Mr. Traveller

Until recently, historians and public opinion have widely believed that the Zaporozhye Cossacks were rather of dissolute life, caring little about God and moral values. This view was based on the concept of a religious person, which must conform to the ideal life of a monk, not missing a single church service and observing all the fasts. This also contributed to the playful image of the Zaporozhye Cossacks in the folk songs who can not distinguish between "the priest and the goat". Recently published researches on Zaporizhzhya Cossacks by D. Yavornytsky, M. Grushevskiy, N. Kostomarov, A. Apanovich and others have refuted this claim, making it possible to conclude that Ukrainian ancestors were deeply religious people that followed the Christian Orthodox faith. Cossacks come out in defense of their faith, and consequently - the nation, resisted the Polish gentry-expansion, as well as the Catholic Church. Living under constant military action, the Cossacks did not spare the l...

Father Daniel Sysoev and his assistant priest Vladimir Strelbitskiy were shot on November, 19 to 20 in the courtyard of the Church of St. Thomas in Moscow. Father Daniel died, his assistant was seriously injured. Father Daniel Sysoev is well known to the Russian public as one of the greatest missionaries who fought against sects, and conducted a polemic against Islam.  Among the most likely motives for the murder of Daniel Sysoev law enforcers and experts cite a wide missionary activity among non-Orthodox population of Russia, particularly among Muslims.  Previously, father Daniel several times reported on death threats, which he received especially after a dispute with the representative of Islam.  Orthodox and Catholics of Odessa express their sorrow and sympathy to the Orthodox brethren, as well as to the family members of executed priests.

Sometimes people travel to get new impressions, to change the picture of boring everydayness, to improve health, to fill the picture album at least. Sometimes even just to kill time. But my idea is quite a bit different, I like to travel because of meeting new people. I prefer to meet a good conversationist, good like-minded fellow rather than just see the sights. And there is no such suitable cause for getting acquainted with somebody as to meet him during a celebration, at a holiday. So, this Christmas at the beginning of the year we decided to celebrate in Lviv.