Today I have participated in a mass in Christ the Saviour Orthodox Sobor, parish of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is located in the heart of Ottawa and, simultaneously, right in the center of China town of Canada’s capital :) 

It was my first time in an Orthodox church where the mass was carried out in English, French, Russian, Ukrainian and old Slavic languages.

There were many people of various nationalities: Americans, Russians, Ukrainians, Canadians, Moldovans, …of all ages – from little to old, entire families, a lot of young people.

It was atmosphere of openness, spirituality, tolerance, friendliness…

Perhaps then the World has Belief, Hope and Love!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

8th ANNUAL CHARITY AUCTION with Vladislav Tretyak RAISED A RECORD SUM OF $127,000 USD for the benefit of Children's, Social and Family Institutions in Saratov and Russian regions!
(http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts/2009/02/13/374514.htm)

It’s a pleasure that we also contributed to that :)

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Recently was flying above Greenland. Dazzling white covered in snow peaks of mountains, cutting through snow-white clouds…

Moscow.
State Kremlin Palace.
Grigory Leps.
Voice.
Energy.
Nerve.
Humor.
Inimitableness.
Man.
Thank you!!!

On February 5^th – 8^th Annual Charity Silent Auction Cocktail with hockey legend Vladislav Tretyak has been carried out.

Organizers of the 8^th Annual Charity Silent Auction were Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) together with Vladislav Tretyak Foundation and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Evolution of the auction, since it was first held in 2002, has been outstanding: our first event in 2002 garnered over USD 5,000 and the most recent 2008 event gathered over USD 122,000 for the benefit or several recipient. The many organizations that we have already helped with our sponsors’ generous assistance include: Children’s Hospitals, Social Shelters for Children and Teenagers, Orphanages, Special Olympic Committee, Indigenous Saami community Kildin, and Ronald McDonal House Charities, Saint-Petersburg Amputee Ice Hockey Federation, All-Russia Society of People with Hearing Impairments, senior homes, and social centers in Saratov, Siberia, Tver, Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.  

Auction lots and prizes: Diamond Gold Ring commemorating Russian team winning World Hockey Championship 2008, paintings, autographed hockey jerseys by the Russian team – World Champion 2008, autographed hockey jerseys of Canadian legend Gordie Howe, dinner with Vladislav Tretyak, dinner hosted by Canadian Ambassador, Canadian furs, airline tickets, luxurious hotel stays and exquisite dinners and as well as many items of cultural interest for Canadians and Russians!     

This time, actually, just like always, atmosphere was very warm at the Auction!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Recently had a pleasure to see a spectacle by Kirill Serebrennikov «Fiagro. Events of one day» with Eugene Mironov and Liya Ahedzhakova.

Don’t want to judge the spectacle itself, but Mironov’s and Ahedzhakova’s play impressed me so much, I was in a great mood at least for three days… So talented!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com