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| Icon- An “icon” is a religious picture of Christ, Mary, or other saints. Most icons are painted in tempera on wood, but some are created with mosaic tiles, ivory, or other materials. Icons carry considerable sacred meaning in the Orthodox Christian religion. They are not simply pieces or art or tools for prayer. Rather, they are living representations of Christ and the saints. |
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20th Century History of the Church- Beginning in the early 20th century Russian orthodox people fled from Russia because of the change in government after the Bolshevik Revolution. Before this time the church had been state sponsored but after the revolution it was without support. The old Tsarist government had been friendly to the church. The new communist government was distinctly anti-religious and undermined the authority of the church in Russia. This persecution of the church would continue for much of the 20th century until the end of the cold war and would strongly shape the course of the Russian Orthodox Church. Since the break up of the Soviet Union and the creation of the Russian Federation there has been a resurgence of support of the Orthodox church. |
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Recipes and Traditions- One of the most significant roles in the Russian Orthodox community is the connection between tradition and cuisine. This tradition of cuisine is celebrated during a holiday, feast day, fifty day fast, or the typical family meal, food is essential to tradition and to the gathering of friends and family throughout the community. |
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Converts- Unlike in the past, the Russian Orthodox community of Asheville is composed largely of converts to the faith. This creates an interesting dynamic for church members, who must balance a new enthusiasm with a respect for long established traditions.
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Transcripts/Abstracts -Oral Histories/Logs
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