This year the United States of America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence from England on July 4, 1776, and the beginning of the formation of the new Republic. In the capital, Washington, the festivities on this day were especially solemn. As always, the finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture...
Radonitsa in the the Russian Orthodox Church is a commemoration of the departed observed on the second Tuesday of Pascha (Easter) or, in some places (in south-west Russia), on the second Monday of Pascha. The Slavs, like many ancient peoples, had a tradition of visiting family members’ graves during the springtime and feasting together with them. After their conversion to Christianity, this...