UN BARBOUILLEUR

лондон

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:32:33 GMT

Robert Lignier

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:06:58 GMT

Ode on a Blogosphere

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:40:37 GMT

Futility Closet

Ode on a Blogosphere

If all the trees in all the woods were men,
And each and every blade of grass a pen;
If every leaf on every shrub and tree
Turned to a sheet of foolscap; every sea
Were changed to ink, and all earth's living tribes
Had nothing else to do but act as scribes,
And for ten thousand ages, day and night,
The human race should write, and write, and write,
Till all the pens and paper were used up,
And the huge inkstand was an empty cup,
Still would the scribblers clustered round its brink
Call for more pens, more paper, and more ink.

– Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Cacoëthes Scribendi"

" NORD -OST" five years ago....

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:53:11 GMT

The Moscow theater hostage crisis was the seizure of a crowded Moscow theatre on October 23, 2002 by about 40 armed Chechen Special Purpose Islamic Regiment (SPIR) militants who claimed allegiance to the separatist movement in Chechnya. They took 850 hostages and demanded the withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya and an end to the Second Chechen War.

After a two-and-a-half day siege, Russian OSNAZ forces pumped unknown gas into the building's ventilation system and raided it. Officially, 39 of the terrorists were killed by Russian forces, along with at least 129 of the hostages (nine of them foreigners). Some estimates have put the civilian death toll at more than 200,[1] with 204 names on one list.[2]

A similar hostage-taking by Chechen extremists occurred in September 2004, during the Beslan school hostage crisis, resulting in the death of more than 300 people.

+ 4 parts of the video....

find here articles about ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA(russian journalist and human rights activist well known for her opposition to the Chechen conflict and Russian president Putin. )

bishopdion thank you for this link

Credo of Fr Alexandr Men

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:58:41 GMT

it's a nice picture of Valaam monastery ( Russia ).

Thank you fr seraphimsigrist for Fr Alexander Men's compellation of thoughts! Today I've got an idea of writing the icon of Fr Alexander. For my friend. I know a lot of icon painters, I study theology and I have to realize that...

CREDO
Fr Alexander Men

Christianity is not 'an ideology', an abstract doctrine or a fixed system
of rituals. The Good News entered the world as a dynamic force, encompassing
all sides of life, open to everything created by God in nature and in human
beings. It is not just a religion which has existed for the past twenty
centuries, but a Way focussed on the future (John 14.6; Acts 16.17; 18.26).

I: The Faith of a Christian
A Christian

* centres his or her faith on Jesus Christ by whom all is measured
and evaluated (Gal 2.20; Rev 1.8);
* understands the revelation of the inner life of God, of the mystery
of the Trinity as evidence of the love of God and as a call to unity in
love (John 3.16; 17.21; I John 4.8);
* believes that the coming to earth of the God-man was not a divine
one-sided act but a call for people to respond to the love of God (Rev. 3.20).

II: The Bible and its Interpretation
A Christian

* does not look on faith to be an abstract conviction, but understands
it to be total trust in God as revealed in Christ (Rom. 4.3);
* accepts the word of God which is recorded in scripture but guards
against giving a literal interpretation to every line of the Bible especially
of the Old Testament (Rom. 7.6);
* believes that one and the same God revealed himself in both Testaments;
but that God revealed himself gradually as befitted the level of human
consciousness (Heb. 1.1-2);
* does not ask for tangible signs (Mark 8.11-12) but remembers that
creation is a miracle (Ps. 19.1);
* refuses to point to human imperfection, or to 'the survival of
animal nature' as the sole reason for the existence of evil in human
beings, but believes in the reality of metaphysical evil (John 8�44);
* rejects the tendency to find in scripture or in the writings of
the Church Fathers statements about natural science held to be valid
for all time;
* views the academic study of the Bible and church history as an
important means for clarifying the meaning of revelation and establishing
the actual circumstances of sacred history.

III: The Church, Tradition, and Christian Unity
A Christian

* recognizes the presence and activity of Christ in the church, and
in all life, even in the simplest and most mundane of its manifestations
(see our Lord's parables, in particular Matt. 6.28-29);
* believes that the church lives and grows in the strength of Christ
(Matt. 16.18; 28.20);
* believes that Christ reveals himself in the sacraments of the
church, in her sanctification of the world, in her teaching and acts of
service (I Cor. 11.26; Matt. 18.19-20; Rom. 6.11; Matt. 28.18-20; Luke
10.16), but knows that not one of these aspects of the church's life is
sufficient on its own, for Christ came as saviour, healer and teacher.
* recognizes the line dividing Tradition (the spirit of faith and
learning) from 'traditions', many of which are associated with folklore
and are impermanent accretions to religious life (Mark 7.8; Col. 2.8);
* respects the ritual forms of devotion without forgetting for a moment
that they are secondary in comparison with love for. God and other people
(Matt. 23.23-24; Mark 12.28-31);
* believes in the significance of the hierarchical and canonical
principle within the church, seeing them as structural features of an
active organism which is called to be effective on earth (I Cor. 12.27-30);
* knows that liturgical rules and canon law have changed over the
centuries and cannot (and should not) remain absolutely unaltered in the
future (John 3.8; II Cor. 3.6, 17). This also applies to the theological
interpretation of the truths of the faith. Such interpretation has had a
long history, and has passed through phases when more of the truth was
revealed and when interpretation deepened (for instance the Church

