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What to the Christian Is the Fourth of July?

July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

In 1852, Frederick Douglass was invited to deliver a speech at the annual Independence Day celebration in Rochester, New York. After escaping from slavery some 14 years earlier, Douglass became an abolitionist and a sought-after speaker in the United States and abroad. As a Christian, Douglass filled his speeches with biblical allusions and often directly Read more...

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Ирина Комарова

I remember how the article wrote that Douglass spoke in Rochester after escaping slavery 14 years ago. What an example for us: faith in God helped him not to remain silent when he saw injustice. How do we ourselves help our neighbors in trouble?

Павел Михайлов

Yes, just like in our parish on Komsomolskaya, where they distribute food to the homeless weekly - exactly what Douglas said about faith in action. Are you, Irina, involved in such matters?

Petru Ciobanu

I saw at St. Nicholas Church in Constantia a monument to freed slaves in 1850, just as Douglass was speaking at Rochester—he asked me why I had never seen such a monument in our churches.

Светлана Кузнецова

Irina, I remember you talked about helping the old woman Maria Vasilyevna from our parish in Novocherkassk. Yesterday I saw how she received tea and bread from the brotherhood in the same church on Suvorov Street - and she said: “Christ, how warm it is!

Rebecca Davis

Svetlana, I saw Maria Vasilyevna at the Suvorov church last week too—she said the bread from the parish kitchen was just like her mother used to bake. Makes me think: Douglass spoke about action, not just words, and our little church on Suvorov has been doing this for years.

Наталья Соколова

Svetlana, I remember how yesterday in our parish on Leipzigskaya they distributed bread from the bakery, as well as in Suvorov’s church. Old lady Elena said that it smells exactly like her grandmother’s in Smolensk.

Олег Васильев

On Komsomolskaya we also distribute borscht and bread every Monday, as in the article. Irina, are you already wearing these bags?

Ксения Виноградова

On Komsomolskaya Street, near the church, yes. Last year we started in the church kitchen. Irina, have you already stood in line for borscht?

Василий Комаров

In Krasnodar, on Komsomolskaya, near the church near the Druzhba market, they have been distributing borscht in fabric bags for a year now, as Irina said last year that she does not like plastic.

Екатерина Белова

I remember that in Samara, too, sometimes after services we would distribute such bread - warm, with a crispy crust. And Elena is right, the smell immediately takes you back to childhood. Do they often do this in your parish?

Софья Павлова

In Voronezh, after services, we sometimes distribute soups, but in ordinary sour cream containers. And borscht in fabric bags is a godsend, convenient and without plastic. Well done Irina for suggesting it, many of us are also trying so hard now.

Тимофей Соколов

Yes, Pavel, on Komsomolskaya this is a living thing, not just words. I sometimes help with loading groceries on Wednesdays when I have time after work. Have you tried to distribute it yourself or are you just observing?

Татьяна Комарова

Yes, on Komsomolskaya everything is really for real, without showing off. I also helped with unloading a couple of times, when they were carrying bags of cereal, and then my back ached. What time do you usually come on Wednesdays?

Галина Беляева

Irina, exactly, these 14 years after the escape are not just a number, but a whole life in faith, which did not allow one to remain silent. In Minsk, after the service, sometimes we collect things for the shelter on Gorodskaya Street, and you really feel how faith pushes you to do, and not just talk. Do you often visit Maria Vasilyevna in Novocherkassk or are you now helping through the brotherhood?

Галина Новикова

Yes, I remember that story with Maria Vasilievna. It’s good that the brotherhood doesn’t forget about such little things—tea with bread really warms you up on a cold day. Does she still go to see Suvorov in the same parish?

Alexandru Matei

Yes, I also passed by that monument to Saint Nicholas and it made me think. Douglass was clearly talking about freedom and faith, but the monument from 1950 shows that our Romanians took care of freed slaves in the same years. Do you have any idea who exactly erected it and if there was any priest or nobleman from Constanța involved?

Полина Михайлова

Yes, I remember how Irina then hurried everyone so that the borscht would not get cold. This year, by the way, in Komsomolskaya there was a smell from the kitchen already in the morning; pies with cabbage were being baked. Have you volunteered again?

Тамара Семёнова

Yes, Komsomolskaya is a place where everything is to the point. I usually arrive at 7pm on Wednesdays, just as the last of the boxes are being sorted. Do you often go with your husband or alone?

Олег Комаров

Yes, Oleg, it’s there at Druzhba. Have you already tried the borscht with beans they added this year? It tastes better.

Степан Кузнецов

Yes, Galina, Maria Vasilyevna is still on Suvorov, I saw her last week when I was taking my daughter to a club. She still praises tea with our bread, saying it’s better than any cake. How long have you been there yourself?

Вера Новикова

Yes, in Yaroslavl, after Sunday liturgy, we also sometimes bake and distribute such bread - especially on patronal feasts. The smell really immediately reminds me of how my grandmother took it out of the oven as a child. Does this happen in Samara after every service or only on big days?

Екатерина Попова

Yes, Stepan, I also looked at Maria Vasilievna at Suvorov that week, just after the service. She really praises our bread, she even asked us to clarify the recipe. What club is your daughter involved in now?

Василий Комаров

In Krasnodar, after the liturgy, such bread is also distributed, but only on major holidays, like Easter or Christmas. On ordinary Sundays, usually not, although the smell is always the same as that of grandma in the village. What do they call it in Yaroslavl, artos or just prosphora?

Andreea Tudor

Yes, that monument to Saint Nicholas also caught my attention last time when I was with my son in Constanța. I think it was built in the 1950s by some local merchants and a parish priest, but I haven't found out the exact name. Did you read anything concrete about them or was it just the Douglass connection that impressed you?

Елена Соловьёва

Yes, Stepan, I also saw her recently, when I walked from the church past Suvorov. It’s good that she still praises our bread; last time I added a little more seeds to it. Does your daughter go to drawing classes or has she already switched to something else?