An Overview of Moscow
Moscow is Russia’s largest city and a leading economic and cultural center. Moscow’s major industries include machine building, metalworking, oil refining, publishing, brewing, filmmaking, and the manufacture of machine tools, precision instruments, building materials, automobiles, trucks, aircraft, chemicals, wood and paper products, textiles, clothing, footwear, and soft drinks (source).
Moscow, as Russia’s capital city, is home to over 15 million residents and countless non-residents. While the population consists mainly of ethnic Russians, other groups are represented in relatively small numbers. Moscow has held a top spot in the world’s most expensive cities and may continue to do so. Moscow is an international business center, and global corporations have, with the fall of the Soviet Union, set up corporate branches in Moscow. Industries like hospitality have risen to meet the need, ensuring that Moscow continues to grow.
Moscow’s metro system is fast and efficient. While its unforgiving crowds and system of stops may take some getting used to, it’s possible to travel all over the city inexpensively and easily using the metro. A bonus is the Moscow’s metro stations are attractions in themselves. Opulently decorated in fine materials by master craftsmen, the Moscow metro stations are a unique and impressive aspect to Russia’s transit system!
Religion in Moscow
Moscow, as the capital of a multinational country, has representatives of more than 100 nations and various religions living here. More than 900 religious organizations, 40 different confessions and 150 socio-religious and cultural-religious organizations are officially registered in Moscow. The capital’s largest religious organization is the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), which incorporates 320 parishes and communities. And as for the other religions, here are some interesting statistics: Old Believers’ Church — 11 parishes and 6 temples, Islam — 25 congregations and 6 mosques, Judaism — 15 congregations and 5 synagogues, Buddhism — 16 congregations and 3 temples, Catholic Church — 12 parishes and 2 churches, Lutheran Church — 7 parishes and 3 temples, other Protestant movements — nearly 250 congregations and 30 prayer houses, other religious denominations — nearly 200 congregations.
Christians, Muslims, and Jews comprise the city’s majority of the population. About 1.5% of Muscovites (roughly 150,000 people) say they belong to other religious movements, including rather exotic and unusual religions of South and East Asia, such as Brahmanism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Tantrism, as well as various religious congregations primarily of the protestant nature (source).
Would you pray that God would send laborers to this city and country to lift His name high?
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