Youth Project Malakhit 2016
presents
the musical "Princess Olga"
We give you the musical of Malakhit-2016
"Princess Olga.'
How is history written?
How is the fabric of fate woven?
Not a day, not a year or two,
but hundreds of years.
Kings, monks and princes,
Poets and slaves -
Each one of them will leave his trace.
Sometimes a man proudly thinks
that he has total control,
He is his own king, idol and god,
even though his short life
is measured in minutes and hours,
and God's hand is obvious in his life.
Like a drop in the ocean,
or a speck of dust on the scales,
the fates of all nations are before Him.
Whoever you are, please remember
your life is in God's hands,
and He will never forget anyone.
Here in Russia everything is also
quite complicated, as usual.
not for a day or a year but for centuries.
What happened and what didn't?
Who is right and who is wrong?
And who could ever give us answers?
Like a drop in the ocean
or a speck of dust on the scales
the nations' fates are before God's face.
Whoever you are, please remember:
Your life is in God's hands,
and He will never forget anyone.
History will appreciate us
or maybe it won't -
But the Creator's pen is still writing,
and His story presents everything as it is,
it reveals the secret of eternity,
it has a beginning but it has no end.
Like a drop in the ocean,
or a speck of dust on the scales
the fates of nations are before His face.
whoever you are, please remember:
your life is in God's hands,
and He will never forget anyone.
The city of Kiev.
circa 920 A.D.
Hey, everyone! Good people!
Come on down! Set the tables!
Tune up your instruments, put your boots on!
Sing and dance to honor the newlyweds!
There's a party in the prince's house!
Let's celebrate!
the great Oleg of Novgorod
is marrying Prince Igor to the beautiful princess Olga
of the city of Pskov, of Varangyan tongue.
So come together, to eat and drink
and celebrate the bride and groom!
God Svarog, make us a wedding,
to be strong and to last forever.
God Svarog, make us a wedding
so the sun won't dry it out
and the hail won't bring it down.
God Svarog, make us a wedding
so that the wind won't blow it away
and the rain won't wash it away.
God Svarog, make us a wedding
to be strong and to last forever.
How did this wedding ever come about?
How did we find such a beautiful bride?
The Sun-God must've brought them together
Let me tell you how it all happened.
One morning the sun was shining bright
Olga went to the woods to pick berries.
looking for berries under every bush,
and didn't notice how she got lost.
"Girlfriends! Where are you?" she cried
but it wasn't girlfriends who heard her.
Igor and his army were camping nearby
camping right on the river bank.
The men saw Olga from afar,
Igor told them to catch her.
They crept up to her from two sides,
Olga started running like the wind.
But the men caught her after all
held her firmly
she kicked and screamed
but found herself in front of Igor anyway.
Igor loved the girl!
She was lovely, slender and beautiful!
He put a ring on her finger right there,
and set the wedding date without delay.
You're lying! What a silly story!
The Prince wouldn't kidnap a girl like that!
You're lying! What hogwash!
Let me tell you what REALLY happened.
Once, Igor was hunting in Pskov area
and had to hire a boat to cross a river.
The boatman was young and cute,
in a man's dress, but too much like a girl.
Igor was surprised and looked closer
and saw that it was really a girl.
"I can see you are a beautiful girl"
'I'd love to get to know you better."
"Take off your hat and move closer"
"Don't be afraid to let your hair down."
"And give me a long sweet kiss"
"Your prince really enjoys kisses!"
"Shame on you, Prince Igor! How can a prince say such wicked words?
"Could he lead an innocent girl into sin?"
"Even though I am young and alone here -
I will not tolerate such filthy thoughts!"
"I won't listen to the Prince's speeches
I'd rather drown myself than give in!"
The upright girl was so severe with him
that all lust got knocked out of him.
Her beautiful eyes were aflame with anger,
and stayed in his heart and memory.
So when it was time for him to marry
the prince remembered the pretty boatman.
"I don't want anyone but her!"
"I love my dear Olga best of all!"
He had to grovel big time
trying to make up to the righteous girl.
Olga must have liked the prince's words
that they set a date for their wedding soon!
You are lying! What a silly story!
How could he have taken a girl for a man?
You are lying! What hogwash!
Let me tell you what REALLY happened
Here is what you will read in the official history books:
Oleg of Novgorod brought them together.
Oleg, beloved of all Kievan Rus,
He was like a father to Igor.
when it was time for Igor to marry
Oleg helped him choose the bride
Olga is smart and beautiful,
she will make Igor an excellent wife.
