#polotsk

[sonyaheaneyauthor]

Forced russification in Belarus: The cityscape of Polotsk, from 1812, 1912 and 2006. The majority of historical buildings in Belarus built during the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were demolished by Tsarist and Soviet authorities.

[redfield-by]

Мае вандроўкі

[araiz-zaria]

En Guerre — Laurent Gouvion St Cyr

.

Joyeux Anniversaire Monsieur Le Marechal!

[ancientbygone]

i just decided earlier today that my character of ii is slavic specifically belarusian and idk if that will recontextualize his mimics in any way

[sovietpostcards]

"Red Lands of Polotchina" by Viktor Gromyko (1970)

Polotchina = area around the city of Polotsk, Belarus

[captain-price-unofficially]

Lieutenant Alexander Petrovich Mamkin hoists an orphan given to him by partisans, into his plane for evacuation from the Polotsk-Lepel partisan zone, April 1944

[vahvah]

Bros, the ideas that circulate in canon and fanon around eastslavic siblings really seem strange to me.

It is strange to expect a japanese man to be well versed in the intricacies of eastern european history of the early and high Middle Ages, but to expect this from an english-speaking fandom (mostly northamerican, let's face it) is also, it seems to me, pointless.

Let me explain. "Kievan Rus" is an artificial construct adopted from russian imperial/soviet historians. Moreover, it’s not just a matter of the name, as, you know, the late Rhomean Republic is called the “Byzantine Empire”, it’s just that there was LITERALLY no such state as “Kievan Rus”. In the space approximately from the Baltic and White to the Black Seas, there were numerous proto-urban and urban settlements of slavic, finno-ugric and baltic (as well as other) tribes, which entered into alliances with each other, sometimes quite strong, but still remained isolated. Of course, it would be disingenuous to say that since the beginning of time the urban educated population did not develop some kind of common identity… for some time.

But if we talk about actually existing cultural regions, determined by geography and economics, then, in fact, it is worth highlighting Northern (Novgorod) Rus' and Southern (Kievan Rus' itself), in a very simplified scheme. One of them was tied to the countries around the Baltic Sea, like the scandinavians, the baltic tribes and northgerman cities, as well as the slavs of modern East Germany. The other constantly encountered nomads, “Byzantine Empire" and, to a lesser extent, the western and southern Slavs (and magyars!). They were never able to truly become a unified state.

Of course, this is a simplification, because in addition to the Rurikids in the North, who subjugated the South and over time moved there (while the south over time began to separate itself, in particular, into the Novgorod Republic), there was a separate center in Polotsk and some others, but it approximately reflects the essence and, if I were asked about personifications, then I would make two separate MAIN personifications for Rus', Novgorod in the North (male) and Kiev in the South (female), which would be the parents of the future Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.

But if you asked me in even more detail, then Belarus should stand a little aside. You know, in fact, historically it is more archaic and “stagnant” than Ukraine in the south and Russia in the northeast. Did you know that lithuanians called belarusians an ethnonym derived from the name goths lol? Plus, genetically and partly culturally, belarusians, like some poles, are closer to the baltic peoples, and not to the rest of the slavs. Taking into account the independent center of statehood in Polotsk, independent of the Rurikids, I would say that Belarus DEFINITELY must be older than Russia (which in the strict sense could only have been born as the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality/North-Eastern Rus' with more ancient names, let’s not clutter the text ) and POSSIBLY older than Ukraine. Perhaps she is an adopted child.

Of course, in reality we have many problems in studying the region for objective reasons, such as a lack of written sources, but… I still love Eastern Europe, these are my roots, after all. And it's really interesting.

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych of Polotsk

1580-1623

Feast Day: November 12 (New), November 14 (Trad)

Patronage: Ukraine

Saint Josaphat, born in Ukraine, became a monk for the Ukrainian Order of St. Basil and 5 years later a priest for the Byzantine Church. He worked for unity and peace between the Eastern Orthodox and Latin Roman Churches, which were divided since 1054. Josaphat was made the first Bishop of Vitebsky in 1617 during an intense level of unrest between the two groups. Being the holy man that he was, he started building and reforming his diocese. In 1623, a mob of Orthodox citizens was incensed to riot and murdered Bishop Josaphat. He was canonized as the first Eastern Church saint in 1867.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[unhonestlymirror]

Imagine how f*cked up is the history of Belarus in English Wikipedia. Ukraine at least wasn't linguicided so much as Belarus in the least years.

