Before the October Revolution
of 1917, there were over 100 orthodox cathedrals and churches in St. Petersburg.
After the Revolution, the number was reduced for various reasons: some
were blown up and destroyed, others were used as cargo houses for enterprises.
Some churches, the more fortunate ones, were turned into
museums. For example, the Kazan Cathedral was formerly the Atheism and Religion Museum,
and the
St. Isaac Cathedral was one of the city museums. This allowed their interior
decorations to be well preserved..
There were only a few active churches in St.
Petersburg (then Leningrad) by the end of 80s. After the beginning of Perestroika, the
process of the revival of churches had started; they were returned to
the Petersburg Diocese and renovations and reconstructions began. Right now there are about 40 active churches, and
more appear every year...
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