Staying in Ukraine - Day 7: Russian Orthodox Church

Church was at 9:30 am today and I attended. The kids filed into the small church, which was standing room only (no chairs, but I already knew this would be the case). The younger ones toward the front and the older ones in the back. I had no idea what was going to take place and I looked rather conspicuous with my laptop bag and my hands full with the flowers and teddy bear for Snezhana, so I stood in the very back! I did not want to get mixed in with the children and have some type of prayer position or communion take place that I would not know what to do and stand out even more! :)

Dennis waiting outside with his buddies.

Former hosted girl, Patrina in the purple hat.

The odd thing about church today was that all the children stood facing the FRONT of the church and sang to the clergy rather than the parishioners! Snezhana was at the back of the group ... she is the girl in the black jacket with the white stripe and her ponytail sticking out from behind her red & white hat. There is a boy next to her in a brown jacket (see below).

I could barely hear what the priest was saying, but I wouldn't have understood it anyway! After the children sang, he spoke for just a few minutes, what I assume was a prayer or blessing over the children. Then they went single file in front of him and he touched their foreheads with what I assume was holy oil and another priest handed them a bag of candy. Then the younger ones left and went back to the school while the older kids hung around for a bit.


There were items for sale at the back of the church. Prayer candles, which all the adults from the orphanage bought and a few of the older kids. These were then taken to one of the portraits of a saint hanging on the wall, lit from another candle in the holder, and placed in an open space in the holder. Typical Catholic-style crossing of the chest and forehead was done and some kissed one of the poles holding the portrait. There also were some trinkets for sale ... small images of saints, charms, oils, and cross necklaces. Some of the girls participated in what appeared to be a communion before they left. But it could have just been water for all I know!

Two of my favorite boys at Lutugino ...

Talic and Anton playing with ZOOB

One of my favorite girls, Marina couldn't resist the ZOOB fun!

Just chillin' with my boy again ...
today's movie, Cricket on a Hearth

I walked back to the school with the group of older kids as I wanted to see what S was up to and if she would stick around today or not. I had my friend back home translate some questions, so I wanted to see if I could get some answers from her today. She escorted me inside and Dennis wasn't there, so she went to get him for me. She accompanied us upstairs and accepted the gifts I brought for her. After about 5 minutes she indicated she wanted to go change. I was just bringing out my computer and explained to her that I had more translations for her. She still said she wanted to go change. I knew there was a good chance I wouldn't see her again today, so I insisted she stay and read the questions first. She answered all the questions (mostly said no) and then left ... I was right, she didn't come back. Sigh!

I'm thinking about taking tomorrow off. It will be Sunday and the school will be closed. I know I am pushing the rules on being let into the dorm ... and the small room they stick us in is hard to have much fun in. I also need to prepare for the long week ahead.

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