West of Kazan, in a protected forest of pine and birch, the Raifa Monastery stands on the shore of a lake whose surface reflects the whole ensemble when the air is still. It is the leading Orthodox monastic centre of Tatarstan, a republic where Islam and Christianity have long coexisted, and it draws pilgrims from far beyond the region, many of them coming to venerate its revered icon of the Mother of God. Within the walls, churches of different periods, a tall bell tower over the gate and ranges of monastic buildings enclose courtyards planted with flowers. Filmed in 4K across the seasons, from the lakeshore and from the air, the programme observes the offices, the pilgrims and the forest setting that gives Raifa its particular calm.
