Photo of the Day for January 31, 2013

Polesia in Winter (part XVIII).  Палесьсе ўзімку (частка XVIII). Horse-drawn carts remain vital to the smallholder economy of Central Polesia.  In Rubjel’ the ceaseless horse-cart traffic throughout the seasons reflects the dynamism of a village renowned for the high quality of both its agricultural produce and the Orthodox priests it has furnished to parishes throughout… Continue reading Photo of the Day for January 31, 2013

Photo of the Day for January 30, 2013

Polesia in Winter (part XVII).  Палесьсе ўзімку (частка XVII). Vjalikaje Maljeshava 2012.  Вялікае Малешава 2012 год.

Photo of the Day for January 27, 2013

Churches of Belarus (part XXIII):  Orthodox church of the Protection of the Most Blessed Mother of God, Vjazyn’ 2007.  Цэрквы Беларусі (частка ХХІІІ):  царква Пакрова Прасьвятой Багародзіцы, Вязынь 2007 год. This Orthodox church was built on the foundations of a Roman Catholic church during the harsh re-imposition of Russian imperial rule and Russian Orthodoxy after… Continue reading Photo of the Day for January 27, 2013

Photo of the Day for January 25, 2013

Winter fog on the frozen river Chakva, Rubjel’ (Rubel’) 2011.  Зімовы туман над р. Чаква, Рубель (Рубэль) 2011 год.

Photo of the Day for January 23, 2013

On the way home from church with blessed water for Vadokhryshcha (Orthodox Theophany, January 19).  Rubjel’ 2011.  Дадому з асвечанай вадой на Вадохрышча, Рубель 2011 год. These women have had containers of water blessed in church on the eve of Vadokhryshcha as they will not be able to attend the early morning service on the… Continue reading Photo of the Day for January 23, 2013

Photo of the Day for January 22, 2013

Orthodox Theophany (Vadokhryshcha), January 19.  Вадохрышча. At the end of the service of Vadokhryshcha, the Orthodox equivalent of Western Christian Epiphany, parishioners who have not brought their own water fill containers from the barrels which the priest has blessed during the service.  People use the water to protect their homes; the local priest will also… Continue reading Photo of the Day for January 22, 2013