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Wrought-iron crosses, Babtsy cemetery 2014.  Каваныя крыжы, могілкі ў в. Бабцы (Докшыцкі раён) 2014 г. Although the cemetery in Babtsy has now become more broadly known for its quantity of hewn-stone crosses, other features are equally noteworthy.  One is struck by the masterly simplicity and variety of wrought-iron crosses on plain-stone headstones. Акрамя надзвычайнай колькасьці… Continue reading Photos of the Day for December 9, 2014

Stone-Cross Tombstones, Babtsy Cemetery 2014.  Каменныя крыжы, могілкі ў в. Бабцы (Докшыцкі раён) 2014 г. Traditional (vernacular) stone crosses are found in various places in Belarus. However, the concentration of stone crosses in Babtsy is a feature so far undiscovered elsewhere in the country.

Stone-Cross Tombstones, Babtsy Cemetery 2014.  Каменныя крыжы, могілкі ў в. Бабцы 2014 г. One of the largest of the more than 25 stone crosses in the Babtsy cemetery.  The authorities’ regrettable cutting down of old trees in this section of the cemetery has left the area open to the spread of wild grasses and other… Continue reading Photos of the Day for December 7, 2014

Village Cemetery, Babtsy 2014.  Могілкі, Бабцы (Докшыцкі раён) 2014 г. Village cemeteries are witness to the rootedness of a nation. In a broader sense, cemeteries reveal the depth, the dignity of a culture.  After all, what are more elemental measures of human decency than proper burial and honoring of graves? Visits to cemeteries in Belarus,… Continue reading Photos of the Day for December 6, 2014

Oak grove near Borki in the central Pripet Marshes, autumn 2014.  Дуброўка пад Боркамі (Жыткавіцкі раён) 2014 г.

Oak grove near Borki in the Pripet Marshes, autumn 2014.  Дуброўка пад Боркамі (Жыткавіцкі раён) 2014 г.

Oak trees along the Tsjerablichy-Machul’ Road in central Polesia, autumn 2014.  Дубы ўздоўж дарогі Цераблічы-Мачуль 2014 г.

Polesian Oak Tree, Tsjerablichy 2014.  Палескі дуб, Цераблічы 2014 г. Note the oak-trunk beehive (borts’) lodged in the fork of the tree.  Гэты дуб трымае стары борць.

Blessing of apples, feast of the Transfiguration/Apple-Blessing feast, Azdamichy 2014.  Яблычны Спас, асьвячэньне яблыкаў, Аздамічы 2014 г. Patiently but with keen anticipation at the end of the five-hour service, parishioners lay out apples and other first fruits to be blessed by Father Aljaksandr in three circuits of the churchyard. First circuit:  censing. Second circuit:  blessing… Continue reading Photos of the Day for December 1, 2014

Children’s Communion, feast of the Transfiguration/Apple-Blessing Feast (Jablychny Spas), Azdamichy 2014.  Дзіцячае прычасьце, Перамяненьне Гасподняе – Яблычны Спас, Аздамічы 2014 г.