Dimitry Beliakov, travelling with the ‘water pilgrims’, documented the novel approach of the priests as they conducted church ceremonies as well as seeing for himself the general life of the people in the backwoods of Russia.
themselves and their families, unemployment is high and alcoholism widespread. Recalling a visit to one village shop Beliakov says, “I saw some 70 people buy a litre of cheap vodka in the space of one hour.”
He witnessed the widespread poverty and moral degradation that the clergy had set out to address. People in the region live without wallpaper instead they use newspaper to decorate their walls, their children have no toys. Girls as young as 12 turn to prostitution in their struggle to eke out a living for
Beliakov also photographed the desire of these same people to re-embrace their lost faith, baptising their children, going to confession, praying on their knees for hours. For millions of Russians living in the remote communities along the rivers these floating temples have become their salvation ❽
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