If a person can have impression overload, I have a bad case! WOW! My cruise up the Volga and back exceeded my expectations and surprised me with a boatload of diversity. Rather than give you a place-by-place storybook, I’m going to do the theme thing. To start with, a collection of photos of cathedral domes. Some date back hundreds of years. Others are shiney new. In any case, a staggering feast for the eyes.
And the soul.
Hope you enjoy this photo journal – and maybe even think about seeing these amazing places yourself.
I imagine some of you are thinking “weren’t all the churches destroyed during the Soviet era?”
Well, some were. But not all (obviously). The churches were closed, but providentially preserved after the Revolution as storage facilities, swimming pools, a juvenile prison, an auto repair shop. Even a public toilet. God works in mysterious ways.
Today, Russia is seeing a revival of its Christian heritage. The existing churches are full for services. New churches are under construction all over the place. And many of the ancient ones are being restored. I saw it with my own eyes.
More to follow …
Wow!
I also received Tanya’s artistic slides of what was on your way (thank you, Tatyana!!) and it is a great idea to sort everything out by a theme, Jeanette!:) I am so glad you have so much enjoyed the river cruise. It was a brand new endeavor for you and I was a little worried about technicalities of the trip, far away from your local “comfort zone” in Samara (if your hectic life there would ever be comforting…lol just saying, you know what I mean:) The photos are truly fantastic, such a treat for the eyes. More, please::)
More coming!
I managed well on the cruise ship thanks to Tanya. I’m sure I wouldn’t have attempted it alone–only because of my deficiencies in understanding the language. However, I did learn to recognize the music announding the meals (very important not to miss those!) LOL