For me, the experience of visiting Russian Orthodox Churches was a highly spiritual one, filled with endless, interesting observations that taught me much not only about the Russian character but also reminded me of my own. As someone who was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church, it was constantly a fascinating trip that was captivating as a tourist but also meaningful as a devotee. In the past, I always stayed away from the word "religious" and would hardly use it to define myself. I preferred the term "spiritual," because it allowed me to be interested in many different beliefs outside of Christianity and use religion as a way to have an intimate connection with the universe in which I live. And yet, many Orthodox Christians would also agree that spiritual is a better term. 
The Orthodoxy, as evident in St. Petersburg (and of course, through my own personal experiences) creates a truly mystical experience through its outside and interior architecture, through the chanting and the numerous rituals throughout the liturgy, and of course, through the icons. Even though Orthodox Christians will say the presence of the icons is not a form of idolatry, it definitely creates a closer connection with the saints and those who left their religious legacies. It allows the individual to reach a spiritual enlightenment without the aid of a priest. It places the power of salvation in the worshippers hands.
As many others noted, icons were visible in many public places, even outside the churches. For example, on the tour buses, there were tiny icons on the windows. And they did not necessarily have to be an icon of Jesus. The icons allow Christians to truly appreciate all of the saints and to form bonds with certain ones, establishing a unique and personalized worshipping experience. So, one of those icons in the window could have been the patron saint of the driver. Or it could be the patron saint of the church he attends, or perhaps one who speaks to him more so than others. In this sense, Orthodoxy draws many connections with Hinduism. We accept that there is a single, powerful God but also show a compelling interest our saints. During the week, the churches almost become like temples, where one can enter and perform their own religious ceremonies. Even though everyone carries out the same behavior, the feeling for each person can be individualized. For example, when one enters an Orthodox Church, the first procedure is to light a candle, cross themselves, and kiss an icon. Although everyone may perform these actions, they are doing it on their own, without the interruption of others. These private steps play an integral part in the worshipping of Orthodox Christians.
At every church I visited, these steps were in place. The first church I visited, St. Andrews, had a beautiful pink exterior and was on a fairly busy street, where shops and restaurants were next door neighbors to the church. Russians with shopping bags would take ten minutes out of their day to quietly and respectively enter the church, and worship, not because other people were there and would notice them being devout Christians, but for themselves. In America, going to church on Sunday may be for some, a way to prove to others than you are religious. But once again, here in Russia, there is more focus on the individual.
Even in the popular tourist destinations, such as the Cathedral of our Lady Kazaan or St. Isaac's Cathedral, Russian Orthodox Christians still came to privately worship. Many observers have thought that the Russians were almost putting on a show for the tourists but I saw this in a completely different way. They were simply not letting anything, even tourists, interfere with their spirituality. The Kremlin had interfered with their religion during all of the Soviet times. How can tourists compare to that? This is a country that was religiously oppressed for decades, whose churches were used for absurd reasons. It is often human nature to cling to something that was previously lost and this is perhaps a reason why other Orthodox churches may not be having the same revival as the Russians. Regardless of the reasons, the Russian Orthodox experience demonstrates for its observers a much more personalized form of worship that is perhaps not as prevalent in other Christian denominations.
The Orthodoxy, as evident in St. Petersburg (and of course, through my own personal experiences) creates a truly mystical experience through its outside and interior architecture, through the chanting and the numerous rituals throughout the liturgy, and of course, through the icons. Even though Orthodox Christians will say the presence of the icons is not a form of idolatry, it definitely creates a closer connection with the saints and those who left their religious legacies. It allows the individual to reach a spiritual enlightenment without the aid of a priest. It places the power of salvation in the worshippers hands.
As many others noted, icons were visible in many public places, even outside the churches. For example, on the tour buses, there were tiny icons on the windows. And they did not necessarily have to be an icon of Jesus. The icons allow Christians to truly appreciate all of the saints and to form bonds with certain ones, establishing a unique and personalized worshipping experience. So, one of those icons in the window could have been the patron saint of the driver. Or it could be the patron saint of the church he attends, or perhaps one who speaks to him more so than others. In this sense, Orthodoxy draws many connections with Hinduism. We accept that there is a single, powerful God but also show a compelling interest our saints. During the week, the churches almost become like temples, where one can enter and perform their own religious ceremonies. Even though everyone carries out the same behavior, the feeling for each person can be individualized. For example, when one enters an Orthodox Church, the first procedure is to light a candle, cross themselves, and kiss an icon. Although everyone may perform these actions, they are doing it on their own, without the interruption of others. These private steps play an integral part in the worshipping of Orthodox Christians.
At every church I visited, these steps were in place. The first church I visited, St. Andrews, had a beautiful pink exterior and was on a fairly busy street, where shops and restaurants were next door neighbors to the church. Russians with shopping bags would take ten minutes out of their day to quietly and respectively enter the church, and worship, not because other people were there and would notice them being devout Christians, but for themselves. In America, going to church on Sunday may be for some, a way to prove to others than you are religious. But once again, here in Russia, there is more focus on the individual.
Even in the popular tourist destinations, such as the Cathedral of our Lady Kazaan or St. Isaac's Cathedral, Russian Orthodox Christians still came to privately worship. Many observers have thought that the Russians were almost putting on a show for the tourists but I saw this in a completely different way. They were simply not letting anything, even tourists, interfere with their spirituality. The Kremlin had interfered with their religion during all of the Soviet times. How can tourists compare to that? This is a country that was religiously oppressed for decades, whose churches were used for absurd reasons. It is often human nature to cling to something that was previously lost and this is perhaps a reason why other Orthodox churches may not be having the same revival as the Russians. Regardless of the reasons, the Russian Orthodox experience demonstrates for its observers a much more personalized form of worship that is perhaps not as prevalent in other Christian denominations.
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