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The Bible Journey
Start here
Bible Journey (1)
1. The World of the New Testament Journeys
The Landscapes of Palestine
The Rulers of Palestine
The Climate of Palestine
Major Jewish Religious Festivals
What is the New Testament?
Who wrote the Gospels?
English Translations of the New Testament
2. John the Baptist's Journeys
John's mission foretold
The birth of John
John's message
John begins baptising
John criticises Herod
Was John the promised Elijah?
3. Jesus's Childhood Journeys
Jesus's birth announced
Mary & Joseph go to Bethlehem
The birth of Jesus
Shepherds visit the infant
Jewish religious rituals
Wise men visit Jerusalem
The holy family flee to Egypt
The holy family return to Nazareth
Jesus grows up
4. Jesus's Journeys around Galilee
Jesus starts his ministry
Jesus is tempted
Jesus returns to Galilee
Jesus goes back to Nazareth
Jesus travels to Jerusalem
Jesus passes through Samaria
Jesus performs healing miracles
Jesus teaches in Capernaum
Jesus's teachings on a hillside
Jesus upsets the Pharisees
Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee
5. Jesus's Journeys beyond Galilee
Jesus heals & teaches in Jerusalem
Jesus teaches how to receive the Holy Spirit
Jesus journeys among the Gentiles
Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee
Jesus in Tyre and Sidon
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is changed on the slopes of Mount Hermon
Jesus pays the Temple Tax
Jesus claims God's personal name
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Lazarus, Come out!
6. Jesus's Last Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus's entry into Jerusalem
Jesus curses a fig tree
Jesus heralds the end of the sacrificial system
Jesus in Jerusalem during Passover week
The Parable of the Sheep & the Goats
Paying taxes to Caesar
Jesus is betrayed
The Last Supper
Jesus crosses the Kidron Valley
Jesus is arrested
Jesus is taken to the Praetorium
Jesus is tried by Pilate
The death of Judas
Jesus is executed by crucifixion
The Pharisees mount a guard on the tomb
Jesus rises from the tomb
Jesus appears to his followers
Jesus is taken into God's presence
Jesus appears to Peter, James & Paul
7. Journeys of Jesus's Followers
Who were Jesus's followers?
The believers are filled with the Holy Spirit
Peter & John heal a crippled man
The believers share their possessions
Opposition in Jerusalem
Stephen is killed & the believers are scattered
Philip's Journeys
Peter's Journeys
Peter hands over the leadership to James
The Gentile Church at Antioch
8. Paul's Journey to Damascus
Saul's Early Life
Saul persecutes the believers
The beginning of Saul's ministry
Saul & Barnabas in Antioch & Jerusalem
9. Paul's Journey to Cyprus, Pamphylia & Galatia
Paul starts his 1st Missionary Journey
Paul, Barnabas & Mark in Cyprus
Paul, Barnabas & Mark sail to Pamphylia
Paul & Barnabas travel inland
Paul & Barnabas in Iconium
Paul & Barnabas in Lystra
Paul & Barnabas return to Perga
Paul & Barnabas return to Antioch in Syria
Paul & Barnabas attend the Council of Jerusalem
Paul & Barnabas take the decision to Antioch
10. Paul's Journey to Phrygia, Macedonia & Archaia
Paul starts his 2nd Missionary Journey
Paul travels to Troas
Paul sails across to Europe
Paul arrives in Philippi
Paul travels to Amphipolis & Apollonia
Paul in Thessalonica
Paul in Berea
Paul in Athens
Paul in Corinth
Paul returns to Jerusalem
11. Paul's Journey to Ephesus, Philippi & Corinth
Paul starts his 3rd Missionary Journey
The Ephesians are filled with the Holy Spirit
The silversmiths riot in Ephesus
Paul travels to Corinth
Paul returns to Macedonia
Eutychus falls from a window in Troas
Paul leaves for Assos
Paul sails to Miletus
Paul visits Cos and Rhodes
Paul visits Philip in Caesarea
12. Paul's Journey to Rome
Paul meets violent opposition in Jerusalem
Paul addresses the crowds
Paul in Caesarea
Paul appeals to Emperor Nero
Paul sets sail for Rome
Paul is shipwrecked
Paul in Malta
Paul heads for Rome
13. Paul's Letters to Galatia & Thessalonica
An Introduction to Paul's Letters
Paul's Letter to Galatia
Paul explains his personal background
Alive in Christ
Set free from Slavery
The Fruit of the Spirit
Paul's 1st Letter to Thessalonica
Paul hopes to visit Thessalonica
The Day of the Lord
How Christians should behave
Paul's 2nd Letter to Thessalonica
The coming Day of the Lord
Saved by the power of the Holy Spirit
14. Paul's Letters to Corinth & Rome
Paul's 1st Letter to Corinth
The Holy Spirit helps us understand
Temples of the Holy Spirit
Advice on Marriage & Relationships
Running the Race of Life
The Lord's Supper
Spiritual Gifts
Worship in the early church
The risen Lord Jesus appears to his followers
Paul's 2nd Letter to Corinth
Paul explains his revised plans
Christ's Victory Parade & the New Covenant
How God changes lives
Paul's plans for the future
Paul defends himself against criticism
Paul's weaknesses
Paul's Letter to Rome
How to be put right with God
God's covenant promise fulfilled
New life in the power of the Holy Spirit
Persecution by the Jews
Paul's mission
15. Paul's Letters to Ephesus, Colossae & Philippi
Paul's Letter to Ephesus
God's secret plan
The new life
The armour of God
Paul's Letter to Colossae
Jesus is exactly like God
Saved by Christ's death
Practical advice for believers
Paul's Letter to Philemon at Colossae
Paul's Letter to Philippi
To live is Christ
Warnings about the Jewish Law
16. Paul's Letters to Timothy & Titus
Introduction to Paul's Pastoral Letters
Paul's 4th Missionary Journey
Paul's 1st Letter to Timothy in Ephesus
Worship among the believers
Holding onto the truth
Paul's Letter to Titus in Crete
Appointing Church Leaders
Paul's 2nd Letter to Timothy at Ephesus
The 'last days'
Paul's Final Sacrifice
17. The Letter to the Jewish believers in Antioch
The Letter to the Jewish believers
God speaks through the prophets & Jesus
Jesus is greater than Moses
Jesus speaks to God for believers
Jesus - a priest like Melchizedek
The New Covenant agreement
God does not want animal sacrifices
Having faith
Looking forwards, not backwards
18. Letters from James, Jude & Peter
The General Letters: James, Jude, Peter & John
The Letter of James to the Jewish believers
Faith without actions is worthless
The power of words
The Letter of Jude to the Jewish believers
Signs of 'the last days'
The 1st Letter of Peter to the Jewish believers
The living hope
Living stones
Baptism & the flood
The 2nd Letter of Peter to the Jewish believers
Peter speaks out against immorality
The 'Last Days' & The 'Day of the Lord'
19. John's Letters to the believers in Asia Minor
Introduction to John & his 3 Letters
The 1st Letter of John
The 'logos' of God
The 'new' commandment
The last days
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Love one another
God's love drives away fear
The 2nd Letter of John
The 3rd Letter of John
20. John's Revelation to the 7 Churches of Asia
Introduction to the Revelation of John
John's Letter to the 7 Churches of Asia Minor
The messages to the believers on the coastal plain
The messages to the believers living inland
John's vision of God's heavenly rule
The satan's rebellion against God
The downfall of Rome & it's empire
The resurrection of the dead
The final judgement
The new heaven & the new earth
21. The Romano-Jewish world of the New Testament
Introduction to the Romano-Jewish world
Roman Emperors in the New Testament
Jewish Religious Leaders
New Testament Languages
Jewish & Greek Names
Jewish & Roman Currency
Jewish Nationalists
The Romano-Jewish War
Constantine & the Helena Churches
Ecumenical Church Councils
Bible Journey (2)
22. The World of the Old Testament Journeys
Palestine - A Land Bridge
Routes across Palestine
The River Jordan
Ancient Israel
The Message of the Old Testament
Who wrote the Old Testament?
