January 7, 2004
Dear Friends,
Today is Christmas Day in Russia. Our Orthodox as well as our
Evangelical friends here celebrate Christmas today. It is a national
holiday.
Last night I attended the Christmas Eve services at the Novodevichy
Monastery not far from our apartment. Four large bells, ringing
ominously in deep tones, summoned worshipers to the church within
the snow-covered grounds of the monastery. Like most monasteries
in Russia, this monastery was built for political as well as religious
purposes. The monastery is surrounded by massive fortifications
from which archers could protect it. In former times, if a czar
was displeased with his wife, he might exile her to the monastic
life within the walls of this monastery.
The sanctuary within the monastery, illumined by candelabras
and dozens of prayer candles placed by worshippers on circular
stands, was decorated last night with pine trees as well. According
to tradition, all women wear a cover on their heads. There are
no pews in this or any other Orthodox church. The six hundred
or more worshipers crowded inside the church stood for the duration
of the three-hour service. However I did see that a few of the
elderly and those carrying small children, brought folding chairs
on which they sat wherever they wished to. |