Fathers and councils introduced new concepts which are not to be found
in the scriptures);
* is not afraid to look critically at the church's past following
the example of the teachers in the Old Testament and of the Church Fathers;
* considers that all the inhuman excesses of the Christian past
(and present) - the execution of heretics and such like - betrayed
the spirit of the Gospel, and was an actual deviation from the church
(Luke 9.51-55);
* knows that the opponents of Christ (illegitimate rulers,
power-loving members of the hierarchy, fanatical supporters of the past),
are to be found not only in the Gospel period but reappear under various
guises at any time in history (Matt. 16.6);
* guards against authoritarianism and paternalism, which are rooted not
in the spirit of faith but in characteristics inherent to the fallen nature
of humanity (Matt. 20.25-27; 23.8-12);
* experiences the divisions among Christians as a sin which is common to
all and a violation of Christ's will (John 10.16); believes that in the
future this sin will be overcome not by a sense of superiority, pride,
complacency, or hatred, but rather through a spirit of brotherly love
without which the Christian calling cannot be fulfilled (Matt. 5.23-24);
* is open to all that is valuable in all Christian denominations and
non-Christian beliefs (John 3.8; 4.23-24);
* considers that the separation of the church from the state is the
most desirable situation for faith and sees the danger inherent in the
very idea of a 'state religion';
* values the national character of each church as being particular,
concrete embodiments of the human spirit and of the mystery of the
incarnation. However, this is not to deny the universal nature of the church;
* treats the works of art of the church over the centuries not as a
mistake but as a way of realizing God's gifts.

IV: The Value of the Person, Human Relationships, and the Christian Vocation
A Christian

* knows that the dignity of the human person and the value of life
and creativity are based on the belief that humanity was created by God
(Ps. 8);
* professes that freedom is one of the most important laws of the
Spirit, and in the light of this sees sin as a form of slavery
(II Cor. 3.17; John 8.32; Rom. 6.17);
* believes that it is possible for a person to acquire the Spirit
of God, but in order to distinguish this from a sick form of spiritual
exhaltation ('bewitchment'), judges it by the fruit of the Spirit
(Gal. 5.22-23);
* following the teaching of the apostle Paul looks on the human
body, although imperfect owing to the fallen condition of nature, as
the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6.19);
* recognizes that it is essential to look after the body (I Tim.
5.23) so long as this does not turn into 'worship of the flesh';
believes in the sanctity of human love if it is combined with
responsibility, believes in the sanctity of the family and marriage
(Gen. 2.18, 23-34; Matt. 19.5);
* according to the decisions of the church councils looks upon
marriage and monasticism as equally honourable estates so long as
monasticism is not undertaken for reasons of ambition and other
sinful motives;(1)
* does not reject good even if it comes from non-religious
people; but rejects force, dictatorship, and hatred even if they
are perpetrated in the name of Christ (Matt. 7.21; 21.28-31; Mark 9.40);
* sees all that is beautiful, creative, and good as belonging
to God, as the secret activity of Christ's grace;
* considers that when some area of life is infected by sin this
should not serve as a reason for rejecting it. On the contrary, the
struggle to establish the kingdom of God should take place at the
centre of life;
* realizes that the Gospel understands 'asceticism' not so much as
an escape from the world but rather as a spirit of selflessness, a
struggle against 'enslavement to the flesh',
through recognition of the supremacy of eternal values (Matt. 16.24);
* sees that the Christian vocation can be realized in everything:
in prayer, work, creativity, in active service and moral discipline;
* does not consider reason and science to be the enemies of
faith. Knowledge enlightened by the spirit of faith deepens our
understanding of the greatness of the creator (Ps. 104; I Kings 4.29, 33-34; Ps. 89);
* faces all the problems of the world, considering that any of them
can be evaluated and made sense of in the light of faith;
* affirms with the apostle Paul that the witness of faith in the
world is first and foremost the witness of service and active love (I Cor. 13);
* looks upon the life of society as one of the spheres where the
principles of the Gospel can be applied;
* recognizes our duty as citizens (Rom. 13.1) in so far as they do
not contradict the demands of faith (Acts 4.19);
* does not proclaim this or that system of government to be
specifically Christian. The value of a system is measured by what
it gives people: by its expediency and humaneness.

V: History and the kingdom of God
A Christian

* believes that history is moving forward through trials, catastrophes
and struggle towards the future kingdom of God which transcends history;
* treats with reservation the idea of 'the flawed nature of history',
that is the conviction that God's truth has been totally defeated on earth
(this is contradicted by Rev. 20.1-6);
* believes that, whenever the Last Judgment may come, people are
called to work for the benefit of others, to create the city of God,
the reign of the good;
* believes that the Last Judgment has already begun, that it began
from the moment Christ began to preach (John 3.19; 12.31);
* sees the condition of the human soul after death as temporary and
incomplete, waiting to be fulfilled at the general resurrection and
transfiguration of all (Dan. 7.13-14; John 5.28; Rom. 8.11; Rev. 20.11-15);
* knows that the kingdom of God which is to come, can reign
'within us' even today (Luke 9.27; 17.21).

dear catholic friends I congratulate you with nowdays feast

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:40:20 GMT

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things through me
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME.
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I will give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

STUDENTESSA UNIVERSITARIA -SIMONE CRISTICCHI

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 11:37:15 GMT

I'll become a studentessa of new University! Studentessa universitaria, triste e solitaria Nella tua stanzetta umida, ripassi bene la lezione di filosofia E la mattina sei già china sulla scrivania E la sera ti ritrovi a fissare il soffitto, i soldi per pagare l’affitto te li manda papà…

BLEAK HOUSE in NEW ZEALAND

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:14:10 GMT

Today is the 4th night when I enjoy watching BLEAK HOUSE ( C. Dickens)
on TV.

