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Orthodox St. George’s Day (May 6).  Юр’е/Юр’я (6 траўня). In the heat of the dog days of summer, one thinks back to the splendid weather of early spring. Orthodox St. George’s Day (May 6, equivalent to April 23 in the old church calendar) coincides with the day Belarusians traditionally — from pre-Christian times — considered… Continue reading Photos of the Day for July 24, 2013

Tsjerablichy 2013.  Цераблічы 2013 год. This scene of fishing waders hung up to dry reminded me of Nick Park’s splendid animated short of Wallace and Gromit in “The Wrong Trousers”.

Two Kids.   Дзве козачкі. Tsjerablichy 2013.  Цераблічы 2013 год.

Evening Prayers, Shrine of the Virgin Mary, Jankavichy 2013.  Вячэрнія малітвы каля прыдарожнай каплічкі Панны Марыі, Янкавічы 2013 год. May is Marian Month in the Roman Catholic Church.  In the traditionally strongly Catholic villages of the Nalibaki Wilderness parishioners pray the Rosary and sing hymns every May evening at the village Marian shrine.  It was… Continue reading Photo of the Day for July 21, 2013

Water Sprites, Simany 2013.  Русалкі, Сіманы 2013 год.

Spring Evening, Banks of the River S’vislach, Mjensk 2013.  Веснавы вечар уздоўж р. Сьвіслач, Менск 2013 год. As days lengthen markedly in late spring, the evening light nestles in the curves of the placid S’vislach.

Hunting Frogs, Bjelavusha 2013.  Паляваньне на жабак, Белавуша 2013 год. Lingering bitter cold at the end of March delayed the inward migration of Belarus’ storks to the point that many more than usual settled for the breeding season in Polesia rather than farther north.  The prolonged winter and heavy snow cover also produced a higher… Continue reading Photo of the Day for July 18, 2013

Blessing of Easter bread at dawn.  Вялікдзень:  асьвячэньне кулічоў. Just before dawn, at the conclusion of the all-night Easter service, parishioners exit into the churchyard to set out their baskets of Easter bread and eggs for the priest to bless. Azdamichy 2013.  Аздамічы 2013 год.

Midnight Procession, All-Night Easter Service, Azdamichy 2013.  The procession around the church occurs immediately after the priest announces the Resurrection of Christ at midnight.  The service then resumes, with a break later on, until the blessing of Easter bread at dawn. Хросны ход, вялікодная усяночная служба, Аздамічы 2013 год.  

Easter Breads and Cakes, Tsjerablichy 2013.  Кулічы й вялікодныя торты, Цераблічы 2013 год. Mrs. Vjera’s Easter Breads and cakes are deservedly famous in Tsjerablichy and surrounding villages.  Кулічы й торты спадарыні Веры – адна смакатааа.