Moscow travel

Churches and monasteries of Moscow

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Moscow has many attractions. It offers everything for an interesting and pleasant trip. There are many places of interest in Moscow, which include numerous churches, cathedrals and monasteries. Make most of your Moscow vacation by visiting them.

One of the most significant cathedrals in Moscow that attracts the attention of visitors and local people is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. It is the largest church in Moscow, the golden domes of which can be seen from different parts of the city. The Cathedral was rebuilt in 1990s, when it was nearly destroyed.

The Cathedral has an old history. It was built by the order of Russian tsar Nicolai I. The construction of the Cathedral has lasted 40 years, and only in 1881it was fully completed. None of the original décor survived due to the vandalism of Bolsheviks in 1930-s.

There are many other beautiful churches in Moscow representing different beliefs, but standing side by side. St. Daniel Monastery is the residence of His Holiness Alexei II, Patriarch of Moscow and Russia. The monastery was founded in the 13th century at a site on the Moscow River by the Grand prince Daniel. After his repose prince Daniel was buried in the monastery cemetery. Later his grave became the scene of miracles and cases of miraculous healings.

The first church built of stone was constructed in the monastery during the reign of Ivan IV(the Terrible) and was known as the Church of the Holy fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils.

The monastery was closed by the Soviet government in 1930, and the cemeteries were destroyed. The monastery was reconstructed after being returned to the Church of Russia in 1983. Nowadays the monastery is the spiritual center for the Russian Orthodox Church.

For travel arrangements, you can find great deals on Moscow hotels and flights to Moscow when you book in advance.

A travel to Ekaterinburg

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While you visit Russia you mustn’t miss you chance for visiting Ekaterinbug, which is one of the most ancient cities in Russia.

Being based in the 18-th century by the Russia tsar Peter the Great, the city has preserved many historical monuments of that time. The city has many libraries, museums, beautiful parks and other facilities, which attract not only tourists, but also local population. Most of the theatres in Ekaterinburg, such as Drama Theatre, Musical Comedy theatre are famous all over the county. Ekaterinbug is the seat of the Ural Branch of the Russian academy of Sciences.

If you go to Russia for the fist time, then it would be really great if you visit not only Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also Ekaterinburg. Many of best Russia hotels are located in this city which will make it easy to find an accommodation. And you can get Russian train tickets to Ekaterinburg online.

Ekaterinburg is a city that plays an important role in the cultural and economical development of Russia. Ekaterinbug is a historical city; the cultural heritage of the city is well preserved by locals.

There are more than six hundred historical monuments in the city, among which forty three are top national monuments due to their significance.

Numerous hotels that are located in the city offer all modern conveniences neede for a comfortable rest. Be sue your Russia vacation will pass really great and unforgettable.

One of the oldest monasteries in Russia

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There are many great places to visit when you travel to Russia and Adronikov monastery is one of them. It is one of Russia's oldest monasteries. Built in 1360 in Taganka, the monastery is situated on the eastern bank of the Yauza River. Being built by the order of Metropolitan Alexei it became a defensive fortress. Nowadays the monastery is known under the name Spaso-Andronikov Monastery, which is dedicated to our Savior (Russian Spas). This is the reason why the name of the monastery was changed.

One of the most famous monks of the monastery was Andrei Rublev. It is known that he was born in 1360, though no records were left about it. He studied iconic painting and became famous for his talent. Today many of his wonderful works can be found in the Tretyakov Gallery. When you make tours in Moscow find time to visit the Gallery and admire the works of many famous painters. Rublev died in 1430, after retirement from the monastery. He was buried in the monastery’s crypt. His statue was erected in the park of the monastery. Every year a celebration in his honor takes place there.

The Andronicov Monastery had to be destroyed in the second half of the XX-eth century, but with the efforts of the Russian Orthodox Church it became a museum of Russian art, namely the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art.

Try to visit this museum during your Russian vacation and you will find there different collections of jewellery, vestments and coins, that are really worth seeing whether you go on a tour of Moscow or on Russia cruise.

Novodevychy Convent- one of the most beautiful cloisters in Moscow

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When you go on a tour to Moscow you will surely be invited to see the Novodevichy convent, which is one of the most popular sights in Moscow. The convent has a very old history, dating back to the 16-th century. Novodevichy Convent was founded in 1524 by Grand Prince Vasili III. It was built as a fortress and became one of the monasteries in the southern belt of the capital. The monastery had been given several villages and money from the first day of foundation. By the end of the 17-th century the Novodevichy Convent owned about thirty-six villages, twenty-seven uyezds and about 15 thousand peasants.

In the first half of the 20-th century, more precisely in 1922, the Novodevichy Convent was closed by the Bolsheviks. The cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent was closed a little bit later in 1929. To prevent the convent from being destroyed it was first turned into a Museum of Woman’s Emancipation and then into the state Historical Museum.

