MAY 23, 19 .. IRKUTSK .. CATHEDRAL OF THE KAZAN ICON MOTHER OF GOD

In the above title to this post, please note that this cathedral is located in IRKUTSK (ИРКУТСК) Russian Siberia.

I point this out because our last post was of the CHITA (ЧИТА) Russian Siberia cathedral of the same name.

So we are not 'losing it' and repeating ourselves.

Icon* : Noun : A picture, image, or other representation.

Kazan : A city in Russia, 820 kilometers almost due-East of Moscow, on the Volga River.

The original Icon* of Our Lady of Kazan / Mother-of-God of Kazan, dates back to the 13th century. We do not know if the original Icon has survived centuries of mystery including being stolen in 1904. It is doubtful.

The two most famous, or most noted, Russian Orthodox Cathedrals consecrated to Our Lady of Kazan are in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God stands as the number one, top-of-the-list attraction as to things to do here in Irkutsk. 

Often we are somewhat hesitant to visit attractions so highly rated due to them being crowded with tourists and local residents. Also the cathedral is somewhat difficult to find.

Patti and I had no choice in the decision to visit the Cathedral. Friends who live here in Irkutsk simply took us to see it.

IF churches / cathedrals / religious sites are of interest to you, this is an absolute must-do, must-see, attraction to visit. Yes there were many other visitors. They did not detract from our enjoying our visit. The ice sculptures alone were worth seeing. It is beautiful, gorgeous, fascinating, and wonderful to see.

The below photos really were taken by me. Amazing the beauty of this magnificent edifice.

In February when we visited, it was still cold and the ice sculptures were still erect.

Time to go inside.

When you stand quietly and solemnly in such a magnificent place, you really feel the presence of the Great Reality that is God.

Reverently .. Patti and Cap

MAY 16, 19 .. CHITA (ЧИТА), RUSSIAN SIBERIA. THE CATHEDRAL.

Patti and I are so fortunate to have friends here in Chita who care enough about us that they take us to view famous local attractions.

Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

Standing in front of the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God..

Monument to Saint Alexander Nevsky

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Nevsky

Now we will visit the Cathedral.

First we will have a second look at the Cathedral as you see it from the Chita Railway Station.

Now we will see the Cathedral up close and personal.

We are now ready to enter the Cathedral.

In The Name of the Holy Father, Jesus the Son, and the Most Holy Spirit we give our praise and thanks.

Patti and Cap

MAY 15, 19 .. OUR TRANS-SIBERIAN TRAIN RIDE TO CHITA (ЧИТА), RUSSIAN SIBERIA.

I can see it now coming down the tracks ..

We were standing on Loading Platform Number 3, here at the Irkutsk, Russian Siberia railway station when, down the tracks, I could see our train to Chita arriving.

Our coach.

You can not see Patti, but she is waving to us from behind the center, tinted-glass window below.

Our first class coach (wagon) was number 12. 

Our train is heading for Vladivostok ( Владивосток ), Russian Siberia.

Looking down the corridor outside of our cabin.

A look at our first class cabin.

As you can see, Patti and I were the only occupants in our cabin-for-two.

Lots of pillows and bedding along with towels for each of us.

With our ticket came a full dinner. You can see our menu in the below photo. We ordered dinner shortly after we were underway. We had a three hour time window for dinner. We opted to eat at 8pm. 

"Patti?"

"Yes Cap?"

"It is May the 14th and just look at the snow. You'd think that we are in Russian Siberia Patti!"

The snow continued to come down. 

We are now in the Lake Baikal area.

From time to time we would veer inland and away from Lake Baikal.

And we'd come back to Lake Baikal.

And then, Lake Baikal was past us.

Later in the afternoon, the sun came out to greet us.

Now for a few photos of the dining car. We spent a fair number of hours sitting in the dining car enjoying the views and the open and airy space.

And what did we enjoy in the dining car?

And then?

It was five o'clock in the morning and we were in Chita.

It was a fun, it was a great trip, and it was tiring at the same time.

Hugs from Patti and Smiles from Cap