As I am spending time with my family in the heart of the Alps, in the picturesque village of Gryon, I felt drawn to its local church. A modest yet magnificent structure, always open, it must have once been the epicenter of cultural life. My sister-in-law Isabelle, a beautiful soul who has been married to my brother George for over 20 years, joined me. Together, we entered the serene space, sitting quietly for a moment. Isabelle remarked on how young people no longer frequent churches and shared how many struggle to fill their pews nowadays...

One of the most large-scale and favourite holidays in Russia is the new year. And as it gets closer and closer, I suggest you plunge into the history of this celebration and to learn as traditions of celebration of New year changed. We will begin with pagan Russia. Though data since that period remained a little, some data nevertheless reached our days. Ancient Slavs had two holidays reminding new year: kolyadal (day of a winter solstice | on December 21) and komoyeditsa (day of a spring solstice | on March 21)...