Igor and Olga, what a handsome couple!
May they rule in Kiev for a long time!
Where are they? Wait a little.
Here they are! Make way for the bride and groom!
God Svarog, make us a wedding
to be strong and to last forever.
God Svarog, make us a wedding,
so that the sun won't dry it out
and the hail won't bring it down.
God Svarog, make us a wedding
so that the wind won't blow it away
so that the rain won't wash it away.
God Svarog, make us a wedding,
to be strong and to last forever.
May the seed you've planted grow and grow.
May the good you have done last forever.
Glory to the ancient dynasty of Rurik!
Glory to Prince Igor and Princess Olga!
May love, health and happiness be with you
Live together in harmony
In wealth and every good thing
may you have love and friendship
while you are both alive.
and may your dynasty last for centuries.
Come, light and glory,
the strength of our clan,
waters, oaks, and wheat,
the light of our anscestors.
The strong souls of our predecessors,
Our flesh and blood,
The spirits of the elements,
The spirits of nature.
The powers of God Svarog
The powers of the light,
the powers revealed by the gods,
the powers of our fathers.
Soldiers, put on your helmets and armor,
gather together in one big circle.
Keep us from an evil will,
Protect our families, restore our clan,
keep the land, serve the right,
Restore our clan, keep the land.
The city of Kiev. The year 945 (or about)
Over the forest, over the grove, in the summertime,
a dove was flying, a pearl-colored dove.
Where are you going, my sweet dove?
Where are you going, north or south?
My dear Princess, my dear Olga,
I've ordered my horse to be saddled tomorrow morning.
I am leaving Kiev for a few weeks.
Will you be all right here without me?
Where are you off to again, dear husband?
Will you ever settle down?
Have you not played enough with your sword and your bow?
you're like a little boy, though you are a father already.
I feel restless.
I am off to visit the Drevlyans,
to get some more tribute from them.
Let them know who's the boss in Rus',
Let them remember the power of my arm!
Are you sure it is wise to bully them so?
You have taken you due - why ask for more?
if you don't know what to do with yourself
There are domestic reforms to think about!
Oleg of Nvgorod gathered many free clans
to form one Russian nation.
Isn't it time to say farewell to the arms
and beat our swords into ploughshares?
Then divide the land into counties,
appoint governors and tax collectors?
I know, honey, it is hard to carry out economic reforms,
but how else can we make Rus' strong and wealthy?
My dear Princess, my dear Olga
this is all great, but please remember:
you women are long of hair but short of brain,
so you shouldn't interfere into men's business.
My soldiers are bored and our horses are restless,
So, we will be setting out at dawn.
now, you take care of my son and remember:
women shouldn't bother with reforms.
Fine, honey, you do what you want.
But know: I can teach you all a thing or two!
As for weaker women, I swear to the gods
we, women, are more than a match for you guys!
We know full well how to get what we want
No wonder, everyone talks about women's power.
and even though Nekrasov has not been born yet,
horses are already galloping and houses are already burning!
(a reference to a famous poem where a Russian woman is praised
for being able to stop a galloping horse
and enter a burning house)
The city of KIev. A few months later.
The dark night was stormy,
the brave warrior's wife was anxious,
Where is my dear husband?
He has been away for too long
I fear his enemies may have killed him.
Hop, hop, jump, jump,
a young lad went out for a walk
went to get some water,
found himself a young girl.
Our father Prince Igor
walks around Rus', swinging his mace.
Svatoslav, his son, you keep playing yet,
soon you will take up your bow and arrows
Hop, hop, jump, jump
a young lad went out for a walk
went out for a walk and found a girl.
Princess, you have guests, envoys from the Drevlyan clan, from Prince Mal.
The Drevlyans? Prince Mal? Bring them in.
MAN: Are you Olga, Igor's wife?
OLGA: Speak on, I am listening.
MAN: We have been sent to you with some sad news.
OLGA: Go on.
MAN: We bring sad news: Igor, your Prince, is no more.
OLGA: you have come with sorrowful news
I will mourn my husband for a long time.
But tell me what happened
that the Prince found his untimely death?
Did he die in battle, from an arrow?
Was he mauled by a bear?
Did he drown in the deep river?
Where should I look for his poor head?
MEN: Not in the battle, not in the river.
We hanged him ourselves for his greed.
OLGA: You HANGED him?
MEN: Remember how Igor recently collected the tribute from us?
We never argued, we paid him in full.
