waiting to leave JFK: Proto Lazar Kostur
Nikolaj and Vaso in the hotel restaurant
our first room
classy and yes, it smells as fresh as it looks
view from our second hotel room of the University of Moscow
our second room (after we complained to switch rooms)
Original icon of the Theotokos "Joy of All Who Sorrow"
Joy of All Who Sorrow Church which houses the original icon of the same name
a stranger on the street stopping for a blessing
gold relic case
St. Nicholas Church
St. Mary and Martha Convent, where Grand Duchess Elizaveta Federovna was the Abbess (see http://www.seocc.org/elizabeth.htm)
monastery bell tower
reconstruction of the monastery church
a local artist is painting the view of the church
interior frescos
the underground cave/tomb which was supposed to be St. Elizabeth's burial place
cave to the planned tomb of St. Elizabeth
this room is opposite the cave where a small altar once was built
this was supposed to be where the four sisters would have been buried
this is a royal reception room upstairs where the royal family would come. actual photos on the wall show them in this room
Moscow Tretyakov Gallery where we were allowed to see (but not photograph) an icon of the Theotokos painted by the Evangelist Luke
Donskoy Tower
arrival and greeting at Donskoy Monastery
a special melody was composed for the bell-ringing when Metropolitan Lavra arrived
the sisterhood from the ROCOR Mount of Olives Ascension Monastery in Jerusalem
the MP clergy are dressed in red, as is their custom during the period of Pascha until Ascension
Donskoy Monastery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donskoy_Monastery
frescoes lining the tunnel entrance to Donskoy
inside the main church at Donskoy
this church is also famous for the icon "Our Lady of the Don" painted by Theophanes the Greek in the late 14th century http://www.orthodoxworld.ru/english/miracleicon/4/index.htm
Moleban at the relics of St. Tikhon
Zhenya Grigoriak venerating the relics of St. Tikhon of Moscow
Nikolaj Kostur
Seraphim venerating the relics
Nina and Ioann venerating
Vaso venerating the relics
monastery's outdoor bookstore
the cemetery shot showing the north door of the church-- many famous Russian aristicrats and communists are buried here
this is the opposite side
the old, original cathedral circa 1593
relief sculptures rescued from other churches line the inside of the property's encompassing wall
these relief sculptures are from the original Christ the Savior Cathedral, before it was demolished
+O. Alexander from America (and his +matushka) who had predicted a fast-approaching unification before his death in 2001
The abbott took us and the boys for a private tour of the grounds. This is their duck/fish pond.
small chapel across from the pond and greenhouse
the boys with the Abbott who served us a private, formal tea
behind the scenes in the hidden choir loft (attached to the iconostasis)
Vaso, Seraphim and Ioann
at Donskoy's main church's Holy Table
Christ the Savior Cathedral, Moscow
television reporters lined the streets to film the historic event and interview the thousands of faithful lining the streets, hoping to get a glimpse of the excitement inside
Fr. Iliya going through the metal detectors to enter the church
entrance way leading to the cathedral
opulent gold and marble ornamentation
inside one of the domes
Nikolaj in the altar
Fr. Tryphon from Seattle
the Holy Table
iconostasis of main (center) altar-- notice the Hristos Voskrese neon lights!
