granger smith preaching tour

Country star Granger Smith gives up road life for local church ministry

• April 21, 2023
• Meredith Flynn
• Featured , Latest News

Citing a “strong desire to pursue ministry,” long-time country musician Granger Smith announced his 2023 tour will be his last. “I’ve toured for 24 years,” Smith said in an Instagram post April 11. The upcoming life change is hard, exciting and hopeful, he told fans — and it’s motivated by what he senses God is leading him to do.

“I have felt a strong desire to pursue ministry, and this doesn’t mean I’m going to start a church or a crusade or a revival,” Smith said in the video.

“This means that me and my family are going to serve our local church. We’re going to pour into that church as members, and have my pastors and elders pour into me and disciple me and teach me as I sit under their wise teaching. And then, Lord willing, one day they can affirm me into the next steps of what that might look like to glorify God best from my platform.”

Smith also noted he is pursuing a master of arts from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

His social media feeds feature posts from his many vocations — music, podcasting, film producing, a clothing line, and, in the last two years, occasional preaching. A 2021 post celebrated Smith preaching his “first Sunday sermon.” Two upcoming tour stops in Ohio and Florida are designated not as performances but as preaching dates.

His tour is the “Like a River Farewell Tour” in honor of the 3-year-old son Smith and his wife, Amber, lost in a drowning accident in 2019. Their son River is also memorialized in Smith’s upcoming book “Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache.”

‘Radical transformation’

Smith told fans on Instagram he hopes to take the book’s message to as many people as possible. “It’s the most important piece of media that I could ever release, that I ever have released,” he said.

God did a “radical transformation” in his life after the tragedy, Smith told Fox News host Trey Gowdy in a recent interview on the network’s “Sunday Night in America.”

While he can’t take credit for the change, he has to do something with it, Granger said.

“Now that this gift was given to me, in a time at the darkest tragedy of our life, now I have a purpose to go out and share this message of what happened to me, for other people that are probably going through the same thing.”

The Smiths, who are parents to three children, established The River Kelly Fund to help children in need and support a variety of charitable causes.

Fame and Jesus

In announcing his farewell tour, Smith pointed to the tension between fame and Jesus’ call to deny oneself. When Gowdy asked Smith why he couldn’t just use his country music platform to share his faith, the singer quoted Mark 8, when Jesus says whoever wants to follow Him will deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Him.

“That self-denial is something I struggle with in country music, where instead every night I’m getting up on the stage and seeking glory, seeking applause, seeking people to exalt me. And that’s just not what we’re called to do as followers, and I could not reconcile those two things together,” Smith said.

He added that he only speaks for himself, not others working in entertainment. “This is something I struggled with internally because I struggled with exalting myself and seeking that praise, and that’s something that I needed to strip, through sanctification, away from me.”

The Like a River Farewell Tour begins April 20 and runs through Aug. 26. Smith’s book about his family’s journey through tragedy is out Aug. 1 from Thomas Nelson.

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Singer Granger Smith says he's pursuing ministry and that this summer will be his last tour

Country singer Granger Smith says this summer will be his last tour as he starts a new chapter in his life: ministry.

The "Backroad Song" singer shared with his followers in an Instagram video on Tuesday that he has been attending seminary and wants to pursue ministry.

"I have felt a strong desire to pursue ministry," he began. "This doesn't mean that I'm gonna start a church or a crusade or a revivial [sic]. This means to me that me and my family are gonna serve our local church. We're gonna pour into that church as members and have my pastors and elder pour into me and disciple me and teach me as I sit under their wise teaching."

Related Articles

MORE: Granger Smith on guilt and forgiving himself, year after son River's death

"Lord willing, one day they can affirm me into the next steps of [w]hat that might look like to glorify God best for my platform," he added.

Smith said that pursuing country music and performing on stage while also pursuing ministry has felt like a "contradiction" to him.

"In country music, when I get up on the stage and just need glorification and need praise, and if I don't get it that means my career is not doing well and so I work harder for that -- I can't reconcile those two things, y'all. I can't," he said.

