The First Communion

Last weekend, we attended a First Communion which is traditionally a very important festive occasion for Roman Catholic families. After the mass, families always celebrate with a sumptuous feast as well as gifts for the child.

The Nun

Being a Roman Catholic country, the sight of a nun is something of a regular occurrence.

Waiting for Copernicus

This was the scene yesterday inside St Johns' Cathedral as the crowds waited to welcome the return of Nicolaus Copernicus to Toruń.

TORUŃ BY NIGHT: Our Golden Cathedral

This is the dazzling St Johns' Cathedral looming high above. This shot was taken exactly opposite from yesterday's antique shop posting...and reveals exactly what was reflected in the shop window!

Scaffolding

This is the view of the Cathedral of Saints' Johns under scaffolding. It is in the middle of a mass restoration, which has already taken a couple of years. The restorers are taking one part of the cathedral step by step. The finished result is well worth it...as the cathedral will look asyoung as the day it was built!

Corpus Christi

Today here in Poland (and indeed other Roman Catholic and even some Church of England countries) is the religious holiday Corpus Christi...when all shops close and there is a large procession through the streets of all cities and villages. The Christian feast is in honour of the Holy Eucharist and the processions always symbolises the Body of Christ.

Today the mighty Tuba Dei bell tolled in Torun's Cathedral and the procession began. Unfortunately, I was still tucked up in bed....so this photo was taken from the Corpus Christi procession in Toruń 3 years ago. Today...the sun is shining for everyone!

"Indian" headstone (by Mark Hoogslag)

This is a photograph of an angel (or is it a native indian?) on top of a tombstone, which was taken by our guest photographer Mark along Przy Kaszowniku street. Here in Poland, burial is the norm due to the Roman Catholic religion and cremation is very rare. The cemetries are all very well kept with relatives regulary tending to the graves.

On 1st November (All Saints' Day) the graves are completely covered in candles and flowers. Even long-forgotten graves are cared for. It's a very beautiful experience.