pochaiv

2 days ago now, a few of the brothers an i made a day trip to pochaiv- the lovely moscow patriarchate monastery. It really was beautiful. We walked around outside, and visited a few of the churches there. The main church is really amazing. Really. It is hard to describe. We stayed for part of the vespers service. The monks have a great choir- really. It was a very prayerful, pious and reverent vibe. Initially, when i arrived, i wa very nervous, because i was told they hate greek catholics very much. But that wore off very quickly. I felt very comfortable there. Then we went to the skete (smalle monaster) for the rest of vigil. I heard the skete has just as many monks as the main monastery. But the skete immediately had a more peaceful feel to it. The moon and the stars were bright and the golden domes of the churhes shon brightly. It was very beautiful. The services are very regal. And very long. Haha. Vespers was nice, but matins was way too long and boring (the kathisma and canon) for someone who didnt understand anything. But i didnt get bored too long. I walked around looking at all of the wonderful icons. Venerated a copy of the wonder working icon of Mama Maria of Pochaiv. And i guess the place where she appeared. There is her foot (an icon of it) still a lottle confused about that. Wonderful experience altogether. Praise Gd in His holy places. I will write about pidkamin, the other monastery i visited, later. But right now, bqck to laundry (my job at the monastery). Praise the Lord.