"I can't go to seminary and pursue ministry and be poured in by my pastors and elders and then go out on weekends and try to be exalting myself," Smith continued. "I think that's a contradiction and it's nothing against anyone else that can do music and succeed in denying themselves, I just -- I'm not very good at it."

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In addition to announcing the news about his tour, Smith said he's coming out with a new book, "Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache." The book will focus on the death of his son, River, in 2019, and Smith's journey that followed, according to a synopsis of the book.

Smith's son, who died in a drowning accident, was just 3 years old.

MORE: Granger Smith donates over $200,000 to children's medical center in honor of late son River

"It shouldn't surprise you what that book is about. But it's about from when I lost my son Riv to when we had Mav and everything in between that the Lord did and the radical way of opening my eyes," he said. "And that message is so important to tell."

Smith ended his video by saying that the tour will be all about his fans.

He also added that he's hopeful about the future and what it holds for his family, saying that he and his wife of 13 years, Amber Bartlett, have been "united" on his decision to pursue ministry.

"She's my best friend and she's my first counsel," he said. "We've been praying over this very video right here that I'm making. And I know there's gonna be a lot of questions and I'm gonna try and stay engaged and try to answer questions and I'm not going anywhere, I'm gonna be here."

"I just wanted to get this off my chest out here in the woods to tell you guys that I love ya," he said.

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I first saw Granger Smith perform at an open air gig and this was probably the best way I can imagine to see him live! It was a clear evening and the fresh air only enhanced the atmosphere as everyone swayed listening to him sing about dirt roads, mud tires and love. I’m not usually a fan of country music but his live show was so exciting – flashing lights built the suspense before he powered onto the stage, he had a brilliant band backing him up, and you could tell how much he was enjoying himself up on stage which made the energy in the crowd all the more electrifying!

Granger Smith is a country music singer and songwriter from Texas and he has now released seven studio albums so there is plenty of material to listen to! His first album, Waiting on Forever, was released in 1998 and his most recent one, Dirt Road Driveway, in 2013 so you can really hear this artist’s progression across time! One of my favourite songs by him is ‘Easy’ from his 2013 album as it’s a little bit different from his usual tone of music; slightly slower-paced with very emotional lyrics.

Granger Smith is currently on tour in the US until December so make sure you go and see him for some quintessentially brilliant country music! I’m sure, if you’re not already, you’ll be a fan in no time!

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Granger Smith I am sad to say I lost out on your performance in Binghamton N.Y due to a family crisis and couldn't even resell my tickets and I only live 45 minutes from there on my Holler. YEE YEE

BUT since I have this opportunity to say I have the Upmost Respect for you as an Artist and Family Man, I totally enjoy your family videos as well I did see you in Syracuse N.Y. you are Totally AWESOME My Biggest Dream is to meet you personally if you ever come back to Upstate N.Y. I am 60 yrs young and not in the Best condition so if Make a wish worked with the elderly as well You and Your Family would be My Wish Come True. Please give Amber and the Children my love as well YEE YEE

Always a #1 Fan

P.S. would YEE YEE Apperal consider getting larger sizes for Us potato fed fans Love your line but all to small thank you

Granger Smith I am sad to say I lost out on your performance in Binghamton N.Y and I only live 45 minutes from there on my Holler. YEE YEE

If you like city things like Prius' skinny jeans, Starbucks then you'll probably leave sad because you're cars stuck. But if you like dips,crack in cold ones, country girls with them tan legs your going to be happier willie with the best weed money can buy. But on a serious note the best concert you'll ever see. The whole band is awesome and just a bad ass. Seriously go see them. Then go swap dips with your girlfriend.

Outstanding show! When Granger sang heaven bound balloons, showing his strength and pain, that was such a touching, beautiful moment that I will remember forever. Also his inspirational moment about why he loves dirt roads, how life is a dirt road, it was so powerful. Thank you Granger for using your platform to inspire those who look up to you!