Dating events in the Old Testament
23.The Journeys of Adam, Enoch, Noah & Abraham
The Biblical account of Creation
Adam's Journey from the Garden of Eden
Cain is sent on a journey to the east of Eden
Enoch founds a city in Mesopotamia
Noah journeys to Aratta on the flood
The Colonisation of the Ancient World
The Tower of Babylonia
Abram's Journey to Canaan
Abram settles in Canaan
Abram travels north to rescue Lot
The birth of Ishmael
Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed
Abraham journeys south and Isaac is born
Abraham's sacrifice on Mount Moriah
Abraham's wife dies at Hebron
Abraham seeks a wife for Isaac
Abraham dies at Hebron
24. The Journeys of Isaac, Jacob & Joseph
Isaac moves to Beersheba
Jacob cheats Esau and flees to Mesopotamia
Jacob returns to Canaan and meets Esau
God blesses Jacob at Bethel
Joseph is sold into slavery in Egypt
Joseph becomes Vizier of Egypt
Jacob's family joins Joseph in Egypt
25. The Israelites journey from Egypt to Mt Sinai
The Israelites in Egypt
Prince Moses escapes to Midian
Moses is called by God at Mt Sinai
Egypt suffers ten plagues
The Israelites flee from Egypt
The Israelites cross the Sea of Reeds
Moses receives the Ten Commandments
Moses constructs the Ark of the Covenant
The Israelites rebel against God
The Israelites are counted
26. The Journey continues from Sinai to Moab
Hardships encountered in the desert
Moses sends spies into Canaan
Korah leads a rebellion against Moses
The Israelites remain at Kadesh Barnea
The Israelites attempt to enter Canaan
The Israelites journey north to Moab
The Israelites defeat King Sihon and King Og
Balaam blesses the Israelites
The Israelites defeat the kings of Midian
The boundaries of Canaan are agreed
More laws and religious practices
Moses dies at Mount Nebo
27. The Israelites move into Canaan
The Israelites cross the River Jordan
The Israelites conquer Jericho and Ai
Joshua builds an altar at Mt Ebal
Joshua is deceived by the Hivites
Joshua conquers the Southern Cities
Joshua embarks on the Northern Campaign
Canaan is divided among the twelve tribes
Six Cities of Refuge are set up
Joshua says farewell
28. The Israelites face continuing opposition
The Israelites fight the remaining Canaanites
God appoints inspirational leaders
Israel under the 'judges': Othniel and Ehud
Deborah and Barak defeat Sisera
Gideon defeats the Midianites
Abimelech becomes king
Jephthah defeats the Ammonites
Samson challenges the Philistines
The conquest of Laish
Gibeah is destroyed & the Benjamites punished
Job is faced with adversity
29. The Journeys of Ruth and Samuel
Ruth's journey to Bethlehem
Samuel is taken to Shiloh
The Ark of the Covenant is captured at Aphek
The Ark is taken to Ashdod
The Ark is moved to Ekron
The Ark is returned to the Israelites
Samuel administers justice from Ramah
30. Israel becomes a kingdom under Saul and David
Saul's Journey to Kingship
Jonathan demolishes the Philistine pillar at Geba
Samuel condemns Saul at Gilgal
David defeats Goliath of Gath
Saul becomes jealous of David
Samuel dies and is buried at Ramah
David marries Abigail
Saul is killed by the Philistines at Mt Gilboa
David becomes King of Judah and Israel
David captures Jerusalem
The Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem
David's victories over Israel's neighbours
David's affair with Bathsheba
Absalom's flight & his rebellion against David
Further events during David's reign
31. The Golden Age of Israel under King Solomon
Solomon succeeds his father David
Solomon's alliance with Egypt
Solomon builds the Temple in Jerusalem
Solomon builds a palace and furnishes the Temple
The Ark of the Covenant is installed in the Temple
Solomon rebuilds the cities of Israel
Solomon's overseas trading expeditions
The Queen of Sheba travels to Jerusalem
Solomon builds a network of chariot cities
Solomon turns away from God
Solomon dies and the kingdom is divided
32. The Divided Kingdom & Journey into Exile
Jeroboam builds temples to worship Baal
Israel and Judah fight each other
Israel descends into civil war
Jezebel kills the prophets & Elijah escapes
Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal
Elijah organises the opposition to King Ahab
King Ahab seizes Naboth's vineyard
Elijah is taken up to heaven
Elisha performs miracles and healings
Elisha displays spiritual gifts
Jehu races to Jezreel to depose King Joram
King Joash repairs the Temple in Jerusalem
Pharaoh Shoshenk I rescues Israel
Jeroboam II restores the boundaries of Israel
Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria invades Israel
Israel falls & the exiles are led to Assyria
33. Judah after the fall of Israel
Assyrians settle in Samaria
King Hezekiah of Judah rebels against Assyria
Sennacherib attacks and destroys Lachish
Isaiah prophesies the destruction of Judah
King Josiah ushers in religious reforms
Assyria is conquered by the Babylonians
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invades Judah
Jerusalem falls and the exile in Babylon begins
34. Judah in exile in Babylonia
Biblical sources relating to Judah in exile
The middle years of exile (586-539BC)
Daniel interprets dreams and riddles
Daniel's vision of the 'Son of Man'
Daniel's vision of the 'end times'
35. The Exiles return to Judah
The later years of exile & the return to Judah
The completion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem
A third group of exiles returns with Ezra
A fourth group of exiles returns with Nehemiah
Nehemiah becomes Governor of Judah
The people renew their covenant with God
Jerusalem's new walls are dedicated
Esther becomes Queen of Persia
Mordecai uncovers a plot to kill the king
The origin of the Jewish festival of Purim
36. Songs, Prayers & Memorable Sayings
What are the Psalms?
Some psalms of King David
Songs of Praise and Despair
Later psalms ... and the earliest
Some Memorable Sayings
The wisdom of Solomon's words
The Ways of the LORD
Quarrelling, drinking & gossiping
37. The Philosopher, the Lover & the Mourner
The Philosopher
More wise words from the Philosopher
The Lover
More from the Lovers
Love is as strong as death
The Mourner
The LORD's love and mercy continue
38. Amos, Hosea & Micah criticize Israel
Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets
Introduction to the Book of Amos
Amos denounces social injustice in Israel
Introduction to Hosea's prophesy
Hosea laments the unfaithfulness of Israel
The Lord promises to punish Israel
Introduction to Micah's prophesy
Micah decries social injustice in Israel and Judah
39. Isaiah predicts the fall of Israel & Judah
Introduction to the Book of Isaiah
Prophecies written before the fall of Jerusalem
Isaiah predicts a future golden age
Isaiah reassures King Ahaz of God's support
Troubled times and a glorious future kingdom
Isaiah foresees the return of the exiles
Isaiah warns of six catastrophes
The final years before the fall of Judah
40. Isaiah offers comfort to those in exile
Words of comfort after the fall of Jerusalem
The LORD will help Israel
God chooses Cyrus to save his people
The suffering servant of the LORD
Encouragement for those in exile
Those returning are encouraged to follow the LORD
The LORD's blessing will rest on Jerusalem
41. Jonah goes to Nineveh & Nahum condemns it
Introduction to the Book of Jonah
Jonah is thrown overboard to appease the gods
Jonah arrives at Nineveh
Introduction to the Book of Nahum
Nahum predicts the fall of Nineveh
42. Jeremiah warns of the destruction of Jerusalem
Introduction to the Book of Jeremiah
Jeremiah says idolatry will bring Judah's fall
Jeremiah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem
Jeremiah calls for repentence
Plots are hatched against Jeremiah
Jeremiah is beaten and arrested
Jeremiah is charged with treason
Words of hope and consolation
Miscellaneous flashbacks to earlier times
Jeremiah attempts to leave Jerusalem
Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians
Gedeliah is murdered & Jeremiah goes to Egypt
Jeremiah sees disaster in Egypt
Messages to the surrounding nations
43. Zephaniah & Habakkuk foretell Judah's fall
Introduction to the Book of Zephaniah
Zephaniah warns of the punishment of Judah
Introduction to the Book of Habakkuk
Habakkuk asks why the cruel Babylonians succeed
44. Ezekiel warns of the conquest of Jerusalem
Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel
Ezekiel is called to be a prophet
Ezekiel's vision of idolatry in the Temple
Ezekiel speaks through prophesies and parables
Ezekiel's message of impending doom
Further prophecies & the fall of Jerusalem
Hope for the future - New life for Israel
The defeat of Gog and Magog
Ezekiel's vision of the New Jerusalem
Ezekiel sees the glory of the LORD
The restored land of Israel
45. Obadiah foretells the punishment of Edom
Introduction to the prophesy of Obadiah
Obadiah prophesies the resurgence of Israel
46. Haggai & Zechariah encourage re-building
Introduction to the Book of Haggai
Haggai urges the exiles to re-build the Temple
Introduction to the Book of Zechariah
Zechariah has visions of horses & horns
The vision of the measuring line
Further visions about Jerusalem
The LORD promises to restore Jerusalem
Prophesies about the coming of the Messiah
Prophesies about the Last Days
47. Malachi & Joel await the Day of the LORD
An Introduction to the Book of Malachi
Malachi announces the Day of the LORD
God promises to send Elijah
Introduction to the Book of Joel
Joel foresees the Day of the LORD
48. The Jewish World of the Old Testament
The Names of the God of Israel
Foreign gods
Pharaohs of the Old Testament
The Old Testament & the Jewish Tanakh
Sources of the History of Israel and Judah
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Between the Old and the New Testaments
49. Judaism and Christianity compared
The Old Covenant & The New Covenant
Who is my neighbour?
Seeking revenge or Offering forgiveness?
The Commandments - Impossible to keep?
Was Jesus the Jewish Messiah?
Was Jesus an outspoken rabbi or was he God?
How to get right with God: Sacrifice or Faith?
How to get right with God: By water or the Spirit?
The power of the Holy Spirit - for everyone?
A new nation? Or eternal life in God's kingdom?
More sections to be added soon
Your Journey
1. From Cain & Abel to the Judges
2. From the Kingdom of Israel to the Exile
3. From the Exile to the Birth of Jesus
4. From the Birth to the Death of Jesus
5. From Acts of the Apostles to John's Revelation
Find People & Places
Find Places
Find Sections and Features
More resources
Study guides for small groups
Geographical context of the New Testament
Historical context of the New Testament
Religious context of the New Testament
Was John the new Elijah?
No room for the inn
What the devil are The Temptations all about?
What's in a word?