This nice house was moved from it's Ashburton site to Timaru and then shipped to Auckland where it has been relocated on a 5 acre block at Waitakere. Bleak House

was so named by Henry Stephenson who commissioned this house to be built in 1908. He was an avid fan of Charles Dickens, whose novel Bleak House inspired its design.

Dear broth, all the best Luck!

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:19:30 GMT

S dnem rozhdenia, Pavel)))

party

Thu, 31 May 2007 14:58:05 GMT

Leninskij prospekt, 95a * 119313 Moskau * Tel. +7 (495) 936 24 57-60 * Fax 936 22 32

e-mail: info@moskau.goethe.org web: www.goethe.de/moskau

THOMAS MEINECKE

Im Club Ikra und

auf dem 2. Internationalen Buchfestival in Moskau

Thomas Meinecke

Schriftsteller, Musiker und Radio-DJ. Er war Mitherausgeber der Avantgarde-Zeitschrift „Mode & Verzweiflung“, schrieb Kolumnen für die renommierte deutsche Wochenzeitung „Die Zeit“. Seit 1986 veröffentlicht er diverse Prosatexte, u. a. Romane „The Church of John F. Kennedy“ (1996), „Tomboy“ (1998), „Musik“ (2004), „Plattenspieler“ (2004), „Feldforschung“ (2006).

7. Juni 23.00 Uhr, im orangefarbenen Saal des Clubs „Ikra“ wird Thomas Meinecke im Rahmen der Party-Reihe „RadioIkra“ über Musik sprechen und auflegen. Thomas Meinecke weiß alles über Pop-Musik in Europa und in den USA. Am Mischpult des Moskauer Clubs wird er das Interessanteste und Spannendste aus seiner Sammlung zu Gehör bringen.

Auf dem 2. Moskauer Internationalen Buchfestival wird Thomas Meinecke auch andere Aspekte seines Schaffens präsentieren.

9. Juni, 19.00 Uhr, Zelt „Jalta“ Als Musiker und DJ wird er einen Vortrag mit dem Titel „From Disco to Disco“ über die deutsche Popmusik der vergangenen drei Jahrzehnte halten und dazu Schallplatten auflegen.

10. Juni, 17.00 Uhr, Zelt „Jalta“ Literarische Lesung aus dem aktuellen Erzählband „Feldforschung“ und Gespräch über die neuesten Tendenzen der Popliteratur in Deutschland.

Alle Veranstaltungen finden in der deutschen Sprache mit Übersetzung statt. Eintritt frei.

Orte:

Buchfestival: Zentrales Haus des Künstlers | Krymskij Wal, 10 | Oktjabrskaja, Park Kultury

Radio Ikra: Club Ikra | Tel.: 505 53 51 | ul. Kasakowa, 8 | Kurskaja

Veranstalter:

Goethe-Institut Moskau www.goethe.de/moskau

2. Moskauer Internationales offenes Buchfestival www.moscowbookfest.ru

Club „Ikra“ www.nobullshit.ru

Presse-Kontakt: wostrezowa@moskau.goethe.org; Tel.: 936 24 57…60

kupatsya! Allex Britti

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:18:00 GMT

La Vasca

The Bathtub

I want to stay all day in the bathtub

With the hot water cuddling my head...

Voglio restare tutto il giorno in una vasca I want to stay all day in the bathtub
con l’acqua calda che mi coccola la testa With the hot water cuddling my head
un piede fuori che s’infreddolisce appena One foot out, just barely getting cold
uscire solo quando è pronta già la cena Come out only when dinner is ready.
mangiare e bere sempre e solo a dismisura Eat and drink always and only too much
senza dover cambiare buco alla cintura Without having to change the hole on my belt
e poi domani non andrò neanche al lavoro And then tomorrow I won't even go to work
neanche avvertirò perché il silenzio è d’oro And I won't even warn them because "silence is golden"
tornerò con gli amici davanti scuola I'll go with my friends back in front of [our old] school
ma senza entrare, solo fuori a far la ola But without going in - [we'll] just stay out and do the hula
non ci saranno ripetenti punto e basta No one will have to repeat [school years], period.
staremo tutti insieme nella stessa vasca We'll all stay together in the same bathtub
così grande che ormai è una piscina So big that by now it's a pool
staremo a mollo dalla sera alla mattina We'll float around from evening to morning
così che adesso è troppo piena e non si può più stare So that now it's too full and we can't stay anymore
è meglio trasferirci tutti quanti al mare It's best if we all transfer to the sea
quando fa buio accenderemo un grande fuoco When it gets dark we'll light a big fire
attaccheremo un maxi schermo e un maxi gioco And hook up a maxi screen and a maxi game
e dopo inseguimenti vari e varie lotte And after various chases and fights
faremo tutti un grande bagno a mezzanotte We'll all have a big dip at midnight

Eternal God of Fire and Wind,

Sun, 27 May 2007 08:45:08 GMT

Pentecost: God’s Great and Glorious Day

A birth day is a great and glorious day. Something new comes into being that has never existed before. On Pentecost that new creation was the Christian church. The disciples of Jesus received the power of the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the good news of what God had done. Those who received the message were baptized and the church began to grow.

