What a day!!!!!
We arrived at work to hear the news that there had been a bomb blast on the metro line and within a short time news of a second blast. We had walked to work and so were unaware it was happening at that time - but soon the sirens started and continued for several hours. Over 40 people died and many injured.
A Salvation Army response world wide would be to be there with the cuppa and sandwiches - but no so easy here in Moscow. So as we brought staff together, we believed the best strategy would be to purchase water and juice and chocolates and present ourselves at the disater zone. Our gifts were well received but we could not stay. So a small step to introduce what we can do. But there is much work needed to build a relationship that would see us as part of the emergency response.
The news of the disaster travelled quickly as people from around the world contacted to see everyone was ok. No news is good news - and it would seem that no army people have been affected.
We travelled on the metro later in the day and whilst numbers appeared to be way down and the police presence way up - there was little to show what had happened on this day. We boarded at train at the station of one of the bomb sites - a crossover line so we were on the second line. There was a small aroma - sort of smokey smell - you could see people were watchful around them - but life seemed to have returned to normal - and this was within 10 hours of the blast. By the evening, there was little activity outside the metro stations - a couple of TV crews suggested something was going on. Everyone seemed to be getting on with life. No memorial site, no flowers just people going about their business.
Today was also the day for a parcel from home. A recent visitor to Aus brought back a parcel so it was exciting to have it land on the desk. We have just gone through the notes and cards that have been collected along with 3 packages of artwork from our grandsons. We celebrated the tin of milo by cracking it open tonight to have on our icecream( we emptied our last tin a week ago and have been on rations for a while). In the parcel was a new baby laptop purchased in aus on special - so the kids had tested it to see it works and there is a variety of fun photos and videos for us to look at and treasure.
But the day was not over.......this evening we were invited to the Australian Ambassadors house for a private recital for an visiting musician. Ray Chan is 21 year old Australian violinist and is in Moscow to perfom in a concert. The ambassador had invited a small group of friends and associates to this performance and so we we treated to 2 special numbers of virtuoso violin from this brilliant young musician. As we sat and took in the music we were blessed to be there. The skill and passion of his playing on the 1708 Stradivarius amazed us. The aussie pride was strong as this young man greeted us and spent some time walking and talking with the guests.
So now we are finally home, catching up on the news of the day, looking at the news reels and graphic images of what has happened in this city. Glad we are safe .... but thinking of the many families who will be grieving tonight, the emergency workers who faced the disaster front on, the many thousands of people who witnessed scenes that no one would want to see.
Lets see what tomorrow brings.......the snow is melted and the bulbs begin to show there heads ..........spring is coming .........a new day in Moscow!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Half way
This week marks the half way point in our three year term in Eastern Europe. We left Melbourne 18 months ago this next week. The nearly full passport tells the story of interesting travel - it does not take long to fill a book when a Visa fills a page - some of the countries have needed 3 month visas and a stop over in China last year filled a page each way with stamps.
So where have we been - our work has taken us into Romania x1 , Moldova x 5 , Georgia x 1 for me and 2 for Ron, Ukraine x 2 and surprisingly the least traveled is Russia. Our work is predominantly in Moscow and we have journeyed to St Petersburg. Maybe we will correct that a little this year as we plan out our holidays and take in the sights of this vast land. Each of the places we have visited have their own unique attributes that endear you to the place.
Romania is the contrast of the people, Georgia the land - the history and beauty of the country, Ukraine the dilemma of a country with so much potential but struggling through politics and corruption, in Moldova it is the people - the joy and welcome even when surrounded with poverty. Russia still carries the strong influence of the post soviet culture and the challenge of working with a people so entrenched in this way of thinking.
For the Army we see the legacy of decisions made in the past and influences from the west because of a previously strong re-enforcement personnel that brings it own challenges. Local leadership is slowly developing but their is still a way to go before we have 'home grown leaders'
When we arrived in september last year we shared a role as Project Officers and Child sponsorship. After about 3 months that changed and Ron became sole projects officer and I took on a Resource PR role. So there has been interesting challenges as we work through all the aspects of our roles and endevour to bring our life experiences into our work. Hopefully to help and develop the people we work with and for.
