more churches

August 16

Today I went to Anatoly's church first. It was two and a half hours long and consisted in three special musics, one ten minute Psalm recitation, two sermons and three music sets. It was very interesting, because all the women wore skirts and head coverings, but they were the ones who prayed aloud in front of the congregation. I was really excited because I understood the first sermon very well, but I thought that was all. By the time we got to the second sermon, my brain was done with Russian for a while. It was still cool to see.

After that, Pasha and I went and got coffee and chatted for a while at the Coffee Bean. He was telling me how difficult it is to get people in Russia to come to a non Orthodox church. The Orthodox church spreads so much propaganda and fear around about other “sects” and what they do to people. “Baptist” still strikes fear into the hearts of the older generation as a sect who sacrificed children. There are many people, Pasha told me, who are friends with him and will go with him anywhere else but his church. The situation wasn't nearly as bad in Spain, but it was a bit like that. If it's not Catholic/Orthodox, it's not safe.

This afternoon, I went to Pasha's church which takes place in an office. There were about 12 people and we sat in a circle on couches and beds and sang a few songs, then the pastor chatted for a while. It was really cool. I wish I had been able to understand more of it. Unfortunately, Tanya's church was happening at the same time across the street (they rent in Anatoly's church), so I was unable to experience it as well, but I went over afterward and played Jenga with her “congregation.” They had about 20 people my age. Slava and Olya are the pastors and they have a daughter who will be with me next week.

Natalia came home with us and a young couple came over as well and we chatted in Russlish over tea for a while about Italians and Spanish and tongue twisters. It was a really good time. When I am not thinking about Russian, when I am not nervous, the words just come out and I can remember a lot more with a lot less effort. I wish that could happen more often. I never speak Russian with Pasha because he is fluent in English, and because I'm embarrassed.