Andrey- St. Basil's Cathedral

The presentation on St. Basil's Cathedral was very interesting. I was actually born in the former U.S.S.R and had no idea that the Cathedral was used for purposes other than worship. It was very ironic that the Russian government used the space for its own office and storage space at one point. It ties to Van der Leeuw's argument that "building," or architecture, can lose its sacredness and become a utility. In addition, the constant theme of the fight between the sacred and profane is exemplified in the history of the cathedral through its use of being a House of God to being exploited for man's benefit.