They write Rogneda and Rogvolod instead of Ragneda and Ragvalod. They write Polotsk and Smolensk instead of Polatsk and Smalensk. They write Vseslav the Sorcerer instead of Usiaslau (Ŭśaslaŭ) the Sorcerer. I can't believe my eyes.

Russia is a f*cking cancer.

[irithnova]

Is has come to my attention that @unhonestlymirror is accusing me and a few other hetalians of sending threats.

I want to make this clear. We have never sent threats, and will never send threats to people. It's also come to my attention that threats were sent to @unhonestlymirror and even though she's absolutely insufferable, sending threats, death threats/rape threats is NEVER okay.

Also "find bullying okay" "insults" weird way to say that we're vocal about racism and that angers you, lol.

Also the best she can do is accuse me of spreading Russian propaganda because of a reference I made to Alexandr Nevsky, which was in a post who's focus was around not promoting misinformation and anti Mongolian sentiment/using "Mongolian" as a way to insult Russians.

Also....

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Alexander-Nevsky

"Alexander was the son of Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich, grand prince of Vladimir, the foremost among the Russian rulers. In 1236 Alexander was elected prince—a figure who functioned as little more than military commander—of the city of Novgorod. In 1239 he married the daughter of the Prince of Polotsk."

How exactly am I spreading Russian propaganda by saying that Alexander Nevsky was a prince of Russia when it's literally true????

I have also received anonymous threats. Of which they alluded to a potential doxxing taking place because they talked about my family and what they looked like. I have NEVER posted images of my family on tumblr or on any other of my fandom accounts - I do not link my fandom accounts emails to my professional/personal accounts.

I've also never revealed I had a sister publicly on tumblr or any of my fandom accounts or the exact race of my parents. The second ask is also extremely racist by the way.

Am I using this to level baseless accusations at @unhonestlymirror though? No. Because I don't know if she sent those threats so it would be wrong of me to do so.

I understand if mirror is feeling threatened by the threats in her inbox however if she is using them as evidence of us sending threats (because we've never sent threats publicly and again, we'd never send threats regardless of it was public, private or anonymous) then if we're using that logic I could very well accuse her and her "vassals" of trying to doxx me.

So in conclusion. No. None of us sent threats, we would never send threats, these are completely baseless accusations. I was NOT spreading Russian propaganda and none of us are "tankies" (LMAO).

[enyoalkis]

Ask game! 20, 22, 30

These answers turned out long 😅 Whoops!

20. Favorite Hetalia relationship dynamic?

Enemies to lovers - Fruk and Rusame

Like an old married couple - Also Fruk.

Girlboss/Malewife - Aushun, nuff said.

Childhood sweethearts - To me, this is Lietbel (my OTP). They also have a knight/lady or princess dynamic, but this even could apply to Lietpol too because... Feliks IS the pretty princess. 🤣

Arranged marriage - Lietpol because of the Union of Krewo and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. But I also can see this in Lietbel in historical Hetalia, as the Principality of Polotsk (considered the first proto-Belarusian state) joined with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to avoid invasions from both the Teutonic Knights and Mongol Empire. It could be a 3-way marriage union... or 4 if you count Ukraine? 😉

22. Top favorite fanfictions?

Oh man, I have a lot! I'm going to list some old fanfics I faved on my old FFNet acc that I used to love in high school though, because I hardly read fanfics anymore.

Nineteen Ninety - VoicesoftheSoul - One of the first fics of my OTP Lietbel I've read.

Belaya Rus: On a Spring Day in 1487 - rev lady mal - Belarus history-centric. This fic first introduced me to learning about the history of Belarus and her long history with Lithuania in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. There are historical inaccuracies and she comes off as OOC, but I appreciate this fic as an attempt to show her history that is not known in the mainstream in Hetalia-style – and not portray her to be a hostile bitch or have a romantic or sexual obsession over Ivan.

Rings, Rejection, and an Unintentional Fiancé - Anonymous Dream Echo - One of my ultimate fave Lietbel fanfics! I still go back to re-read this here and there despite there being some cultural inaccuracies.

Plastic Talks - Mandelene - This fic kinda helped me cope with my teen angst and issues at the time. Still is a so well-written high school AU of Nyo!America.

Raven Tears - Dontmezwitme - Probably one of the most heartwrenching fics about loss and colonization of the Americas I've read. This focuses on the fanon personification of all American Indians/Indigenous Americans and First Nations raising her twin sons that later became known as the U.S. and Canada.