This week we farewelled the Territorial Commanders. A Dutch couple have been here for two and a half years and now enter retirement. Their experience and strong leadership have brought some consolidation to the work here and some tough decisions have been made. This week we welcome our new leaders. An American couple come to lead the team here. So it will be interesting to experience this change and what they bring to the Territory.
We have experienced a whole year of seasons and come to the end of our second winter here. Currently it is the coldest winter for 50 years. The snow piles are higher than 8 feet in places. It has been a long and very cold winter right across Europe. The sad stories of the homeless in the extremes of this cold year abound. Stories of men who get drunk on cheap vodka and have their boots stolen and so end up with frost bite and then limb amputation. The stories of homeless dying on the streets because of the extreme conditions. The elderly in moldova who cannot afford to heat their homes because the power bills now exceed their pensions. Our work cannot meet the great needs - but we work with our people to ensure that the resources we have are used in the best way to meet the needs where we can. It will be spring soon and we look foward to the bare trees springing into green - but especially we look forward to the tulips and spring bulbs that are everywhere. The blossom trees abound - Moscow is a beautiful city in spring.
We continue to worship in the Moscow corps of Taganka and the opportunity to play in the orchestra gives service - where language is not a barrier. We have been asked to play at an ANZAC service in the Embassy so that will be interesting.
This past month has also been the new experience of testing the Moscow hospital service with Ron having a problem that required some treatment. An overnight stay after a small op was interesting for him. Fortunately, well covered by insurance but still a challenge to work through the process and language issues. He is recovering well. Medication needs has always been an issue, we could only bring 6 months worth with us - but you can get just about anything from the chemist - just need to know the Russian name. Prices vary greatly - so we shop around to find what we need. Panadol costs 4 rubles ( 20 cents) for a pack of 10. The greatest medication need is Vitamin D - so we just have to wait for the sun to shine to get that one !!!! When will the sun come out gain?????
Time is flying by so quickly - we look forward to some visitors from home this year and remind you if you want to take a stopover in Moscow we have a spare bed and will welcome you to stay awhile.
Until our next catch up
Lyn & Ron
So where have we been - our work has taken us into Romania x1 , Moldova x 5 , Georgia x 1 for me and 2 for Ron, Ukraine x 2 and surprisingly the least traveled is Russia. Our work is predominantly in Moscow and we have journeyed to St Petersburg. Maybe we will correct that a little this year as we plan out our holidays and take in the sights of this vast land. Each of the places we have visited have their own unique attributes that endear you to the place.
Romania is the contrast of the people, Georgia the land - the history and beauty of the country, Ukraine the dilemma of a country with so much potential but struggling through politics and corruption, in Moldova it is the people - the joy and welcome even when surrounded with poverty. Russia still carries the strong influence of the post soviet culture and the challenge of working with a people so entrenched in this way of thinking.
For the Army we see the legacy of decisions made in the past and influences from the west because of a previously strong re-enforcement personnel that brings it own challenges. Local leadership is slowly developing but their is still a way to go before we have 'home grown leaders'
When we arrived in september last year we shared a role as Project Officers and Child sponsorship. After about 3 months that changed and Ron became sole projects officer and I took on a Resource PR role. So there has been interesting challenges as we work through all the aspects of our roles and endevour to bring our life experiences into our work. Hopefully to help and develop the people we work with and for.
This week we farewelled the Territorial Commanders. A Dutch couple have been here for two and a half years and now enter retirement. Their experience and strong leadership have brought some consolidation to the work here and some tough decisions have been made. This week we welcome our new leaders. An American couple come to lead the team here. So it will be interesting to experience this change and what they bring to the Territory.
We have experienced a whole year of seasons and come to the end of our second winter here. Currently it is the coldest winter for 50 years. The snow piles are higher than 8 feet in places. It has been a long and very cold winter right across Europe. The sad stories of the homeless in the extremes of this cold year abound. Stories of men who get drunk on cheap vodka and have their boots stolen and so end up with frost bite and then limb amputation. The stories of homeless dying on the streets because of the extreme conditions. The elderly in moldova who cannot afford to heat their homes because the power bills now exceed their pensions. Our work cannot meet the great needs - but we work with our people to ensure that the resources we have are used in the best way to meet the needs where we can. It will be spring soon and we look foward to the bare trees springing into green - but especially we look forward to the tulips and spring bulbs that are everywhere. The blossom trees abound - Moscow is a beautiful city in spring.