So why did he come again and ask for more?
OLGA: Asked for more...
MEN: No one treats us Drevlians with such contempt!
We couldn't bear the offense; such greed should be punished!
OLGA: should be punished...
MEN: So we took his arms and legs and tied them to the tops of tall trees.
and let the trees shoot up to the sky.
So, Igor the Prince of Rus', is no more.
OLGA: his arms and legs....
MEN: So that you all remember forever not to treat us Drevlyans like dogs.
OLGA: shoot up to the sky....
MEN: Please don't be angry, fair Princess: it was a punishment for his arrogance.
You will not remain a widow: our prince will happily marry you,
according to custom, as the widow of the defeated enemy
So we come as his groomsmen. What do you say, fair Princess of Rus'?
OLGA: You groomsmen have come so fast
I barely had time to be a widow
and you are asking me to be a wife again.
I am young and beautiful
you can't freeze a woman's heart
and Igor is not coming back now, is he?
I like your offer well enough.
A woman's bloom doesn't last long.
Tomorrow at dawn my people will come for you
they well celebrate you as special guests
and will show you such honor that has never been before
this place will see things it has never seen!
They will take you up on their shoulders
and bring your boat to my house.
It is no trouble for us to carry such dear guests up the hill.
So you go on now to your boat, don't be anxious for anything.
from now on you will rest in peace here in the Russian land.
MEN: Don't be angry, fair Princess
our prince has sent us again to ask for your hand, according to custom.
You killed the first envoys so cunningly
but now the prince wants to marry you even more!
OLGA: Ah, you are back again!
Didn't get enough the first time?
I guess Igor's widow is playing hard to get.
Even though you dragged Igor's name through the mire
your promises flatter me.
Fine, I will be your Prince's bride.
So, come and drink from my cup
you, dear guests, must stay and rest a while
after a long trip you should really take a nice hot bath.
I will stoke the furnace white hot,
I will wash you clean to your bones,
I will roast some wild game for your supper.
May the steam be dense and hot,
may the fire blaze bright and strong.
I think you will find our bathhouse very, very hot indeed!
Never mind that the windows are boarded up
Never mind that it is such a tight place
Remember Prince Igor in your last song!
I can no longer stay still!
I will not wait for more envoys!
I will fly to the Drevlyans' lands like a winged bird!
I will lay siege to their city like a thunder cloud
like a wild hawk, like a deathly cry,
I will bring my spoils as a sacrifice to my vengeance!
Come on out of your houses, you Drevlyans
bring me homing pigeons as your tribute
I will turn sunlight into darkness for you today!
I will tie fire to the pigeons' feet
they will fly back to their roofs,
and you will pay for my husband's death with your blood.
May the fire swallow you all, the old and the young
like you never existed at all!
Maybe then I will mourn my husband properly,
Maybe then proper vengeance will be done
Maybe then this proud heart will accept its loss...
The City of Kiev. About ten years later.
SVENELD: Why are you out so late, son? Why aren't you in bed?
We're leaving at dawn, and you act like you are not happy.
Remember, we're going to the great city of Constantinople, to visit the emperor.
Why should I be happy? I'm going on a cart
Not on a war horse, as a warrior.
it is not a joy, it is a punishment!
all this diplomacy - not my cup of tea!
Oleg of Novgorod put his shield on Constantinople's gates, as a victor
Enemies still speak of him with respect
and here we are, still groveling before these Greeks, these Christians!
For us, brave Russians, it is a shame!
Oleg was a wise warrior, he knew which battles to fight
and knew it is better not to spill blood in vain.
I am an old soldier, but I will swear: only children are so anxious to fight!
Yes, since Olga became our ruler, wars have ceased
But everyone is only happy to get a break
to get some peace and quiet, to get some work done,
and finally save some money.
You and Mom both sing the same song! But I want to fight!
But there is peace everywhere, my sword is getting rusty.
I am sick of practicing with wooden swords
All the soldiers are laughing at me!
I want my name to be respected and feared everywhere!
How am I worse than Arkady Gaidar? (a famous 20th cent. Russian commander)
And he was in his teens when he started!
How long will I be tied to Mom's apron strings?
I also want to be a ruler, I am of age!
I want to talk to her, but she's hard to get hold of
she's always busy and has no time for me
She marches to Pskov, then to Novgorod,
or when she's here, deals with complaints
It hurts me to think that in all this busyness
Mom has forgotten all about me and my father.
SVENELD: Come on, son, sit down.
