Going to the chapel...er...monastery...

Yesterday was a national holiday. Since Sunday was Easter, the whole country was off on Monday (I'd compare it to how things are often closed on Good Friday before Easter). Our friend, Nastiya, suggested that we go on an excursion to the monastery. Before I came to Ukraine, I read Bradt's travel guide for Ukraine, and this monastery was on the top 10 list of places to see. Score!

Primary building at monastery compound.

Here's us doing the tourist thing. We love this picture. Just thought I'd share that.

We invited our friends Al'ona, Galya, and Dasha to go with us. Dasha is actually studying to be a kind of tour guide, so she was able to give us lots of interesting information along the way.

Rachel, Dasha, Nastiya, Galya, Hannah, Al'ona...I'm behind the camera!

We took a bus to the center of Poltava and then began our walk. Our walk quickly turned into a hike as we ventured out of downtown, into a residential area, and then up a dirt path on the side of a steep hill. I totally wore the wrong shoes...I have a blister today.

Hannah, me, and Rachel at the base of the stairs to the monastery.

At the top of the stairs. That's Dasha (black figure) about halfway down.

The monastery was really cool. We got there as they were ringing the bells on the hour. There's a priest who physically goes up into the belltower and plays a kind of melody on the bells. It's really beautiful.

Smaller building in the monastery compound.

In Orthodox churches, there are a few rules:
1. No pictures. Thus, I have no pictures of the inside. However, the inside is the most overwhelming part. Part of Orthodoxy is an emphasis on aesthetics. Everything is indescribably ornate and elaborate. Murals are everywhere; they depict scenes from the Bible, as well as scenes from the lives of Orthodox saints. There are framed pictures of certain saints lining the walls, as well. Often, the faithful will pray to their specific saints (the ones whom they are named for) and will kiss the picture. The pictures are covered in glass and are accompanied by a rag to wipe the glass after kissing it. There are also stands for you to put candles in as you pray for loved ones, dead and alive.

2. Women must wear skirts and head scarves. If you didn't come prepared, no problem. There are stacks of wrap skirts and scarves in the foyer. The girls told us that we looked like gypsy girls in our borrowed clothes. I REALLY wish I had pictures of that!

Here are Al'ona, Dasha, Nastiya, and Galya. Dasha and Nastiya came prepared with headwear.

We had a great day out and about in Poltava. Wish you could have seen it for yourselves!

Hannah, me, Al'ona, Rachel, and Galya.