It’s common knowledge that Peter the First (sometimes known as “the Great,” though whether he was great is still up for debate) introduced a beard tax (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beard_tax). In short, he did everything he could to get those hairy Russians looking more “civilized.” But beards are not really today’s subject (If you recall, I have a…
Lesson eight of the Church Slavonic Primer is now available. It covers "For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages." You will find the link to the video, the transcript, and listening practice on…
Lesson seven of the Church Slavonic Primer is now available. It covers "And with Thy Spirit" and "Grant, O Lord." You will find the link to the video, the transcript, and listening practice on the Church Slavonic Resources page.
Lesson six of the Church Slavonic Primer is now available. It covers "Peace be unto All" and "Peace be unto Thee." You will find the link to the video, the transcript, and listening practice on the Church Slavonic Resources page.
Lesson five of the Church Slavonic Primer is now available. It covers "To Thee, O Lord" and "And to thy spirit." You will find the link to the video, the transcript, and listening practice on the Church Slavonic Resources page.
Lesson four of the Church Slavonic Primer is now available. It covers "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit." You will find the link to the video, the transcript, and listening practice on the Church Slavonic Resources page.
Lesson three of the Church Slavonic Primer is now available. It covers the beginning phrases of the Divine Liturgy, "Bless Master" and "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." You will find the link to the video, the transcript, and listening practice on the Church Slavonic Resources…
Lesson two of the Church Slavonic Primer on Holy God (Trisagion) is now available. You will find the link to the video, the transcript, and listening practice on the Church Slavonic Resources page.
Some of the most basic and yet most important advice I give people who are studying Russian (especially at the beginning, though one should always keep this in mind) is to listen carefully to how something is pronounced and imitate. When someone begins studying Russian (and most textbooks are set up in this way), they…
Or, to translate the Russian way of saying this in a certain more literal sense: “I’m complaining in/to myself on you (Я жалуюсь на тебя).” Жаловаться is “to complain,” and it is what is referred to as a reflexive verb. We will get into further categories below but a basic definition of a reflexive verb…
Русскій ладъ 