Sergio Martínez RTGAmbassador After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia experimented a revival of religion. All faiths began to gain strength in this country. The Russian Orthodox church, which accounts for 80% of the nation?s faithful, has seen the biggest increase. One of its biggest Cathedrals, St. Isaac, located in Saint Petersburg is definitely one of the most beautiful churches in the whole world. I had never been inside an Orthodox church (there are no pews or specific sermons; worshipers stand together and chant or sing) and I am glad I was able to be inside this one. Although it is now commonly used as a museum, it retains the original Icons used hundreds of years ago for worship. I was surprised to find out that they had survived the Soviet period when priests and religious people were killed simply because of their faith. They survived but required much renovation, renovation that continues today. It is honestly a breathtaking view: the gold, the frescoes on the ceiling, the immense size of the interior. As a spiritual person myself, I have never felt closer to heaven.
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