Palm Sunday to Easter Tuesday
About us
What people are saying
Contact us
Privacy Statement
Bible Journey (2)
35. The Exiles return to Judah
Bible Journey (2)
22. The World of the Old Testament Journeys
23.The Journeys of Adam, Enoch, Noah & Abraham
24. The Journeys of Isaac, Jacob & Joseph
25. The Israelites journey from Egypt to Mt Sinai
26. The Journey continues from Sinai to Moab
27. The Israelites move into Canaan
28. The Israelites face continuing opposition
29. The Journeys of Ruth and Samuel
30. Israel becomes a kingdom under Saul and David
31. The Golden Age of Israel under King Solomon
32. The Divided Kingdom & Journey into Exile
33. Judah after the fall of Israel
34. Judah in exile in Babylonia
35. The Exiles return to Judah
The later years of exile & the return to Judah
The completion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem
A third group of exiles returns with Ezra
A fourth group of exiles returns with Nehemiah
Nehemiah becomes Governor of Judah
The people renew their covenant with God
Jerusalem's new walls are dedicated
Esther becomes Queen of Persia
Mordecai uncovers a plot to kill the king
The origin of the Jewish festival of Purim
36. Songs, Prayers & Memorable Sayings
37. The Philosopher, the Lover & the Mourner
38. Amos, Hosea & Micah criticize Israel
39. Isaiah predicts the fall of Israel & Judah
40. Isaiah offers comfort to those in exile
41. Jonah goes to Nineveh & Nahum condemns it
42. Jeremiah warns of the destruction of Jerusalem
43. Zephaniah & Habakkuk foretell Judah's fall
44. Ezekiel warns of the conquest of Jerusalem
45. Obadiah foretells the punishment of Edom
46. Haggai & Zechariah encourage re-building
47. Malachi & Joel await the Day of the LORD
48. The Jewish World of the Old Testament
49. Judaism and Christianity compared
35. The Exiles return to Judah
The first Jewish exiles
return from Babylonia
with Sheshbazzar
The re-building of the
Temple in Jerusalem
is completed
A third group
of Jewish exiles
returns with Ezra
The walls of Jerusalem
are rebuilt by a fourth
group led by Nehemiah
Artaxerxes I appoints
Nehemiah to be
Governor of Judah
The returned exiles
renew their covenant
with the LORD God
The new city walls
of Jerusalem
are dedicated
Esther becomes the wife
of King Xerxes I
and Queen of Persia
Mordecai uncovers
a plot to kill
King Xerxes I
The origins of
the Jewish festival
of Purim
Click here for
Group Study Outlines
& Sermon Notes
Click here to start reading
about the Jewish exiles'
return to Judah
Printable Version
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Righty Gonzalez designated to make room for Blackley
HOUSTON -- The Astros designated right-handed pitcher Edgar Gonzalez for assignment to clear a roster spot for newly-acquired left-handed pitcher Travis Blackley, general manager Jeff Luhnow announced on Friday.
It's been a roller-coaster week for Gonzalez, who originally didn't make the 25-man roster as Spring Training came to close, but was added last weekend when Alex White was placed on the 60-day day disabled list with elbow problems. Gonzalez didn't appear in any of the Astros' first three games.
"Edgar's been valuable ever since we got him, and it's unfortunate when you have to designate someone that's currently on the roster in the big leagues," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "We had to do it to make the space. Edgar understands that, and we told him we're going to try to work it out so we could keep him in the organization."
Gonzalez was signed to a Minor League contract by the Astros last August and went 3-1 with a 5.01 ERA in six starts. The Astros were 4-2 in his six starts.

subset: commoncrawl


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I am working on getting Southerniron.net up and running. It is quite fun to create a new web site, when you know nothing.
19 October, 2004
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Random ramblings from a Southern father; a graduate of Ole Miss and LSU; a resident of Texas; one who looks at the world in a bygone way. Football and Jack Daniels, little girls in crisp crinoline underskirts, sitting in a rocking chair with your little girl asleep on your lap. The ways are not forgotten, just misunderstood by others. That Southern Daddy smell - that sickly sweet blended aroma of sour mash and bay rum.


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HR Update: New Managers & Supervisors Web Page
In preparation for the campus-wide manager training series that's coming up, we have begun working on a new Managers & Supervisors section on the Human Resources website. In this section you will find any information that was previously listed under the Staff/Faculty > Managers & Supervisors page, as well as many new items. Some of the highlights in this section include:
- Hiring Staff. Step-by-step review of the hiring process with linked resources and forms as needed. (You can also use our new go-link for this page: go/hire.)
- New Hire Orientation. Checklist of items to cover as you welcome your new hire.
- Go/Managers Workshops. Information about and sign-ups for monthly manager workshops.
- Short Term Work Options. Guidance for how to handle different types of short-term hires.
- Supporting Employees. Links to resources that you can use to help your employees (professional development, job accommodations, time off, worker's compensation, etc.).
- Greentree Help. An evolving set of instructions to help you as you use Greentree to recruit new employees.
Looking for something that you can't find? Let us know by sending an e-mail to email@example.com or try using the search feature on the main Human Resources page found at http://go.middlebury.edu/hr (go/hr from on campus).
This week's employment snapshot:
There are currently 18 faculty positions, 15 external job postings, and one internal job posting on the Middlebury College employment opportunities websites.
Employment Quick Links:
Faculty Employment Opportunities: go/faculty-jobs (on campus), http://go.middlebury.edu/faculty-jobs (off campus)
Staff Employment Opportunities: go/staff-jobs (on campus), http://go.middlebury.edu/staff-jobs (off campus)


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Matlab and Octave interfaces are now available as binaries for Windows and Linux on our download page.
Fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) belong to the '10 algorithms with the greatest influence on the development and practice of science and engineering in the 20th century'. The classic algorithm computes the discrete Fourier transform
However, two shortcomings of traditional schemes are the need for equispaced sampling and the restriction to the system of complex exponential functions. The NFFT (nonequispaced fast Fourier transform or nonuniform fast Fourier transform, NUFFT) is a C subroutine library for computing the nonequispaced discrete Fourier transform (NDFT) and its generalisations in one or more dimensions, of arbitrary input size, and of complex data.
More precisely,we collect the possible frequencies in the multi-index set
In general, the adjoint NDFT is not the inverse transform of the NDFT.
The generalisations of the NFFT include
- NNFFT - nonequispaced in time and frequency fast Fourier transform,
- NFCT/NFST - nonequispaced fast (co)sine transform,
- NSFFT - nonequispaced sparse fast Fourier transform,
- FPT - fast polynomial transform,
- NFSFT - nonequispaced fast spherical Fourier transform,
- NFSOFT - nonequispaced fast Fourier transform on the rotation group
Furthermore, we consider the inversion of the above transforms by iterative methods.
The NFFT is a C subroutine library for computing the nonequispaced discrete Fourier transform (NDFT) in one or more dimensions, of arbitrary input size, and of complex data. New: A Matlab interface is part of the NFFT3. We believe that our library, which is free software, and based on (FFTW 3.x) should become the NFFT library of choice for most applications.
The NFFT package has been developed at the Mathematical Institute of the University of Lübeck, at the Mathematical Institute of the University Osnabrück and at the Faculty of Mathematics of the Chemnitz University of Technology by Jens Keiner, Stefan Kunis and Daniel Potts. Further contributions, in particular applications, are due to Dr. Markus Fenn, Steffen Klatt, Tobias Knopp and Antje Vollrath. The support for OpenMP was developed by Toni Volkmer. Many contributions to the release 3.3.* and later are done by Toni Volkmer and Michael Quellmalz.
If you have comments, questions, or suggestions regarding NFFT, don't hesitate to email at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Battlefront - WWII: Road To Victory
The fiercest battles of WWII come to life as never seen before in this stunning collection of one of the most powerful epics of history. ACTUAL FOOTAGE from all sides of the war in COLOR. This documentary series takes you behind enemy lines and to the front lines of the tumultuous campaigns of the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific theaters where the soldiers, sailors and airmen fought in the most defining time in the history of the modern world.
Season 1
S01:E01 - Dunkirk (September 1, 1939)
To keep France free, 400,000 English soldiers have manned the battlefields. Germany's strength is too great and pushes the British to the coast town of Dunkirk.
S01:E02 - Fall of Poland
German tanks roll into Poland in September 1939.
S01:E03 - The Battle of Norway (Early 1940)
Early in the war, the Germans decide they need to guarantee access to the Norwegian port of Narvik to ensure their supplies of Swedish iron ore. The British, however, send destroyers to up-end the German plan.
S01:E04 - The Bombing of England (Fall 1940)
After invading France, Hitler is planning to cross the Channel. His only obstacle is the Royal Air Force. Throughout the summer of 1940, both sides lose an incredible number of daring flyers.
S01:E05 - Battle of Tobruk
German field marshal Erwin Rommel scores a major victory at the Libyan seaport of Tobruk.
S01:E06 - Operation Mercury
After British forces withdrew in defeat from Greece to the island of Crete in early 1941, they were soon fighting German invasion armies again. This time, 5,000 of Hitler's elite paratroopers landed to complete their conquest in the Mediterranean.
S01:E07 - The Battle of Malta (June 1941)
In 1941, Mussolini desperately wants to wrest the tiny island of Malta from the British for control of the Mediterranean. When his inadequate air force fails to bomb the Maltese into submission, Hitler's Luftwaffe joins the campaign.
