Happy 450th, St. Basil's!

450 years ago today, Mortals, Moscow's favorite shrine, both literally and figuratively --- St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Cathedral --- was completed and dedicated. From here, one of your Dragonmaster's Unexpectedly Cool People --- namely, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia, oversees the destiny of his flock. And while it's never been easy to be able to do that since he was enthroned in December 2008, he continues to step up to any challenge that comes his way.

You're looking at cool Kirill on the morning of his Enthronement, January 2nd, 2009. He looks quite excellent, don't you agree?

Anyway, here's to 450 years of a great big, rainbow-colored icon of the magic of Moscow.

Skhoal!