Novodevichy Convent is also known for its Novodevichy cemetery. Many prominent people of Russia were buried there, among them great Russia writer Anton Chekov, Nikolai Gogol and Boris Yeltsin.

Some of Russian river cruises not far from Novodevichy so you may be able to see some of its churches from the deck of the ship.

In 2004 the Novodevichy Convent was included in the heritage of the UNESCO Heritage organization for the fact that it remained intact since 17-th century. Enhance your Russian travel experience Russia with a visit to this very special place.

Religition in Russia Today

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I am continuing my rubric about interesting facts about Russia. Official religion in Russia is Christianity, adopted in 998.In recent years many churches and monasteries have been returned to the church, as most of them were taken from the church at the beginning of the XX-eth century.

St. Daniel monastery was among the returned ones. Nowadays this monastery has become the seat of the Moscow Patriarchate. It is considered the spiritual and administrative center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

There are more than 5000 religious associations in Russia, which include not only those belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, but also those of Moslem associations, about three thousand Baptists, eighty Judaists, two hundred Krishnaites, more than two hundred Roman Catholics and many others.

Many of the churches and cathedrals of Russia have been reconstructed and some of them have been built anew. One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Moscow is the Cathedral of the Christ the Savior. It is one of the most popular sights in Moscow. If you visit Moscow, you should definitely check it out.

The second largest community in Russia is Muslims, which has more than 800 parishes and mosques. Muslim communities are throughout the country. There are about forty-two Jewish communities in Russian, ten percent of which are in Moscow. Other communities are spread throughout the country and freely exhibit their religions with freedom and without limitation. When you visit Russia you will have an opportunity to see and admire the beauty of Russian churches and monasteries.

Religion in Russia

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Religion has always played a very important role in the life of the country. It is one of the most interesting facts about Russia that it adopted Christianity in the time of prince Vladimir of Kiev in the 998. Beginning from that time Russian Orthodox Church began its development. During its historical development, many changes took place in Russian church. In the 15-th century Russian church became independent from Constantinople.

In the 16 century, to be more precise in 1589, the first Russian patriarch was enthroned in Moscow. One of the outstanding persons in Russian patriarchate of the 17-th century was Nikon, the Patriarch of Moscow and Russia. He was the first person who made modifications in church rites and amended the church service books in Russia.

Up to the time of Russian tsar Peter the Great patriarchate managed to survive. But them some changes were made and soon Ecclesiastical College was transformed into a Holy Synod, which became the administrative power of the Russian Church.

New changes in Russian Orthodox Church were made already in the XXth century. At this period patriarchal rule was restored, but changes came after the revolution of 1917. For more than 70 years after this atheism began to dominate in Russia. As Russian church as separated from the government and school in this period it lost not only power, but also the lands. Many monasteries were destroyed and monks had to leave them.

Only in 1980-es some efforts were made to restore the relationship between government and church. New religious communities were registered in the country. Nowadays there are more than 5000 religious associations in Russia.

When you travel in Russia you will have a chance to learn more about religious life in the country. Making tours in Moscow you will visit famous churches and cathedrals, among them the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. This cathedral was built after the defeated Napoleon’s army left Russia. Russian Emperor Alexander I ordered to construct the cathedral as a thanksgiving to God and also to honor the Russian army. Beginning from 1812 the construction of the cathedral began and only in 1881 everything was ready, including the riverbank and squares surrounding the Cathedral. For more facts about Russia and information about tours to Russia I recommend visiting www.travelallrussia.com.

Summary: Religions is one of the most important parts of culture in any country. Russian Orthodox Church plays a very important role in the development not only the country, but also in the development of individuals and nation overall. So if you decide to travel I Russia, then don’t forget to visit not only the historical monuments, but also the religious ones.

Moscow- the capital of Russian Federation

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Moscow is one of the oldest cities of Russian Federation and one of the prime destinations for Russia travel. It was founded in the XII-th century by the Suzdal prince, whose name was Yuri Dolgoukiy. During the time it became one of the most developed cities in the whole country.

Nowadays Moscow is considered one of the most beautiful and developed cities in the whole world. The city has changed much especially in the end of the XX century. Moscow is now the political^ economical and cultural center of Moscow along with St. Petersbourg, which is considered the second capital of Russia.

When you visit Russia, you simply cannot afford to miss Moscow. When you travel to Moscow you cannot afford to miss the Red Square. and the Kremlin. The Kremlin is the seat of Russian govermenement. Every year thousands of tourists come here to visit the Kremlin and the Red Square and take pictures of it.

One of the most famous monasteries in Moscow is the Novodevichy Convent, which is at the same time a fortress. Novodevichy cemetery is the place where many famous people we buried, that is why it is visited by many tourists and moscovites. There are a lot of museums, art galleries and theatres, which can be of interest for the tourists. Beautifully decorated parks could be a good place for walking and meeting Russian people.