Eternal God of Fire and Wind,

We come to you in prayer filled with awe at the way you move in our lives. No tongue of fire is too small to spread your goodness, no breath too insignificant to speak your truth. Each day contains its holy moments, a constant reminder of your Spirit's presence.

On this day we celebrate the birthday of all churches and ponder what it means to be your church. In a world filled with differences help us to recognize our common source in you, Creator of all. When we would shutter ourselves against your energy, blow through us and change us as you blew through the crowd in Jerusalem, opening our minds and hearts.

With eyes and ears trained and tuned to you, may we work together to share your love, both in our churches and in the world. May walls and structures never become more important to us than your call to feed the hungry, to house the homeless and to care for the sick and imprisoned. May old ways of being and tired modes of thinking be released into your wind as it blows this day.

We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ ( Ascensio Domini )

Thu, 17 May 2007 08:12:39 GMT

I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
Oh oh oh

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night

I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

God loves you. Why?

Tue, 15 May 2007 06:13:54 GMT

GOD LOVES YOU! WHY!?

ISPANIA 2006

Mon, 14 May 2007 06:56:28 GMT

The Door

Sun, 13 May 2007 19:15:00 GMT

THE DOOR

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock,

if anyone hears My voice

and opens the door

I will come in"

the body

Sun, 13 May 2007 19:11:28 GMT

The body

There is one Lord,

one Faith, one Baptism,

one God and Father of all.

Who is in all and through all.

When we reflect the Christ we know,

then we will form the body

and we will know Him as the Head.

There is one Lord,

one Faith, one Baptism,

one God and Father of all.

Who is in all and through all.

When we reflect the Christ we know,

then we will form the body

and we will know Him as the Head.

There is one Lord,

one Faith, one Baptism,

one God and Father of all.

Who is in all and through all.

When we reflect the Christ we know,

then we will form the body

and we will know Him as the Head.

„HINTERGRUNDWISSEN EINES KLAVIERSTIMMERS“

Fri, 11 May 2007 17:44:33 GMT

REBECCA MARIA SALENTIN liest im Literaturklub

„HINTERGRUNDWISSEN EINES KLAVIERSTIMMERS“

Rebecca Maria Salentin, geboren 1979, aufgewachsen in der Eifel. Sie lebt mit ihrer Familie in Leipzig. Im kommenden Herbst ist Rebecca Maria Salentin Stipendiatin des Literarischen Colloquiums Berlin. HINTERGRUNDWISSEN EINES KLAVIERSTIMMERS ist ihre erste Buchveröffentlichung.

www.rebecca-salentin.de

Krakau, Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts: Hier beginnt die ereignisreiche Geschichte einer ungewöhnlichen Familie, im Mittelpunkt zwei Schwestern, die unterschiedlicher nicht sein könnten. Ihr Vater hat die Familie längst verlassen und beschlossen, den Rest seines Lebens schweigend zu verbringen; die schläfrige Mutter und der tropensüchtige Großvater verlieren sich in ihren eigenen Sehnsüchten.

Verlass ist nur auf einen: den Klavierstimmer, der lautlos im Haus ein und aus geht und dabei die ungeheuerlichsten Dinge erfährt. Schließlich, in einem heißen Sommer, eskalieren die Ereignisse.

Ein farbenprächtiger Familienroman um Liebe, Musik und um zwei Frauen, die beschließen, ihr Leben selbst in die Hand zu nehmen.

Mittwoch, 16. Mai 2007, 19.00

Goethe-Institut Moskau

Seminarraum

Leninskij Prospekt 95a

Metro: Prospekt Wernadskogo oder Novyje Tscheremuschki;

Marschrutka oder Bus 616 bis „Leninskij prospekt“

DARLING BRITAIN!

Thu, 10 May 2007 09:00:52 GMT

Satisfaction! Landing in Heathrow

Dearest darling Britain!!!
How’re u? How’s the weather? Hope all is well! I’m just brewing a pot of earl grey as I write! My, how the aroma takes me back! If I close my eyes, I’m almost transported through Sloane str-t and park lane up old bond Street.
Dear! Truly u’re the only country who has made tea such an art form!
U’re exclusive so many ways! How to forget the lights lightening every evenings on the River Thames! hey? who else wears bowler hats? Has red phones on the streets? plays crocket? U make me laugh, make me smile ( and yes, we have had some crazy nights together, haven’t we?)
Dear old Britain! U’re teaching me Shakespeare and swear words courage and culture. U’re my first luv’!
But after this week I’m intrested in your stories..
I love your cosmopolitan attitude, ur extrenctic, ur good- manners. And when u’re good and even when u’re bad- tempered.
And the most love is Russian orthodox cath.,the angl.church on Holland road, the Corner of hyde- park, St. martins college, museum of dangeon,the shop” formula1” on Carnaby st-t, musik-shop on Oxford st-t.,..
I love u, Britain! Thnx for Robbie Williams, brother Gallacher, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry.
And forgive u for madam T.
Miss ur dirty air.. Thnx for the pies, love always!
Thanx for some of the hottest plays in the world: magdalen college & the lake in Oxford, the trinity church and the lake with ducklings in Stratford- upon- avon!extra big kisss for Crage in the musicboutique on Oxford Str.!
I like the country Side, “fresh air”, people, relaxing, jam on the toasts..
What do I love about Britain? The weather!no not really! But creativity and self- espession whice is encouraged and respected like now here else in the world.
Dear Britain,
Only when I am away I appreciate what u actually are!
As u know, I like having good journeys..
U’re special, style, and full of great history.
None is the same place on the earth and my heart is always hear.
With love..

