Carved icons were popular in north Russia and Nizhny Novgorod Province in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They were erected on wooden posts in Old Believer settlements or next to the graves ...

Pectoral crosses made of expensive metals and decorated with precious stones and pearls were worn on a chain over the vestments. They often contained relics and were specially endowed to churches, wh...

The Russian Orthodox marriage ceremony is called “crowning” in Greek and Russian, explaining the importance of wedding crowns during the service. Old Russian crowns were traditionally made from wood,...

The tabernacle was used to store the holy sacrament when communing with the sick or during the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Hosts of St Gregory Homiliastes in Lent. It was placed in the centre of th...

Chandeliers consisted of a bowl hanging from chains and were an important element in the interior decor of Russian Orthodox churches. There were various types of lighting appliances – candlesticks fo...