The Russian Orthodoxy has had a great impact globally, especially in Russia, in many ways that go beyond the religious overlay. For instance, Russian Orthodoxy had a substantial impact on the Russian government, especially as a Holy Synod. It was also involved in the country's legislative processes. Russian Orthodoxy is related to the Russian Orthodox Church that is led by the Patriarchs of Moscow. The church is based on the practices and teachings of Jesus Christ. Although the church is founded on various concepts, an area of interest is its focus on using symbolism. These symbols play a significant role in Russian Orthodoxy and are discussed in this paper.
Symbolism bears significant importance in Russian Orthodoxy as it guides believers on the fundamental beliefs of the religion. The architectural layout of the church and the number of domes on each of its cathedrals bears symbolic meaning. For example, the Tithe Church, whose design has been taken by most Russian Orthodox churches, has a cruciform shape. The cruciform has a large dome at the center, which represents Jesus Christ (Symeon-Anthony, n.d.). Additionally, it has four lower domes, which represent the individuals who wrote the gospels and how close they were to Jesus Christ. These symbols are used to reveal the faith of the Russian Orthodox believers. Therefore, symbolism in the church plays a crucial role in illuminating the believes and traditions of the church.
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Additionally, symbolism plays an important role in the transfer of religious traditions across generations. The followers of the Russian Orthodoxy church normally engage in various activities that promote their traditions. For example, believers engage in artistic work, such as painting (Folkways, 2020). The paintings are of famous people in the Bible, such as Jesus Christ and Abraham. These activities bring believers together with the aim of sharing, reviving, and enriching new church members with the traditions and religious beliefs of the Russian Orthodox Church. Additionally, these activities give the artists an opportunity to propagate their religious culture and identity. These artistic activities and works are significant symbolic features that are willingly accepted and play a significant role in reducing spiritual erosion among the church’s believers.
Moreover, symbolism in Russian Orthodoxy differentiates it from other religions and helps believers understand its complex beliefs. The domes on the Tithe Church have symbolic colors (Symeon-Anthony, n.d.). Each of these colors represents specific concepts in the religion. For example, the golden color is used to express the magnificence and greatness of God. The red color often represents Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and the suffering he underwent during his crucifixion; it also represents his resurrection and the judgment of sinners (Symeon-Anthony, n.d.). Another color that is symbolic of the church is green. The color represents life on earth and the holy spirit. It also stands for life that Jesus promised to the believers after their death. Additionally, the white color is used in the religion to symbolize the transparency of God and his role as the light of the world (Symeon-Anthony, n.d.). The color is also associated with the holiness and uprightness of God. These sacred expressions of faith using colors promote further understanding among the believers.
Conclusively, Russian Orthodoxy is based on symbolism. In the religion, symbolism plays a significant role in sustaining and propagating its traditions and beliefs. For a long time, symbolism has guided the believers on the fundamental beliefs of the religion. Additionally, it plays a significant role in the transfer of cultural knowledge and religious traditions. Besides, the different symbols help differentiate the religious orientation of the church from others. Therefore, symbolism is a crucial part of Russian Orthodoxy, especially in upholding the traditions and guiding believers.
References
Folkways. (2020). Guide to religion in Russia. https://folkways.today/religion-russia-guide/?fbclid=IwAR17NByriY7cORL2AT8abrRf_axq_9dFSmW-Fgng3bX4K3wR86yTrZVEBPg
Symeon-Anthony. (n.d.). Orthodox church architecture basics. http://www.symeon-anthony.info/pilgrimage/churchTypes.html
