Russian-American Connection

A friend gave us raspberries that had been picked in the countryside, so I made syrup. Needless to say, breakfast this morning was a hit - sourdough pancakes with whipped cream and raspberry syrup. The Dormition fast begins tomorrow. Glory to God for all things! ☦️

August 12/July 30, 1904: Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich was born. "Alexei Nikolaevich was a clever, quick-witted, and lively child, extremely kind-hearted and full of enthusiasm and passionate impulses. Naturally very simple, devoid of any arrogance or vanity, he never boasted about being the heir, and his greatest happiness was the opportunity to play with the sons of his sailor, Derevenko, boys who were only slightly younger than him. He deeply revered his father, idolized him, and tried to emulate him in everything." Source: Pierre Gilliard. "The Tragic Fate of the Russian Imperial Family." Chapter 2: "The Tsar and His Family on the Eve of the Revolution." https://t.me/impernikII/12510

Hello Friends! I am curious about your opinion. For those of you learning languages (Russian, English, etc), what do you think of Fyodor’s advice about the use of cartoons in language learning? Что вы думаете о его мнении по этой теме? This guy normally gives great Russian language tips on his “Be Fluent” channel. https://t.me/befluent/1177

It's that time again! ☦️ https://t.me/nn_eparhia/9156

SACRED ARZAMAS Some cities reveal themselves through their streets. Arzamas reveals itself through its churches. Golden domes rise above the rooftops, bell towers shape the skyline, and behind heavy wooden doors are interiors filled with icons, candlelight, color, and centuries of devotion. Yet the churches of Arzamas do not feel like monuments preserved only for visitors. They remain living places of worship and an essential part of the city’s identity. During my visit, I was struck by the contrast between the grandeur of the architecture and the sense of peace found inside. Every church has its own character, but together they tell a larger story about faith, history, and the generations of people who built and cared for this remarkable city. This short film, Sacred Arzamas, is my attempt to capture more than beautiful buildings. It is an effort to preserve the atmosphere of a place where history remains visible, tradition remains alive, and even the skyline seems to pray. Discover Arzamas and more of the Nizhny Novgorod region through the OKA Agency: https://en.oka-agency.com/?utm_source=telegram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=blog_tour_arzamas_2026&utm_term=moscow_photographer #Arzamas #NizhnyNovgorodRegion #SacredArzamas #OrthodoxRussia #TravelRussia

On August 1, 2026, we were very honored to witness the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Kirill beneath the open sky before the Transfiguration Cathedral at Holy Trinity–Saint Seraphim Diveyevo Monastery. The solemn feast honored Saint Seraphim of Sarov and marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of the second finding of his sacred relics. More than twenty bishops, numerous clergy, the sisters of the monastery, and a multitude of pilgrims gathered around the altar as the Diveyevo choir filled the holy grounds with sacred chant. The Governor of Nizhny Novgorod, Gleb Sergeyevich Niktin himself welcomed the Patriarch at the Holy Gates. During the Liturgy, special petitions were offered, and the Patriarch raised a prayer for Holy Rus before preaching to the faithful. He concluded by blessing the assembled pilgrims, presenting the monastery with an icon of Saints Peter and Paul, and giving a copy of the Holy Gospel to every sister of Diveyevo. It was an absolutely joy to witness and hear the chant. You can hear a little of it in the video. I cannot recommend this holy place enough and the right people to help you arrange a tour here is the OKA Agency.* *The OKA Agency guarantees 100% confidentiality and an individual approach to every foreign national. —— 1 августа 2026 года мы имели честь присутствовать на Божественной литургии, которую Патриарх Кирилл совершил под открытым небом перед Преображенским собором Свято-Троицкого Серафимо-Дивеевского монастыря. Это торжественное богослужение было посвящено памяти преподобного Серафима Саровского и приурочено к 35-летию со дня второго обретения его святых мощей. Более двадцати архиереев, многочисленное духовенство, сестры обители и множество паломников собрались у алтаря, а дивеевский хор наполнял святую землю духовными песнопениями. У Святых врат Патриарха встречал лично губернатор Нижегородской области Глеб Сергеевич Никитин. Во время литургии были вознесены особые прошения; Патриарх помолился о Святой Руси, а затем обратился с проповедью к верующим. В завершение он благословил собравшихся паломников, преподнес в дар монастырю икону святых апостолов Петра и Павла и вручил экземпляр Святого Евангелия каждой сестре обители. Было истинной радостью видеть это и слышать песнопения. Небольшой фрагмент можно послушать на видео.

On the last day of our trip, we were blessed to attend an open-air Liturgy with over 7,500 people. What a special experience. Patriarch Kirill presided over the Divine Liturgy and we stood right by a statue of the Holy Royal Martyrs. The relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov were also present and venerated. No words can adequately describe being among so many of the Faithful, with the Holy Trinity, Mother of God and our Saints ever-present with us at Diveyevo. Glory to God for All Things! If you are interested in the Nizhny-Novgorod Region, don’t hesitate to reach out to the OKA Agency.

☦️ Arzamas Domes blog tour — a journey into the heart of Russia A few days ago, we returned from our latest blog tour through Arzamas and Diveyevo, where we traveled together with families from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including several of our relocation clients who have already made Russia their new home. During this unique journey, our guests experienced Russia not as tourists, but from within: staying at the monastery, sharing traditional monastic meals, and immersing themselves in centuries-old spiritual traditions. The tour began at the 15th International “Arzamas Domes” Festival, where more than 150 performers and thousands of visitors gathered to celebrate faith, culture, and community. We then continued to Diveyevo, one of Russia’s most revered pilgrimage sites, where over 7,000 people came together for an open-air Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Kirill. For our guests, this was an opportunity to discover the Russia that cannot be understood through headlines alone. They witnessed families celebrating together, children at the heart of community life, and traditions that remain a natural part of everyday life. It was a powerful reminder that traditional values here are not simply spoken about — they are lived. These shared experiences continue to bring together relocating families, international visitors, and local communities, creating genuine connections across cultures and showing a different side of modern Russia. 🎥 Watch our latest video to experience the highlights of this unforgettable journey. And if you’d like to see the full story, don’t miss the extended vlog on our YouTube channel. We hope you’ll enjoy it — and we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! ✔Subscribe to the OKA Agency: We make you fall in love with Nizhny Novgorod More information on our website! Follow us on: 📱 Instagram* 📱 X 📱 YouTube 📱 TikTok *Owned by Meta, recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation #WeAreOka