Month: February 2013

Vadokhryshcha 2013 (part IV).  Вадохрышча 2013 год (частка IV). Immersion rite:  Father Ryhor vigorously blesses those who will immerse themselves and, here, onlookers.  Davyd-Haradok.  Давыд-Гарадок.

Vadokhryshcha 2013 (part III).  Вадохрышча 2013 год (частка ІІІ). Father Ryhor prepares to bless those who will immerse themselves and the crowd of onlookers, Davyd-Haradok.  Давыд-Гарадок.

Vadokhryshcha 2013 (part II).  Вадохрышча 2013 год (частка ІІ). Father Ryhor blesses the waters before the rite of immersion, Davyd-Haradok.  Давыд-Гарадок.

Vadokhryshcha 2013 (part I).  Вадохрышча 2013 год (частка І). It is a tradition throughout the Orthodox world to commemorate the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan by immersing oneself in a river or lake.  The commemoration takes place on Orthodox Theophany (equivalent to Western Christian Epiphany), January 19. In Belarus this tradition is being… Continue reading Photo of the Day for February 25, 2013

“To thresh a ray of light from the empty darkness”:  A very Happy 78th Birthday and a reverent bow to Belarusian National Poet Ryhor Baradulin, born February 24, 1935.  Many happy returns of the day! This poem calls one stoically to accept that one is a weak twig in the tree of time, to prepare… Continue reading Photo of the Day for February 24, 2013: Каб вымалаціць з цемрачы праменне

Vadokhryshcha (Orthodox Theophany), Church of the Holy Trinity, Azdamichy 2013.  Вадохрышча, царква Сьвятой Тройцы, Аздамічы  2013 год. Orthodox churches following the Julian calendar celebrate the Theophany (equivalent of Western Christian Epiphany) on January 19.  Called Vadokhryshcha in Belarus, the feast celebrates the first appearance in our world of the Holy Trinity, at the baptism of… Continue reading Photos of the Day for February 23, 2013

Paulinka.  Паўлінка. Paulinka’s granny Eva stopped me as I was photographing my snowbound favorite village of Tsjerablichy and asked whether I would photograph her granddaughter.  I agreed right away and with pleasure — the only proper way to respond to a Belarusian grandmother.   Granny Eva rushed home to get Paulinka dressed, and this photo… Continue reading Photo of the Day for February 22, 2013

January 2013 was a very snowy month in Belarus.  At times I felt like this photographer.  Падчас засьнежаных студзеньскіх вандровак па Беларусі адчуваў сябе як гэты фатограф. Outside Kamarouski Market, Mjensk 2013.  Ля Камароўкі, Менск 2013 год.

Along the R57 (part VII).  Уздоўж Р57 (частка VII). Khvojka 2013.  Хвойка 2013 год.

Along the R57 (part VI).  Уздоўж Р57 (частка VI). The woods along this stretch of the R57 are inviting in all seasons. Near Buda 2013.  Ля вёскі Буда (Жыткавіцкі раён) 2013 год.