However, when you prepare a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:13-14)Hо, когда делаешь пир, зови нищих, увечных, хромых, слепых, и блажен будешь, что они не могут воздать тебе, ибо воздастся тебе в воскресение праведных. (От Луки 14:13-14 Russian)
Most Holy and Compassionate God, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for the precious gift of life on the first day of another year as we count days and years. Open our eyes to see the many opportunities for showing hospitality that we often pass by and ignore each day. Give us wisdom and boldness to take action that will give physical and moral help to the helpless, even as we receive constant help from your kindness. Forgive us for our apathy toward those who are truly in need. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
The last day of 2009 was cold and damp here in Nikolaev. We needed to take care of some errands and enjoyed looking at the sights. You might have noticed a picture of this statue before. It is situated in a park in the center of the city and memorializes a priest for whom the city is said to be named. His name was Mikolyu. He was "sainted" by the Orthodox Church and is remembered in Ukrainian language as St. Mikolyu; or that can be called St. Nicholas. This is not the same St. Nick of Santa fame. The poster on the street carries a poignant message: "25,000 children are awaiting adoption in Ukraine." The basketball poster reminds us that we miss our good friend Tyrelle Blair from Monticello, Florida and Boston College, who attended our services when the Nikolaev pro team was in town back in May. He is not playing in this particular European league this year. We miss his positive spirit and encouragement. People here in Nikolaev as all over Russia and Ukraine take their New Year's celebrating seriously. We've seen lots of fireworks on July 4th celebrations before, but these were over the top. From our 4th floor apartment we could see and hear the salutes to 2010 that went on for what seemed like an hour. Perhaps it was a little less than that, but not much. We are happy that we did not get out on the streets during that time of revelry as the alcohol was flowing freely. Instead we re-watched an old Soviet era movie that is shown every New Year - "C Logkim Parom". The story line is about a guy and some of his buddies who begin the holiday in Moscow with the ancient tradition of visiting the Banya (public sauna). They have a few too many toasts to the New Year, then one young man, a doctor who never drinks, becomes slightly inebriated and is put on an airplane to Leningrad. (St. Petersburg) When he arrives he gets a taxi to take him to the same street address that he lives on in Moscow. It turns out that there happens to be an identical high rise apartment building at this Leningrad address. He takes the elevator up to his floor and inserts his key and enters the apartment and falls asleep. Later an attractive school teacher who occupies the flat appears and finds him. Lots of funny and crazy scenes, but in the end they marry and live happily ever after. The producer boldly used the movie to highlight how difficult it was in the Soviet days when people had to wait on a long list to receive an apartment. Even those with high educations and good professions often waited and never had their turn at the "good life" promised by the Communists. Both of these young professionals could only receive a 345 square foot place to live with their mothers. It is New Year's Day and the movie is on another channel. I suppose it is sort of nostalgic for those who grew up during the days of the USSR here in Ukraine, Russia and other places.
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