Vocabulary

Video

Transcript

The Sanctuary of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kremlin, and Red Square, Moscow.

The Kremlin and Red Square have been extremely important settings in Russia’s political history. They are also considered sacred sites of the Russian Orthodox Church.

This is St. Basil’s Cathedral, standing on the southeastern side of the square. It has many onion-shaped domes, which are characteristic of Russian Orthodox architecture.

Orthodox Christianity originated in the Byzantine Empire and spread throughout the country during the 10th century.

Six Russian Orthodox churches are found on Sobornaya Square in the Kremlin. This is the Cathedral of the Assumption.

The Russian Orthodox Church developed close links to the government and won the hearts of the Russian people.

This icon painting is known as the Vladimir Virgin; it became known as the icon of miracles, and people looked to it in times of national emergency.

Following the fall of the Byzantine Empire during the 15th century, the Russian Orthodox Church evolved into an independent Orthodox order.

This cathedral represented the strong connection between the Russian state and the Russian Orthodox Church.

However, their powerful alliance came to an end in 1917. The new Soviet government that came into power after the Revolution suppressed the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. Eighty percent of Russian churches were destroyed, and many clergy members were sent to labor camps.

The Russian people were unable to practice their religion.

Oppression of the Russian Orthodox Church ended in 1991 with the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Today, 70% of Russians are members of the Russian Orthodox Church. After a period of hardship, the Kremlin became a new symbol of the restoration of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Questions

 
The Kremlin. Are the Kremlin and Red Square just one of many places throughout Russia? Why are they so important?

St. Basil’s Cathedral. Does the architecture of Russian cathedrals resemble those in England and France?

Notre Dame Cathedral. Orthodox Christianity originated in Moscow. Is this right or wrong?

Hagia Sofia. Has the Russian Orthodox Church been very significant in the lives of ordinary Russians?

Houses of Parliament. What were two major calamities for Orthodox Christianity?

Pyramids of Giza. What happened during the Soviet period?

Pyramid of the Sun. Has the Russian Orthodox Church made a comeback?
 
 
 
Machu Picchu. I have visited Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow. Yes or no? Have your friends visited the St. Basil’s Cathedral?

Taj Mahal. What famous buildings and monuments have you been to or visited? I have been to . . . .

The Great Wall. The St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most beautiful building in the world. What do you think?

Neuschwanstein Castle. What buildings or monuments would you like to visit? I would like to visit . . . .

Leaning Tower of Pisa. What might happen in the future?

Angkor Wat. Should people elsewhere construct replicas or reproduce the St. Basil’s Cathedral?