Question:
ok i know we discuss incensey fragrances and messe de minuit is still on one of my must try lists but maybe the discussion is usually in the context of the roman catholic church smell -- kind of dank and incensey, as opposed to the russian orthodox which would maybe just be more overwhelmingly spicy and smokey and incensey. any suggestions? i don't think this has been discussed in awhile but if it has i'm sorry don't hate me
edit: ok i know the "smokey and delicious" thread is getting a lot of replies but i think this thread is about something a little different, more spice/incense than smoke, maybe. still checking out the smokey thread for hot tips.

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To quote my crush: CDG OMG! Zagorsk that is!

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wow THANK you. this sounds absolutely perfect. i definitely need to try this.

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ITA on the Zagorsk. This is bottled Liturgy complete with metanias!

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Zagorsk Zagorsk! Zagorsk!
(...sorry 'bout the out-burst, but this is one of my favourite fragrances, and one of only four that I really wear )

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I am pretty sure it was Angelique Encens that got a funny face from an (orthodox) friend, and a question as to why I would want to smell like a church.
While Avignon and Zagorsk both have church tones to them, I don't think it was either of those ... it could have been Messe de Minuit is the only other thing I might have worn around him....

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One more vote for CdG Zagorsk.
To be specific it smells like a small wooden old and draughty Russian Orthodox church in the middle of snowy pine and birch trees to me.

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To specify, Zagorsk really does smell like an antique wooden Russian or Slavic Orthodox Church, walls, icons, incense, everything. I know this from experience. But it really doesn't smell like the incense on its own, and there are a number of variations. Avignon is definitely Roman Catholic. I have to say that I just received an order of Egyptian kyphi and it really reminds me of certain Orthodox incenses. Interesting. I haven't found any perfume that smells like the incense on its own, it's sweeter and spicier than western incense. I've been trying to create it with EOs, sort of a wearable version. Will definitely post if I succeed!

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Orthodox here and I can tell you it's Avignon that's closest to the black incense we brun here :-)

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Yes, Helg, I think you're right (fellow Orthodox here). Avignon is closest to just the incense. My husband smelled Zagorsk last night (I was retesting them all!) and noted that it smelled like the Lavra, a series of underground chapels, catacombs, monks' cells, complete with the preserved bodies of saints, that is located in Kiev. And he's right! I think that's why, while Avignon just makes me happy, Zagorsk always makes me feel melancholy and nostalgic....