Faith · Observations · Society
The most frequently named contenders for the papal throne:. Robert Sarah (Guinea), Péter Erdő (Hungary), Joseph Zen (China), Pietro Parolin (Italy), Malcolm Ranjith (Sri Lanka), Willem Eijk (Netherlands), Raymond Leo Burke (USA), Gerhard Ludwig Müller (Germany), Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Israel, Italy), Athanasius Schneider (Kazakhstan). I, though it is a secret, shall
Monarchies · Observations · People
A reminder that Elizabeth II held the rank of Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces and Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy. But that was after her accession to the throne. Her military rank during her wartime service in the Second World War was that of lieutenant.
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Khlestakov, at least, lied and lied, yet still had a tiny fear, even as he lied, that he might be seized and thrown out on his ear. The Khlestakovs of today have no such fear and lie with perfect composure. All are composed, all are immeasurably vain, and surely that
NB! · Faith · Observations
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Nicely put: piety and virtues compelled many sovereigns to send ambassadors. And then Vladimir, having fortified his Realm with various strongholds and with the courage of the people he had enlightened, began to consider how he might establish peace among his children for all posterity, knowing that discord between brothers
In the Press · The East · Cinema · Observations · Pop Culture
Yesterday my podcast appeared on new platforms, and today the second episode has arrived. We conclude our discussion of the plot of Season Three of "The White Lotus". We talk about poisonings, monkeys, women in search of spiritual growth, family squabbles, and all of it, of course, in
NB! · Faith · Monarchies · Observations · People
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, in retirement, has celebrated her 85th birthday. It is touching that the festive table was decorated in the manner of Easter. And it is very sad to think that we are witnesses to the last Christian rulers of Europe; one wants to go on believing
In the Press · Cinema · Observations
Some news: the podcast dissecting Season Three of "The White Lotus" is now available on new distribution platforms. It has appeared on Yandex Music, Litres and Apple. Listen, share your impressions, and do so while we prepare the second episode! Thank you all for your feedback, it is
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Attended the premiere of "On This Earth", produced by Alexey Uchitel. The film is about a certain Russian village in the eighteenth century, where the local simpleton tries to build himself a pair of wings. We shall not discuss the plot; I suspect the authors themselves never got
Faith · Geography · Maps · London · Observations · Society
The Religious Affiliation of Europe's Largest Cities as of 1900. Some interesting observations: London's population at that time was 6.4 million. An incredible figure for the period. Today London's population is 9.6 million, and no fewer than 15-20% of them are