Look, how bright the stars are tonight.
It is not an easy thing to understand or explain.
When the heart is broken and love is dead,
what seems forgotten hurts most of all.
And even the worst revenge could not fill this horrible emptiness.
All you can do is push the pain into the past, freeze the heart and bury it.
Otherwise how can one live, how can you breathe?
You remember that horrible day - she is trying to run from the memories.
Try to understand her, try to forgive!
She is trying to forget herself, bury herself in work
and she usually has so much to do.
To break through to her heart, to thaw out her soul
you need a truly great miracle.
so she could live and breathe again
could find freedom and love -
pray to the gods for this miracle!
Please understand her - and forgive!
The city of Constantinople. 957 A.D.
OLGA: Tell me, who is it, singing so beautifully
and what is this song about?
GREGORY: It's the Church praising its God, the Creator of all living things.
He created all stars and the sky and the mysteries of the seas
fish, beasts, birds, and men, He alone created us all.
OLGA: What about Yarilo, Perun, Veles, the gods we have always worshiped?
Are they subject to this Creator, must they bow down before Him?
GREGORY: In the past God allowed nations to follow their own ways
but guided you and blessed you, giving you light and life.
but now that Christ has been revealed and conquered death by death
He has brought the truth to the world showing the way to God.
OLGA: This Christ, who is he? GREGORY: Christ is God's son.
OLGA: How can God have a son if He is one?
GREGORY: This mystery is beyond us. God is one in the Trinity:
Three persons, one God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
OLGA: This is very confusing. But be that as it may -
whoever is this strange God of yours, Olga is not His enemy.
So take me now to His shrine, to His altar,
I will bring the blood of bulls, goats and doves as a proper sacrifice to Him.
GREGORY: God does not desire sacrifice He wants one thing:
that we love our neighbors and love Him with our whole hearts.
OLGA: What a strange thought: love a god! I could understand respect or fear,
asking for a good harvest, for sun or rain and appeasing Him in every way.
But look, what about this? Is this not a sacrifice?
A man nailed to a cross, beaten, wounded, stripped,
blood streaming down his face...
I guess your Creator loves human blood after all
Now I see what sort of love He wants from us all.
GREGORY: It is so and not so at all. This man is the Christ I told you about.
He made himself a sacrifice to save us from sin.
He came down to earth and became Man, lived a sinless life,
and took on the punishment He didn't deserve.
OLGA: How can it be that a god becomes a sacrifice to himself?
and what god would care so much about the lowly life of men?
GREGORY: Princess, did you not know love in your life?
Then you, Princess, will easily understand my words.
Would not you have done everything you could to save that love?
in the same way Christ died to bring us all to God.
Do you not know sin? Greed, hostility, revenge?
Do you not know how hard it is to purge sin from your heart?
how hard it is to revive a dead soul, to awaken love in the dead heart?
that's why He decided to come and shed His holy blood.
So that you and I could live again, He opened the door to God.
This message of mine is very simple, you only need to believe.
OLGA: My thoughts are in a tangle. What is this strange faith?
Who could have come up with this -
A man who is also God?
How can that even be?
One God in three separate persons?
Almighty - but decided to become small, allowed men to kill Himself?
He created heaven and earth, could have demanded any sacrifice,
but risked His reputation by becoming a blood sacrifice for all of us.
Oh, how He could have avenged Himself! Everyone knows that gods love vengeance!
but He does not crush His enemies, but loves them and tells us to love them too.
What is this? Where did this come from? Rising up inside, like a forgotten fire,
in the dead heart, locked and buried, the word of Christ has found a response.
This is nonsense! These are mere words! Words won't give you food or drink,
won't save you from death or enemies... I should forget all this silliness!
Only how can I live on like before knowing what I know now,
passionately resisting it but also wishing to believe in the impossible...
So, if You are really there, immortal yet crucified,
timeless, tender, and holy - just like they described You to me,
If all this is really true, and the world is really Your creation
so that You can breathe life even into the dead bones,
then maybe You can wash away the evil and the stain of the bloody feast
and restore the breath of life to the heart that died long ago.
Help me to bow down before You, unafraid of shame and condemnation,
unafraid of either glory or crucifixion, giving you my heart, my body, my life.
If You are truly God's Son, then I want to believe in You.
The door of my heart is open now.
You're my God. I am Yours. Amen.
Christ has been born in me, invisible, timid and small,
but immediately He has brought such light and peace into my heart!
