The Holy Mountain -- Svyatogorsk

After leaving Lugansk, we spent a week in Donetsk in order to help orient the couple who have been called to replace us in the mission office.  Our dear friend, Anya had a day off or work and offered to take us to a lovely, out of the way monastery called Svyatogorsk, or the holy mountain. 

This riverside sanctuary was housing refugees in it's chalk caves as long ago as 1526 when it was noted by a German ambasador that this mountain and it's secluded caves were viewed in awe by local inhabitants of the area.  In 1844 a Monastery was founded here.



Elder and Sister Coleman joined us.





 The models above show the early monastery as it appeared in 1844 with a cutaway of the chalk caves where persecuted Christians took refuge.

Women must keep their heads covered to show respect for the people who worship here and for their beliefs.

Old furnishings displayed in the monastery museum.

Many young couples choose to make their wedding vows here.  To symbolize the lasting nature of the comittments they are makiing each couple leaves a lock on the bridge crossing the river to the sacred mountain. 
 

 

 

Traveling . . .Teaching . . . Training . . .

 The last few months, we have been traveling throughout the mission on  special teaching assignments. We met with district presidencies, missionaries in zone conferences and district meetings and with each branch leadership core.

   
 Obyedinyoni  . . . Petrovsky . . .                                                                       

 We were asked to teach members, missionaries, Family history Directors, consultants and priesthood leaders how to invitete the Spirit of Elijah to assist them in their efforts to find, teach, inspire, reactivate and retain God's elect.

  

 Elder Hatch is a master teacher.  He takes advantage of every possible opportunity to learn from others and to share ideas. 

The second aspect of our assignment was targeted specifically toward local priesthood leaders. We had such a very short time to try to give them an understanding of their vital part in the success of missionary work within their geographical areas.

Many hours selecting, simplifying and translating . . . The message must speak to THIS PEOPLE!

Many trains, many miles . . .
 

 

 . . . many re-treads

 . . . many meetings

 Saltovka

Kharkov

Makeevka

Mariupol 

 Donetsk

 

Gorlovka

 Many Dear Friends