Tagged “Faith and Religious Life”
Browse Tagged “Faith and Religious Life” from the Canadian Macedonian Heritage Society archive, library and community collections.
Civil War – Part Two
The Last Breath of a Guerrilla Fighter Before dawn on Holy Wednesday, fighting in the battle of Lia, they had spoken to him of freedom. His body collapsed upon the earth, yet he no longer felt pain. His soul separated from the body, invisible, gazing from above. While stray bullets flew, they could no longer touch his soul. It was one of those futile days, like a little boat without oars. He saw ...
Before Darkness Fell
Little Dimitroula ran in haste. She slipped and fell into the well, And like Gerakina , she too Let out a great cry. Her mother’s voice was heard — Terror had overcome her. The father threw himself Into the deep well to save her. A passing priest came running, Trampling the leeks as he rushed. He too wished to jump inside, But his robes held him back. The priest began to pray, Looking high toward ...
The Sausages
Before the carols came and the deep winter cold, we slaughtered the piglets in every courtyard. We made tzoumarinkes * and fresh fried meat, sharing a little portion with the whole neighborhood. And then the sausages — how wonderful they were! With leeks and fragrant herbs, with well-seasoned minced meat. We hung them out to dry on a wooden pole; our dog stood guard so others would not take them. ...
Not Even Enough for the Fare
A stone slab appeared below, there in the yard one day. The two looked at each other slyly— and one grabbed the iron bar right away. One lifted it with the crowbar, the other struck with the heavy tool. The Albanians watched and wondered: “What are these two looking for here, fools?” They searched for hidden gold coins to give to their children and grandchildren dear. But instead of gold beneath ...
The Final Farewell
When a villager dies— a friend, a parent, or a brother— then we begin to think deeply: why do we quarrel, my friends? The phone rings early— who could it be, who could it be now? The message is a sorrowful one: so-and-so has died today. The news keeps spreading until everyone has heard— another villager is gone from this city. Young and old gather together in the biting cold, to stand before the ...
I Saw Death One Evening
Death came down from above before the night had fallen. He had no tail—only wings, like a little angel. I said to him, please, I still have much to do— do me this one favour, I do not want to die yet. “Death,” he told me, “of the body is but another beginning for your soul. The two of us will go elsewhere— there lies your eternal life.” I insisted, begged for a delay, to remain a little longer. ...
And His Body Trembles
I cannot see what I have become. Others look at me in wonder, while I believe I have remained the same through all that has passed. And when we say our farewells, and eat the wheat, we all begin to wonder— who will be taken next?
This Temporary Life of Ours
In this temporary life we live, God traced for us a way: One passes through it light and swift, Another like a storm-tossed day. And though your start seems light and fast, Never let humility depart; Let your path remain the proper one, For gratitude must guide the heart. In the tempest of this life, Never lose your courage strong, So you may yet be freed from harm Before the wreck should come ...
OUR CHRISTMAS PAST
Christmas as I remember Long long time ago Those cold days in December With fresh fallen snow The church bells would chime And echo throughout the village The sun rays would shine We felt we were so privileged I had my mother and father My two sisters and me Baba Kata our grandmother I felt like I was in my high We got no Christmas presents We had no Christmas tree We had each others presence ...