Was a GREAT show!! Loved the interaction with the audience. Kept the place rockin! Great to see entertainers who take the time to go out into the audience and show their appreciation.

The concert was amazing I had a great time it was a late night with my best friend but iso worth it Granger Smith should come back to Minnesota sometime I'd love to see him again

Granger smiths concert was awsome. I love the show he pu put on it was awsome and he even sighed the back of my phone case. I love you granger smith

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Granger Smith Is Leaving Country Music to Focus on Ministry: 'A New Direction for My Life' (Exclusive)

On Tuesday, the country singer — whose 3-year-old son River died in a drowning accident in 2019 — announced that his Like a River tour kicking off April 13 will be his last

Granger Smith is ready to embark on a new chapter.

On Tuesday, the musician announced on his social media pages that he's leaving country music in order to focus on ministry at his local church outside of Austin, Texas. When his upcoming Like a River tour — named for his 3-year-old son River who died after a tragic drowning accident in 2019 — kicks off April 13, it will serve as his farewell.

Speaking to PEOPLE exclusively about the decision, Smith says that he's "excited" to pour himself into his church after the tour comes to an end on Aug. 26.

"Being a musician was never a prison, but this is a new passion, a new focus, a new direction that I believe is going to allow me to focus more on individual people and their lives, which is ultimately why I started music touring in the very beginning," he says. "This is an even more micro-focused position in that. I'm not going anywhere."

While preparing to make the announcement, Smith says he's been anticipating four different kinds of reactions to the news: "The first group will say, 'Oh, praise God, that's amazing. What an example.' The second group's going to say, 'Oh no, I'm going to miss your music. I'm going to miss your touring.' The third group is going to say, 'Oh, go follow your little sky God. You're probably just making money that we don't know about as a preacher.' Then the fourth group is going to go, 'Granger who? No one cares.'"

"That's why I just want to be as honest as I can," he explains.

Currently working towards a master's degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Smith makes clear he's "not Pastor Granger."

"I could deceive myself thinking, 'Oh, I got a calling from God to go off and start a church,'" he says. "That's like the equivalent of a young athlete in college going, 'I'm going to declare for the NFL draft.' You need to learn under the players and the coaches until it's time, and then they'll all affirm that it's time to go into the NFL."

RELATED VIDEO: Granger Smith Reveals Final Special Moment He Shared with Son River That Suddenly Turned to Tragedy

In tandem with the announcement, Smith also revealed on Tuesday that his upcoming memoir, Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache , will be released on Aug. 1. It'll follow his emotional journey through the ups and downs after River's death.

"I remember turning in the manuscript for the first time, and I called my wife Amber, and I said, 'Well, I'm about to send this manuscript out. There's no stopping it now.' Like, you can't put the toothpaste back into the tube," he recalls. "There's things in here that are extremely vulnerable. It's very personal. But the overwhelming feeling was that if my story could help others, then it's worth it, then it matters."

It was important to Smith that he bill his final music tour the same title as his book.

"I don't want the tour to end and then all of a sudden, 'Oh, now he's got a book,'" he says. "I just want it to be very cohesive to the sentimental side of what this journey has meant — not even river in terms of my son, River, but just the life river that we're traveling right now. I feel like these last few years I've really learned to surrender and just go with the flow and stop fighting against the stream that I did for so long in the music business and in life."

Smith says that "go with the flow" mentality will extend into his tour, which will very much be about the fans.

"This tour's not about me," he says. "This tour is going to be about the people that have supported me for so long. And, selfishly, I will enjoy it more if they're enjoying it more. I think they're going to enjoy it more if I just make it, 'Hey, what's an old song we haven't done in a long time? Let's play that. Let's make sure that we get as many people on the stage as we can. Do you want to sing one of my songs? Has your dream always been to sing the chorus of my song? Come on up. Here's a microphone. I've done it a thousand times, now you get to do it.'"

