Moscow Times article

[alektoeumenides.livejournal.com]

The Language of Sin and Redemption

By Michele A. Berdy

Брать грех на душу: to commit a sin

August, when disaster tends to befall Russia, may be a good time to stop in at your local church to admire the frescoes and light a few candles. It never hurts to do a little atoning for one's sins, I always say. Церковь (church) is the usual term for a Russian Orthodox place of worship, though some are referred to as храм (cathedral; can also mean temple in the context of other religions). На набережной заново построен Храм Христа Спасителя. (The Christ the Savior Cathedral was rebuilt on the embankment.)

Православие means literally "right glory" or "the correct way to worship God." Part of the "correct way" to worship is propriety. Women should cover their heads and (preferably) wear long skirts and long-sleeved shirts; men should take off their hats. Putting your hands in your pockets, talking or turning your back to the altar are also considered signs of disrespect (and will usually provoke one of the women who take care of the church to scold you).

In addition to holding services (службы), the church is where all important events from cradle to grave are ritually celebrated. So don't be surprised if you enter a church to find a baptism (крещение) taking place in one part of the church, a requiem service (панихида) in another, or a funeral service (отпевание -- literally "singing someone out") in yet another.

You might also walk in on a wedding. In Russian you can say вступить в брак (enter into marriage), which can mean either a civil or religious ceremony. Civil weddings are usually described by the verb расписаться; to get married in a church wedding is венчаться (literally "to be crowned," in reference to the crowns held over the heads of the bride and groom during part of the ceremony).

No matter what is going on, it's perfectly acceptable to go quietly about your business: поставить свечку (to light -- literally "to place" -- a candle) and молиться (to say a prayer). Note that Russian Orthodox believers (верующие) cross themselves from right to left.

Священнослужитель (minister, priest, literally "one who performs religious ceremonies") is an all-purpose word referring to anyone empowered to conduct religious services. You usually refer to the priest as священник or, more commonly, батюшка ("father"). Russian Orthodox parish priests may marry, and the priest's wife, матушка ("mother") plays an active supporting role in the life of the church and the parish.

Much of the life of the church involves helping us poor sinners to stop sinning, atone for our sins and lead a life of virtue. Easier said than done, of course. A sin in Russian is грех, a sinner грешник/грешница. The language of sin has become a part of the Russian language, whether you are an ardent churchgoer or not. Я вчера напился -- какой я грешник! (I got drunk last night -- I'm a real sinner.) Я ничего плохого не говорил про неё. Я не хотел брать грех на душу. (I didn't say anything bad about her. I wanted to do the right thing -- literally, "I didn't want that sin on my conscience.")

You may hear other sinning expressions that are more figurative than literal. Как на грех means "it was just my bad luck," "it was a bad stroke of luck." Не грех means "it wouldn't be a sin": Ты так пашешь! Не грех сегодня и отдохнуть! (There's no harm in taking it easy today -- you work so hard!)

If your colloquial sins get a bit extreme -- take time to atone for your sins (искупать свои грехи) with a visit to a church, a lit candle and some sincere repentance. It can't hurt -- and with any luck (or faith) it might help!


Michele A. Berdy is a Moscow-based translator and interpreter.

Comments

[ex-evengar540.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, a little more than modicum of Russians goes to church more times than never.

Pretty good article.