Childs Play - pupeez4eva - It sadly never finished but this was my favorite comedy fic of nations being turned back into their child selves.

A Colony, a Babysitter, and an Old Rivalry - TheFreakZone - A comedy fic on England planning a date with France but is looking for a babysitter for Gibraltar. Spain volunteers because he wants to claim him back. So many good witty liners!

30. BroTP? Headcanons?

When I was in high school, America/Canada was my BroTP (still love em tho!) but now as an adult, they are Poland/Belarus, Poland/Hungary (sometimes, I ship them romantically 😅), and Lithuania/Latvia!

Most of my headcanons for each here below will be referencing real-life history.

Poland/Balarus:

Natallia sees Feliks more as an actual brother than her "biological" brother Ivan, as they were around each other often for most of their later childhood and adolescent years during the Polish-Lithuania union and Commonwealth. The Belarusian language is greatly influenced by Polish. I know in canon their relationship comes off as more hostile, but I depict them in my head as having a bickering sibling-like relationship.

Because of their history, Natallia and Feliks can speak a vernacular language/dialect that may be a creole and strange mix of Polish and Belarusian: Tutejšy (or tutejszy). It was commonly spoken by peasants since it was simple speech. I read somewhere (can't remember where) that in Lithuania near the Lithuania-Belarus border, you can find some elderly Lithuanian Poles speaking it, except it may be blended with the Russian language too.

Feliks calls Natallia "Nastka," a Polish diminutive of her name. She calls him "Felek."

They both LOOVE gossiping and spilling to each other pop culture tea! I mean, Natallia knows so much countless trivia, even Paris Hilton's dog name, in canon so I can see her being a bit chronically online googling celeb tea.

Poland/Hungary:

They've been besties forever since early childhood, even married at least once before Poland married Lithuania.

Austria definitely has his moments of being jealous of their friendship.

Both are fluent in each others' languages and when they communicate, they speak in a creole language that baffles other countries because it sounds "so strange." Hungarian is not considered an Indo-European language.

Feliks calls Erzsébet "Ela" and "Ellcia," Polish diminutives of her name.

Lithuania/Latvia:

I generally consider them both to be "biological" brothers since they're both Baltic, with Lithuania being the older sibling. Although, sometimes I like toying with the idea they're cousins because Lithuania and Latvia do have diverging cultures/histories.

They love playing basketball together (although, Raivis' true favorite sport is hockey since it's Latvia's most popular sport). And they both act like loud frat boys when watching games, whether in person or on TV.

They both like to pull potato-themed pranks occasionally on Belarus and Ireland, some other countries with high potato consumption and have potato stereotypes.

Raivis has physically aged more since declaring independence in the 90s and his economy growing stronger, so he's now physically 17 – and has grown taller than Tolys!

Both are great singers and dancers, but Raivis is the "better" one.

Unlike Tolys, Raivis does not dislike Gilbert as much, at least not as much as he used to. But Raivis is willing to join in with Tolys in annoying him.

[zarya-zaryanitsa]

Hi! I'm trying to research slavic mythology, especially the afterlife, and I've come across a place called Prav but i haven't found much information on it as a whole, i was wondering if you had any information on it

Hello!

To the best of my knowledge the idea that the cosmos separates into Prav, Yav and Nav comes from The Book of Veles, a famous forgery pretending to describe pre-Christian Slavic history and religious customs.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Prav (or Yav) discussed more broadly outside of that context. However the word Nav/Navia does have real cultural background as a term used for to describe spirits of the dead.

Linguistic evidence implies that the early medieval Slavs may have shared a belief in some form of spirit or soul. In discussing these notions, various scholars point towards the word nav/nawie. This term is sometimes seen as being of pre-Slavic origin, and it is derived from Pre-Indo-European cultural heritage and refers to ‘death’ or ‘corpse’. It holds similar meaning in some of the contemporary Slavic languages, although in various (but not all) languages of the Slavs one may observe a shift in its meaning, whereby it refers to the sphere of demonology. For example, in eastern Polish dialects there are various names for rusałki, forest or water demons: mawki, mauki, nawki, miawki, mauki, mavky, niavky, majki. Another term for the spirits of the ancestors, which is also attributed an ancient origin, is lalka (lelka, łątka). It is noteworthy that after death the human soul went to the land of the dead, whose name is reconstructed as Nawia or Lala. (…) We know very little about the Slavic land of the dead. I have already mentioned that the words nav/nawie, known from textual accounts, referred to dead people or their ghosts and occasionally (in later times) malevolent spirits. The late medieval textual accounts from the Czech area confirm that Navia was the name of the land of the dead among the Western Slavs. ‘To go to Navia’ meant to die and ‘to prepare someone for Nav’, meant to kill

- Slavic Journeys to the Otherworld. Remarks on the Eschatology of Early Medieval Pomeranians by Kamil Kajkowski

A mention of navias can even be found in the Tale of Bygone years, where they serve as a personification of the plague that fell on the town of Polotsk in 1092.