Sincerely yours, DARIA 2005

memorable journey. Welcome to London

Thu, 10 May 2007 07:34:16 GMT

Let me know if you want to read the continue of this story! (I've written this text 3 years ago!)

We flew in London in the end of March to find that the cold, cloudy weather we anticipated hadn’t disappointed us! I felt if I were in London when our Tourist bus passed the Heathrow terminal and was happy to see it in all its behemoth glory! My brother Max (my brother) took out our camera (canon303) and began “to make stop-moment”J

Five minutes later we saw our first red bus! I was really happy! Our guide explained that we were staying in traffic- jam and she could nothing do! Humph, but she came from Moscow and there’s no traffic-jam with 6 cars…oh, ENGLAND!

30 minutes later we had come in our room in Alexandra hotel, near Paddington! We choose “Alexandra” for a variety reasons. Alexandra Hotel is situated in one of London's most desirable locations and is ideal for a holiday.
It was only a minute walk distance from Hyde Park, Oxford Street and Marble Arch, as well as Paddington, Lancaster Gate and Edgeware Road Stations with a great number of bus routes easily reached. Less than 2 Kilometers from Kensington gardens& Moscow road or two stops on the Piccadilly line and less than two Kilometers from Piccadilly. It’s a lively area with plenty of restaurants, cafes, pubs. We lived only five blocks from Edgeware Road, called “Arabic ghetto”. It’s a district with several Oriental shops, streets full of black people (color people). I was lucky enough to visit such exotic place, but Max didn’t agree with me. The Alexandra is a 2 stars hotel and is not especially expensive. We lived in a little room on the 3^rd floor of a three- storied hotel! The average room (~10m²) with a window (the English frame open as always up) looks backwards. There is a TV set, a telephone, a dryer, an adapter and a safe at reception). Ifound the sweet balcony near the staircase (evacuation exit)! While I was already in Moscow, our fashion show- men on TVs and radio DJ Anton Komolov (radio Europe plus) had visited London with” Star Travel” and stayed in our room №301 with his wife! Ce la vie..

In fact it was a typical tourist- hotel in the typical tourist street and the room with too small a bathroom. These room was made exactly not for fatty ..not very slim Americans ( hey!!! I’m sorry!)! 50 steps upstairs are like a loft! There lived 30 Swedes, our group and strange family couples in this hotel. Swedes students were as usual too noisy. Half of a night they were gathering to the night club. I can remember only one Darrel (His name sounds like mine and he was sitting always by himself with lap-top near the reception desk. I agree those two white sofas were the most comfortable places in the hotel.

Firstly there were no people near our “loft” but in three days an another group of students arrived !

We met our pretty- looking guide Irina and she told us about the program for the next days.

Eventually, we left our hotel and walked through Edgware Road to Oxford Street. It was wonderful! I saw all the dream shops! Nike show- room for ex.! The full day we had nothing to eat! Thanks to my mummy, she had given us two sandwiches and two apples in Moscow! London is too expensive city! We walked to the point of Oxford Circus Tube and got really tiredL! We couldn’t find the right way, were in Soho.. it’s really a fantastic place but only for a girl with a ~~male-companion~~. We were sprinkled by a bottle of champagne thereJ when came close to the group of teenagers. So I never forget Soho with its teenagers, cinemas, shops, crowds of peoples.. One of the best ways to explore Soho is on foot and without a map. The streets seem to wind to wind in circles sometimes, but you never get the feeling that you’re irretrievably lost- just misplaced. Soho has always and still does display some of funkier aspects of life in London, from nude dancing emporiums to small fringe threaters to bootleg record shops. (I mean records, too- those old, round vinyl things; remember those?) The Berwick St- t Market is located in Soho, well as most known wn Carnaby Street, the place to be for Mods in the 1960s and punks in the 1980s, but now little more than an open, Americanized mall. But I was lucky when found one shop called “FORMULA1”!!! We were there only 20 minutes, because all of the shops must be closed at 7p.mL! So I’ve bought a baseball cap “Michael Schumacher” for my friend Andre (but it was wrong, I need it more than he. He never wanted swearing through the Moscow streets on his “Nissan Sunny” like his famous “colleague”J! Now I’m lucky enough, because I get the another cap from him (With first letters his important work of a secret agentJ)

So, we couldn’t find the right way…

One black woman was running for the bus and we had stopped her to ask how to get for Piccadilly Circus. She explained and had done it very clearly! You see that the story about intelligence of the Londoners is a real thing!

The main peculiarity of many bus- stop stations is that the people, whom are sitting on these glazed stations, are sitting back to the street. It will be really comfortable for Russia, where the muddy puddles and stupid drivers are.

Piccadilly is a really ~~disgusting~~ place! A lot of junk and no cleaners! It depends on community. People who work there makes litter for every morning clearing it upJ!

))) Oh, firstly I saw there Lamborghini, Ferrari (not like in Moscow, but more expensive and fashionable!) People who drive into the centre of London have to pay J5 (pounds)! But I think that it’s good for every (more place for parking) but the best is for London only. To think of it! humphhh! London needs urgently not double deckers buses, but three and more decks for all people from London and suburbsJ

How did we reached the hotel? With adventures! We got tired and Max suggested me to take a cab! But I was so clever that he refused! To sit in a cab only for 1minute costs ~~J1 (pounds)~~! We got to our room at midnight but with money! )))

Ich gratuliere Euch zum Tag des Sieges

Wed, 09 May 2007 16:05:05 GMT

Für viele Russen ist der 9. Mai, der Jahrestag des Siegs über Nazi-Deutschland, noch immer der wichtigste Feiertag( humph, aber nicht alle drinken Bier einfach so). Doch zwei Dinge überschatteten die Parade in Moskau in diesem Jahr: Die Tatsache, dass Putin einen Zivilisten zum Verteidigungsminister gemacht hat, und natürlich der Denkmalstreit mit Estland.

