Orthodox temples have been built of various materials. Timber has been the most popular, however, there are temples built of stones or bricks. They were most often erected on a hill, or at some distance from a village of a town. Orthodox temples used to be built on the plan of a cross, a circle or a rectangle. A dome (or several domes) was a characteristic element of the whole construction and was meant to symbolize the heaven and heavenly beings. The whole temple was completed by the interior decoration with a large amount of gold. All these were meant to fill the contact with God with the atmosphere of mystery and exceptionality.