Something very strange occurred in Polotsk, a hallucination: there was a noise during the night: demons were running through the street like people. If anyone came out of their house to look, they were immediately and invisibly wounded by the demons, and died of it, and they did not dare leave their houses. Then they began to appear during the day on horseback, and they themselves could not be seen, but only their horses’ hooves were visible. And this is how they wounded the people of Polotsk and of the region. And this is why the people said: “Navias (навие) are slaying the people of Polotsk”.

- Tale of Bygone Years as found in Sources of Slavic Pre-Christian Religion, red. Juan Antonio Álvarez-Pedrosa

Andrzej Szyjewski in Religia Słowian explores some more cases of navias appearing as malevolent spirits in Slavic folklore, citing bulgarian „twelve nawi”, evil spirits that suck the blood of lying-in women and bring diseases as well as broader Southern Slavic belief in navije/navje, bird-shaped spirits harassing women during pregnancy and in childbirth.

Overall, as you probably can guess I highly recommend reading „Slavic Journeys to the Otherworld. Remarks on the Eschatology of Early Medieval Pomeranians” and then continuing your search from there.

[fioredistella]

I headcanon Belarus as being demisexual panromantic. She does need a very close connection to fall for someone and close ties to them, and I can see her falling for someone of any gender. Unfortunately due to the climate of Belarus and a lack of exposure to such things she does think she is straight and is in denial that she has the potential to be attracted to any other gender other than men, but she could be. I personally ship her with Lithuania, both normal and nyo versions, Vietnam, and England a little bit. I do really wish there was more belarus/nyo Lithuania content, that would be really cool. 

I see lithuania and belarus's relationship beginning during the duchy of Lithuania. The durchy in time time period took over and incorporated the Principality of Polotsk, which I consider Belarus as a child. At first she resented this, she remembered and wanted th days she was free and more or less had her own rulers, at least when Kyev wasn't too involved. However as time went on she and Lithuanian grew closer and she grew fond of him. During this time period her culture and language became very influential in the Durchy, being used widely even in official documents. She truly appreciated this and I think a part of her saw them as both in charge, both as a team. 

Her feelings however shifted when the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth came about. During this period Ruthernian fell from official use to be replaced by Polish. Ruthernian and Lithuanian nobles assimilated and began to practice more Polish culture and leave their old ways. Bela identified during this time period more with the peasantry which was disconnected from this and was deeply hurt, seeing it as Lithuania betraying her. She and Lithuania came under Russia's rule later but this did not improve things since she carries a hard grudge and ended up shifting towards Russia due to russification and giving into that out of a reaction to the Polonization she had undergone and due to a part of her just giving up. And later on she was fought over between Poland and Russia and then the Russian revolution happened and so she had bigger things to worry about than Lithuania. During the early Soviet Union in 1919 during the Lithuanian-Soviet war and Polish-Soviet war, there was a brief union between them, which I do see as a marriage. However it was one she did not want and resented and really it only lasted about five months before the union was dissolved, which reflects the fact the Belarusian leadership was really not onboard with this at all. She however went through with it as she was tired and resigned and really saw no way out of it. It wasn't the fact that she hated or disliked Lithuania, but she was tired of being used as a pawn or a puppet and a deep part of her wanted what little agency she could get. It was called the Socialist Soviet Republic of Lithuania and Belorussia. I did write a fic about it I will publish soon. 

The war and communist rule, especially Stalin's, took a terrible toll on her and hardened and traumatized her, seeking to push anything away she doesn't want to deal with and so she continues to push him away too. It's easier to just not deal with her feelings or the past, and in any case she sees the past as over, there is no use longing for something that cannot return.

 In modern day she has complicated feelings towards him, she still resents him and still carries that grudge, making excuses out of the past to justify herself. However at the same time she is also still fond of him and there will really always be a tender spot for him in her heart that she tries to hide away because she sees it as impossible and inconvenient. She's aware of his feelings for her, and secretly it gratifies her and it would make her sad if he gave up on her. I think if he did she would see it as a sign her future was totally hopeless, but perhaps if he still loves her despite everything maybe one day she can be free. Not because of him exactly, but it's something as a symbol to her.