Russische Soldaten nehmen in den Uniformen der sowjetischen Armee aus der Zeit des Zweiten Weltkriegs an der Parade teil

Der Rote Platz ist feierlich geschmückt, russische Fahnen wehen am Kaufhaus Gum, überdimensional groß sind die Orden und Ehrenzeichen der Sowjetunion am Historischen Museum und an der Kreml-Mauer angebracht. "Es beginnt die Parade unter der Flagge der Russischen Föderation und der Fahne des Sieges, Stillgestanden!" Mit diesen Worten eröffnet der Oberbefehlshaber der Moskauer Garnison pünktlich um 10 Uhr die Feierlichkeiten auf dem Roten Platz.

7000 Soldaten, militärische Ehren, Stechschritt und Musikkapellen, Pomp, Paukenschläge und Spielmannszüge - dann der neue russische Verteidigungsminisiter Anatolij Serdjukow: "Ich gratuliere Euch zum Tag des Sieges im Großen Vaterländischen Krieg", ruft er. Aus tausend Soldatenkehlen dröhnt die Antwort: "Guten Tag, Herr Verteidigungsminister, hurra!".

Verteidigungsminister Serdjukow bei der Ankunft auf dem Roten Platz
Serdjukow, früher Chef eines Möbelhauses und anschließend Leiter der Steuerpolizei, nimmt selbstbewusst die Parade ab. In einem offenen Cabrio stehend, fährt er zu Präsident Wladimir Putin. Für viele ist immer noch unklar, warum Putin den Zivilisten Serdjukow zum Verteidigungsminister machte. Angeblich spielten verwandtschaftliche Beziehungen eine Rolle.

Der russische Präsident geht in seiner kurzen Anspruch auch auf die Streitereien mit Estland ein: "Diejenigen, die die Denkmäler der Helden des Zweiten Weltkriegs schänden, beleidigen ihr eigenes Volk. Sie sähen Zwietracht und Misstrauen zwischen Staaten und Menschen", so Putin. In der russischen Öffentlichkeit wird das Thema äußerst emotional behandelt, die Verlegung des Denkmals wird als Beleidigung der Veteranen angesehen. Für alle unverständlich, dass die einstige Sowjetrepublik Estland heute Feierlichkeiten zum Tag des Sieges nicht zulässt. "Wir haben kein Recht die Ursachen des Krieges zu vergessen. Die Wurzeln liegen in der Ideologie der Konfrontation und des Extremismus. Gefahren, die es auch heute noch gibt", sagt der Präsident.

Fünf Euro für die Helden des Weltkriegs

Ein Weltkriegs-Veteran am Rande der Parade
So liegt über dem 9. Mai erstmals ein Schatten. Die Vergangenheit wird in Russland anders interpretiert als zum Beispiel im Baltikum oder in den ehemaligen Staaten des Warschauer Pakts. Mit der Verlegung weiterer Denkmäler wird auch in Moskau gerechnet. Die Reaktionen des Kreml sind bereits jetzt harsch und fordernd, ein weiterer Konflikt zum Beispiel mit Polen ist vorprogrammiert. Auch 62 Jahre nach Kriegsende ist der 9. Mai für Russland immer noch ein wichtiger, wenn nicht sogar der wichtigste Feiertag.

Am Nachmittag empfing Putin Veteranen im Kreml - so viele Jahre nach Kriegsende nimmt ihre Zahl aber immer weiter ab. Als Gratifikation erhalten sie 180 Rubel, umgerechnet fünf Euro zu ihrer ohnehin spärlichen Rente(((((

no comments

Tue, 08 May 2007 19:56:48 GMT

PRIVET, MUSA!!

Gemeinsame Erklärung von Bartholomaios I. und Benedikt XVI.

