The Russian Orthodox equivalent to Vatican City is said to be Zagorsk, which is a longish drive from Moscow. Zagorsk is a walled mini-city containing several churches and other buildings associated with Russian Orthodox worship. There are also monks and nuns inside. The nuns did not wear Catholic-style habits as in 70's disaster movies but instead what looked like Russian peasant garb to this non-expert. We were told that we could not take pictures inside the walled area without paying 100 rubles (about $4) apiece to some people at the gate. Regardless, we could not take pictures inside any building. I did not pay the money because I thought I would merely buy one of the tour books on the way out. However, the books were overpriced, and their salesmen annoying, in the way of most Moscow street peddlers, so I ended up not buying one. I did take pictures outside of the wall. One of the most interesting things inside Zagorsk was the tomb of Boris Godunov, famous tsar of Russia from 1598 to 1605. One church that we went into had been built in 1422. At one point, our little group was approached by a nun who upbraided us (in Russian) for putting our hands in our pockets. Curiously, many other people in the area--including at least one of the monks or priests--had their hands in their pockets. (It was a bit cold outside.)
One of several bell towers.
We did get to hear the bells ring.
They started ringing about 6:00 pm.
It started out as a periodic tolling, but other bells eventually
joined in and built up to a fever pitch.
This went on for several minutes.
I found the effect somewhat creepy.
Author: Porter Clark <jpc@suespammers.org>
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Last update: December 31, 2001