[fat-fuck-hairy-belly]

"Our ancient king conquered a great empire" this, "our ancient king was the greatest swordsman in history" that. Well, Vseslav the Sorcerer of Polotsk turned into a werewolf and got zoomies at night so he would run around the country like a borzoi on steroids, and he also had a thick werewolf cock that he probably fucked a lot of girlies with. So I'm not sure why people are even trying to compete.

This is MY ancient king

[andijaart]

+++🙏🏻God Bless🕊️+++

St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk

MEMORIAL DAY JUNE 5

You distributed your wealth to the poor and neglected the princely glory, you turned away from the temporary bridegroom, beautiful maiden, and, having committed yourself to the Bridegroom Christ, you brought your spiritual and bodily purity to Him as a dowry, Euphrosyne. But now, standing before Him with joy, remember us who honor your memory.

💫International Orthodox Art Corporation Andcross May the blessing of the Lord be upon you!

https://andcrossartstore.etsy.com

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Sunday, April 14, 2024

april 1_april 14

VENERABLE BARSANUPHIUS OF OPTINA (1913)

Paul I. Plikhanov was born in the city of Samara on July 5,1845, the son of John and Natalia Plikhanov. His mother died in childbirth, and his father later remarried so that his son would have a mother. Although his stepmother was very strict, she was a real mother to him, and he loved her very much.

As a descendant of the Orenburg Cossacks, Paul was enrolled in the Polotsk Cadet Corps. He completed his studies at the Orenburg Military School and received an officer’s commission. He later graduated from the Petersburg Cossack Staff Officers’ School, and also served at the headquarters of the Kazan military district and eventually rose to the rank of colonel.

Once, as he was sick with pneumonia, Paul sensed that he was about to die. He asked his orderly to read the Gospel to him, and passed out. Then he had a vision in which the heavens seemed to open, and he was afraid because of the great light. His whole sinful life passed before him, and he was overcome with repentance. A voice told him he should go to Optina Monastery, but the doctors did not think he would recover. His health did improve, however, and the colonel visited Optina. In August 1889 the Elder of the Monastery was Saint Ambrose (October 10), who told Paul to set his worldly affairs in order. Two years later, Saint Ambrose blessed him to cut all ties to the world and told him to enter Optina within three months.

It was not easy for the colonel to resign his commission within the specified three month period, because obstacles were placed in his way. In fact, he was offered a promotion to the rank of general, and was asked to delay his retirement. Some people even tried to arrange a marriage for him, laughing at his intention to go to the monastery. Only his stepmother was happy that he wished to become a monk. On the very last day of the three months he concluded his affairs and arrived at Optina. However, Saint Ambrose was already laid out in his coffin in the church.

Saint Anatole I (January 25) succeeded Father Ambrose as Elder, and he assigned Paul to Hieromonk Nectarius (April 29) as his cell attendant. He was accepted as a novice in 1892, and tonsured as a rassophore in 1893. Over the next ten years he advanced through the various stages of monastic life, including ordination as deacon (1902), and as priest (1903). The monk Paul was secretly tonsured into the mantiya in December of 1900 because of a serious illness. When they asked him what name he wished to receive, he said it did not matter. They named him in honor of Saint Barsanuphius of Tver and Kazan (April 11). Although he recovered, they did not give him the mantiya until December of 1902 after the Liturgy when it was revealed that he had been tonsured on his sickbed.

On September 1, 1903 Father Barsanuphius was appointed to assist Elder Joseph, the skete Superior, in the spiritual direction of the skete brethren and the sisters of the Shamordino convent.

At the beginning of the Russo-Japanese war in 1904, Father Barsanuphius was sent to the Far East as a military chaplain, where he ministered to wounded soldiers. The war ended in August 1905, and Saint Barsanuphius returned to Optina on November 1, 1905.

Since Elder Joseph had become too old and frail to administer the skete’s affairs, Father Barsanuphius was appointed as Superior of the skete in his place. Father Barsanuphius soon reestablished order and discipline, paid off debts, repaired buildings, etc. As Superior, he combined strictness with paternal concern and tenderness for those under him.