S01:E08 - The Fall of Singapore (October 1941)
Before the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese initiate the Pacific War by firing on the British in Malaya. Their route to the rubber-rich nation takes them into Singapore, the World's most armed fortress.
S01:E09 - Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)
During a two-hour surprise attack on the American Pacific fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor, Japanese navy pilots score a near-complete victory.
S01:E10 - Fall of the Philippines
Examining the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in December 1941.
S01:E11 - The Battle of Midway (June 2, 1942)
Only one isolated atoll prevents an enemy invasion of Hawaii. Midway Island is where the Japanese fleet converges on a tiny American base with a massive strafing and bombing attack.
S01:E12 - The Solomon Islands (July 1942)
For the first time since Americans entered the war, Marines face Japanese infantrymen at Guadal Canal. In the jungles, two powerful armies clash in a six month battle that claims nearly 30,000 lives.
S01:E13 - Battle of Dieppe
The Allies launch an ill-fated attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe, France.
S01:E14 - Battle of Stalingrad
German forces encounter Russian resistance.
S01:E15 - El Alamein
Erwin Rommel battles Allied forces in North Africa in 1942.
S01:E16 - North Africa (November 1942)
In the North African desert in 1942, American fighting forces encounter the dreaded Rommel for the first time to stop the German war machine.
S01:E17 - Burma: The Forgotten Front (Spring 1943)
The Japanese meet resistance from British forces as they advance through Burma to take India in 1944.
S01:E18 - Battle of Sicily
Fresh from victory in North Africa, the Allies successfully invade the island of Sicily, staging an eventual Italian withdrawal from the war.
S01:E19 - Bombing of Ploesti
American bombers target a Romanian oil refinery in a daring 1943 mission.
S01:E20 - Monte Cassino (September 3, 1943)
As the allies make their way into Italy, they encounter tremendous resistance at German defensive positions along the Gustav line. One of these locations is an ancient monastery called Monte Cassino.
S01:E21 - The Gilbert Islands (November 1943)
Bloody fighting erupts on a group of tiny Pacific islands in November 1943.
S01:E22 - Battle of Anzio
Allied armies encounter German resistance in the Italian fishing town of Anzio.
S01:E23 - Kwajalein
Examining the battle at the Kwajelein Atoll in the South Pacific during 1944. Included: operations by the Seabees.
S01:E24 - Battle in Palau (Summer 1944)
As the United States prepared for the invasion of the Philippines, scheduled for late 1944, the tiny Palau Islands had to be taken first.
S01:E25 - D-Day (June 6,1944)
D-Day, the 6th of June--one of the most pivotal moments in world history. In a massive armada of thousands of ships, 3,000,000 allied troops land at Three Beaches in Normandy, France.
S01:E26 - Retaking France (6 Weeks After D-Day)
Six weeks after the D-Day invasion of the Beaches of Normandy, the allied forces are pushing the Germans back through the French countryside. Town by town is won back as Panzer divisions retreat back to the Meuse River.
S01:E27 - Operation Dragoon (August 1944)
The Allies break into France and push the Germans back to their own border.
S01:E28 - Liberation of the Paris
Both political and military expediency were factors in the return of the French capital to its people.
S01:E29 - Arnhem
The Allies launch an attack designed to push the Germans back to the Rhine River.
S01:E30 - Liberation of the Phillipines
Gen. Douglas MacArthur's return to the Philippines, and the final push to retake the islands after two years of Japanese occupation.
S01:E31 - The Last Stronghold (November 1944)
American B-29 high-altitude bomber attacks Japan near the end of World War II.
S01:E32 - Mount Belvedere
The Battle of the Gothic Line in 1944.
S01:E33 - Battle of the Bulge (December 1944)
The December 1944 battle pitting American forces against German Panzer divisions in the Ardennes Forest.
S01:E34 - Mount Hot Rocks (February 19, 1945)
American forces landing on the shores of Iwo Jima encounter Japanese combatants willing to fight to the death.
S01:E35 - Battle of Remagen
German forces retreat across the Rhine on the Remagen bridge near the close of the war.
S01:E36 - Battle of Okinawa
Kamikaze pilots guard the island of Okinawa from American forces.
S01:E37 - Fall of Berlin
In 1945, Soviet and American troops press Hitler's armies from the west and the east, culminating in the fall of Berlin.
S01:E38 - Commerce Raiders
Heavily armed vessels disguised as ordinary cargo ships patrolled allied waters, sinking supply boats and stealing their content.
S01:E39 - Bombing of Germany
The development of the B-17 bomber, which allowed American planes to reach inside Germany and bomb its cities.
S01:E40 - U-Boat War
U-boats posed the deadliest threat to Allied convoys traveling the Atlantic.
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text:
Early childhood (1979 – 1995)
Siti Nurhaliza was born in Kampung Awah (Temerloh), Pahang on 11 January 1979. Siti is the fifth child in the family of eight siblings. She comes from a musically inclined family. Her grandfather was a famous violinist, and her mother was a famous local traditional singer.
From the age of 5, she followed her uncle to invitational shows like wedding ceremonies and dinner parties to give her exposure performing live, where she was well received by the local community. During her childhood she was involved in various school activities, including sports and class speeches.
Siti Nurhaliza attended pre-school at the Sekolah Tabika Perkep, Balai Polis Kampung Awah, Temerloh. Here she showed her early singing talent at the age of six when she sang "Sirih Pinang", a Malay traditional song, at her kindergarten's end of year event. She attended primary school at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Clifford and followed up her secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Clifford, Kuala Lipis, Pahang.
She was an athlete in school and this showed when at the opening ceremony of the Fiesta Media Idola 2006 in Kuantan she was a torch bearer to light the games of the Fiesta, together with actress Fasha Sanda. Siti had also won a singing contest when she was twelve years old. She sang the patriotic song "Bahtera Merdeka" at a Kuala Lipis Carnival in conjunction with the "Nyanyian Bulan Kemerdekaan" (Independence Month Singing Contest).
Early commercial success (1995 – 1996)
Siti Nurhaliza's family performed at many local ceremonies in their hometown, such as weddings. At the age of twelve, Siti began to learn traditional songs from her mother and went on performing that genre of music during special occasions and events.
Later, as she continued to work on her singing, she participated in numerous local singing competitions. At 16, she competed in the 1995 RTM Juara Bintang competition. While there, she met Adnan Abu Hassan, a famous Malaysian music composer. He tutored her and helped her with her vocal performance, and ultimately she won the contest. She was granted a contract with Suria Records and in 1996 released her first self-titled album, Siti Nurhaliza. Completing her first album was a challenge because she had to balance working on the album with her preparations for the SPM examination. Despite this, her first album was a great success, and paved the way for successful subsequent albums.
Career development (1996 – 2006)
After the release of her first album, Siti became a well-known figure in Malay pop culture. She continued to have numerous hits, her songs spanning a broad range of genres, such as pop, R&B, and traditional Malay. Her voice and lyrics proved to be popular among teenagers as well as adults throughout Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.
Siti was the first non-Chinese artiste to be invited to perform at the 15th Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan in 2004. Apart from performing solo, she also sang a duet with Lee-Hom Wang in a song called ??????? (The Moon Represents My Heart).
Throughout her career, Siti Nurhaliza's songs have been covered by other artistes, including the famous song Cindai which was re-recorded in Chinese version by Chien Bai Hui. Also, her first hit song, Aku Cinta Padamu was covered by North, an Australian boy band. Siti held a successful solo concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in April 1, 2005, although the majority of the audience were Malaysians living in the United Kingdom and Malaysians who had travelled just to see the concert. British press called her 'Asia's Celine Dion' due to her powerful vocal and outstanding performances. To date, she has the most number one singles than any other artiste in Malaysia.
With success in her singing career, Siti then got herself involved in business. She set up her own company – Siti Nurhaliza Productions (M) Sdn. Bhd. – with activities generally in the entertainment scene. She has two subsidiary companies, Siti Nurhaliza Collections Sdn. Bhd. and Siti Nurhaliza Marketing Sdn. Bhd. Siti sells her own "Ctea", brand of Malaysian tea, from tea cultivated on the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah. This "Ctea" brand comes in two flavours, Geranium Special and Pandan.
And now besides having her own products, she receives substantial income through commissions and royalties for her endorsements and as ambassador of products.
Some of the many products she endorses include Maybelline, Pepsi, Pantene, Maxis, TM Net, Jusco, Konica Minolta, Olay Skin Care and Samsung.
Siti was bestowed the 'Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang' award by the Sultan of Pahang which carries the title 'Datuk' in October 24, 2006.
Siti is known to be a formidable and successful businesswoman in Malaysia. She currently tops the list of the 'Richest Artistes' in Malaysia. She is also worth more than RM50 million and was named one of the millionaires in entertainment in South East Asia.
Transkripsi (2006 – 2007)
Siti's eleventh studio album, Transkripsi, was released in 2006 and contained contributions from producers such as Aubrey Suwito, Jenny Chin, Mac Chew, Yasin, Cat Farish, Firdaus Mahmud and Damian VE. Transkripsi became the year's best album after winning the Best Album award in the Anugerah Industri Muzik, equivalent to the Grammy Award. It was the first album released under her own production company.
She made her first appearance at the Grammy Awards for the red carpet session on February 11, 2007.She was the first Malaysian to walk the red carpet.
