Saint Sava Church reimagines Hagia Sophia for a new era….

While in Belgrade, I felt it was absolutely essential to visit the Holy Trinity Church—built by Russian émigrés in 1924 and steeped in meaning and memory. Before 1944, this very church was home to the miraculous Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, one of the most revered relics of the Russian diaspora. And…

Where does tradition end and innovation begin?That question has haunted me ever since I began working with Orthodox church architecture. I’ve seen bold, even brazen designs—especially outside of Russia—where churches are drafted with the same indifference as a warehouse or condo. It’s not hard to understand: architects want to stand out, to impress, to innovate….

My friend, Prince Alexander Trubetskoy, once slipped me the writings of his grandfather, Prince Evgeny Trubetskoy — and man, did that light a fire in my head! This wasn’t just dry philosophy. This was a soul-stirring, heart-pounding dive into the mystical language of Russian sacred art. Trubetskoy wasn’t just any thinker. He was the first…

Hidden deep among the birches of Connecticut stands a little chapel — dreamed up, sketched out, and brought to life by some of Russia’s greatest minds. I first heard the story behind it from my good friend — the legendary Hollywood actor Peter von Berg. Peter didn’t just hear about Churaevka — he grew up…

A new—or well-forgotten—concept: “Backyard Church.” Once upon a time, only aristocrats like Count Sheremetev could afford to build a private church on their estate (see photo). But today, across the U.S., a quiet revolution is turning that old-world privilege into an everyday reality. In the past 15 years, the number of private chapels and backyard…

This place holds a special place in my heart. The work of Montferrand has always meant a great deal to me—it helped shape my sense of beauty and deeply influenced my path as an architect. Today, I want to share another masterpiece. Saint Isaac’s Cathedral is one of the largest domed churches in the world,…