2009 Russian Festival - Saturday
Saturday turned out to be much better than we had anticipated. Because of the rain, we did not expect a good attendance, but it was good. We had almost 100 people visiting the temple.
A highlight of the day was Vlada, a very cute young lady. I saw her walking towards the Festival and said, "We have a princess." She turned to me and said, "I am a Russian princess!"
She was born in Russia and adopted by an American couple. Later I told her that I see why her parents adopted her and the mother said that the father said that she is his treasure. She is a very polite and well-mannered girl as well as intelligent.
She later told me that when her father finishes his beer and her mother finishes what she is doing, they are going to come up to see the temple. They did not come. Later when I went downstairs to turn in the candle money, I saw them and told her that I was waiting for them. Her mother told me that she had told them that she wanted to see the temple but she thought that it was closed. I invited them upstairs for a private tour since I had already locked the front door. Vlada really loved it. I hope that they will come back soon.
Like several others, Vlada's parents broguht her to the Festival because they wanted her to keep in touch with her heritage. One of the reasons for the Festival is to share our Russian heritage. Although I am not Russian, there is no reason that I cannot also enjoy the Russian heritage.
Many people are surprised that I am Russian Orthodox and most intelligent people think that this is wonderful. Occasionally I do come across an ignorant person who cannot accept the fact that I am Russian Orthodox. One man at the Festival, when he saw me, said "I know that you are not Orthodox" and I replied that I am an Orthodox deacon and he then said, "Ethiopian?" and I replied that I'm Russian Orthodox.
There are people who think that to be Russian Orthodox one has to be Russian. This is far from the truth.
Nina
Ms. Sue
Ms. Kay
Sue and Karen
Census Bureau people were here to tell us how important it is to fill out the census form next year when we receive them. Everybody needs to be counted, even illegal aliens. They use government resources and we need the money at the local level to cover them also.
Karen and Matushka Tatiana
Art is directing traffic as a visitor walks towards the Festival.
Lyman Ulrainian Dance Group
Our own "native son" John
I hope that we will see Darya's photographs on this site.
Dmitri, Gregory, and Nicholas
Evelyn and Michael
Children craft
Ala has really grown.
Nina, Ms. Sue, Sue, Ms. Kay
My godson Tendai
Ala
Elizabeth
Washington Balalaika Society
Darya and her brother
Lyman Ukrainian Dance Group
Mother of one of the dancers
Katya and Michael
Fr. John is not afraid of physical work.
Vera
Co-chairman David
My godson Tendai
Vladimir
Reader Paul and Fr. John
Stacie and Cassie
Cassie and Maggie
Nina and Ms. Sue in the background
Elizabeth is doing what one is supposed to do at a Festival.
Ann Marie and Reader Paul
Ala
Nina, Ksenia on her 18th birthday, and Vera
Karen
Phyllis
Olga from St. Andrew Orthodox Church
Valentina
Valentina and Nina
Reader Joseph
Lyman Ukrainian Dance Group
Tina from St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
The Lyman Ukrainian Dance Group has a new outfit.
While I was at table David Eichelberger picked up the camera and took the photo.
Avis and her mother Ann Marie
Her highness Vlada, a Russian princess
Vlada is standing in front of my green vestments.
Vlada and her parents
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since Saturday 31 October 2009 when counter was reset to zero. Page was uploaded on Monday 19 October 2009.