26 January 2012, 12:51 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Holy New Martyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev (+ 1918)

The holy Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev was the first bishop to be tortured and slain by the Communists at the time of the Russian Revolution.

16 January 2012, 15:50 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

A COHORT OF MARRIED ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS, AND MORE ARE ON THE WAY – NEW YORK TIMES

The Rev. D. Paul Sullins, a sociologist at Catholic University, has interviewed over 70 married priests for a book he is writing.

12 January 2012, 13:05 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Roman Hurko's Divine Work

Roman Hurko is a Ukrainian Canadian who has just composed and recorded his third Divine Liturgy. Like all his work, it is divine indeed.

11 January 2012, 13:56 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

In Little Ukraine, Christmas Is Still Around the Corner

At the East Village Meat Market on Second Avenue, tiny firs, pots of poinsettias and ringing bells greet customers gearing up to celebrate the birth of Christ on Jan. 7 in the Julian calendar – evidence that in the neighborhood once known as Little Ukraine, Christmas is coming.

9 November 2011, 14:05 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Peresopnytsia Gospel was presented the exhibition devoted to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra opened at the Council of Europe

With the blessing of His Beatitude Volodymyr, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine on November 7, under the chairmanship of Ukraine in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the Peresopnytsia Gospels was presented, and the photo exhibition devoted to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

23 August 2011, 17:48 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Ukraine Does Not Want to be ‘Little Russia’

22 August 2011, 13:08 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Poland’s Holy Hill of Grabarka draws Orthodox Christian pilgrims

Some 15,000 Orthodox Christian pilgrims carried crosses, drank holy water and prayed on Friday at a hill in eastern Poland they believe to be sacred in a colourful celebration of their faith and identity in the overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country.

17 August 2011, 15:43 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Icon of the Mother of God of the Kyiv Caves

The Kiev Caves Icon of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the most ancient icons in the Russian Orthodox Church. The Mother of God entrusted it to four Byzantine architects, who in 1073 brought the icon to Sts Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves. The architects arrived at the monks' cave and asked, "Where do you want to build the church?" The saints answered, "Go, the Lord will point out the place."

15 August 2011, 17:41 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

CHYHYRYN, CHYHYRYN

Most sources that explain the origin of the name of the city use botanical arguments deriving the name from chahar, the “bush”. Another version: a healing and miraculous plant named chyhyr. That´s its name from perhaps the city got its name. Yet another version: the possessive suffix “yn” indicates that the name could derive from a personal name (medieval documents mention a local Tatar named Chyhyr, undoubtedly a strongman).”

12 August 2011, 14:08 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Escaping Russia with Rebbetzin Chana

This is the story of my personal experience when my family joined a group of Chassidim escaping from Russia after World War II (during the years 1946 – 1949). Their successful escape led to the relocation of the Russian Chabad community and the spreading of Chabad Chassidus to Europe, America, Eretz Yisroel, Africa, Australia, Asia and throughout the world.

5 August 2011, 11:57 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

‘Diplomacy is driven by mission’ – Metropolitan Hilarion’s interview to NG-Religii

DECR Chairman Metropolitan Hilarion speaks about traditions of church diplomacy and international agenda in an interview to journalists of NG-Religii supplement to Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Andrey Melnikov and Anton Kurilovich (NG-Religii, 3 August 2011).

26 Jule 2011, 16:58 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

TRIBUTE PAID TO CARDINAL WHO SURVIVED THE GULAGS

Kazimierz? Swiatek? Called a "Real Hero of Faith"

25 Jule 2011, 17:19 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

In Ukraine, Churches With a Distinctive Allure

IN western Ukraine, the side of the highway offers more unusual scenes than many performance-art pieces. On one spring day, an old woman cradled what looked like a baby but was actually a newborn lamb dressed in baby clothes. On another day, a young woman strutted down a dirt road in a micro-mini and precarious heels. Nearby, a pair of young dandies cruised in an ox cart.

14 June 2011, 11:27 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Kiev, Lviv: Cities on opposite ends of country highlight Ukraine's diversity

Caught between East and West, Ukraine is a study of contrasts, a fact represented in two of its main cities. Graceful Lviv, located near the Polish border, feels like Vienna’s long-lost cousin. Farther east, big, bustling Kiev has cultural ties closer to Moscow and a distinct Soviet flair.

14 June 2011, 11:17 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

A Journey into the Heart of Ukraine

I am not sure if this journey into Ukraine has brought me any closer to knowing who this so-called founder of Hassidic Judaism really was, but I am convinced that a long time ago he lit a holy fire in a deep forest, whose flames are still burning in Jewish hearts and souls today.

8 June 2011, 17:33 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Lubbock Christian chorus sings for the blind in Ukraine

The chorus from Lubbock Christian University in Texas, conducted by Philip Camp, recently completed its third concert tour in the eastern European nation of Ukraine recently. The chorus coordinates its tours with Eastern European Mission.

3 June 2011, 14:43 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

“The Treasure Island”

No one knows just how old Kamianets-Podilsky is, but this is no obstacle to developing the city’s tourism and infrastructure.

3 May 2011, 14:23 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

Translation of the relics of the Holy Passionbearer Boris

The Transfer of the Relics of the Holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb. St Boris (July 24) was a brother of the Great Prince of Kiev Yaroslav the Wise (1019-1054), and was baptized with the name Roman. The murdered Prince Boris was buried at the church of St Basil the Great at Vyshgorod near Kiev.

3 May 2011, 14:08 | Kaleidoscope-digest | 

2011 Annual St. Thomas Sunday Pilgrimage – A Weekend of Spiritual Renewal!

It has been a pious tradition among Ukrainians living in the USA, Canada and throughout Diaspora to visit the monumental St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery in South Bound Brook, NJ on the first weekend after Easter. It has become known as the St. Thomas Sunday or Provody Pilgrimage during which we gather at the gravesites of our loved ones to share in prayerful unity with them the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

28 April 2011, 12:08 | Kaleidoscope-digest

The Kasperov Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

Tradition says that this holy icon had been brought to Cherson from Transylvania by a Serb at the end of the sixteenth century. Passing down from parent and child, the icon had come to a certain Mrs. Kasperova of Cherson in 1809.