The original painting is by Yelena Stepura, a Moscow-based painter. All of y’all can download and use this, with no charges or fees… Russians aren’t Anglo Americans… we’re not greedy nor are we self-centred attention hounds.
Have a most wonderful and joyous holiday… whichever one you celebrate. Raise a glass and cheer!
BMD
Because this question comes up every holiday season, I thought I’d help everyone out with a handy chart. Thanks to Ryan Richardson for making it look good. See also:
Apparently, this bugs me every year.
(no date)
Rachel Held Evans
The above images show the contemporary life of the Cossacks in Volgograd Oblast. I’ll say this… Cossack honour and Cossack duty haven’t changed one bit, have they? If I had to choose between Cossack integrity and decency and the lies of a poseur like Rod Dreher (Mr Dreher issued snarky comments on Cossacks), there’s no choice for good people, is there? I know whom I favour… and I confide that most of you agree with me on this one…
BMD
Voices from Russia 
16 January 2014. A Picture IS Worth a Thousand Words… Where was Vova on Orthodox Christmas?
Tags: 2014 Sochi Olympics, celebration of Christmas, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Christmas worldwide, Eastern Orthodox Church, Happy Holidays, holiday time, holidays, Holidays and Observances, Krasnodar Krai, Orthodox, Orthodox Christmas, Orthodoxy, political commentary, politics, Religion, Religion and Spirituality, Russia, Russian, Russian Christmas, Russian culture, Russian holidays, Russian Orthodox Church, Sochi, Sochi Olympics, Vladimir Putin, Winter Olympic Games
______________________________
Correction from the Cabinet 17.01.14:
Got this from a Cabineteer:
My info followed my source, which is usually reliable. If it’s wrong, it’s wrong; if it’s wrong, I’m wrong. God willing, the above is the righteous intel. I don’t have the time to vet everything… it’s why you rely on GOOD solid sources (such as RIA, VOR, patriarchia.ru, and RT), and not patently crank iffy sources (such as Portal-Credo, OrthoDixie, Byzantine Texas, Whiteford, or oca.org). Even then, errors creep in via the sources. Nevertheless, if my source is wrong, I’m wrong, and I apologise to youse guys. Be good…
BMD
******
Where was President Putin on Orthodox Christmas? Where he was supposed to be, kids, at services. He attended the Church of the Icon of Christ “Not Made by Hands” in Sochi… no doubt, he was overseeing last-minute preparations for the Winter Olympics. Note well that Vova doesn’t hold himself aloof from his people. Of course, he does discount neoliberal elements, but they’re found only in Piter and at the Centre, besides, they’re not overly many, so, he easily avoids them.
Vova’s hated by all the right people… do note how some in the West try to claim that they have influence over him, especially, a loud arrogant Born Again sectarian shit named Lively (I kid you NOT). Pay such black propaganda no heed… it’s not true. Vladimir Vladimirovich is what he is, and, at least, he knows his limitations and his mortality. Don’t you wish that all leaders were as wise and prudent as he is? May God grant this decent man another ten good years…
BMD