It has been about a month since I have returned from Russia, and I think I've finally processed everything that happened. It was a wild ride that changed a lot about how I view the world. I had a lot of preconceived ideas about what Russia was. I thought that the Russian language sounded similar to German, that Russia was all Siberia, that everything "cool" is Russia was in the West, and that everything there was super "manly." Absolutely none of these ideas are correct.
Russia is a beautiful country, where the women wear long dresses and use fans, where there are flower gardens around every corner, and where drinking tea could be an olympic sport. Russia has a sense of culture that we have lost in the United States. Where we rush, rush, rush, people in Russia know how to relax. Each meal lasts an hour, and afternoon chi (What the Russian's call tea) is not to be skipped! I got the feeling that because they had a lack of beauty under communism they appreciate it more now. The most beautiful thing about Russia however, is the people.
I met one women who knew almost every kind of plant we walked by and taught us which ones we could eat, and which ones make really good tea! Another women, told us all about her conversion while working at the hospital, and made really good biscotti! Each person I met was so full of life and had such a joy about them, that I did not want to be anywhere else. I had the privilege to attend and speak at the Far East Young Adult Conference, in Khabarovsk. It was at this conference that I was able to make a lot of friends and really begin to experience Russia. I got to lead a bi-lingual small group bible study, where I got close with Merri. Merri is a college student at the University in Khabarovsk and could speak English about as much as I speak Russian...which is basically nothing. Yet over the course of the week we became really good friends. We learned that friendship can grow anywhere even when you don't know the language.
Another great thing about Russia is the Russian Orthodox Church. I knew almost nothing about this church when I left for Russia, but their love of Icons and beautiful churches is incredible. Every church is full of icons and gold edging. It is simply beautiful with the candles and choirs. My favorite part however was learning about the similarities and differences between our two churches. For those of you who don't know the Russia Orthodox church has all of the same sacraments as the Roman Catholic Church, however they do not follow our Pope. At one time we tried to come back together, but things did not really work out. The Roman Catholic Church says it is ok for Catholics to receive communion in the Russian church and that people from the Russian Church can receive communion in the Roman Church, however the Russian church prefers that neither happens. My favorite fun fact about the Russian Orthodox Church is that Anastasia is actually a Saint in their church. Her and her entire family were the first killed under communism. The entire family was Russian Orthodox, and after their family was killed the communists went after Russian and Roman priests, religious, and eventually the people. Anastasia and her family are upheld as martyrs for the faith. I will never be able to watch the movie Anastasia in the same way.
Well now that I have given you a quick overview of my travels in Russia, I will leave you with this. Russia is a beautiful country full of beautiful people and a rich culture. Russia has seen the worst of people but I pray that they now see the best of people. Please keep Russia in your prayers.
From Russia With Love
Another great thing about Russia is the Russian Orthodox Church. I knew almost nothing about this church when I left for Russia, but their love of Icons and beautiful churches is incredible. Every church is full of icons and gold edging. It is simply beautiful with the candles and choirs. My favorite part however was learning about the similarities and differences between our two churches. For those of you who don't know the Russia Orthodox church has all of the same sacraments as the Roman Catholic Church, however they do not follow our Pope. At one time we tried to come back together, but things did not really work out. The Roman Catholic Church says it is ok for Catholics to receive communion in the Russian church and that people from the Russian Church can receive communion in the Roman Church, however the Russian church prefers that neither happens. My favorite fun fact about the Russian Orthodox Church is that Anastasia is actually a Saint in their church. Her and her entire family were the first killed under communism. The entire family was Russian Orthodox, and after their family was killed the communists went after Russian and Roman priests, religious, and eventually the people. Anastasia and her family are upheld as martyrs for the faith. I will never be able to watch the movie Anastasia in the same way.
Well now that I have given you a quick overview of my travels in Russia, I will leave you with this. Russia is a beautiful country full of beautiful people and a rich culture. Russia has seen the worst of people but I pray that they now see the best of people. Please keep Russia in your prayers.
From Russia With Love
