Inside St. Isaac's

Last weekend we went inside St. Isaac's! It was really beautiful and over the top with decadence, which is just the way I like it. This is actually the fourth St. Isaac's church to be built, the original being in honor of Peter the Great who was born on St. Isaac's day. It is St. Petersburg's largest Russian Orthodox Cathedral. 


As an update on teaching, things are so much better I cannot even believe it. What a turn around. I actually kind of like these kids sometimes! Just kidding. I pretty much love them..a lot. Especially my 13 year old boys. Who knew? They are so smart though, and they say some really funny things. Not to say things are perfect and that I have suddenly become a magnificent teacher, but I am just less stressed about the situation and enjoying getting to know these Russian kids. Enjoy these pictures, love and miss you all!

It was very snow the day we visited, but I think it looks kind of pretty.

The statue to the left of the Cathedral is of Tsar Nicholas. Which, is probably not that interesting to most people. However, what is cool about it is it balances on only two points. It is hard to see, but the two hooves on the ground are the only thing holding the whole statue up. 

The beautiful ceilings inside.

The chandeliers were really amazing.

Fun fact: This is the 4th largest Dome in the world. It could hold 10,000 people in it. It's hard to see but at the very top is a huge, hallow dove.

This is the main architect, actually a Frenchman. He died just a couple of months after it was completed. The cathedral, interestingly enough, took 40 years to build. "Just like your cathedral in Salt Lake," our tour guide Sveta informed us. She's a "Russian Mormon" as she puts it because when she came to America she went to Nauvoo and Temple Square. 

The doors might have been my favorite part of the church. They are absolutely enormous. The casts are all 3-Dimensional and all stories from the scriptures. Super cool looking.