This is a stunning picture-book that tells a story that was experience by several communities around the world during the 20th century. Located in a small village in Russia, it tells the tale of the closing of parish Churches by armies that were hostile to the practicing of faith.

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The Church was shut down and people were not allowed to worship God together. However, many of the families took the treasures of their parish and hid them in their homes to protect them from being destroyed. Decades later the people come back together and re-open the Church.

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This story is valuable because it speaks of a historical reality that many communities lived through in the previous century. It also tells of the quiet courageous spirit of the faithful who took the risk of hiding icons and other elements of their faith. Doing this was often dangerous for the families. It also tells about the gradual rebirth of the faith after the era of its violent suppression passed.

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The story is told in an elegant manner and the illustrations accompanying it are a joy to behold. A beautiful book over all.