Granny Eufrasin’nja was waiting patiently at her fence for the arrival of her daughter and son-in-law on a tranquil mid-August Belarusian evening. I approached and, remarking how kind she looked, asked if I could take a portrait. During our conversation she noted that she would be at the Honey-Blessing ceremony at her church in nearby Il’lja the next day and invited me to attend. So I happily did (see upcoming photos for September 9-10).
Быў ціхі жнівеньскі вечар. Спадарыня Эўфрасіньня стаяла каля плота і цярпліва чакала дачку і зяця. Я падышоў пазнаёміцца і пагаманіць, і падчас размовы яна ўзгадала, што назаўтра Спас, і ранкам яна паедзе ў Ільлю сьвяціць мёд. Паехаў і я (гл. фотаздымкі 9-10 верасьня).
Eufrasin’nja was the name of the great 12th century Belarusian saint (beloved as the protectress of the Belarusian land and people), whose church of The Holy Savior in Polatsak still stands. The Cross of Eufrasin’nja, which she commissioned in the mid-12th century and which was kept in the church of The Holy Savior, remains a symbol of Belarusianness. The cross disappeared at the time Soviet officials scrambled to evacuate themselves after the German invasion of June 1941.
Granny Eufrasin’nja, Stajki 2010/Спадарыня Эўфрасіньня, Стайкі 2010 год
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