We continue to worship in the Moscow corps of Taganka and the opportunity to play in the orchestra gives service - where language is not a barrier. We have been asked to play at an ANZAC service in the Embassy so that will be interesting.
This past month has also been the new experience of testing the Moscow hospital service with Ron having a problem that required some treatment. An overnight stay after a small op was interesting for him. Fortunately, well covered by insurance but still a challenge to work through the process and language issues. He is recovering well. Medication needs has always been an issue, we could only bring 6 months worth with us - but you can get just about anything from the chemist - just need to know the Russian name. Prices vary greatly - so we shop around to find what we need. Panadol costs 4 rubles ( 20 cents) for a pack of 10. The greatest medication need is Vitamin D - so we just have to wait for the sun to shine to get that one !!!! When will the sun come out gain?????
Time is flying by so quickly - we look forward to some visitors from home this year and remind you if you want to take a stopover in Moscow we have a spare bed and will welcome you to stay awhile.
Until our next catch up
Lyn & Ron
Saturday, February 6, 2010
trains, planes and.........snow
It's good to be official again. Our Visa and work permit process has been achieved.The final step involved leaving the country to get a visa to come back in. This week that becomes a multi- entry working Visa, allowing us to move in and out of Russia as we need. It has been a complicated process with rules that seem to change according to who you talk to. But is all good for now.
We travelled to Moldova late in January and spent a few days with the Callanders. Australia day was spent in over a foot of snow in the Russain Embassy. hot dogs for tea with Ian & Viv after a long day of work. No lamb chops or sausages on the barbie - but good at least to spend part of the day with someone from home. The snow falls have been frequent and every where we went the ground is well covered in a blanket of white.
Then it was off to Ukraine. We took the overnight train for 'the experience' - not that you see much overnight - but the 2 border crossings made for an interesting night. We were in a 4 bed coupe and the first border of Transitria - the guard pretended to read Ron's English passport cover to cover , but gave up on mine. The second crossing which is the offcial border the process was much stricter. Our passports were taken and waited on the train wondering what we would do if they did not come back before the train took off. But with a minute to spare our passports were back in hand with the appropriate stamps and we could roll over and try for some sleep before dawn. Our days in Ukraine involved meetings at DHQ and then another 7 hour train trip to visit a Corps. We arrived in the town ofDn..............(big word) affectionaltly known as 'neppo'
This is a large rural city in central /south eastern Ukraine. An industrial city for nuclear, arms and space industries. It was a closed city until the 1990's but now has nearly 2 million people.
There is a new Corps there and the Officers have concentrated their efforts in reaching out to students. There are several Universities in the city. We had a great 2 days connecting with the young people of this Corps - both in teaching and fellowship. Sunday afternoon a dozen of them took us on a 2 hour walk through the snow to show us the scenic sights. We very much enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time in this place. The hospitality of the Officers in sharing what little they had was humbling. we were reminded again how priviledged we are to be Australians and the amazing resources we have that we take so much for granted.
It was back on an overnight train for the trip to Kiev and a flight to Moscow. We have improved our ability to work the passport control lines and Ron is finally developing more of the Russian way when queuing. Elbows out and full steam ahead. No room for being a gentleman there!!!
So here we are back in our apartment amazed to realise this month marks the half way period of our three year term. We praise God for all His provisions and for the opportunities to work in this place.
We travelled to Moldova late in January and spent a few days with the Callanders. Australia day was spent in over a foot of snow in the Russain Embassy. hot dogs for tea with Ian & Viv after a long day of work. No lamb chops or sausages on the barbie - but good at least to spend part of the day with someone from home. The snow falls have been frequent and every where we went the ground is well covered in a blanket of white.
Then it was off to Ukraine. We took the overnight train for 'the experience' - not that you see much overnight - but the 2 border crossings made for an interesting night. We were in a 4 bed coupe and the first border of Transitria - the guard pretended to read Ron's English passport cover to cover , but gave up on mine. The second crossing which is the offcial border the process was much stricter. Our passports were taken and waited on the train wondering what we would do if they did not come back before the train took off. But with a minute to spare our passports were back in hand with the appropriate stamps and we could roll over and try for some sleep before dawn. Our days in Ukraine involved meetings at DHQ and then another 7 hour train trip to visit a Corps. We arrived in the town ofDn..............(big word) affectionaltly known as 'neppo'
This is a large rural city in central /south eastern Ukraine. An industrial city for nuclear, arms and space industries. It was a closed city until the 1990's but now has nearly 2 million people.
