World
Religions in Moscow

Buddhism is a relatively popular religion in Russia, with its roots lying in such distant areas as Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva. Moscow, however, has numerous albeit small Buddhist communities, and construction of Moscow’s first temple complex, initiated by the Moscow Buddhist Community, is about to begin in the north of the city.

When visiting an active church or monastery in Moscow, you should bear in mind that it is not only an architectural and historical landmark. In the first place, it is where religious services are held and where believers come to pray or to ask for support.

Lutheranism is the oldest branch of Protestantism in Moscow. The Lutherans appeared in Russia with the confession itself in the 16th century. There are also churches and communities of Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and Evangelical Christians in Moscow.

With its large Jewish communities and well-known synagogues, Moscow can justly be called the capital city of Russian Judaism. The history of Judaism in Russia dates back to the 17th century, when the first Jewish merchants came to the German Quarter in Moscow.

The Muslim community is one of the most numerous communities in Moscow, with two million people in total. There are six major mosques and over one hundred places of worship. The Cathedral Mosque on Mira Avenue is the main meeting place for Muslim people.

The presence of the Catholic Church in Moscow dates back several centuries. Today, there are the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, the Church of St. Louis of the French and the Church of St. Princess Olga Equal-to-the-Apostles.