Blasted Church

For an atheist traveling in Russia, I think I'm doing pretty well. I've seen about 1,093,283 churches including 2 Cathedrals of the Annunciation, 2 - no make that 3 - Churches of the Resurrection, toss in a few Churches of the Transfiguration (whatever that means), a Church of something or other on Spilled Blood, and St. Isaac's, St. whathisface and whoisitwhatsit and I think I'm churched out. Russia is about two things - vast tracts of uninhabited lands and churches. I've done both - in spades.

Despite my unredeemable soul, there have been some incredible and jaw-dropping churches.

The Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island in Lake Onega.

The ever-changing St. Basil's of Moscow.


And, my favorite - the absolutely majestic St. Isaac's of St. Petersburg.

So it's time to move on. Kazakhstan beckons tonight and I get on a 4 day train to Almaty. I'm definitely going to welcome the change. From churches to mosques.