In a small room thick with incense, a woman in a white headscarf takes communion a piece of bread dipped in red wine. The man standing next to her holds a red cloth under her chin.
She’s from Russia; he’s from Ukraine. And this sacramental ritual came near the end of a Russian Orthodox Church service in Taichung. As happens nearly every month on the third floor of this nondescript office building, Ukrainians, Russians and others come together for communal prayer.
“I don’t even know who’s Russian and who’s Ukrainian,” congregation member Paul Wollos said. “It doesn’t matter.”
Aside from a brief
Highlight: Tea, Pushkin and Grandfather Frost: A Russian Christmas
A charity event in Taichung brings together Taiwan’s Russian community
By John Evans / Contributing reporter
Turns out the Russians are coming after all.
The Taiwan Russian Club is hosting its annual New Year Charity Concert on Sunday in Taichung, featuring traditional dancing and musical performances by 30 local groups.
Now in its sixth year, the event raises money for Believe in a Miracle, a charity based in Kaliningrad, Russia that aids needy children and their families.
Russian children will perform traditional folk dances at Sunday’s charity concert.
Photo courtesy of Julia Startchenko