Though he struggled to do meet and greets in the time immediately after River's death, he's since found healing in talking with people about their own experiences with loss and grief.

"I walk away going, 'Wow, this loss is not for nothing, because it mattered today. It mattered to that person. I just talked to them, and they smiled because we had something in common and we embraced each other,'" he says. "Then I could go to sleep that night and go, 'OK, we're making progress. We're moving forward with something here.'"

He's also learned that "we have no way of seeing or understanding what light is until we know what dark is."

While Smith identified as a Christian prior to River's death, it wasn't until after that he started to develop a different connection with his religion.

"As I was reading the Bible, I was coming across things with a new heart and eyes opened," he says. "During my healing, I was reading things like Mark 8:36, where Jesus said, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake, and the gospel, will save it.' Then he goes on to say, 'For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?'"

"I was sitting there looking at that through my broken healing," he continues. "And this was during COVID, and I wasn't touring, and I was reading this like, 'Where in country music am I modeling that for other people? Because all I'm doing as far as I see — and I'm not speaking to any other artist — is glorifying myself.' That's a contradiction that has built up within me over and over until I had to come to this conclusion that there's now a turning point, a new direction for my life."

Though Smith is steadfast in his decision, he wants people to know he's not "advocating that they quit their jobs or trades."

"Ministry is not for everyone," he says. "Once again, I have to just say that with me, with the direction I was going in my self-fulfillment of music, it was crippling to me, and it was taking my life."

Amid his tour and studying, Smith will continue hosting his iHeartRadio show After MidNite and his Granger Smith Podcast.

"These next six months will probably be the busiest of my entire life," he says. "I have a lot on my plate, but I love it."

On the tour, he plans to bring his wife Amber and their kids London, 11, Lincoln, 9, and Maverick, 20 months, along as much as possible. The tour will mark Maverick's first time getting to "know Daddy as a singer."

"Mav still hasn't been to a show, so he'll get to go on the last weekend of me touring," he says. "We'll take pictures, and he won't remember it, but we'll show him one day and say, 'Look, Daddy was a country music singer.'"

In between this transition phase, Smith and his wife have also had to deal with the weight of bringing Maverick to ISR, or Infant Swimming Rescue, classes.

"He's on his second round, and we're trying to make our way through that," he says. "It's not an easy thing, but having him learn to swim is very important."

RELATED VIDEO: Granger Smith's Son, River, 3, Died in a Drowning Accident at Home, Singer's Rep Confirms

Through it all, Smith says he's been lucky to have a partner like Amber.

"That's a really big part of the story, because if she wasn't supporting in this way, this whole conversation would be so difficult," he says. "This whole move would be so difficult if she wasn't fully supporting me, because she's my best friend, and she's my first point of counsel for everything. She's not always my yes man. She's very thoughtful, and I trust her."

With 10 studio albums, one live album and two EPs already under his belt, Smith says the decision has come at just the right time.

"My career was going to start going down at some point, so there's something kind of neat to say that I will have never experienced the downward career spiral that would inevitably have happened to me," he says. "It'll be neat to say that when we walked off, it was to full applause and to a bunch of love from the audience."

And while he'll no longer have a career on stage, Smith says that "does not mean I'm putting up the guitar."

"The guitars are a big part of our house, and singing and dancing and kitchen parties," he says. "That will never go away."

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Granger Smith shares ‘real reason’ he’s leaving country music to join ministry as he posts pic from final show

C ountry star Granger Smith took a "keepsake" photo while performing for fans at his final show on Saturday and shared the "real reason" why he is leaving the music world behind to pursue Christian ministry. 

"I took this pic on Saturday- a keepsake from my last show as a touring musician," the 43-year-old singer wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. "It’s been such a privilege to claim that job title for so many years!" 

He continued, "Let’s be clear. This is not retirement. That would mean I’m quitting work altogether. It’s also not because I’m burned out or unwell or sick or heartbroken or grieving. I am more at peace and more free than any other time of my life. It’s not for any of those reasons." 