On April 20 and April 21, 2007, Siti performed at the successful Konsert Istana Cinta Nostalgia, which was a tribute concert for the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee & Puan Sri Saloma at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. The concert featured popular songs composed by Tan Sri P. Ramlee himself, performed by Siti and other invited artistes. Before this, Siti was also invited to perform a tribute concert for the late Sudirman Hj Arshad, also at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur in 2002.
On April 30, 2007, she garnered 4 nominations in the Anugerah Industri Muzik including Best Pop Album (Transkripsi), Best Vocal Female Performance In An Album (Transkripsi), Best Music Video ("Bisakah") and Best Cover for an Album (Transkripsi). Out of these, she won two: Best Pop Album and Best Album for Transkripsi.
She also bagged 2 fan-based-vote nominations for Most Popular Female Artist and Most Popular Song ("Biarlah Rahsia") and 3 nominations for Best Female Artist, Best Song and Best Album at 2006 Anugerah Planet Muzik, a regional award ceremony for artistes in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. She won Most Popular Female Artist, Best Female Artist and Best Song ("Biarlah Rahsia").
Hadiah Daripada Hati & other work (2007 – present)
2007 showed Siti's participation on soundtracks for the films Kayangan and 1957: Hati Malaya. For Kayangan, Siti recorded a song Menanti Pasti. It's the first single to be released to the Indonesian market. For 1957: Hati Malaya, Siti recorded a song called "Hati", which was released in September 2007.
Siti performed as Azizah, P. Ramlee's mysterious lover, in the musical 'Remy … Kisah P. Ramlee (Remy … The Story of P. Ramlee), which is a tribute to the late P. Ramlee, staged at Istana Budaya from October 17, 2007, to November 3, 2007.
Siti's twelfth studio album Hadiah Daripada Hati was released on December 10, 2007. Siti released the Latin-influenced pop song Ku Mahu as the first single of this album and it was featured as the opening theme song for a drama called Spa-Q. Thanks to the popularity of Spa-Q, the single was well received and topped most of the Malay charts for weeks. Melawan Kesepian was her second single and was the first track of this album to have a video clip. The song was a remake of a hit that was once popularized by an Indonesian band called Jikustik. Her acting debut in the musical 'Remy… The Story of P. Ramlee' also saw the debut of her third single Mulanya Cinta, which was created by Dick Lee, a Singaporean composer. Siti said that it was her first collaboration with the renowned musician although she had known him for years.
The new album was previously claimed to be a traditional album but due to lack of materials, she moved on with producing another pop album. The traditional album is now slated for a 2008 release, as stated by Siti herself.
Siti has also recently became the most frequently searched person on Google by Malaysian Google users, according to Google's 2007 Malaysia Year-End Zeitgeist, beating celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
On March 21, 2008, Siti held a successful solo acoustic concert at the prestigious Esplanade Theatre in Singapore. The concert was called Diari Hati or 'A Diary of Her Heart'. She performed numbers of hits from her latest album, Hadiah Daripada Hati and previous albums. The concert has received good reviews from the local press saying that 'she rules hearts in Singapore as well as in Malaysia' and 'her reign as the queen of Malay pop songs is still going strong'.
Hadiah Daripada Hati came under criticism from the press when it was released. Critics said it was a moderate performance from Siti Nurhaliza and was not on the same par as her previous album Transkripsi, which was touted as the best album she had ever made. But these criticisms were rebutted when Hadiah Daripada Hati received five nominations in the 15th edition of AIM including Best Pop Album and Song of The Year, making Siti the second nominee with the most nominations after newcomer Faizal Tahir. Out of five categories including three multiple nominations, the album earned her three awards for Best Pop Album, Best Musical Arrangement in a Song (Malay) for the song Cintamu as well as her ninth Best Vocal Performance in an Album (Female) in which she had lost to Jaclyn Victor the previous year.
Siti has previously been romantically linked to quite a number of fellow artistes including Zamani, Anuar Zain and Dr Fazley Yaakob. It was rumoured that Siti and Fazley were together before she met her future husband, Datuk Khalid Muhammad Jiwa (Datuk K), as Fazley helped her get a chance to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London. They flew there together but things apparently became tense when Siti kept on disappearing with Datuk K during rehearsals.
Siti was also previously linked to actor-singer-director cum producer Yusry Abdul Halim who was formerly married to actress Erra Fazira. For the past few years, Siti was rumoured to be in a relationship with a prominent Malaysian businessman, who was then only referred to as Datuk K. The rumour had it that she would be getting married in 2006, to which she neither confirmed nor denied, which deviated from her usual response to rumors. The rumors were further fueled during her acceptance speech at the "Anugerah Bintang Popular 2006" awards ceremony. In her speech she thanked "her special one", whom she had never mentioned before. Recently reporters saw the family of Siti's supposed lover visiting her house in Kuala Lipis. Many believed that the family visited in order to arrange for the wedding.
Much controversy arose over the romance, due to the 20 year age gap between them. Also, rumours were flying that Siti had an affair with Datuk K while he was still married, and asked him to leave his wife for her. They apparently met through Datuk K's former wife Tengku Zawyah Tengku Izham who used to invite Siti to perform at charity functions that she hosted. However, both Datuk K and Siti denied these allegations.
On July 17, 2006, Siti and Datuk Khalid made a press conference announcing their wedding plans. A local TV SMS poll conducted on the same day of the announcement showed that 49% of viewers did not approve of the news. The press conference got a frenzy of media coverage and a live telecast from TV3's Wanita Hari Ini. It was announced at the conference that she will wed businessman Datuk Khalid Muhammad Jiwa, on August 21, 2006.
The wedding was charted as the top celebrity wedding on Yahoo Buzz.
The engagement and akad nikah ceremony were held at Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territory Mosque) on August 21, 2006. The ceremony was also televised live and gathered more than 2 millions viewers. The first wedding reception was held on August 28, 2006, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) which televised to 6.3 millions viewers nationwide.[10] It was a star studded affair, with guests including royal families, VIPs, celebrities, close friends and family. A second reception was held on September 3, 2006, in Siti's hometown of Kuala Lipis, Pahang.
Samsung DigitAll Hope Ambassador 2004 & 2005
Ms Siti Nurhaliza
Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin is a figure that needs no introduction to the music industry in Malaysia and of the Malay archipelagos. Her career has been paved with bold, creative achievements, and highlighted by series of firsts. From humble beginnings in a rural hometown, Kuala Lipis, Pahang she started her singing career from the tender age of 6 by singing a traditional number "Sirih Pinang" to her classmates at her nursery. At the age of 12, she emerged as champion in "Nyanyian Bulan Kemerdekaan" Singing Competition held in conjunction with Lipis Carnival rendering "Bahtera Merdeka".
Although she has been singing for sometime, her real talent was only unveiled when she became the champion of Pertandingan Bintang Hiburan Minggu Ini (HMI), organized by Radio Television of Malaysia (RTM) in 1995, at the age pf 17. The, then teenage Siti Nurhaliza lunged, unassisted and with almost no encouragement, into show business.
Her eponymous debut album produced by Suria Records Sdn. Bhd. (SRC) in 1995, became the first of the string of Number One albums. She was just 16. Since then, the Malaysian music scene has been enthralled by Siti 's beautiful voice and talent.
Her agile voice appears to pour out of her effortlessly. Her grace and beauty has motivated legions of audiences. You can see the growth and poise that she governed as she matured from a young, fresh-faced ingénue to a self-assured personality.
Blessed with great voice, she crosses all barriers and touches Malaysians from all walks of life with lists of electrifying series of hits from ballads, pops, R & Bs, as well as traditional genres. Thus far, she has also produced compilations, a few incredible duets, becoming guest artist, singing numerous theme songs for telemovies, motion pictures, advertisement jingles, along with a number of public services announcements' theme songs.
Virtually, every aspect of Siti Nurhaliza is a record-setting. Years of development and persistence had molded this courageous person to discover that nothing is impossible in matters of the heart and mind. Indeed, this young lady that was born on January 11, 1979, had earned all the accolades from the industry by immeasurable deeds and hard works. Through out the past decade, she astounded the entire local music industry and the public with series of accomplishments.
Today, all of her immeasurable efforts and hard works for the local music industry had assured her a permanent recognition in the coveted "The Malaysia Book of Records" published in 2002 for "the most number of awards received by an artiste."
Despite being at the peak of her career, Siti Nurhaliza places great emphasis on the community and social issues. Just recently, she launched her very own "Tabung Prihatin Siti Nurhaliza" ("Siti Nurhaliza's Welfare Fund") as evidence of her dedication in contributing to the needy.
Siti Nurhaliza was also recently appointed the IT Ambassador for Samsung. Siti's popularity among Malaysians, her support of the Government's campaign of widening IT literacy 'One Home, One Computer' as well as her personal interest and conviction in increasing IT literacy among the Malaysian community made her the ideal choice as the IT Ambassador for Samsung.
Siti is also involved in various charitable and social causes. She had continuously contributed and giving her best for the betterment of the nation by officially becoming The Goodwill Ambassadress of The Red Crescent Society and The Ambassadress of JUSCO's With All Our Hearts Fund.
Siti Nurhaliza is also an entrepreuneur who has ventured into business to look after the welll being of her family. This started with the setting up of her own production company – Siti Nurhaliza Productions (SNP). Today she owns two other companies – Siti Nurhaliza Collections Sdn. Bhd. and Siti Nurhaliza Marketing Sdn. Bhd.