There is a new Corps there and the Officers have concentrated their efforts in reaching out to students. There are several Universities in the city. We had a great 2 days connecting with the young people of this Corps - both in teaching and fellowship. Sunday afternoon a dozen of them took us on a 2 hour walk through the snow to show us the scenic sights. We very much enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time in this place. The hospitality of the Officers in sharing what little they had was humbling. we were reminded again how priviledged we are to be Australians and the amazing resources we have that we take so much for granted.
It was back on an overnight train for the trip to Kiev and a flight to Moscow. We have improved our ability to work the passport control lines and Ron is finally developing more of the Russian way when queuing. Elbows out and full steam ahead. No room for being a gentleman there!!!
So here we are back in our apartment amazed to realise this month marks the half way period of our three year term. We praise God for all His provisions and for the opportunities to work in this place.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A new year
Some 2 months has passed since my last blog. All the best intentions to keep up have failed since returning from Australia in November. So here goes a little catch up.
Our work settled back into its routine quickly as we continue in the roles allocated to us. December had the added interest of Carolling as the band had the opportunity to play at several different places. Once again we had the opportunity to play carols to the Australian Embassy as we went to the Ambassadors Christmas party at her residence. Another engagement was to play at the steps of the Lutheran cathedral to the people attending the Messiah concert. And so Christmas came and went so quickly.
Christmas day started quietly at home as we were spent the morning just the 2 of us. The evening meal was shared in the home of the Territorial Commander where main course was a Netherlands Christmas specialty - rabbit. For sweets - a plum pudding brought from home with custard. The Christmas holidays here did not start until January 1 and the break lasts for 11 days. Orthodx Christmas celbrated on Jan 7. So it was a long celebration period.
We stayed put in Moscow for the break this year and took the opportunity for some walks and gallery visits and just a quiet catch up time.
December also had Ron on the road for a 5 day visit to Georgia. Here he spent some days witht he project o & Corps Offciers intraiing and proejct review. He enjoys the travel and sharing opportunities and was a good opportunity for him to see what is happening out on the field.
Following the New Year break I headed off to Romania for a week - again supporting and reviewing project work . Most of my days were spent indoors or travelling so not too much sight seeing and few photos. My one sight seeing tour ocurred at midnight after the plane landed when we took the long way home - just to have a look around Bucharest. Not a lot to see at that hour through the foggy car windows.
Visa paperwork has kept us busy - the process of renewing the various stages & medical tests to be allowed to stay and work in Moscow. Monday sees us in the final step of the renewal that has us leaving the country to apply for a visa to allow us to come back and work for the next year. So it is off to Moldova for a few days and then on to Ukraine where we will do reviews and support visits for the Officers there. It will be good to spend Australia day with Aussies in Moldova.
The coming year will see us consolidate the work of last year and build on the oportunites to develop some good systems and resources for the Territory. Ron has completed his study and now has his Masters in Community development and is keen to share his new learnings. The Territory will welcome new Territorial Commanders in March and so can anticipate some changes and expectations - so we wait and see what that means in our roles.
So if you have stuck with us in following our blog - I will try and get back to the monthly routine and with a promise of some photos to follow - I will sign off . Thasnk you to all our supporters - for your love and prayers and the various ways you connect with us. It helps to bring us all closer together.
Lyn
Our work settled back into its routine quickly as we continue in the roles allocated to us. December had the added interest of Carolling as the band had the opportunity to play at several different places. Once again we had the opportunity to play carols to the Australian Embassy as we went to the Ambassadors Christmas party at her residence. Another engagement was to play at the steps of the Lutheran cathedral to the people attending the Messiah concert. And so Christmas came and went so quickly.
Christmas day started quietly at home as we were spent the morning just the 2 of us. The evening meal was shared in the home of the Territorial Commander where main course was a Netherlands Christmas specialty - rabbit. For sweets - a plum pudding brought from home with custard. The Christmas holidays here did not start until January 1 and the break lasts for 11 days. Orthodx Christmas celbrated on Jan 7. So it was a long celebration period.
