Orthodox churches

Many places we've been have a huge number of Ortodox Churches, which in cities are a welcome relief from tower blocks. From the outside most are painted white and they normaly have between 1 and 5 domes. Gold is very common but you also see domes in silver green and blue. On top of each dome is a cross, normally gold and ornate.
Our first gimpse inside an Orthodox chuch was in Minsk and it was one of the best. A service was going on so as soon as we opened the door we were hit with a wave of incense. It seems that beautiful singing is wide-spread in this part of the world- chanting was led by a priest and followed by a choir. There is never any accompaniment. Oneof the strangest thingsabot this and other services is that people come and go as the please. They al know when to bow but wother than that they do very little.There seem to be an extraudinary number of priets- at least 5 per service. They dress i gold and ofte have beards that Edward can only aspire to. The churches themselves are ornate and often very gold. The cenral piece is the iconostasis which appears to cover the whole of the eastern wall. However in services smal dorrs are someimes opened to reveal an altar beyond. As its name suggests it is covered in icons, of Jesus, bibical characters and saints. Icons are often surrounded by gold. Sometimes only the persons face and hands are visible behind an elaborate front made from gold. All ave halos. The room is often painted in frescos and have icons hanging on other walls too. In some churches there is no plain wall- any that isn't covered in frescos is has detailedpatterns, usually styalised flowers joined by green swirls. The churches have small, plain windows and are lit by extravagent chandeliers. There are always tall, thin candles burning which worshipers light.
Sadly walking boots squeak terribly as we walk around churches but, unlike in catholic churches, in Orthodox churches we usually stand by the door. I am prfficient in taking photos without anyne knowing.