Again and again heartwarming memories of that generous August day come to me. Late summer is always ambiguous: it is warm and tender, it puts its fragrant and juicy gifts right in our hands. Its sunshine is still bright. But as the sun goes down, a soft smell of wormwood and a thin shawl of fog remind us of the upcoming autumn.
That day I helped my relatives with their orchard, cooked fresh and ripe vegetables picked right in their kitchen garden and went on a short afternoon journey to the town of Slonim and its surroundings. And certainly, I could not miss the occasion to see once again one of my favorite Belarusian landscapes in the village of Synkavichy.
Actually, this is a popular tourist destination today. The church consecrated in honor of Michael the Archangel is one of few and rare examples of fortified Orthodox temples in Belarus. It looks like a small castle indeed, and its history is fraught with secrets. One of them is about the time of the church’s foundation.
Some historians believe, it was erected in the early 16th century. Others insist that the church is much older referring to inscriptions in Latin and Old Greek discovered on its walls.
However, the most loved and famous version sounds rather like a legend. It tells that in the late 14th century, great Lithuanian duke Yahaila started a military campaign against his uncle Keistut and his cousin Vitaut the Great. They were strong rivals, and Yahaila decided to jockey them. As a result, he imprisoned his relatives and killed his uncle. But Vitaut managed to escape having put a woman’s dress on. He found shelter not far from the town of Slonim and thus evaded death. Vitaut never forgot the assistance of the local people due to whom he survived. And, as a sign of his gratitude, he built the church in Synkavichy and attended its consecration in 1407.
Those who are fond of history certainly appreciate the famous temple as a living evidence to heroic and romantic past. At the same time, believers come here even from far away to bow to an icon of God’s Mother painted by monks from Athos holy mountain. They believe, it is magic working and helps to get rid of clinical depression, drug addiction and even oncologic diseases.
The church in Synkavichy stands away from the village. There is a local belief that before, it was situated on an island. Indeed, the building itself, accompanied with a chapel and expressive trees, surrounded with a stone fence, looks like an oasis among the vast expanse of sloping hills and fields.
I came up to the church. Its gilded crosses and the image of Michael the Archangel – the white-winged warrior of light – shone in sunrays. Rough redbrick walls were warmed up by sunrays outside. I came in. People were praying in half-light, it smelled incense and wax, burning candles illuminated carved wooden iconostases, gilded icons and concentrated faces. I looked at it, rose my eyes to the high gothic vaults – and couldn’t even take my camera out of the case… It would be inappropriate to disturb the praying people with sounds of the shutter.
I got out of the temple and looked around. Surprisingly, after the twilight inside the church, the afternoon August sun didn’t seem blinding. Its light was thick and aureate, like fresh honey. It slowly fell from above and flowed down walls, trees, roads, stubble fields recalling the whisper of ripe ears, orchards full of apples... I went around the church and suddenly, my ear caught quiet but unstoppable buzz. What a surprise – bees, these untiring workers, settled in a hollow right inside the one-and-a-half-meter thick wall and carried their sweet harvest there. These little creatures symbolizing unity and labor, Spirit and resurrection chose the church as their home. There, they bring their honey – the symbol of divinity, grace and sacral knowledge.
Indeed, wonderful signs and images come to those searching for joy and consolation on the go. And this is another little share of my harvest of impressions I share with you.
Sincerely yours,
Volha Blazhevich
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul and Metali Listeners' Club,
dthank you for your comment! We'll send you some of our souvenirs ASAP.
Stay tuned and 73,
RBI
Hallo Radio Belarus,
ja der Dieter Leupold ist jetzt auch hier im Gästebuch vertreten... Super, bald sind wir alle zusammen hier im "Belarus Hörerclub", Dieter könnte 1.Vorsitzender werden und Jana und Elena Ehrernmitglieder, Helmut Matt Schriftführer, Alfred Albrecht Beisitzer und ich mache Hausmeister:-) Lutz Winkler wie fit bist Du bereits wieder, für Dich finden wir auch eine nette Aufgabe:-) Beste Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende.
Dietmar
Answer:
Lieber Dietmar,
das stimmt, für alle finden wir im Hörerklub eine Aufgabe!:)
Liebe Grüße und einen guten Start in die Woche!
I recently learned my surname is not Polish, but Belarusian. I heard you on shortwave in the past and am so happy to listen online in English. We hear nothing about Belarus here in the US so I am so glad to learn about your country. Keep on broadcasting in English. I also joined the Hoererklub on Facebook as I can understand German. If you have information or a station pennant, I will very much appreciate it.
Sheryl Paszkiewicz, 1015 Green St, Manitowoc WI 54220 USA
Answer:
Dear Sheryl, thank you very much for listening to us! We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. By the way, if you're interested, you can participate in our "The Old Country's Loving Call" project and send a greeting to Belarus. You can find more detailed information at http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/hukaje_eng
Also, in case you like sports, here's the link to an international competition of ours "My Greetings to 2nd European Games" http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/games_eng
73 from the entire staff of RBI! Прывiтанне з Малой Радiзмы :)
Hello from Birmingham United Kingdom!
My name is Michael.
I really enjoyed listening to your program on the Hotbird satellite 13e. I very much love listening to your news and current affairs.
Ask you to send me a small gifts. I hope you guys are all good.
Lots of love from UK
Especially enjoying learning about Belarus. History and culture
Michael Rogers
Flat 2 463 City road Birmingham
B17 8LG
United Kingdom
Answer:
Michael,
thank you very much for listening to us! We're glad that you enjoy our programs. We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. Best regards and stay tuned!
Hello. I am a new listener to your English service. I listen on the Radio 1 News app. I enjoyed listening to the news. Do you have any information on shortwave broadcasts you can send me?
Thank you,
Joe Cosimo
23 Ivy Ln, Dupont, PA 18641 U.S.A.
Answer:
Dear Joe, thank you for listening to Radio Belarus International! We're glad that you enjoyed our news. RBI broadcasts on shortwave only in German on 6005 and 3985 kHz. News and programs in English are available via our website and satellites. We'll also send you a postcard and a small souvenir as soon as we can. 73!
Hello,
My name is Younes Lazazi, I am from Algeria.
I am very happy that radio Belarus has started broadcasting in Arabic.
I would like to receive stickers and printed matter of the station and the Arabic and french services if possible.
My address:
Monsieur Younes Lazazi 14 rue Maza Boualem El-Harrach 16009 Alger Algérie
Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Younes Lazazi,
we're happy that you like our boradcasts. We'll send you some of our printed materials via mail in the nearest future. 73!
Dear English Service Radio Belarus,
Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus. We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented. We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.
Please send some program schedule, sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.
We are waiting for your reply.
With best wishes,
SHIVENDU PAUL
President
Metali Listeners' Club
India
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul,
thank you very much for listening to us! Your club is among our most dedicated listeners. We will send you some of our promotional products as soon as possible. 73!
Hello!
Did the arabic programmes start? I don't see them on your Internetcast schedule page. Thanks!
Answer:
Hello! The Arabic programmes have been on air since October, every Monday. You can see the schedule and listen to them on our Arabic page http://radiobelarus.by/ar
FM transmitters and frequencies:
Rakitnitsa - 106.2 MHz
Hrodna - 95.7 MHz
Svislach - 104.4 MHz
Heraniony - 99.9 MHz
Braslau - 106.6 MHz
Miadzel - 102.0 MHz
Satellite broadcasting:
see satellite parameters here
