Orthodox feast of the Transfiguration (Apple-Blessing feast – Jablychny Spas), August 19, 2019. This was the fifth year in a row I was able to celebrate the blessing of apples with the parish of the Resurrection in Tsjerablichy. The feast of the Transfiguration/Jablychny Spas falls in the middle of the two-week fast which ends with… Continue reading Photo of the Day for August 19, 2021
Tag: syncretism
Photo of the Day for July 3, 2021
Wandering the back roads 2017: return to Jabravichy (Smarhon’ District) VIII/VIII. Па бакавых дарогах 2017 г.: зноў у Ябравічы (Смаргоньскі раён) VIII/VIII. Syncretism of Christian and pre-Christian rites and traditions: viburnum berries on a grave. Viburnum (kalina – каліна in Belarusian) plays an important role in pre-Christian traditions: as a (bitter) medicament, as… Continue reading Photo of the Day for July 3, 2021
Photos of the Day for February 19, 2019
After the celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord/Theophany (Vadokhryshcha) in Azdamichy, there was still enough time to make it to neighboring Tsjerablichy to attend the blessing of water there. Пасьля сьвяткаваньня Вадохрышча ў Аздамічах, сьпяшаўся ў суседнія Цераблічы, каб прысутнічаць на асьвячэньне вады а. Віталям у царкве Ўваскрасеньня Гасподняга. … Continue reading Photos of the Day for February 19, 2019
Photos of the Day for February 18, 2019
Feast of the Theophany (Vadokhryshcha – Вадохрышча), Azdamichy 2019. Falling on January 19, Vadokhryshcha is one of the 12 great feasts in the Orthodox Christian liturgical cycle. Vadokhryshcha commemorates both the Theophany and the baptism of the Lord. This Orthodox feast is thus the equivalent of Western Christian Epiphany (January 6) as it was celebrated… Continue reading Photos of the Day for February 18, 2019
Photos of the Day for March 17, 2018
Immersion (kupan’nje – купаньне; also called Jardan’ – Іардань) on the January 19 Orthodox feast of the Baptism of the Lord/Theophany (Vadokhryshcha). River Moustva, Tsjerablichy 2018. The custom of purification by total immersion in icy mid-winter water is pre-Christian, and is not recognized by the Orthodox church in Belarus as an official part of the… Continue reading Photos of the Day for March 17, 2018
Photos of the Day for September 17, 2017
Feast of the Maccabees (Makauje)/Honey-Blessing feast (Mjadovy Spas), Davyd-Haradok 2017: III/V. Parishioners focus on the actual blessing, and in the forecourt of the church in Davyd-Haradok they raise their bouquets with such fervor that one feels lifted off one’s feet. The excitement and intensity of devotion has not been diminished by the decision of Davyd-Haradok’s… Continue reading Photos of the Day for September 17, 2017
Photos of the Day for September 16, 2017
Feast of the Maccabees (Makauje)/Honey-Blessing feast (Mjadovy Spas), Davyd-Haradok 2017: II/V. Parishioners eagerly await the blessing of flowers. Макаўе/Мядовы спас, Давыд-Гарадок 2017 г.: II/V.