Tutaev

Tutaev, formerly known as Romanov-Borisoglebsk, is a small town in the Yaroslavl region, located about 300 km from Moscow. For many years, I have photographed a religious procession there with the Icon of the Savior, known not only for its large scale but also for the fact that it remained in the temple and was preserved during the years of terror in the 1930s.

In the Resurrection Church, the icon is placed on a special structure that allows believers to perform a ritual by crawling under it after prayer. During religious processions, which take place twice a year, the icon is carried by men around the town. As Tutaev lies on both banks of the Volga River and there is no bridge, one of the processions requires the icon to be transported across the river by ferry.

I remember it was difficult to capture details of the icon in photographs, as time had darkened its surface. Especially on sunny days, upon entering the church, only the metal halo around the face would be visible. Locals say: “The face does not reveal itself to sinners.”