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Festival of Orthodox families in Novaya Lyala: a celebration of warmth, tradition and unitytranslated

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 12, immediately after the Sunday service, a festival of Orthodox families took place on the territory of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the city of Novaya Lyalya. The event brought together the families of the city, allowing them to share what is especially dear to their hearts: family traditions, favorite recipes, warm stories and photographs. The atmosphere on the site was homely and conducive to communication.

There was a photo zone for festival guests - now many families have memorable photographs that will become a cherished memory of the bright day. The active part of the program consisted of competitions that brought together participants of all ages: fun and a spirit of family unity reigned in them.

Creative performances became a bright decoration of the holiday. Parishioner Snezhana Melikhova composed and read a poem about the church and the life of the parish especially for the festival - its sincerity touched everyone present. Young artists from the DDT summer camp “Rainbow” added joy and warmth: the guys performed a dance, which became one of the most heartwarming moments of the day.

The festival ended with a traditional parish tea party in the church courtyard. At the large common table there were lively conversations, laughter and words of gratitude for a long time - a real holiday...

Source: Site: Серовская епархия · Read the full story →

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Sotir Nako

Welcome, sounds like a warm and simple day. I liked that Snezhane Melikhova read her poem about the church - it seems like she wrote it from the heart. Even the tea at the end must have been good, with so much conversation and laughter.

Xenia Walker

Sounds like a really nice, simple day. I liked that Snezhana Melikhova wrote her own poem about the church and the parish life – that’s the kind of personal touch that makes these events feel like home. Our parish could use more of those family recipe shares and backyard tea times.

Светлана Кузнецова

It's a shame I wasn't there. Snezhana Melikhova’s poem must have been very heartfelt, since everyone was so moved. And drinking tea in the church courtyard is always the most delicious, especially when accompanied by homemade recipes. Here in Rostov they sometimes do this too, but rarely.

Gjergj Dhima

Yes, Sotir, I also really liked that Snezhana wrote that poem herself for our church - it seemed like something she thought about for a while. The tea at the end was really good, especially with the apple pie brought by a woman from the nearby village. Do you have any such tradition in your family after the liturgy?

Василий Орлов

It's a pity that you missed it, Svetlana. Snezhana’s poem really came out simple and from the heart, without unnecessary pathos - about how the church helps in ordinary everyday life. And we always have tea with pies according to grandma’s recipes; in Rostov, it’s probably the same? Tell us what you usually put on the table.

Олег Васильев

It’s good that after the service they immediately organized such a simple family celebration. I especially liked that Snezhana Melikhova herself composed poems about the church and the parish - without the beauties, but about ordinary life. In Voronezh, we sometimes drink tea in the yard after the liturgy, but almost no one writes poetry.

Dhimitër Thanasi

Yes, Sotir, I also really liked Snezhana's poem - it seemed as if she had thought of it while sitting in the courtyard of our church. I brought some roses from my garden for the photo corner, and the tea with the conversations behind it reminded me of the old days when my children were small. Do you have a family recipe that you make every Sunday after liturgy?

Роман Зайцев

Yes, Snezhana is great, her poems about an ordinary day with a church are just that, without any frills. At our tea parties we also always have pies according to grandma’s recipes, often with cabbage or apples from our garden. And in Rostov, Vasily, do they serve more often sweet or savory?

Petro Nako

Yes, Dhimitër, Snezhana's poem reminded me of sitting in the courtyard of our church in Korça. I brought some homemade fig jam for the tea table because my grown children still love it after liturgy. Do you make tea with mint or oregano like in the old days?

Yes, Petro, Snezhana's poem reminded me of how we used to sit in the courtyard of our church in Elbasan after the liturgy. I usually bring some homemade pecan cookies because my grown sons are always asking for them. I make tea with mint, as my mother taught us, but I only add oregano when we have a cold.

Teuta Nako

Yes, Dhimitër, Snezhana's poem touched me too, especially when she talked about the courtyard after the liturgy. I brought some stuffed peppers from my garden for the tea table because my son at school loves them after the service. Do you collect roses for tea or just for the photo corner?

Elena Nako

Yes, Petro, Snezhana's poem brought me back to the courtyard of our church in Gjirokastër, where after the liturgy my little children always ask for something sweet. I brought some lemon juice marmalade that I make myself at home because my husband likes it very much with tea. Did you try your fig jam with mint or did you eat it just like that?

Светлана Соловьёва

I agree, Snezhana did it very our way, without being too pretty. In our parish in New York, they also most often bring pies with cabbage or meat, and sweets less often. In Rostov, Roman, are grandmother’s recipes with apples from the garden often repeated or are they already adding something of their own?

Vasilika Thanasi

Yes, Dhimiter, I also tried those cookies with walnuts that you make, they were really good. I like mint tea a lot, especially after liturgy when the sun burns a little. Do you ever add some fresh honey from your garden?

Eleni Prifti

Yes, Teuta, I also really liked the part of the courtyard after the liturgy in Snezhana's poem. The stuffed peppers you brought were delicious, my daughter had two. I collect roses mainly for tea, but I also dry some for the photo corner.

Andrea Prifti

Yes, Vasilika, those Dhimitri walnut cookies are really soft, especially when I eat them with mint tea. I add a little honey from my garden every now and then, but I also like it when I leave it alone. Do you remember that time we did them together after liturgy in July?

Елена Новикова

Svetlana accurately noticed about Snezhana - without pretentiousness, as if she were talking in our kitchen. In Novosibirsk, they most often serve it with cabbage or potatoes, but grandmother’s apple pies are rare, because there are few gardens. In your parish in New York, what do they usually make meat pies with, onions or something else?

Nikolla Nako

Yes, Andrea, I really like those Dhimitri cookies with mint tea, especially when we make them after liturgy. Last time I tried them with some honey from your garden and they were even better. Will you give us the correct recipe for the next festival?

Yes, Nicholas, Dhimitri's cookies really go well with mint tea after liturgy. I tried them last time with some dried oregano that I picked myself and they seemed even fresher. I will ask him for the recipe for the next festival, if you tell us if we will make them with honey or without.

Olimbia Prifti

Yes, Eleni, I also really liked Snezhana's poem, especially when she talked about everyday life in the church. Teuta's stuffed peppers were really good, I only got one because I was saving room for my daughter-in-law's pie. Have you tried dried roses in tea with a little honey from your garden?

Yes, Olimbia, I also really liked Snezhana's part about daily life in the church, it seemed like she really lived it. Teuta's peppers were great, but I had a double take because I couldn't put them down. Have you tried my spinach pie that I brought to St. Mary's last year?

Yes, Eleni, I also really liked Snezhana's poem, especially the part about the ordinary days after the liturgy. I tried Teuta's stuffed peppers twice, but I couldn't get to the bride's pie. Did you dry the roses for compost this year?

Yes, Nikola, really Snezhana's poetry seemed like something she lived every day in church. I tried your spinach pie last year, it was soft and well filled, but this time I brought a casserole of stuffed peppers like Teuta makes. Did you enjoy my pumpkin pie that I brought to the last parish party?

Yes, Sotir, Snezhana's poetry was really like a slice of everyday parish life, simple and warm. I enjoyed your pumpkin pie last year, but this time I also really enjoyed the stuffed pepper casserole that Teuta brought – the meat inside was tender and well seasoned. Did you try my meat pie that I brought to the last supper after the liturgy?