"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."- St. Peter. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." - Jesus.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Red Square

Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the world is St Basil's cathedral in Moscow. Normally Russia can be so grey, so a visit to Red Square is always a delight, especially on a sunny day, like Maundy Thursday was. The story of St Basil's is well worth reading. Ivan the Terrible (mid 1500s) commissioned it win the love of a Dagestani Princess, who was a Christian, but opposed to iconoclasm. It was the first Russian Orthodox church without icons. When he completed the project he had the architects' eyes gouged out so they could never design anything so beautiful again. Needless to say, the Dagestani Princess agreed to marry Ivan. It remains a curious symbol in Russia of a non-iconoclastic Christianity, a sort of uncanny validation of protestant traits.

Following our forage to Red Square we visited St Andrew's Anglican church in Moscow. It is one of two Anglican churches in Russia (the other is in St Petersburg). The Bishop for the Diocese (Europe and Gibraltar) officiated in the Maundy Thursday service. Following the service I found out from the horses mouth, that as an Anglican I am not welcome to take communion in an orthodox church. The Bishop was invited to participate in some orthodox services this Easter.



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