view of the crowd from the solea, waiting for church to begin
MP priests
Metropolitan Lavra dressed
The Royal Doors were kept opened for the entire service as an expression of the deep joy experienced by the Church
signing the Act
interior church doors (look like gates- the thought of Adam and Eve being shut out from the Kingdom immediately came to mind)
patriarchal throne (blurred, sorry)
behind the scenes
relics of St. Philaret (in the Cathedral)
Deda's view of the nave
Dcn. Wolkow assisting with the Holy Communion
the hierarchs and clergy leave the sanctuary for a private Tea
downstairs in the museum: a portrait of the communists tearing down the original cathedral to put up a swimming pool
church beneath the cathedral
grand opening of the exhibit on the history of the Russian Church Abroad, the New Martyrs and the process of reconcilliation
supersized Chalice set
private tea reception for the dignitaries
trapeza decorated with numerous, detailed frescoes
it's kinda hard to see in these photos, but each individual lamp on each lamp post was topped with a cross-- no detail was overlooked
Moscow city police car with St. George logo on the door
The Hotel at Danilov Monastery, which is the official residence of the Patriarch (writing is in Church Slavonic)
Sergiev Posad
Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra http://www.stsl.ru/
iconostasis with icons by St. Andrey Rublyev
Famous Chapel-Over-The Well which sprang forth miraculous healing water http://www.stsl.ru/languages/en/page8.php
church which houses the relics of St. Nikon (gold cupola) built in 1548 then rebuilt in 1623
This Holy Trinity Church was built in 1422--- about 70 yrs before Columbus discovered America! Frescoes were completed in 1635
relics of St. Sergius
notice the royal crest above this pure silver frame
semenarians singing the responses to the moleban to St. Sergius
famous Holy Trinity icon
Fr. Sergei being inteviewed by local media
Vaso venerating the relics of St. Innokenty
Venerating the relics of St. Philaret
walkway to the seminary building and museum
model representation of the Lavra
Sofrino Grounds
shrine to St. Seraphim of Sarov on the entrance lawn (Sofrino)
factory buildings
the main dome of the Sofrino Cathedral
frescoes showing important contributions to the church at Sofrino
an ornate icon egg hangs from the chandelier in front of the royal doors
beeswax candle factory at Sofrino
Sofrino Museum
hot beeswax builds the layers for these long lengths of candle
a worker hand dips tapered candles
icon studio
gold rizas waiting to be applied to icons
ecclesiastical embroidery
a view of the church from the factory
Factory Showroom
icon printing studio
custom packaging
(Vaso's snapshots of the view from the bus)
Butovo Church of the Holy Martyrs-- big screen monitor to the left
hundreds of people gather outside to watch the service on the big screen monitor. they stood the entire service and waited patiently until Holy Communion was brought to them. The majority of the people at each liturgy we attended communed.
the arrival of Patriarch Aleksei II
sealing of the first (left) altar table
Metropolitan Lavra blessing the church (video)
the Patriarch addresses the people and the two hierarchs exchange gifts (the sermons can be found on www.rocor.org)
Met. Lavra speaks to the hierarchs, delegates and distinguished guests at a private lunch
the Kremlin perimeter
bridge to the Kremlin
cannons left by Napoleon's army
Cathedral of the Archangel http://www.moscow.info/kremlin/churches/cathedral-archangel.aspx
Fr. Nikolai (Perekrestov) and Vaso
Kremlin Cathedral of the Annunciation (notice the scaffoldingin the archway entrance where they are repairing the ceiling and touching up the frescoes)
The Upper Savior's Cathedral churches (Kremlin)
The Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Theotokos (Kremlin)
steps to the Uspensky Cathedral (south entrance)
The Patriarch's Palace and Church of the Twelve Apostles
inside the Dormition church (Kremlin) - Here Russian emperors were crowned, and before them tsars and Grand Dukes. Patriarchs, metropolitans, and bishops were also consecrated. This church was consecrated in 1479. Who in the Rocor would ever imagine concelebrating here in the Kremlin with the Patriarch and MP clergy?!! http://www.moscow.info/kremlin/churches/cathedral-assumption.aspx
Ivan the Great Bell Tower
patriarchal motorcade
a special melody fills the air as the bellringer works with people on the ground sending each other hand signals to precisely time the ringing of the bells
west wall of the Uspensky Cathedral
Church of the Archangel
Vaso on the steps of Uspensky Cathedral
the "Fun Palace" which now houses the Kremlin Commandant Services
Kremlin Square overlooking the city
Choir Director Peter Fekula being interviewed
Fr. John Townsend
Vaso communing from the Patriarch
Vaso receiving Holy Communion from Patriarch Aleksey II
venerating the relics of St. Jona
o. Seraphim venerating the relics
Deda Lazo venerating the relics
Fr. Peter Burlakov
The Tsar Bell, believed to be the biggest bell ever cast, weighs over 200 tons! It cracked during casting and never rang.
http://www.moscow.info/kremlin/palaces/tsar-bell.aspx
Vaso and Deda in front of the famous Spasskaya (Savior) Clock Tower
St. Basil's Cathedral
church with the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (Red Square)
Nikolaj and Fr. Viktor eating a snack
Deda enjoying an ice cream
behind the statue of Marshall Zhukov stomping on the Nazi flag
arlievskys
reception for ROCOR residents of Moscow and the US
(Vaso's view)
donor/host of the reception
on the bus heading back to the airport
on the way home
Vaso's arial shots
the Kotars
Back Home!