:: Name ::
Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin AAP (Pahang), PMP (Perak), JSM (Persekutuan)
Date of Birth ::
11 Januari 1979
:: Favourites ::
Colour: Green and pastels
:: Food ::
Spicy and mom's dishes
:: Likes ::
Shopping, playing with nieces, resting at home
:: Dislikes ::
Being forced, judging people without prior investigation
:: Dreams ::
Bringing recognition for Malaysian music industry to the world
:: Life Principles ::
Tak Mati Dek Keji, Tak Hidup Dek Puji


text:
The bill would allow the state to treat a case of a compromised levee or blocked access to a levee as cities deal with code violations –with a warning notice, cease-and-desist order, and an enforcement order.
The Central Valley Flood Protection Board's Bill Edgar says the state can currently only take legal action.
"In many cases the current system takes literally two-to-three years and costs a lot of money because attorneys are involved. This system -depending upon where the person takes care of his encroachment in the process- it could be like a couple of months."
Edgar says unauthorized pipes, retaining walls and an underground wine cellar are among the encroachments the Army Corps of Engineers has found in Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano County levees.
Engineers have identified 485 encroachments on levees from Shasta to Bakersfield.
The legislation will now go to the Assembly.


text:
2011 was a year of change throughout the world. Many countries in the Middle East underwent political upheavals — the repercussions of which will surely unfold for years to come. The people and churches we serve in the region — from Iraq to Egypt to Syria — were undoubtedly affected. Through it all, and with your generosity, CNEWA has assisted Christians throughout the Middle East.
This year has been one of change for our agency, too. In September, we welcomed a new president, Msgr. John E. Kozar.
With your continued support, CNEWA will remain a lifeline to those in need in the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe in 2012! May your New Year be a blessed and prosperous one!
Tags: Egypt Africa Coptic Christians Coptic Church
In the July issue of ONE, Peter Lemieux reported on the work of the Nirmala Dasi Sisters with Mumbai's poor. Many of the people the sisters serve live in Dharavi, Mumbai's most infamous slum. Today's front page of The New York Times featured an article on Dharavi and it's residents' unwavering hope in spite of the many odds they face.
The computer sits on a small table beside the bed, protected, purchased for $354 from savings, even though the family has no Internet connection. The oldest son stores his work on a pen drive and prints it somewhere else. Ms. Baskar, a seamstress, spends five months' worth of her income, almost $400, to send three of her children to private schools. Her daughter wants to be a flight attendant. Her youngest son, a mechanical engineer.
"My daughter is getting a better education, and she will get a better job," Ms. Baskar said. "The children's lives should be better. Whatever hardships we face are fine."
Education is hope in Dharavi. On a recent afternoon outside St. Anthony's, a parochial school in the slum, Hindu mothers in saris waited for their children beside Muslim mothers in burqas. The parents were not concerned about the crucifix on the wall; they wanted their children to learn English, the language considered to be a ticket out of the slums in India.
For more, read In One Slum, Misery, Work, Politics and Hope.
Tags: India Sisters Poor/Poverty
Christmas Eve in the Holy Land began with a visit to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Msgr. William Shomali, the patriarch's auxiliary bishop, hosted a brief reception, which included Father Guido, several chancery officials and myself.
During the reception, Patriarch Fouad politely warned me: "There will be many more such receptions today, so pace yourself on Arabic coffee and sweets." It was good advice, as I had already experienced the remarkable hospitality of the Holy Land's residents over the past three weeks. Everyone serves coffee or liqueur with chocolates or cookies.
Patriarch Fouad then treated us (about eight in total) to a lovely lunch, during which we engaged in pleasant conversation. Afterward, we headed to a reception hall, where the patriarch greeted about 150 parishioners and a huge contingent from the press corps. On behalf of all present, the parish elder formally greeted Patriarch Fouad. I had the honor of standing beside the patriarch, personally greeting each member of the delegation.
After this event, it was time to get the "procession" in order for Bethlehem. Procession, here, means about 50 cars in Jerusalem and another 100 cars, chauffeuring local dignitaries and elders, which joined the cortege along the route to Bethlehem. I had the privilege to ride in the second car, immediately behind the one driving Patriarch Fouad.
Military and police vehicles escorted the procession, which departed from Jerusalem's Old City. The traffic in Jerusalem was blocked at all intersections, allowing us to crawl toward the city's limits. I say "crawl" because there were so many cars in the motorcade that it moved very slowly.
On the way to Bethlehem, we made several stops, where Patriarch Fouad greeted elders and parishioners. Again, I was honored to greet them alongside the patriarch.
Once inside the city of Bethlehem, more cars joined the procession. As we arrived in the city's center, we had to stop many times to allow the thousands of boy and girl scouts with colorful flags and band instruments to enter and lead the procession.
Bethlehem's streets were jammed with people — Christians and Muslims alike — who came out to watch the procession and celebrate Christmas. Local authorities estimated that more than 100,000 people came to Bethlehem for the holiday.
The mood among the crowd was very warm and welcoming. People smiled and waved at us as we passed them in our cars; some asked for our blessings. The patriarch was a popular attraction and he often opened his window to invite people to come closer for a photo or a warm handshake.
The crowd was very mixed: Bethlehem residents and pilgrims from all over the world; elderly and hordes of young people; shoppers and merchants. One sight that caught my eye: Four young men in their twenties, locals I presume, sat in front of a little cafe, smoking a hookah pipe. As our motorcade passed, two of them made a reverent Sign of the Cross with the pipe's mouthpieces.
We finally arrived in Manger Square at about 3 p.m. (about one and a half hours late), where tens of thousands of people and hundreds of members of the media gathered. Everyone surged to greet the patriarch and his entourage. The police and clergy in charge did their best to open a small lane for us to enter the Basilica of the Nativity.
Inside the basilica, leaders from the other local Catholic and Orthodox churches as well as members of the Muslim community greeted the patriarch.
I must tell you: the local hierarchy had me all dressed up as an honorary canon of the patriarchate. I had on my monsignor's cassock and sash, over which I was asked to put on a very finely woven surplice with red sleeves and much lace. As the coup de grace, I wore a rabbit fur shoulder cape and an accompanying purple sash and hood. Never having worn such an outfit, I needed Msgr. Shomali's help to vest properly.
About an hour later, we participated in a ritual, which included a brief visit to the grottos underneath the main basilica. I cautiously hunched over to enter the steep, low-ceilinged entry of the crypt and visit its four ancient altars and the altar in the new church overseen by the Franciscans.
This was a very special moment for me. I was so overwhelmed by this visit to these most holy altars and spaces that, when I returned to New York, I retraced my steps with the help of some guidebooks to appreciate more fully their significance.
However, I was most touched by the famous "star," which is embedded in the stone to designate the place where Jesus was born. How does one describe that moment? Not with words, to be sure. And the stone niche, where Jesus was laid in a manger? For a believer, it doesn't get any better than this.
Later, Bethlehem's Franciscan community hosted a reception and dinner. Many dignitaries attended the event, including President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas, to whom the patriarch personally introduced me. Patriarch Fouad also introduced me to Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. It was a very warm and welcoming gathering, typical of events hosted by the Franciscans.
Midnight Mass actually began at 11 p.m. with matins, the traditional early morning prayer of the church. The celebration continued with the Solemn Eucharistic Liturgy, led by the patriarch and concelebrated by seven other bishops — Latin and Eastern — along with several hundred priests. Most of the priests were foreigners, who had traveled to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas as a part of a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage.
The liturgy was beautiful and the basilica was packed. Television crews from all over the world filmed the Mass. The Palestinian Authority televised it live, to feeds around the world, which I believe was a first.
I am very happy to tell you that Father Guido and I remembered all of you in our Mass intentions, especially those who sent their intentions to our office beforehand. Thanks to Bernadette Wallace, my administrative assistant, we received and brought with us all of these names and intentions.
The Mass ended about 2:15 a.m. and we retired to the adjacent Franciscan monastery for a few winks of sleep.
Early Christmas morning, Father Guido and I visited the place of our Lord's birth, which was a very special, silent moment for me to reflect on the significance of where I was standing.
Soon after, we attended a morning Mass in Arabic — celebrated by Patriarch Fouad — along with local parishioner and many pilgrims. Again, numerous members of the media were present and the basilica was filled to capacity. People even stood outside in the rain. The Mass in Arabic was most glorious and the music, most energetic.
Afterward, I had the opportunity to meet and greet the many pilgrims and foreign workers in Bethlehem, who gathered at this cherished site to celebrate their own special Christmas. Many Sri Lankans, Indians and Filipinos asked me to have their photos taken with yours truly — in my monsignor's cassock and red sash. They were all so happy, and delighted to know that I have visited all of their countries in my previous work with the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
My visit to Bethlehem ended around noon and we returned to Jerusalem for the remainder of the day.
Shortly after midnight, Tony Za'rour, our Jerusalem office's driver and general services associate, drove Father Guido and me to the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. We said our goodbyes and caught our flight back to New York.
Rather than add additional comments about the grandeur, splendor and overwhelming excitement of this series of pastoral visits and pilgrimages, I will let my previous reports to you say it better, each as they unraveled in rapid succession.
