Real men wore pink—especially in church. In today’s world, pink is often boxed in as a “girly” color. But just two centuries ago, it was the color of bravery, valor, and noble masculinity. In 18th and 19th century Russia, pink was proudly worn by soldiers—and sometimes painted on their churches. Take this striking example: the…
Golden domes that dazzle—yet feel borrowed and bold. After Orthodoxy’s migration south from Alaska in 1867, San Francisco became home to one of the most ambitious Russian-style cathedrals in America. Designed by émigré architect Anatoly Abramov-Neratov, the Holy Virgin Cathedral (1961–65) commands attention: five towering onion domes, glinting in 24-karat gold mosaic, perch above a…
Frank Lloyd Wright’s final masterpiece was an Orthodox church. Few know that the swan song of America’s most iconic architect wasn’t a museum or a mansion — but an Orthodox church. Yes, that Wright — the genius behind Fallingwater and the Guggenheim. His final work wasn’t for the wealthy or the worldly. It was for…
What Do You Really Know About Asceticism? Visited the Orthodox skete of Holy Archangel Michael and All Angels today — a hidden monastic community tucked deep in the forest. But this wasn’t just a visit. It was a lesson in what architecture becomes when stripped of every comfort. Not long ago, a fire destroyed most…
Every line on paper leads to a moment like this. Today in Savannah, Missouri, we broke ground for the future chapel of St. Elizabeth and All Military Saints — a small but meaningful architectural project that’s been in the works for quite some time. In traditional architecture, ceremonial milestones matter. There are usually three: the…
When Orthodox tradition meets Hemel Hempstead carpentry… This is what happens when an architect takes on a church project squeezed between a condo and a shed. The Belarusian Memorial Chapel in North London may charm the design world with its CNC-cut ribs and lyrical shadows—but from the standpoint of Orthodox canon, it veers far off…
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…
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….
One of my all-time favorite churches in the U.S. St. Theodosius Cathedral in Cleveland holds a special place in my heart. It’s not just the architecture—though those eleven onion domes against the sky take my breath away every time. It’s the feeling. The kind of deep, quiet awe that wraps around you the moment you…
Khaki doesn’t make it holy. The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ — the so-called “Main Church of the Russian Armed Forces” — was built five years ago and is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Victory in WWII. Standing 95 meters tall, it’s designed in a Russo-Byzantine style with a classic cross-in-square layout and…