The church of the Savior on the Porch was the main temple of the Rostov archbishop’s house – an architectural ensemble of the 70-80-ies of the 17th century, better known now under the name of “The Rostov Kremlin”. The church was painted by the Rostov priest Timofey and Yaroslavl masters Dmitry Grigoriev, Fedor and Ivan Karpovs.

Roerich could convey the velvet tones of ancient colors, the structure of the Russian ornament, without resorting to the details of its tracery, but showing its main features – a multicolored, clear pattern.

“Finally, you enter the labyrinth of Rostov passages, where each open door amazes you with an unexpected harmonious chord of colors. Or faces are slightly tinted on the ash-white walls; or you feel the heat of brown and red-hot tones; or the calm of the pensive blue green; or the gray shadow of a figure flooded with ocher seems to stop you by severe words of a canon.

You believe that this should be so, that it was not accidental; and it seems to you that you also entered this House of God not by accident, and many times you will need that beauty in your future life.” (N.K. Roerich. The Joy of the Art)

Both with a brush and a word, Roerich reminds us of the forgotten treasures of ancient stone-built Russia, calling us to preserved and protected them.