Coming to the Place of Childhood

Good day, dear readers!
My name is Mikhail Mayorov, I live in St. Petersburg and I am 42. Work in a financial sphere.
Last year, in September, I went to Ukraine as I had done a year before either. I had one week to visit Chernigov, two villages of my childhood and Kiev. It was an eventful journey. We drank much, cause you can never refuse to drink with those who you’ve known since 1979. Joking I was happy.

I have a beloved family, wife and daughter. But it’s not a crime to leave them once a year to go to places where you were growing. Hope, men will understand me, women won’t blame

The brightest day in Chernigov. My godfather Vladimir in the morning.

Vladimir is a parson. Despite his young age. That day he was going for service too.

We had to get up at 5am to be on time for divine service! Taking into consideration we had gone to bed at 1am it wouldn’t be easy. At 5.30 we started off.

Fog in the fields.

A sign for a future church.

Fog over water, sunrise in its final stage

Vladimir was unpacking staff he had bought two days before that in Kiev.

Some people already came to the church which was in an ordinary village house. It was planned to change it for a new house soon, with a dome and a cross.

Then I got a blessing from my godfather to photograph a bit. Vladimir changed and began preparing for a divine service. He let me enter a side chapel, the place where no one is allowed except a priest and a sextone. I’d never been there before.

Godfather explained me from which side I might step.

“Warewolf in the frock”, as I jokingly call him, likes to expose my sins Many times I wanted to confess but never did. And it’s not cowardice… At least not only cowardice… Godfather would hardly understand my weird intellectual mind.

Final preparations before the divine service

Service itself

After the service I was allowed to drink a glass of Cahors wine. By the way, it is me

I was hungry so I soon I felt tipsy. Though it vanished fast.

Pictured: Icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker and my godfather.

Then Vladimir took me to Nezhin. That day I had 300 km ahead but still I could visit Vladimir’s brother Misha whose birthday it was.

One the way Vladimir showed me a beautiful park. This place is called Kachanovka, here is a museum-estate.

Kachanovka is one of the biggest reserves in Ukraine.

We wanted to enter the church, but alas, they was being held a wedding ceremony there.

And without godfather

Entering the museum

Scribbler’s table caught my attention

Picture: “Catherine” by Taras Shevchenko

On the balcony

Seems this photo could be taken in XIX century! Prove it wasn’t! )

Way to the estate

Vladimir called and congratulated his borther. That day Vladimir was too busy to meet with brother, but I made him change his decision and go. I felt happy and satisfied, as if I managed to make a little miracle. On the way we met father Vadim, look in his truly believeing eyes! It was so nice to talk to him. He’s a very interesting person.