I am grateful to CNEWA's Communications Department, for reviewing and editing my posts, videos and photographs and helping me share my adventures with all of you.
Thank you for joining me on my journey to the Holy Land. The CNEWA-Pontifical Mission family is truly ONE. God bless all of you and God bless the poor of the Middle East and Holy Land whom we serve.
Tags: Jerusalem Holy Land Ecumenism Pilgrimage/pilgrims Msgr. John E. Kozar
A Catholic school education opens the door to a new world and better life for many of the families CNEWA serves. Its value is priceless, as Sean Sprague reported in this story from the March 2006 issue of ONE.
Paul Wachter reported on the social implications of providing children with a Catholic school education in Ethiopia in the March 2007 issue of ONE:
While much progress is being made at relatively prosperous schools like Bisrate Gabriel (which CNEWA supported in the past), the greatest challenges lie with Ethiopia's underserved poor.
"It helps if we reach the kids early," said Genet Assefa, principal of the Bethlehem Day Care Center. The center, founded by the Good Shepherd Sisters in 1987, caters to the children of Cherkos, a slum in Addis Ababa that takes its name from the neighborhood church. (The sisters run a second day care facility in Addis Ababa, the Good Shepherd Sisters' Center.)
On a recent visit to the Bethlehem center, more than 150 children, all under 7, were fully engaged in their classes. Some recited the English alphabet: "C! C is for cat." Others practiced Amharic, their national language.
"The center serves two purposes," said Mrs. Assefa. "It gives these children access to an early education that they wouldn't ordinarily have, which will encourage them to go on to primary school and beyond. And it also frees up the parents, many of whom are single mothers, so that they can try to earn a living and improve their lives."
For more see, Making the Grade in Ethiopia and Breaking Barriers. To learn how you can help educate a child in Ethiopia, visit our website.
Tags: Ethiopia Children Africa Catholic Schools
Our final day of pastoral visiting and pilgrimage began in a most special way: Father Guido arranged for us to celebrate Mass at the Mount of Calvary located in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. It was a cherished moment for me to know that over this very location Our Lord was crucified. There were some pilgrims who joined us for the Mass and it was obvious in their faces how they, too, were so much in awe of the moment.
From there, we proceeded to pay a visit to the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Franco. We enjoyed a very animated discussion with him and he was most cordial in extending to me his best wishes in my new role as President of CNEWA. He shared with us some helpful insights on the complexities of working for the Church in an environment of conflict and tension. He said that after more than six years in Jerusalem, as the Nuncio for Israel and Palestine, he still understands only a little bit of the many problems that are part of daily life here.
After that visit, we shifted gears into the pilgrim mode, to visit some holy sites. I was blessed to have Father Guido as my guide along with Tony Zarour from the office as our driver. We visited many sites in about six hours, so I will just mention some of the highlights.
First we headed to the Dead Sea, which at 350 meters below sea level is the lowest place on earth. We saw the famous sight of people floating in the salty water. The sea has receded so much, but still maintains its beauty and health-related benefits, as evidenced by the many skin treatment products from there that are sold throughout Israel.
From the Dead Sea, we traveled to the Qumran cave. This is where a shepherd in the 1960's found ancient scrolls nestled in earthen jars that had been buried for many centuries. These famous Dead Sea Scrolls opened to the world a first-hand glimpse of life in the ancient Essene community. The geography here is breathtaking: a mountain range which has a dramatic escarpment, the view to the cave itself, and the recently excavated early community with its very sophisticated system of water storage and irrigation.
Then it was on to Jericho to visit the oldest city on earth and, like the Dead Sea, a place situated more than 300 meters below sea level.
A little gem and a favorite site for Father Guido was next on our pilgrimage: an ancient monastery named for St. George, located in a extremely remote part of the desert, between Jericho and Jerusalem, but down a deep gorge and hidden from view of the nearest road. There are just two monks living there at present and one of them has trained his donkey to go up to the nearest Bedouin village to get milk and bread. Once loaded up, the donkey is sent back down into the steep gorge with the supplies. This is a new concept in home delivery!
Then it was on to Dominus Flevit Church, built on the site where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. From this spot, we had a magnificent view across the valley looking to the walled Old City.
Gethsemane was our next site, where Jesus spent his time in prayer before being arrested. Here we remembered Jesus and his agony in the garden.
Our final stop took us to the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where tradition holds that Jesus was denied by Peter and where he was also imprisoned before his crucifixion.
This is a most brief commentary on what was a very intense and memory-laden experience, too much to reflect in these few words. I was so grateful to have seen so much. I know that on successive visits here I will be able to visit more holy places, so I leave fully satisfied. I have been extremely blessed to have experienced so much of the best of the Holy Land.
(I also know that when I get home, I will enjoy reading some good guide books and reviewing some maps and relating them to the almost 3,000 photos that I have taken on this pastoral visit!)
Our day ended with a most uplifting video conference call to everyone in our office in New York. This was the third one during this pastoral visit. I was so excited to share some of my experiences with my staff. And it afforded the staff an opportunity to know much better our local director Sami El-Youssef, who gave a very impassioned reflection of what our visit meant to him, his staff and the people of Palestine and Israel.
I have the honor tomorrow (Saturday, December 24) of accompanying the Latin Patriarch to Bethlehem, where it will be my most precious privilege to concelebrate with him at the Midnight Mass at the Basilica of the Nativity built over the site where Jesus was born. You will all be remembered in my prayers during that Mass. Our special intention for the Palestinian people and all the people we have visited will be for a lasting peace.
I will share a final post with you after I return home on Monday, December 26. Until then, be blessed in Gods love. Merry Christmas. That expression means so much more to me now.
We'll be celebrating the holiday this weekend and returning to the office on Wednesday.
In the meantime, from our family to yours: have a safe, blessed and happy Christmas!
Tags: Ukraine Church Christian
Our first visit today took us to the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. Pope Benedict visited this camp in 2009 and gave a famous speech in front of the entrance to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian people who have suffered so much in the two intifadas, which devastated much of this holy city.
Upon entering the camp we were greeted by the director of the Al-Rowwad Center, which offers young people a special creative environment to learn drama, photography, art and other areas of study that encourage them to express what the center calls a "beautiful resistance." The resistance is not violent in any way but creatively allows the young to learn together how they can express their feelings in a constructive way. They are very proud of having dance and drama troupes that have performed in a number of countries, including the U.S.
As a somewhat serious photographer, I was really impressed with their exposition prints adorning the walls. I was also impressed that they literally take their performing skills "on the road," in the form of a mobile stage for their performing arts programs. They even use the offensively high and sterile wall put up by the Israeli government as a "screen" for showing movies.
We had a walk through the camp and our host pointed out in many places the remnant of bullet holes fired from the military and we could even still see in the street the marks of the tank treads, a reminder of the full occupation by the Israeli military.
From this community-based center, we proceeded to a peaceful home for unwanted babies and expectant mothers rejected by families. It's called the Creche of Bethlehem. What a fitting name. The director of the facility is named Sister Sophie and she is something special. This sister is the embodiment of the protector of little babies and the unwanted. She loves each and every one of the 91 childen cared for at the Creche.
She took us to a room with little ones ranging in age from a few days old to about nine months. One of the babies was left at a big garbage dump, another at Sister Sophie's doorstep. Some children were dropped off for various reasons. There is no legal system for adoption in Palestine and Muslim tradition does not allow for it, so this is a big challenge. But Sister Sophie, her staff and her many volunteers still present loving smiles to all who visit.
CNEWA has offered some help here in the past, but the main source of support comes from the Knights of Malta. God bless them.
From Bethlehem, we traveled north of Jerusalem to a rather barren and hilly area about a half-hour out of the city. There we visited an all-Christian village named Taybeh. There are three Christian churches here — Latin Catholic, Melkite Greek Catholic and Greek Orthodox. To arrive here is to arrive in an oasis of peace, beauty and tranquility. The pastor of the Melkite parish was our host and first took us on a tour of his parish facilities, which included some improvements provided by or assisted by CNEWA. CNEWA is now helping to repair a fallen ceiling. The pastor, Father Jack, expressed many times over his profound thanks to all of you for your kindness.
A real surprise in the visit was entering the excavated ruins of one of the oldest Byzantine churches in all of Palestine, which dates to the fifth century. The view from this hilltop was magnificent, allowing us to see all the way to Amman, Jordan. This was actually part of the ancient town of Ephraim mentioned in the bible.
After our tour, we had lunch with a group of young people from the town who openly and honestly engaged us in a dialogue. They shared with us their frustrations, their dreams, their disappointments and their hopes. I responded that, first and foremost, they had to challenge themselves in their faith and I offered that we cannot give them money to accomplish their dreams but we can offer other forms of assistance such as technical help. But faith is the starting point. I admired them for their honesty, and I think that we gave them a broader view of ways to develop themselves as individuals and as a small Christian community.
The final event of the day was a Mass with the staff of our office here in Jerusalem and their family members. Mass was followed by a delectable meal prepared by Tony Za'rour, who is a very accomplished chef. It was delightful to meet the family members and to see how well they related with each other, especially with the many children of Pontifical Mission staff. The staff gave me a beautiful Jerusalem cross pin, which I will proudly wear on my suit jacket.
Sami El-Yousef, CNEWA's Regional Director for Palestine and Israel, has done a tremendous job of hosting us. There is a huge amount of planning and execution that went into all these arrangements. He and his staff have truly been a family to me and I am most grateful.
