The Metaphysics of the North

Chapels and Churches

“They Worshipped a Stone Idol”: Sacred Landscapes - Orthodox–Pagan Syncretism in Northern Traditions

In Christian terminology—and in common popular perception—any interaction between humans and natural objects on a sacred level is usually interpreted as “pagan worship” of stones, springs, trees, or groves. As if peopl...

“They Worshipped a Stone Idol”: Sacred Landscapes - Orthodox–Pagan Syncretism in Northern Traditions

“They Worshipped a Stone Idol”: Sacred Landscapes - Orthodox–Pagan Syncretism in Northern Traditions

The Church in Lumivaara

заброшка заброшенное кладбище Готическая церковь Атмосферные фотографии готика Cemetery graves october autumn Finnish gothic

The Church in Lumivaara

Last Hope: The Ruins of St. Nicholas Church in Reli

заброшка фольклор руины лужский район Leper sanctuary Abandoned church Sacred ruins Forgotten history

Last Hope: The Ruins of St. Nicholas Church in Reli

Roadside Chapel of Cyricus and Julitta — Magic of Old Northern Roads

In Russian folk tradition, the Road was considered a rather eerie place, where a traveler could encounter many dangers: wild beasts, ruthless men, and of course, the Unclean Force.

Roadside Chapel of Cyricus and Julitta — Magic of Old Northern Roads

север северный архангельская храм заветы обеты Unclean Force chapel

Roadside Chapel of Cyricus and Julitta — Magic of Old Northern Roads

Gimoretsky pogost — the town of the dead of the Russian North

On a mountain, atop a high hill, behind sturdy gates and oak walls, far from human dwellings, on the border of forest and field, there has stood for nearly four centuries a town of the dead — the Gimoretsky churchyard....

Gimoretsky pogost — the town of the dead of the Russian North

кладбище гимрека гиморецкий погост колокольня деревянная церковь graveyard wooden church

Gimoretsky pogost — the town of the dead of the Russian North

The Ruins of the Agua Church Amid January Mists

In the breath of the mountains. A touch of the northern south—or the southern north.

The Ruins of the Agua Church Amid January Mists

руины кавказ атмосфера горы

The Ruins of the Agua Church Amid January Mists

Inversion in Russian Folk Magic: Turning the Sacred Into the Profane

The Latin term inversion (from inversio, “turning upside down; reversal”) aptly conveys the concept—negation or turning meaning on its head, a symbolic “black magic” technique aimed at causing harm or casting curses. T...

Inversion in Russian Folk Magic: Turning the Sacred Into the Profane

заброшка руины инверсия порча брошенная церковь народные верования church Abandoned ruins

Inversion in Russian Folk Magic: Turning the Sacred Into the Profane

The Everlasting Footprint

On the banks of the Saba River, in the village of Raykovo, stands the Chapel of Archangel Michael. This small wooden church is unusual in its design: a log structure encircled on three sides by an open gallery, offerin...

The Everlasting Footprint

часовня следовик Ленинградской области камень Sacred footprint stone

The Everlasting Footprint

The Whirlwind

The Time of Strange Stories Has Come.

The Whirlwind

быличка демонология фольклор монастырь демон Folk Demonology Northern legend folkloric demon

The Whirlwind

Emigrating to Enchanted Rus’: Andoma Mountain and Its Surroundings

A glimpse of our Northern Sea — Lake Onega — captured in a few photographs.

Emigrating to Enchanted Rus’: Andoma Mountain and Its Surroundings

русский север Живая старина онежское озеро вологодская область Russian North Lake Onega

Emigrating to Enchanted Rus’: Andoma Mountain and Its Surroundings

The Assumption Chapel, or the Place Where Treasure Lies Hidden

A beautiful, small roadside chapel with a stone cross dating from the 16th (or so) century stands near the village of Vasttsy. According to local legend, a treasure is buried near the chapel, and at times, a black figu...

The Assumption Chapel, or the Place Where Treasure Lies Hidden

псковская область часовня народное православие фольклор былички северо-запад этнография каменный крест folklore folk belivers Medieval Stone Crosses Russia’s North ancient stone crosses ethnography sacred sites

The Assumption Chapel, or the Place Where Treasure Lies Hidden

Khalui II - The Chapel of Prophet Elijah and the Sacred Stone

Approaching Khalui from the direction of Oshevensk, the first thing that greets you after crossing the Churyega bridge is the Chapel of Prophet Elijah. Erected in the grim and hoary 18th century, it stands as a classic...

Khalui II - The Chapel of Prophet Elijah and the Sacred Stone

ошевенское народное православие небеса folklore folk belivers folk Orthodoxy

Khalui II - The Chapel of Prophet Elijah and the Sacred Stone

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