The Russian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, though the state officially recognizes four "traditional" religions: Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.
* **Russian Orthodoxy:** The dominant religion, deeply intertwined with Russian national identity. Key sites include the towering **Cathedral of Christ the Saviour** in Moscow and the spiritual center of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. * **Islam:** The second-largest religion, with significant populations in the Volga-Ural region (Tatarstan, Bashkortostan) and the North Caucasus (Chechnya, Dagestan). The **Kul Sharif Mosque** in Kazan is a stunning architectural landmark. * **Buddhism:** Predominantly practiced in the republics of Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva. The Ivolginsky Datsan is a major Buddhist center. * **Judaism:** Despite historical emigration, Jewish communities maintain a presence, particularly in major cities and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast in the far east.