OLGA: I will love and keep Him in my soul GREGORY: Christ was born in you
OLGA: so that everyone sees God's light. GREGORY: bringing peace and light.
OLGA: so that people see God in what I do GREGORY: My eyes have seen God's power
OLGA: and praise the Father and Son. GREGORY: and His salvation in God's love.
OLGA: I will take Christ's word and His baptism to my country
GREGORY: Christ was born in you for the falling and rising of many,
OLGA: so that they will know forgiveness. GREGORY: to reveal people's thoughts
OLGA: He will be born in proud hearts GREG.: He'll bring not peace but the sword
OLGA: and Rus' will know His holiness. GREG.: and the sword will pierce your soul
OLGA: so that Russians will know God, cast away old idols and receive His hope.
GREG.: You will suffer sorrow and grief, and see much rejection and shame.
OLGA: My people will choose You and proclaim Christ to others.
GREG: You will be remembered in history and celebrated by many,
OLGA: Lord, give me strength to go on GREG: But glory is not in people's praise
OLGA: and to serve You till the end! GREG.: and your joy will be in God alone.
The city of Kiev. About three years later.
Hey, young princes! Where are you? Yaroslav, Yaropolk, Vladimir!
We're waiting for you! Are you ready to listen to God's Word?
Right. What's the passage for today?
1 Samuel, chapter 5. Excellent! Let's go!
Once enemies waged war on Israel and took away the Ark of the Covenant.
they brought it into their temple and put it before the statue of Dagon.
In the morning they came to the temple, looked inside and were horrified:
Dagon was lying before the Ark all in cracks, like an old washing tub.
The Philistines were scared, but didn't give up:
they put Dagon back up and placed the Ark before him.
In the morning they came back: OMG! Dagon's body was broken into pieces!
his arms and legs were cut off, and his head rolled to the door.
They realized they couldn't beat God and decided to send the Ark back.
God's hand defeated the idol. To God the Almighty be all glory!
Ah, Svyatoslav, it's you. Welcome back, son!
Yes, it's me. What's this? Another church?
Haven't you built enough?
How long are you staying this time?
A few weeks. Thought I would see what's going on, what you're teaching my sons.
And you know what? Enough of this! I don't want them listening to all this.
But what's the harm in what I tell them?
What's the harm? Well, let me tell you then what the harm is here...
What's this noise? Who is it at the door? What sort of people?
German missionaries. Princess Olga invited them to preach Christ throughout Rus'.
What? German missionaries? In Rus'? NEVER!
What's this I hear? Westerners are here, Christians that only sow confusion.
I would understand Greeks or Jews who trade in the marketplace,
But these are Germans, Westerners who only ever want to conquer us,
if not by the sword, then by education, bringing their "holy" baptism here.
But, son, in Christ's Body there is no division among us,
All God's children are one in the faith, there are no Germans, no Jews,
there are no Russians, no Greeks; we are all one,
alive only by His love, saved only by Christ's blood.
Enough! I am sick of this! I will finally tell you what I think!
Even though you are my mother, I am not listening to you anymore!
Would I ever betray the sacred blood of my ancestors for the sake of your Christ?
Would I forget my father's seed? Would I forget my clan and tribe?
No, never! No, never!
The blood of my ancestors is calling out to me from the land
reminding me of the Russian pride.
Other nations' gods should not cross our borders.
our God Perun and our God Yarilo, they are our living strength!
There is nothing stronger than blood! You can have your precious love,
but don't impose this foreign Jesus on Russian people!
No, never! No, never!
Hey, soldiers, seize those Westerners and take them to the border!
If you don't want to rot in the ditch, hit the road and do it NOW!
Get away while the going is good, you and your "holy' Word of Christ!
The Slavic Russia will NEVER be foreign, it will NEVER be Christian!
No, never! No, never!
Enough! I am sick of this! I am tired of being idle!
I will save Rus' from this danger! I am stripping you of all power!
Enough of foreign gods! And keep away from my children!
Enough of dangerous heresies, enough of stupid Christian fables!
Away with all the Westerners! You can believe, but hands off Rus'!
Our God Perun, our God Yarilo - they are the living strength of Rus'!
Light and power, God Yarilo! Our Sun God, there is none more beautiful!
The city of Kiev. 968 A.D.
Morning or evening, winter or summer I am not sure, what it is.
Should we laugh or cry? Life is funny, so we laugh so hard we start to cry.
After showing his anger, Svatoslav stripped his mother of power - and left!
The prince hates Kiev, he went off to rule another land, where all the trade is.