We stayed put in Moscow for the break this year and took the opportunity for some walks and gallery visits and just a quiet catch up time.
December also had Ron on the road for a 5 day visit to Georgia. Here he spent some days witht he project o & Corps Offciers intraiing and proejct review. He enjoys the travel and sharing opportunities and was a good opportunity for him to see what is happening out on the field.
Following the New Year break I headed off to Romania for a week - again supporting and reviewing project work . Most of my days were spent indoors or travelling so not too much sight seeing and few photos. My one sight seeing tour ocurred at midnight after the plane landed when we took the long way home - just to have a look around Bucharest. Not a lot to see at that hour through the foggy car windows.
Visa paperwork has kept us busy - the process of renewing the various stages & medical tests to be allowed to stay and work in Moscow. Monday sees us in the final step of the renewal that has us leaving the country to apply for a visa to allow us to come back and work for the next year. So it is off to Moldova for a few days and then on to Ukraine where we will do reviews and support visits for the Officers there. It will be good to spend Australia day with Aussies in Moldova.
The coming year will see us consolidate the work of last year and build on the oportunites to develop some good systems and resources for the Territory. Ron has completed his study and now has his Masters in Community development and is keen to share his new learnings. The Territory will welcome new Territorial Commanders in March and so can anticipate some changes and expectations - so we wait and see what that means in our roles.
So if you have stuck with us in following our blog - I will try and get back to the monthly routine and with a promise of some photos to follow - I will sign off . Thasnk you to all our supporters - for your love and prayers and the various ways you connect with us. It helps to bring us all closer together.
Lyn
Monday, November 23, 2009
Christmas is a coming.....................
These past 2 months have flown by. Since last I wrote we journeyed to Moldova for Officers councils and then straight on a plane to head home for our 4 weeks furlough.
The councils were a great experience in meeting the territories officers in a 3 day retreat in rural Moldova. The camp setting was an excellent venue that allowed us to gather in the natural surrounds and with the freedom to take some time out to worship God. We were well looked after and the camp hosts fed us well. 150 offciers from 5 countries came together for these days and we all went away having renewed friendship and made new ones.
Our trip home signalled the end of our first year in EET and was planned to be in time for our daughters wedding. Amey & David were married on the 24th November in a beautiful ceremony. The weather was great, the families gathered , the wedding party loooked superb. It was a really great day.
Our time in Melbourne was mostly spent sorting wedding things for the first 2 weeks and having time with the kids and the grandsons. There was plenty of catchup and preparation for our return to Moscow. Our son Jeremy left in the days after the wedding for a further stint of overseas service with his military group. So we think of him as he serves in a far off land away from loved ones. Well he is not exactly far off from where we are - but it is not as iof we can get in the car to go visit him!
Family had stocked us up with Tim tams, milo and vegimite and so on the 9th November we made the trip back. We are quickly back on the job and picking up the pieces again. As well as our work at THQ our committment at the Corps as we enter into the Christmas season has us carolling for a few events and the usual social gatherings will keep us busy into the new year.
The first snow of the season came as we travelled back and in the weeks following snow has fallen again. Soon we will be surrounded by snow again. The coats hats and gloves are out and we lok forward to our second white Christmas - still does not make up for no family - but is a different experience.
So that it for now - hopefully I can get some pictures sorted before long.
Lyn
The councils were a great experience in meeting the territories officers in a 3 day retreat in rural Moldova. The camp setting was an excellent venue that allowed us to gather in the natural surrounds and with the freedom to take some time out to worship God. We were well looked after and the camp hosts fed us well. 150 offciers from 5 countries came together for these days and we all went away having renewed friendship and made new ones.
Our trip home signalled the end of our first year in EET and was planned to be in time for our daughters wedding. Amey & David were married on the 24th November in a beautiful ceremony. The weather was great, the families gathered , the wedding party loooked superb. It was a really great day.
Our time in Melbourne was mostly spent sorting wedding things for the first 2 weeks and having time with the kids and the grandsons. There was plenty of catchup and preparation for our return to Moscow. Our son Jeremy left in the days after the wedding for a further stint of overseas service with his military group. So we think of him as he serves in a far off land away from loved ones. Well he is not exactly far off from where we are - but it is not as iof we can get in the car to go visit him!
