pg. 113 — Leningrad
Another name for the famed Russian city, Saint Petersburg. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, this city is the cultural center of Russia, forming the basis for many Russian cultural excellencies.

pg. 116 — Canon of Repentance
Prayer recited by those within the Catholic-Christian branch of faith to incite forgiveness from God via a direct repentance.







pg. 116 — St Prince Vladimir Church
A popular Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. First a wooden church built in 1708, the cathedral is a significant symbol of the Russian Orthodox faith within the Russian Orthodox community.

pg. 118 — ‘Poltava’
Mosaic by Mikhail Lomonosov, a well-known Russian polymath, mosaicist, writer, scientist, and more. Lomonosov was commissioned by the Russian imperial government (Catherine II's reign) to create a mosaic, which was a dying art at the time, of the fabled Battle of Poltava. This battle determined victory for Peter the Great (Peter I) over Swedish forces during the Great Northern War.

pg. 120 — the Clara Zetkin
Barge in Vodolazkin's story named after German Marxist activist for women's rights, Clara Zetkin. 

pg. 126 — Serbs
The Serbs are an ethnic group from the state of Serbia. Due to the nature of Serbia as its own state, the ethnic grouping of Serbs has seen a widespread diaspora within Southeastern Europe.

pg. 128 — October Coup
A radical revolution against the classic Russian powers. Led by Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin, the revolutionaries formed a coup d'état in pursuit of a Communist government. 

pg. 132 — Smolensky Cemetery
Extremely famous cemetery in Saint Petersburg. This cemetery, which is divided into three sections (Orthodox, Lutheran, and Armenian) is the longest running cemetery in Saint Petersburg.

pg. 133 — Blessed Xenia
Patron saint of Saint Petersburg. She was originally married to Colonel Andrey Fyodorovich Petrov of the Saint Andrew Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. However, after his tragic death, Xenia became a wandering soul for 45 years living in utmost desire to please and serve her lord. According to traditional tales, Xenia of Saint Petersburg gave all of her belongings to the disenfranchised and poor prior to her death. Her grave is in the Smolensky Cemetery.

pg. 135 — the Chekist
A member of the Soviet Union's secret police force which had complete control over practically every sphere of influence within the Soviet Union. 

pg. 140 — Atlantis
Legendary utopian society that was supposedly sunk by the Greek gods during a cataclysmic event. Although there is evidence that this civilization did in fact exist at some point, there is no concrete evidence as to where it was located. This legend is often a literary symbol of utopianism and perfectionism in society.