Tomorrow, Father Guido and I will begin our day with an early morning Mass at the site of the Mount of Calvary, and then we will visit the Papal Nuncio. After that, I will have time for a personal mini-pilgrimage with Father Guido. Finally, our day will end with a video conference call with the entire staff in New York, so as to include them in a personal way with my pastoral visit to Palestine.
You will all be remembered tomorrow morning at Mass at the site of the death of Our Lord.
Tags: Palestine Msgr. John E. Kozar Bethlehem Separation Barrier Palestinian Refugees
It is said that "history is written by the victors." What is surprising is how much "editing" the victors often have to do. People who are interested in Eastern Christianity in general and the plight of Iraqi Christians in particular are familiar with the town of Qaraqosh on the Plains of Nineveh in northern Iraq. Qaraqosh is a town of less than 50,000 which has been Christian for a good fifteen hundred years. It is also known as Baghdeda, a name which goes back into truly ancient history. Some scholars believe that Baghdeda existed during the time of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Indeed Baghdeda may have been the scene of one of the last battles before Neo-Assyrian Empire fell to the Chaldeans from Babylon in 610 BC.
Since the beginning of the most recent Gulf War (2003-2011), Christians from all over Iraq have fled north to Qaraqosh or left Iraq entirely. I heard one person recently question if "all the Christians in Iraq live in Qaraqosh." Problems arise, however, when the curious wish to find Qaraqosh or Baghdeda. Neither can be found on most modern maps.
The mystery is easily solved, however. One of the common characteristics of authoritarian regimes is to seek legitimacy by rewriting history. These regimes tend to seek legitimacy by connecting themselves with a real or imagined "glorious past." Saddam Hussein, for example, portrayed himself in one parade as the new Sargon of Akkad, the great Mesopotamian conqueror three thousand years before Christ! When history does not fit the prevailing ideology of a regime, that history is simply rewritten.
Baghdeda or Qaraqosh was an extremely ancient town with roots stretching back 4,000 years. The inhabitants consider themselves Assyrians, the descendants of the great Neo-Assyrian Empire. Whether that is literally true or not, they do not consider themselves ethnically the same as the dominant Arab culture. People in the area speak Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, which was once the main language of the region. In addition, the town's population has been overwhelmingly Christian since before the arrival of Islam in the 7th century. Qaraqosh and its inhabitants did not fit the Ba'athist (the political party of Saddam Hussein) portrait of Iraq—a homogeneous, Arab, Muslim country. In an attempt to "Arabize" Iraq in the 1970's the Ba'athist government changed the name of Baghdeda/Qaraqosh to Hamdaniya. The name refers to the Banu Hamdan, an Arab, Shi'ite Muslim tribe that was politically dominant in the present day northern Iraq and Syria in the 10th century.
While Baghdeda/Qaraqosh may no longer be easily found on contemporary maps, it nonetheless remains there as an increasingly important stronghold of indigenous and ancient Christianity in Iraq, where the Christian presence has been drastically reduced since the American invasion in 2003.
To read more about Christians in Iraq today, see A New Genesis for Nineveh in the November 2011 issue of ONE.
Tags: Iraq Iraqi Christians
Our day began with an early morning Mass and then we headed to Bethlehem. This was an exciting drive for me, to know I was about to enter Bethlehem, the place of Our Lord's birth and only three days away from celebrating Christmas there.
Along the way, our host Sami El-Yousef, CNEWA's Regional Director for Palestine and Israel, showed me some of the demarcation lines between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, how settlements keep encroaching on Palestinian land and little by little the size of the territory earmarked for Palestinian people diminishes. There are walls of concrete that keep Palestinians locked inside one boundary and excluded from entering other boundaries.
We arrived in Bethlehem and went straightway to the Ephpheta Institute, a school for the hearing and speech impaired. We were warmly greeted by Sister Carmela de Marco, the superior, along with some other sisters and lay staff. After a chat about the program there and the type of instruction used with the children, we enjoyed a coffee together before beginning our full tour.
Of course, the highlight was being with the children, all 125 of them. The very youngest receive wonderful one-on-one training and speech therapy, rendered in a most loving way. After a few years of such intense instruction and training, the children are ready to begin primary school education. It was so edifying to see the progression of the children as they learned first to repeat sounds, then words, then to speak in sentences. The biggest surprise was the upper level kids who were actually bi-lingual, speaking in Arabic and English. I was so proud of each and every one of them.
Some of the older kids were doing some work on their computers and were excited to tell us about their studies and their dreams. One 10th grade girl very openly said to us: "I would like to come to America." Another young man said to me: "Can I have the website address so that we can read your blog?" They were excited to hear about the blog and that I would be writing about them in this report.
From the Ephpheta Institute, we proceeded to the Pontifical Mission Library, located adjacent to Bethlehem University. He we were welcomed by a group of young married women, who were participating in a regularly scheduled personal and family enrichment session. This was really an impressive group. They offered to share with us the challenges of being a mother, a Palestinian and a Christian. Every one one of them affirmed how important the library has been in their lives. Under the very tranquil and hope-filled direction of administrator Ms. Monnitte Velasco and her great staff, these women were being enriched with instructions in cooking, in family values, self-development through reading, music instruction and many more programs. Father Guido and I felt very uplifted by the testimonials given by each one of them and have a very strong appreciation of the library.
As with our library project in Amman, Jordan, I will add that calling it a "library" doesn't do it justice. It serves so many needs, it is more like a community center and resource for people of every age, including little children. After a lovely lunch prepared by Monnitte and the other young ladies — and after filling our plates several times! — we departed and walked next door to Bethlehem University.
Sami worked here for 24 years, in administration, so this visit was a sort of "homecoming" for him and a welcome to Bethlehem University for me. CNEWA was instrumental in the founding of this University, and has maintained membership on the Board of Directors, so my visit was all the more special.
Two De La Salle Brothers — Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray and Director of Development Brother Jack Curran — were our hosts and led us first on a tour of the facility. It is a beautiful campus with the original building renovated from its origins as a high school. There have been plenty of new buildings in recent times and another major building project is near completion. We even had an opportunity to engage some of the students. They seemed very happy and are thankful for the opportunity, as Palestinians, to seek higher education for a chance to have a better future for themselves and their families.
Our hosts made mention that the highest point in all of Bethlehem is the statue of Christ atop the original building on campus. How fitting that Jesus, in the town of his birth, would be the most dominant figure looking over the city and into Palestine and Israel.
On another note, the brothers also showed us some bullet holes in their home, left there as a reminder of the Israeli-Palestinian violence that erupted in the fall of 2000.
Everywhere, we hear that education is the key to the future of the Palestinians and higher learning is no exception. This university stands as one of only two Catholic universities in all of Palestine. And 70% of the student body is female, which is also a good sign of how this university can make a big difference in the future of Palestine.
From the university, we proceeded to visit the Catholic Action Sports Center. This project is housed on a large campus with everything from a gym (the largest and best in all of Palestine) to an outdoor swimming pool, weight training and fitness machine room, meeting and training rooms, outdoor picnic areas, large hall, etc. The Franciscan Custody owns the property and has a great partnership with CNEWA/Pontifical Mission in sponsoring basketball classes and league play.
We watched as a group of girls had a session with a very skilled trainer. It is an impressive center and is the only such facility in all of Bethlehem. Another great outreach of CNEWA/Pontifical Mission, thanks to all of you in your generosity!
The final visit was to Sami's house for a superb dinner prepared by his dear wife. The very specials guests included His Beatitude Patriarch Fouad Twal, Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali (whom we had met on our first day in Jerusalem), and Father Emil Salayta, Director of the Ecclesiastical Court. The meal was exquisite and the company superb. The Patriarch was very comfortable and shared with us some important insights into how the Church functions in an environment filled with many complications, conflicts and restrictions. Bishop Shomali also asked many questions about CNEWA/Pontifical Mission and it afforded me an opportunity to present a broader view of the many services we to offer, not just financial grants, but also with technical support and counsel.
Our stomachs were full and the hour was getting late, and I still had to write this note to all of you, so we departed. I had also realized that we would be leaving early the next morning for our first trip of the day, to Aida Refugee Camp.
So goodbye for now and God bless all of you. The Patriarch sends his best regards along with a blessing.
Tags: Msgr. John E. Kozar Bethlehem Bethlehem University
Throughout the Northern Hemisphere, today marks the winter solstice. It is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The image above, from the November 2004 issue of ONE, shows carolers in Ukraine in the snow. What better way to weclome winter!
As the article notes:
"They can carol for a whole day at one house, if the man of the house provides enough food and drink. In the 1980's some carolers came to Kosmach from another village to make more money," he remembers. "At first people didn't know the difference, but now they don't give outsiders anything."
But outside ways are making an impact on the Hutsuls; a dearth of job opportunities threatens the Hutsuls and their traditions.
"There's no work in the village," says a native of Kosmach, Anna Havryliuk. "Young people leave the country looking for work in the Czech Republic, Portugal and Italy."
Still, even as they venture out into the world, the Hutsuls hang on to their traditions. On Christmas visits, Mrs. Havryliuk's three grandchildren never fail to return to carol.
For more from this story see, Faith and Tradition.
Tags: Ukraine Orthodox Church Carpatho-Rusyn