Eternal flame and new cathedral, Yaroslavl

This monument to the men and women who fell in the Second World War lies in front of an absolutely new cathedral, the Cathedral of the Assumption, in the city of Yaroslavl, one of Russia's Golden Ring cities. The first wooden cathedral was built here in 1215. Destroyed by fire, it was then rebuilt in the 16th Century and was completely destroyed again in the 20th Century by the Soviets. In 2005 it was decided to rebuild the cathedral once again and in an astonishing feat of construction the huge building was completed in just five years. The interiors of the church are now white washed with a few icons covering the walls and a new iconostasis and some wealthy locals have donated their antique icons to the cathedral which are on display. Just outside the cathedral's original bells have also been assigned a place.

It was utterly amazing to visit a new cathedral like this.