Tue, 08 May 2007 12:05:40 GMT

Papst Benedikt XVI. und Patriarch Bartholomaios I. haben am Donnerstag, 30. November 2006, in Istanbul eine gemeinsame Erklärung zur Ökumene, zu den christlichen Werten Europas und zu Terrorismus und Unfrieden in der Welt verabschiedet. - Hier die vom Ökumenischen Patriarchat veröffentlichte deutsche Übersetzung des französischen Originals, von der Presseagentur Kipa leicht überarbeitet: Gemeinsame Erklärung von Papst Benedikt XVI. und Patriarch Bartholomaios I. "Das ist der Tag, den der Herr gemacht hat; lasst uns frohlocken und seiner uns freuen!" (Psalm 118,24) Die brüderliche Begegnung zwischen uns, dem Papst von Rom Benedikt XVI. und dem Ökumenischen Patriarchen Bartholomaios I., ist ein Werk Gottes und in einem gewissen Sinn ein Geschenk, das er uns gemacht hat. Wir danken dem Spender alles Guten, der uns erneut gewährt hat, im Gebet und in Erwiderung seiner Güte unsere Freude über das Empfinden unserer brüderlichen Verbundenheit und die Erneuerung unserer Verpflichtung in der Perspektive vollendeter Gemeinschaft untereinander zum Ausdruck bringen zu können. Diese Verpflichtung ergibt sich aus dem Willen unseres Herrn und aus unserer Verantwortung als Hirten in der Kirche Christi. Möge diese Begegnung ein Zeichen und eine Ermutigung für uns sein, dieselben Empfindungen und dieselben Ideen der Brüderlichkeit, der Zusammenarbeit und der Gemeinschaft untereinander in Liebe und Wahrheit miteinander zu teilen. Der Heilige Geist wird uns helfen, den grossen Tag der Wiederherstellung der vollkommenen Einheit vorzubereiten, wenn und wie Gott es will. Dann werden wir im Stande sein, uns wahrhaft zu freuen und zu frohlocken. 1. In Dankbarkeit haben wir der Begegnungen unserer ehrwürdigen, im Herrn seligen Vorgänger gedacht, die der Welt die Dringlichkeit der Einheit zeigten und den Weg bahnten, auf dem wir durch Dialog, Gebet und tägliches kirchliches Leben zu ihr gelangen werden. Papst Paul VI. und Patriarch Athenagoras I., die nach Jerusalem gepilgert waren, also dahin, wo Jesus Christus für das Heil der Welt gestorben und auferstanden ist, sind sich auch danach wieder begegnet, hier im Phanar und in Rom. Sie haben uns eine gemeinsame Erklärung hinterlassen, die seitdem nichts von ihrem Wert verloren hat, und betont, dass der wahre Dialog der Liebe alle Beziehungen zwischen den Menschen und den beiden Kirchen unterstützt und inspiriert, "damit er in der vollkommenen Treue zu dem einen Herrn Jesus Christus und im gegenseitigen Respekt der beiden Traditionen gründe" (Tomos Agapis, 195). Ebenso wenig haben wir die wechselseitigen Besuche Seiner Heiligkeit des Papstes Johannes Paul II. und Seiner Allheiligkeit des Patriarchen Dimitrios I. vergessen. Gerade anlässlich des Besuches von Papst Johannes Paul II., also anlässlich seines ersten ökumenischen Besuchs, wurde die Einsetzung der Gemeinsamen Kommission des theologischen Dialogs zwischen der römisch-katholischen und der orthodoxen Kirche proklamiert. Diese Kommission hat im Namen unserer Kirchen das erklärte Ziel, die vollkommene Gemeinschaft wiederherzustellen. Was die Beziehungen zwischen der Kirche von Rom und der Kirche von Konstantinopel anbelangt, so ist es uns unmöglich, den offiziellen kirchlichen Akt zu vergessen, wodurch die alten Kirchenbanne, die die Beziehungen zwischen unseren Kirchen jahrhundertlang negativ beeinflusst haben, dem Vergessen anheim gegeben wurden. Wir haben seitdem nicht alle sich aus diesem Akt ergebenden positiven Konsequenzen auf dem Weg zur vollendeten Einheit ausgeschöpft, zu dem die Gemeinsame Kommission einen wesentlichen Beitrag leisten soll. Wir ermahnen unsere Gläubigen, in diesem Zusammenhang durch Gebet und massgebliches Handeln einen tatkräftigen Beitrag zu leisten. 2. Wir haben unsere tief empfundene Freude darüber zum Ausdruck gebracht, dass die Gemeinsame Kommission des theologischen Dialogs jüngst in Belgrad vollzählig zusammengetreten ist. Dabei durfte sie sich der grossen Gastfreundschaft der orthodoxen Kirche von Serbien erfreuen. Nach einer wenige Jahre dauernden Unterbrechung, die ihren Grund in mehreren Schwierigkeiten hatte, konnte die Kommission wieder im Geist der Freundschaft und der Zusammenarbeit tätig werden. Indem sie sich dem Thema "Konziliarität und Autorität in der Kirche" in lokaler, regionaler und universaler Perspektive widmete, ist sie in eine Phase der Untersuchung der ekklesiologischen und kirchenrechtlichen Folgen der sakramentalen Natur der Kirche eingetreten. Diese Phase wird die Erörterung einiger grundlegender Fragen ermöglichen, die noch kontrovers sind. Wie schon in der Vergangenheit, so wollen wir auch jetzt das der Kommission aufgetragene Werk entschieden unterstützen und ihre Mitlieder durch unsere Gebete begleiten. 3. Als Hirten haben wir vorrangig unsere Sendung zur Verkündigung des Evangeliums in der heutigen Welt bedacht. Diese Sendung - "gehet hin und lehret alle Völker" (Mt 28,19) - ist heute wie eh und je aktuell und unverzichtbar, und das sogar in den traditionell christlichen Ländern. Überdies können wir auch das verstärkte Auftreten von Säkularismus, Relativismus und Nihilismus besonders in der westlichen Welt nicht ignorieren. All das erfordert eine erneuerte, massive Verkündigung des Evangeliums, die auf die heutigen kulturellen Tendenzen abgestimmt ist. Unsere Traditionen sind für uns ein Erbe, das wir miteinander teilen, manifestieren und beständig aktualisieren sollen. Darum müssen wir unsere Zusammenarbeit und unser gemeinsames Zeugnis vor allen Völkern stärken. 