The majority of religious people in Russia belong to the Russian Orthodox Church. Russia adopted Christianity in 988 under Prince Vladimir of Kiev. The Council of the Russian higher clergy promoted Bishop Iona of Ryazan to the cathedra of the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia in 1448, which made the Russian Orthodox Church autocephalous, meaning it had its own head bishop, though in communion with other Orthodox churches.
With nearly 5,000 religious associations the Russian Orthodox Church accounts for over a half of the total number registered in Russia. Next in numbers come Muslim associations, about 3,000, Baptists, 450, Seventh Day Adventists, 120, Evangelicals, 120, Old Believers, over 200, Roman Catholics, 200, Krishnaites, 68, Buddhists, 80, Judaists, 50, and Unified Evangelical Lutherans, 39.
With nearly 5,000 religious associations the Russian Orthodox Church accounts for over a half of the total number registered in Russia. Next in numbers come Muslim associations, about 3,000, Baptists, 450, Seventh Day Adventists, 120, Evangelicals, 120, Old Believers, over 200, Roman Catholics, 200, Krishnaites, 68, Buddhists, 80, Judaists, 50, and Unified Evangelical Lutherans, 39.
Saint Basil's Cathedral
Perhaps the most iconic example of Russian architecture, Saint Basil's Cathedral, officially called the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat, stands in the famous Red Square and marks the geometric center of Mother Russia's capital of Moscow.
The cathedral is a Russian Orthodox establishment and consists of eight churches build around a ninth central church of Intercession. A tenth church was constructed in 1588 over the grave of local saint Vasily, or Basil, after whom the cathedral was named. Some believe the cathedral represents Jerusalem while others say the ten churches represent a ten-pointed star symbol of the Medieval Age.
The cathedral is a Russian Orthodox establishment and consists of eight churches build around a ninth central church of Intercession. A tenth church was constructed in 1588 over the grave of local saint Vasily, or Basil, after whom the cathedral was named. Some believe the cathedral represents Jerusalem while others say the ten churches represent a ten-pointed star symbol of the Medieval Age.