This is not as extraordinary as it sounds. Russia has been a Christian nation for a very long time, and it takes Christianity seriously.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Russia
“In the 10th century the ruler of Kievan Rus, Prince Vladimir, chose Orthodox Christianity over the other religions of that time. In the years 988-991 AD mass Orthodox baptisms took place in Kiev; Grand Prince Vladimir made Orthodox Christianity the national religion of Rus – it remained so until 1917. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 the Orthodox Church has resumed its position as the main religion of the nation.”
If you want go study Orthdorx Christianity in Russia watch History channel Russia Lands of the tsar I think on you tube google it really good