Family had stocked us up with Tim tams, milo and vegimite and so on the 9th November we made the trip back. We are quickly back on the job and picking up the pieces again. As well as our work at THQ our committment at the Corps as we enter into the Christmas season has us carolling for a few events and the usual social gatherings will keep us busy into the new year.
The first snow of the season came as we travelled back and in the weeks following snow has fallen again. Soon we will be surrounded by snow again. The coats hats and gloves are out and we lok forward to our second white Christmas - still does not make up for no family - but is a different experience.
So that it for now - hopefully I can get some pictures sorted before long.
Lyn
Sunday, September 27, 2009
September is going going going......
This month has been a busy month as the various aspects of our work have increased for different reasons.
Ron is finalising 2 essays wehich will conclude his 3 years of study to acheive his Masters in International and community development. In the midst of his Bendigo appointment and then the change to living in Moscow he has undertaken this study with a distinction average mark - well done i say!!!
In his projects work a review team from London for a week to look at the project training progress and so there was much needed to prepare and process these visitors.
For me the work has been mostly preparring for a offciers congress due to be held next week. 150 delegates from the 5 countries will come together in Moldova for 3 days of meetings. I have been tasked with the organisation of this event and so it has meant bringing together a small team and following through the needed arrangments. This is also meant a few days in Moldova last week to sort out arrrangements at that end. Added to this has been the preparation of 20 hours of cadet lectures.
So we remain with plenty of work to do .
The excitement builds as we now prepare for our trip home. Our 12 month in country anniversary had us reflecting on our arrival last year and all that has happened in this year.
The change of lifestyle, the change of work, the change of friendships, and the change of how we communicate with loved ones.
But for now it is hard to focus ...all I can say is.....
BRING ON OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ron is finalising 2 essays wehich will conclude his 3 years of study to acheive his Masters in International and community development. In the midst of his Bendigo appointment and then the change to living in Moscow he has undertaken this study with a distinction average mark - well done i say!!!
In his projects work a review team from London for a week to look at the project training progress and so there was much needed to prepare and process these visitors.
For me the work has been mostly preparring for a offciers congress due to be held next week. 150 delegates from the 5 countries will come together in Moldova for 3 days of meetings. I have been tasked with the organisation of this event and so it has meant bringing together a small team and following through the needed arrangments. This is also meant a few days in Moldova last week to sort out arrrangements at that end. Added to this has been the preparation of 20 hours of cadet lectures.
So we remain with plenty of work to do .
The excitement builds as we now prepare for our trip home. Our 12 month in country anniversary had us reflecting on our arrival last year and all that has happened in this year.
The change of lifestyle, the change of work, the change of friendships, and the change of how we communicate with loved ones.
But for now it is hard to focus ...all I can say is.....
BRING ON OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Moscow statues
Moscow has many statues. Parks everywhere usually contain a few,many of stalin & lenin and many of the proud military heritage. This particular one is a feature in a park not far from the Kremlin. The artist is trying to depict the beauty & innocence of children and the dangers that surround them.
vist to gallery
My outing today was to find one of the best art Gallerys in moscow and in particular to find a painting called 'The Trinity'
It was only one stop on the metro and short walk to the Gallery. Some amazing art work telling the russian story in pictures.
There was a section for the russian icon work and this itself tells it own story of the history of Russian and the various influences. so it was good to spend a couple of hours just wandering & wondering.
I have been studying this particular piece of art in preparation for some cadet lectures I will do next month. Check out Andrei Rublev - The Trinity on the web. This is an amazong piece of work that brings together our understanding of the trinity - and for the orthodox it is seen as one of their most iconinc and famous pieces of work from the 15th century.
It was only one stop on the metro and short walk to the Gallery. Some amazing art work telling the russian story in pictures.
There was a section for the russian icon work and this itself tells it own story of the history of Russian and the various influences. so it was good to spend a couple of hours just wandering & wondering.
I have been studying this particular piece of art in preparation for some cadet lectures I will do next month. Check out Andrei Rublev - The Trinity on the web. This is an amazong piece of work that brings together our understanding of the trinity - and for the orthodox it is seen as one of their most iconinc and famous pieces of work from the 15th century.
wedding moscow 3
the bride and groom hving locked the padlock on the tree stand together and throw the key over their shoulder - not to see where it goes to signify they are locked together forever!
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