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Baptism of Jelisjej (part 3/8), Tsjerablichy 2015.  Хрышчэньне Елісея (частка 3/8), Цераблічы 2015 г. Some priests cup water from a bowl in their hand and pour it gently over the head of the baby rather than immersing him as Father Vital’ does here.

Baptism of Jelisjej (part 2/8), Tsjerablichy 2015.  Хрышчэньне Елісея (частка 2/8), Цераблічы 2015 г. Father Vital’ blows on Jelisjej and touches his forehead to symbolize the entry of the Holy Spirit.  

Baptism of Jelisjej (part 1/8), Tsjerablichy 2015.  Хрышчэньне Елісея (частка 1/8), Цераблічы 2015 г. In Orthodox practice in Polesia it is customary to have two sets of godparents.  The child’s parents are not permitted to be present in the nave for the ceremony, but must wait outside.  Here Ivan, one of one-month-old Jelisjej’s godfathers, holds… Continue reading Photos of the Day for February 14, 2015

Belarus in Faces (part CXLIV): Tsjerablichy 2015. Awaiting the baptism of Jelisjej, the one-month-old brother of Chesa (the girl in the middle). Беларусь у тварах (частка CXLIV):  Цераблічы 2015 г. У чаканьні хрышчэньня Елісея, аднамесячнага браціка Чэсы (дзяўчынкі ў сярэдзіні).

Interior light.  Belarusian cuisine:  celebrating Jelisjej’s baptism.  Tsjerablichy 2015. Ivan and Ljuda Pjetrusjevich welcome Godparents, relatives and neighbors for a traditional Polesian celebration after the January 19 baptism of Jelisjej, their one-month-old fourth child (third son). Інтэр’ернае асьвятленьне.  Сьвяткаваньне пасьля хрышчэньня аднамесячнага Елісея, чацьвёртага дзіцяці (трэцяга сына) Івана й Люды Петрусевічаў.  Цераблічы 2015 г. One… Continue reading Photos of the Day for February 12, 2015

Interior light:  morning still-life in the kitchen.  Tsjerablichy 2011. Polesian village breakfast fare:  creamy rice in milk from the family cow (malochnaja – малочная) and tart-sweet drink made with fruit from the family orchard (kampot – кампот). Інтэр’ернае асьвятленьне:  ранішні нацюрморт у кухні.  Цераблічы 2011 г.

Interior light:  freshly-made crepes (bliny – бліны).  Tsjerablichy 2010. Every homemaker has her own recipe for bliny, whose compelling fragrance draws one irresistibly to the kitchen.  Bliny are eaten with the fingers, rolled up after slowly being slathered with butter, honey or home-made preserves (varen’ne – варэньне). Інтэр’ернае асьвятленьне:  сьвежыя палескія блінчыкі…смакатааа.  Цераблічы 2010.

Interior light:  making halubtsy.  Tsjerablichy 2013. Halubtsy — cabbage leaves stuffed with round meat — are a favorite dish in Belarus and the surrounding region, with each homemaker convinced hers are the best.  Here Tats’tsjana Pjetrusjevich makes halubtsy under the watchful eye of her mother Katsja. Інтэр’ернае асьвятленьне:  падрыхтоўка галубцоў.  Цераблічы 2013 г.

Interior light:  packing lard.  Tsjerablichy 2013. Lard (sala – сала) is revered in Belarus — and even more so in Ukraine — as a source of energy in winter and as a tasty spread on bread.  Here Vasil’ Pjetrusjevich, a farmer and master hog butcher, carefully packs strips of lard for storage from a hog… Continue reading Photo of the Day for February 8, 2015

Interior light:  Vul’ljana’s sewing machine.  Tsjerablichy 2011. Natural light in Belarusian homes has a timeless and comforting quality, especially when it illuminates seemingly prosaic objects.  Until recently sewing was an essential skill for any homemaker in Belarus. Інтэр’ернае асьвятленьне:  швейная машына бабулі Вульляны.  Цераблічы 2011 г. Натуральнае асьвятленьне ў беларускіх хатах — пазачасовае натхненьне для… Continue reading Photo of the Day for February 7, 2015