The Return
I love a pageant and the opening ceremony of the Olympics fits the bill. In order to get myself into the Russian mood I went to the Museum of Russian Icons yesterday.
Perhaps icons painted in the 1500s—and even earlier don't speak to present day Russia, but perhaps they do.
"... a radiant image of the mother of God...so enchanted Ivan the Terrible ..(that)he built a monastery" for the icon. The Virgin of Tikhvin was considered a protector of the nation since the 14th century.
Because of decades of persecution against the people and the Russian Orthodox Church The Virgin of Tikhvin was spirited out of the monastery after World War II. It remained in the United States, (Chicago) until 2004 when the climate in Russia made it possible for its return.
I watched a video of the icon's return. Just as thousands turned out for the triumphant return of the idol tens of thousands upon tens of thousands descended upon Sochi, Russia to watch the Olympics return to Russia. In 1980 Russia hosted its first Olympics.
"On Christmas Eve 1979, Soviet troops... poured into Afghanistan."
The international community was infuriated and President Carter urged the U.S.Olympic Committee to bow out of the Olympics. They did along with 65 other countries.
Today more countries are competing in the Winter Olympics than ever before—eighty-eight countries, twelve new competitions.
Perhaps icons painted in the 1500s—and even earlier don't speak to present day Russia, but perhaps they do.
"... a radiant image of the mother of God...so enchanted Ivan the Terrible ..(that)he built a monastery" for the icon. The Virgin of Tikhvin was considered a protector of the nation since the 14th century.
Because of decades of persecution against the people and the Russian Orthodox Church The Virgin of Tikhvin was spirited out of the monastery after World War II. It remained in the United States, (Chicago) until 2004 when the climate in Russia made it possible for its return.
I watched a video of the icon's return. Just as thousands turned out for the triumphant return of the idol tens of thousands upon tens of thousands descended upon Sochi, Russia to watch the Olympics return to Russia. In 1980 Russia hosted its first Olympics.
"On Christmas Eve 1979, Soviet troops... poured into Afghanistan."
The international community was infuriated and President Carter urged the U.S.Olympic Committee to bow out of the Olympics. They did along with 65 other countries.
Today more countries are competing in the Winter Olympics than ever before—eighty-eight countries, twelve new competitions.
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