The Truth About Religion in Russia

Russia is often seen as a deeply Orthodox Christian country, but that’s only part of the story. In this video, I take you on a journey through Moscow to uncover the real religious landscape of modern Russia — from golden-domed cathedrals to hidden synagogues and grand mosques. We start at the iconic Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, rebuilt in the 1990s after being demolished by Stalin. It’s a symbol not just of faith, but of power, memory, and national identity. Then we visit the Moscow Choral Synagogue, a quiet survivor of tsarist restrictions and Soviet repression. Once monitored and controlled, it now stands as a centre of Jewish life in the capital. And finally, we explore the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, a striking reminder that Islam has always been part of this land — from medieval Volga Bulgars to modern Central Asian migrants. Today, Islam is Russia’s second-largest religion, and Moscow is home to a massive Muslim population. Religion in Russia is complex. It’s about survival, identity, visibility, and often contradiction. This isn’t a video about belief — it’s about how belief exists in public space, how it's shaped by politics, and how different faiths navigate life in one of the world’s most misunderstood countries. Join me for a deeper look at the truth about religion in Russia. Want to support the channel? 🎥 Become a member on YouTube for bonus content and early access:    / @jonnytickle   💬 Send a Super Chat or Super Thanks on this video ☕ Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/jonnytickle 🔗 Prefer Patreon to YouTube? Sign up here: https://patreon.com/JonnyTickleYouTub... 🇷🇺 If you're Russian, get the same bonus content on Boosty: https://boosty.to/jonnytickle Contact: [email protected] 00:00:00 Orthodox Christianity 00:02:06 Judaism 00:04:24 Islam 00:07:19 Buddhism 00:10:00 Catholicism 00:12:11 Lutheranism 00:14:03 Rodnovery (Paganism) 00:16:42 Old Believers