This edition is a unique set of encyclopedic information reflecting all aspects of the life of the Russian Orthodox Church from ancient times to the present day. History, ideology and practice of Russian Orthodoxy, its basic concepts, phenomena and events. Information about Russian saints and devotees of piety, miraculous and revered icons, Orthodox shrines. Description of Russian monasteries and temples, both existing now and long closed and lost in the era of atheism. Data on dioceses, hierarchs and clergy. The encyclopedia has more than 5,000 articles and 1,691 illustrations.