanked by the backdrop of high rise residential structures in the Soviet style, that I feel detracts from the property.
Official Website
Stay tuned for Part II in my series