Saint Barsanuphius, like the other Elders of Optina, possessed the gifts of clairvoyance and of healing people afflicted with physical and spiritual ailments. One of his spiritual sons, Father Innocent Pavlov, recalled his first Confession with the Elder. He became fearful because Father Barsanuphius seemed to know his innermost thoughts, reminding him of people and events which he had forgotten. The saint spoke gently and told him that it was God who had revealed to him these things about Father Innocent. “During my lifetime, do not tell anyone about what you are experiencing now,” he said, “but you may speak of it after my death.”

Saint Barsanuphius loved spiritual books, especially the Lives of the Saints. He often told people that those who read these Lives with faith benefit greatly from doing so. The answers to many of life’s questions can be found by reading the Lives of the Saints, he said. They teach us how to overcome obstacles and difficulties, how to stand firm in our faith, and how to struggle against evil and emerge victorious. Although the Lives of the Saints were widely available, it saddened the Elder that more people did not read them.

Saint Barsanuphius commemorated many saints each day during his Rule of prayer, and this was not accidental. Each saint, he once explained, had some particular importance in his life. If, for example, some significant event took place, he would look to see which saints were commemorated on that day, then he would begin to commemorate them each day. Later he noticed that on their Feast Day, they would often deliver him from some danger or trouble. On December 17, 1891, the commemoration of the Prophet Daniel and the three holy youths, he left Kazan and never returned. That was the day he decided to leave the world, and Saint Barsanuphius felt that God had delivered him from a furnace of passions. Just as the three youths were delivered from the fiery furnace because they would not bow down before idols, the Elder always believed that he left the world unharmed because he refused to bow down before the idols of lust, pride, gluttony, etc.

By 1908, Saint Barsanuphius seemed to fall ill more frequently, and began to speak of his approaching death. In April of that year, someone sent him a package containing the Great Schema. Father Barsanuphius had long desired to be tonsured into the Great Schema before his death, but he had told no one of this except for the archimandrite. Therefore, he regarded this as a sign that he would soon die.

One night in July 1910, the Elder became so ill that he had to leave church during Vigil and return to his cell. The next morning, July 11, he was so weak that he could not sit up by himself. That evening he was tonsured into the Great Schema.

Father Barsanuphius began to recover, but there were new problems in the monastery. New monks came in from spiritually lax environments. They did not understand the ascetical nature of monasticism or the whole notion of eldership, and so they began to clamor for reform and change. They wanted to assume positions of authority, and to close the skete. Because of their complaints, Father Barsanuphius was removed from Optina and assigned as igumen of the Golutvinsky Monastery. When he arrived to take up his duties, Father Barsanuphius found the monastery in a state of physical and spiritual decline. Nevertheless, he did not lose heart, and soon the monastery began to revive. More people began to visit, once they heard that an Optina Elder had come to Goluvinsky, and the monastery’s financial position also began to improve. However, the rebellious brethren caused him great sorrow, and he had to expel some of them

At the beginning of 1913, Saint Barsanuphius became ill again and asked Metropolitan Macarius of Moscow for permission to retire to Optina, but that was not to be. He fell asleep in the Lord on April 1, and his body remained in the church of Golotvino until April 6 (which was also Lazarus Saturday). After the funeral, his body was placed on a train and sent to Optina for burial. The train arrived at Kozelsk Station on April 8, and the coffin was carried to Optina by clergy.

The Moscow Patriarchate authorized local veneration of the Optina Elders on June 13, 1996. The work of uncovering the relics of Saints Leonid, Macarius, Hilarion, Ambrose, Anatole I, Barsanuphius and Anatole II began on June 24/July 7, 1998 and was concluded the next day. However, because of the church Feasts (Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, etc.) associated with the actual dates of the uncovering of the relics, Patriarch Alexey II designated June 27/July 10 as the date for commemorating this event. The relics of the holy Elders now rest in the new church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

The Optina Elders were glorified by the Moscow Patriarchate for universal veneration on August 7, 2000.

VENERABLE GERONTIUS, YOUTH, CANONARCH OF THE KIEV CAVE (14th.c.)

Saint Gerontius lived during the fourteenth century. He was a monk of the Kiev Caves Monastery and fulfilled the obedience of canonarch (leader of church singing). He spent all his life at the monastery, in ascetic deeds of abstinence, obedience, and prayer.

Saint Gerontius was buried in the Far Caves. His memory is celebrated also together with the Synaxis of the Saints of the Far Caves, on August 28.

EPHESIANS 5:9-19

9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

MARK 9:17-31

17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not. 19 He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. 23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 29 So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." 30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day."