4. Den Weg zur Bildung der Europäischen Union haben wir positiv gewürdigt. Die Pioniere dieses bedeutenden Unterfangens werden gewiss nicht versäumen, alle Aspekte zu berücksichtigen, die die menschliche Person und ihre unveräusserlichen Rechte betreffen, insbesondere die Religionsfreiheit, die der Beweis und Garant des Respekts vor jeder anderen Freiheit ist. Bei jeder Initiative, Einheit herzustellen, sollten die Minderheiten, ihre kulturellen Traditionen und ihre religiösen Besonderheiten geschützt werden. In Europa müssen wir, ohne sich gegenüber den anderen Religionen und ihrem kulturellen Beitrag zu verschliessen, unsere Kräfte vereinen; um die Wurzeln, Überlieferungen und christlichen Werte zu bewahren, um den Respekt vor der Geschichte zu gewährleisten und um zur Kultur des Europa von morgen und zur Qualität der menschlichen Beziehungen auf allen Niveaus beizutragen. Wie könnten wir in diesem Zusammenhang die ersten Märtyrer und das leuchtende christliche Erbe des Ortes übergehen, an dem wir uns begegnen - angefangen bei den Worten der Apostelgeschichte über die Person des heiligen Paulus, des Apostels der Völker? An diesem Ort sind sich die Botschaft des Evangeliums und die kulturelle Tradition der Antike begegnet. Diese Verbindung, die einen so grossen Beitrag zu unserem gemeinsamen christlichen Erbe geleistet hat, bleibt stets aktuell und wird in der Zukunft noch andere Früchte zeitigen, die der Verkündigung des Evangeliums und unserer Einheit zugute kommen. 5. Unsere Blicke richten sich auf diejenigen Regionen der heutigen Welt, wo Christen leben, und auf die Schwierigkeiten, mit denen sie konfrontiert sind: insbesondere Hunger, Kriege und Terror, aber auch unterschiedliche Formen von Ausbeutung der Armen, der Migranten, der Frauen und der Kinder. Wir sind aufgerufen, uns gemeinsam für die Respektierung der Menschenrechte eines jeden nach dem Bild und Gleichnis Gottes erschaffenen Menschen sowie für die wirtschaftliche, gesellschaftliche und kulturelle Entwicklung einzusetzen. Unsere theologischen und moralischen Traditionen sind ein solides Fundament für eine gemeinsame Verkündigung und ein gemeinsames Handeln. Wir wollen vor allem mit grösstem Nachdruck feststellen, dass die Ermordung Unschuldiger im Namen Gottes ein Frevel gegen Gott und gegen die Menschenwürde ist. Wir müssen uns alle zu einem erneuerten Dienst am Menschen und zum Schutz des menschlichen Lebens, jedes menschlichen Lebens, verpflichten. Ganz besonders liegt uns der Friede im Mittleren Osten am Herzen, dort, wo unser Herr gelebt und gelitten hat, gestorben und auferstanden ist und wo seit vielen Jahrhunderten eine grosse Zahl christlicher Brüder lebt. Wie sehnen uns brennend nach der Wiederherstellung des Friedens in diesem Land, nach der Stärkung des staunenswerten Miteinanders seiner unterschiedlichen Volksgruppen, seiner Kirchen und der verschiedenen Religionen, die dort zu Hause sind. Darum ermutigen wir auch die Entwicklung engerer Beziehungen zwischen den Christen und das Gelingen eines authentischen und konsequenten interreligiösen Dialogs in der Perspektive des Kampfes gegen jede Form von Gewalt und Diskriminierung. 6. In Anbetracht der grossen Gefahren für die Umwelt möchten wir heute unserer Besorgnis darüber Ausdruck verleihen, welch negative Folgen für den Menschen und die gesamte Schöpfung ein grenzenloser ökonomischer und technologischer Fortschritt hat. Als Religionsführer halten wir es für unsere Pflicht, alle Bemühungen zu ermutigen und zu unterstützen, die zum Schutz der Schöpfung Gottes unternommen werden und die dazu beitragen, dass wir diesen Kosmos künftigen Generationen so hinterlassen, dass sie darin leben können. 7. Am Ende richten wir unsere Gedanken an Euch alle: die Gläubigen unserer Kirchen in aller Welt, Bischöfe, Priester, Diakone, Mönche und Nonnen, Männer und Frauen im Laienstand, an alle, die einen kirchlichen Dienst üben, und an alle Getauften überhaupt. Wir grüssen in Christus die anderen Christen und versichern sie unseres Gebetes und unserer Bereitschaft zum Dialog und zur Zusammenarbeit. Wir grüssen Euch alle mit den Worten des Völkerapostels: "Gnade sei Euch und Friede von Gott, unserem Vater, und dem Herrn Jesus Christus" (2 Kor 1,2). Im Phanar, am 30. November 2006 Benedikt XVI. Bartholomaios I.

parable

Mon, 07 May 2007 21:26:30 GMT

PARABLE

Not experimentally but with the expression there're insuperable divergence between confessions.

There's such parable in the poems of Dzhalal ad-dina Rumi ( suphistic gnostic) which illustrates such idea .
One day 4 mates ( Greek, Persian, Turk, Arab) found a coin and decided to buy something that will please each of them.
But their wishes veried.
The Greek wanted to buy a stafil, the Persian -engur, the arab- einab, and the Turk -usum and at the result friends quarraled. Then one stranger suggested to buy what all of them will like.
They aggreeded and got a bunch of grapes.
Exactly! It's a stafil, engur, einab and usum-declares they

How do you understand this example?

stafil, engur, einad and usum mean RESIN

I don't like...

Mon, 07 May 2007 21:09:06 GMT

Frankly speaking,I don't like this film, but adore his play.
Yesterday many of lj list became crazy about the situation with antisemitic places in liturgical texts. Our nice father won this round pretty well.