Culture

Ancient Russian manuscripts go digital

In the mid-2000s, the Russian State Library (RSL) launched the National Electronic Library project with the aim of digitizing books published before 1831.

Many important texts have already been scanned; from the hand-written Archangel Gospel of 1092 – the fourth oldest known East Slavonic manuscript – to the Octoechos, a book of Orthodox Church psalms printed in 1491 in Krakow. It is one of the first books to use Cyrillic script and is worth several million dollars – although, of course, it belongs to the state and will not be sold. “These books only used to be released by special permission – and only then to prominent scholars,” explains Tatyana Garkushova from the library’s scanning department as she flicks between priceless ancient manuscripts on her computer screen. Now they are available to everyone at the RSL Digital Library page.

President Nikolic receives Patriarch Kirill

President of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic has indicated today, in conversation with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia that Christianity is facing great challenges, but the Serbian Orthodox Church has a great support in the Russian Orthodox Church, and Serbia in the Russian Federation.

Russia suffered by helping Serbia in the First World War, and one should  repeat that from time to time. Russian tsar risked his state and people and entered the war for which he otherwise needed another three years of preparation, Nikolic indicated while talking about entering the Russian Empire into the Great War, when Austria-Hungary declared war to Serbia in 1914.

Sebastian Press at the 59th International Belgrade Book Fair

From October 26 through November 2, 2014, in the halls of the Belgrade Fair, the 59th International Belgrade Book Fair was held at which the Diocese of Western America was represented with their publishing house Sebastian Press.

They presented their newest publications in both Serbian and English: The Life of Bishop Mardarije of Libertyville and Archimandrite Sebastian of Jackson and Selected Writings; Contemporary Ecclesiastical Reminder Regarding the Diaspora by Bishop Atanasije Jevtic; Hamlet's Moblie, by Milan Misic; Time is a Fragment of Eternity, by Archimandrite Justin of Chelije; The Thunderbolt of Ever-Living Fire, Archimandrite Vasileios of Iveron and All Roads Lead to Jackson, by Milina Jovanovic.

UNESCO experts to consider the chances of restoring Kremlin historical image including its two monasteries

UNESCO experts arrive in Moscow to consider possibilities of restoring Kremlin historical appearance including the Chudov and Ascension monasteries on its territory.

Experts started inspecting the Kremlin territory, a source in the Culture Ministry told Interfax.

UNESCO expertise is a compulsory condition for starting such restoration works as Kremlin is the object of the World cultural heritage.

Google Culture Academy Launches Joint Project with the Trinity-Sergius Lavra

The Google Culture Academy has launched a joint project with the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in the beginning of October, 2014.

With the help of the Street View technology, the interior and exterior territories of the Lavra have been completely digitized. People all around the world are now able to make a virtual journey to the monastery and have a look inside its churches, examine world-famous icons painted by Andrei Rublev, and a silver shrine with the Holy Relics of the Venerable Sergius; and also to learn more about the construction and the development of the monastery after having visited this digital exhibition.

All-Mokranjac choral program climax of commemoration weekend

After months of planning, the choral workshop, symposium and concert of choral works commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Serbian composer Stevan Mokranjac is now a fond memory. The Serbian Singing Society Branko Radichevich and Serbian Singing Federation's months of planning and revision finally took form starting on a chilly Friday evening, the 3rd of October, when participants in the choral workshop arrived at the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral on Chicago's northwest side. Out-of-town presenters representing two continents, Dr. Danica Petrovic, musicologist and Mokranjac expert from Serbia and His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand also arrived Friday evening. Dr. Petrovic made the first of her three presentations during the weekend, discussing the history of Serbian liturgical music prior to Mokranjac. Friday's gathering also served as a "meet and greet" for all present.