He rules another land, forgetting his own. He's left his mother and kids in danger.
We called him home, saying that if he doesn't return, the enemy will take Kiev
But there is no word from the Prince, It's unlikely he will come back in time.
There is no water, no bread, the enemy has laid siege to the city. Oh, what fun!
The Pechenegs are here! (Pechenegs were a Turkic tribe)
Where are you, our gods, our protectors? Pechenegs have overwhelmed us!
Help! Help! Run for your life! Where is the Prince? Nowhere to be seen!
They will plunder our villages, take us for slaves - where are you, gods?
Don't cry for help, no gods will help you! Your Yarilo is nothing against our power!
Our arrows are swift, they are never idle; our horses are fast, you will not escape!
Where is your Prince? Nowhere to be seen! Don't cry for help, no gods can help you!
Princess Olga, our dear mother, what shall we do?
The army is gone, the Prince is far away.
If he doesn't return by morning, the Pechenegs will take Kiev!
Send a messenger: we have a small detachment hidden across the river.
Let the commander sound the battle signal at dawn, as if the Prince is back.
Have the soldiers line up on the shore. Maybe the Pechenegs will fall for it.
Tell the runner to be swift like an arrow, and as he runs, we will be praying!
Lord, are You not the God of Heaven? Do You not rule over the Earth?
Can anyone withstand You?
We don't know what do to, oh God! We have no power against the enemy,
But our eyes are on You, and on You only!
He who dwells in the shelter of the Lord rests in the shadow of the Almighty,
in danger he says to the Most High: You are my refuge and my fortress.
God will deliver you from death, overshadow you with His feathers,
you will find rest under His wing, saying: You are my God in whom I trust!
Amidst terrors of night and arrows of day, and the pestilence in the darkness
I will trust in You!
I called upon You and You heard me! You delivered me from my sorrow!
You are with me for the rest of my days, You are my God in whom I trust!
Thousands may fall at your side, But they will not come near you
for in danger you said to the Lord, "You are my refuge and my fortress!"
God will command His angels to guard you in all your ways,
they will lift you up in their hands, for you said: "I will trust in You!"
Amidst terrors of night and arrows of day, and the pestilence in the darkness
I will trust in You!
I called on You, and You heard me! You delivered me from my sorrow!
You will never leave or abandon me, You are my God in whom I trust!
He who dwells in the shelter of the Lord rests in the shadow of the Almighty...
Princess Olga, our dear mother! It worked! The Pechenegs are retreating!
Let us now bless the Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ
He created Heaven and Earth, He is the God of gods,
and no one can resist His powerful hand!
It is He who delivered us from the enemy, by the faith of our mother Princess Olga
so let us worship and praise Him, and give Him all glory!
One God, Lord Almighty! You are our hope! There is no one as beautiful as You!
Well, it seems that was it: God showed His power, and I was justified.
He didn't let me be put to shame, He crushed the enemy with His strong hand.
It seems that was it. But my heart aches for their faith was fleeting.
What will the Lord see when He visits us? Will He find Himself among us?
It seemed that was it. And Prince Vladimir baptized Russia a long time ago,
breaking the old idols into pieces and throwing them into the river.
You call me the Mother of Faith, you have placed me among the saints,
But my heart keeps aching, it keeps aching for my country.
Look around! So many churches everywhere
beautiful with their bright colors, golden domes and shining crosses.
But crosses will not save us from hate, and sacred oil will not wash away blood,
and when our Lord comes back, what will He find in my country?
Vengeance and greed are as strong as in our pagan times,
Love among neighbors has grown cold, and brother is rising against brother.
Crosses and Lents are not enough to make Russia Christian,
We argue a lot, but clearly one thing is needed: for Jesus to be born in us!
Anyone can believe for an hour, when he needs God to save him from trouble.
We readily praise Him and plead with Him in our hour of need.
We talk much about Russia's "special way," remembering Moscow as "the Third Rome,"
but are we ready to bow down before Him and to come to Him in repentance?
Ah, Russia, you eternal troika-bird! Where are you going? Answer me!
There is no answer... Oh, Holy God, I pray to You:
Be merciful to us, despite our deeds, keep my people from evil,
so that they would love Your light, come to know You and have living faith.
Ah, Russia, you eternal troika-bird! Where are you going? Answer me!
There is no answer.... Oh, Holy God, I pray to you:
Be merciful to us, despite our deeds, keep our people from evil,
so that we would live Your light, know You and have living faith
in our hearts!