So Much to Tell, So Little Time

Last Sunday we picked up my aunt from the airport and took her home; a 2 hours drive up north [which I drove]. It was a wonderful sunny day but waaaaaaaay to hot in the car because we couldn't open the windows [my aunt has a bad sinus problem]. Finally summer seems to have arrived...

She had so many stories to tell about Odessa [Ukraine]. She went there on an organised trip to explore the origin of Orthodox icons and the techniques that are used by nuns. She told us about the dodgy things that were going on at the top floor of this hotel where she stayed for three nights [mafia, exploitation of women etc.]. Really sad...

Here's a bit of history from Wikipedia:
Russian Orthodox church buildings differ in design from most western-type churches. First, their interiors are very enriched with sacramental objects, including holy icons, which are painted or made like frescos and often cover most of the interior. Some of these are icons of Saints and scenes from their lives. One particularly inspiring feature of many Russian churches is that the interior reaches all the way up into the dome or domes of the church (most Orthodox churches have the shape of domes). On the ceiling of many churches (inside the main dome in a domed church), is an icon of Christ as Pantokrator (Ruler of All). Pantokrator icons emphasize Christ's humanity and divinity simultaneously, signifying that Christ is a Man and yet is also The God without beginning or end.
There are no pews. Most churches are lit with candles rather than electric light. Virtually all churches have many votive candle stands in front of the icons. It is customary for worshippers to purchase candles in church stores, light them up and place them on the stands ( this ritual signifies person's prayer to The God, or to His Holy Mother, or to the saints or angels asking for help in the difficult way to salvation and to freedom from sin).

All Russian Orthodox churches have an iconostasis which separates the large hall of the church from the holy altar, which signifies the Heavenly Kingdom. Covered with icons, it is intended to stop physical sight, but to allow the spiritual sight of the worshippers through.