Photo of the Day for January 20, 2021

Blessing of houses on Vadokhryshcha (January 19).  Azdamichy 2019. Асьвячэньне хат на Вадохрышча.  Аздамічы 2019 г.  

Photo of the Day for June 24, 2019

Easter Monday (Bright Monday) service, Azdamichy 2019. Сьветлы панядзелак, Аздамічы 2019 г.   Church procession.  In the Orthodox Christian tradition the procession proceeds counterclockwise three times around the church.  On the third circuit the procession stops at the four cardinal points for readings from the Gospels and blessing of the church and the congregation with… Continue reading Photo of the Day for June 24, 2019

Photos of the Day for June 22, 2019

Easter Monday (Bright Monday) service, Azdamichy 2019. Сьветлы панядзелак, Аздамічы 2019 г.   On Esster Monday one witnesses the transmission of faith is the most direct way when parents or grandparents lift their children or grandchildren to kiss the Artos (special Easter bread symbolizing the resurrection; the loaf is placed in the center of the… Continue reading Photos of the Day for June 22, 2019

Photos of the Day for June 21, 2019

Easter Monday (Bright Monday) service, Azdamichy 2019. Сьветлы панядзелак, Аздамічы 2019 г.         Candles play an important role in Orthodox Christian services.  Tending the candle holders is a key task, carried out by laymen, and attention is given to having children begin to take responsibility at an early age for minding the… Continue reading Photos of the Day for June 21, 2019

Photos of the Day for June 16, 2019

Kissing the Artos (special Easter loaf symbolizing the Resurrection).  Easter Day vespers service, Azdamichy 2019. The tradition of kissing the Artos is always a splendid occasion to witness two fundamental expressions of Belarusian culture.  First is the transmission of faith from parents or, more often, grandparents as they lift children to kiss the Artos.  Second… Continue reading Photos of the Day for June 16, 2019

Photos of the Day for June 11, 2019

All-night Orthodox Easter service, Azdamichy 2019 (III/III). Усяночная пасхальная служба, Аздамічы 2019 г. (III/III).     Blessing of parishioners’ Easter breads at the end of the service (03:30). Асьвячэньне пасак на канцы службы.      

Photos of the Day for February 25, 2019

Portraits of Polesia:  blessing of houses after the Orthodox feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Azdamichy 2019. Партрэты Палесься: пры асьвячэньні хат пасьля Вадохрышча, Аздамічы 2019 г.   Aljaksandr and Natasha (teacher in the Azdamichy school) with their two children. Адяксандр і Наташа (настаўніца ў Аздамічах) з дзецьмі.       Halina and her… Continue reading Photos of the Day for February 25, 2019

Photos of the Day for February 23, 2019

Blessing of houses after the Orthodox Christian feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Vadokhryshcha), Azdamichy 2019.  III/III Асьвячэньне хат пасьля Вадохрышча, Аздамічы 2019 г.  III/III              

Photos of the Day for November 3, 2018

Patronal feast of Holy Trinity, Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity, Bjelavusha 2018. Прастольнае сьвята, царква Сьвятой Тройцы, Белавуша 2018 г.   Birch branches. The use of birch branches to decorate Orthodox churches for Holy Trinity is a syncretic tradition, reflecting a Christian symbol of life, rebirth and the descent of the Holy Spirit with… Continue reading Photos of the Day for November 3, 2018

Photos of the Day for August 1, 2018

Orthodox spring feast of St. Nicholas (May 22), church of St. Nicholas, Rukhcha 2018. Мікола летні, царква Сьв. Мікалая, Рухча 2018 г.   VI/VI     Kissing the cross after the service. Цалаваньне крыжа.             Homeward bound after the church service. Дахаты пасьля службы.