Old Believers Church of Pomorian Hierarchy community, Religious heritage site in Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Old Believers Church of Pomorian Hierarchy community is an Orthodox church in Saint Petersburg built in the Russian Revival style. The building features metal roofs and ornate window frames typical of that architectural tradition.
The building was constructed in 1906 for a community of Old Believers who had broken away from the Russian Orthodox Church during the religious reforms of the 17th century. That split shaped the community's practices in ways that are still visible today.
The Pomorian community elects laypeople from within its own ranks to lead services rather than relying on ordained clergy. Visitors attending a service will notice chants and rituals that sound and look quite different from those of a mainstream Russian Orthodox church.
The church is open during services, so it is worth checking the schedule before visiting. Visitors should dress modestly and remain quiet if a service is in progress.
The church was fitted with its own boiler house and steam heating, and ventilation channels run through the walls to store warmth like a stove. Inside the main onion dome, hinged vents open mechanically to air the space. Bombing damaged one of the concrete cupolas on the roof and the majolica of the north facade.
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