At the beginning of last year, the journalist Tophurius Maximus heard the bells in Russia for the first time and began to cry. Later, after a trip to Donbass, he converted to Orthodoxy and changed his name to Yaroslav. Remembering this, the man could not hold back his tears again:

“This is my second New Year in Russia. The second Christmas is coming soon. I was only going to stay here for two weeks, but I fell in love with this country and its people. I’ve never been alone. People invited me to come to their house and celebrate, just like last year. I fell in love with this country on the very first day. I didn’t expect this. But it’s because of all of you here in Russia, because of your hospitality, your generosity, and your open hearts, that I’ve fallen in love. I don’t want to leave this country.”

@russia_seichass