GRANGER SMITH FEELS ‘RELIEF’ LEAVING COUNTRY MUSIC TO ‘SERVE’ GOD: ‘I NEED TO COMPLETELY SURRENDER’  

Quoting a parable from Matthew 13:44, he explained the "real reason" he is joining the ministry.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field," the parable said. 

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He said the "real reason" he is leaving country music is because "knowing Jesus" and telling others about him is the "treasure of my life. And I want you to know this, so you can have Him as your treasure too." 

The "Hate You Like I Love You" singer said he did not want a career "based upon building a name for myself to get in the way" of his ministry work, "no matter what kind of popularity or career I’ve gained."

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Smith added, "There is not another #1 song I can write, album I can release, sold out concert I can perform, that is more important than this." 

COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER GRANGER SMITH TURNED TO FAITH DURING DARKEST TIMES: ‘IT SAVED MY LIFE’

He said he does not want his name to be known, "instead I want to proclaim the name of Christ! The one that has washed me clean, the one that has freed me from my shame and my guilt. The one that gave me a new heart. I want Him to be known! And I want to know Him more. That is the real reason I’m leaving music touring."  

Smith added, "I hope to see y’all soon on a new kind of stage." 

In a video announcement in April, Smith explained he had felt a "strong desire" to pursue ministry, explaining he would be serving his local church outside of Austin, Texas. 

He wrote at the time that his final show would mark the "end of the longest era in my life" after 24 years of touring. 

He said he was "so encouraged and hopeful and excited and joyful about the next chapter," adding that he just wants to "glorify God the best way that I can. I want to learn and grow and serve my local church and allow my pastors to equip and affirm those next steps. Lord willing, I want to be used to help people find their purpose." 

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Smith’s final tour was called "Like a River," in honor of his 3-year-old son River who died in 2019 after he got through the gate around the family’s swimming pool at their home in Texas and fell in. Smith and his wife Amber Bartlett are parents to three other children: London, 11, Lincoln, 9, and Maverick, 2. 

In April, the "Give a Boy a Baseball" singer told Fox News Digital that he felt relieved after making the announcement he was joining the ministry. 

"For the last few years, a handful of people had known that [I was] probably leaving country music," he said at the time, adding, "It’s difficult to get on stage in different environments, in different cities and play music for people knowing, as I’m looking into their eyes, that I’m probably going to tell them in a few months that I’m not doing this anymore. That’s a difficult way to live. And so, there’s a big sense of relief now that I’ve told everyone."

The star admitted that for a while, he yearned for a new sense of purpose. Eager to devote himself to his faith, Smith is currently working toward a master’s degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. While some in Smith’s circle encouraged him to share his faith through song, Smith felt it was not enough.

"I wrestled with the idea for a long time that this doesn’t feel right," Smith admitted. "A lot of people will probably think, ‘Why don’t you just sing country music, but talk about God on the stage?’ Or, ‘Why don’t you sing a couple of hymns on the stage? And that fixes everything.’ I wrestled with that for a couple of years.… A lot of pastors and preachers told me, ‘Country music is your ministry, brother. You’re in a dark world. You’re bringing light to a dark world. You’re going into bars and stages where people might not have heard the message of Christ, and you get to speak it – that is your ministry.’"

While he said he understood that perspective, he felt he needed to stop "glorifying myself."

"I was seeking praise from people. And by doing that, it doesn’t matter if I was proclaiming Christ, because I was doing it the wrong way," Smith said. "I was proclaiming Christ from a self-exalting platform. And that was the contradiction I finally had to come to terms with. I might have a stage down the road, but right now I need to completely surrender that and give it over to God."

Original article source: Granger Smith shares ‘real reason’ he’s leaving country music to join ministry as he posts pic from final show

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Country music star Granger Smith explains why he’s leaving music for ministry

In a recent interview with et, smith said this season of his life will be about faith and family.

By Hanna Seariac

Granger Smith is approaching his last show on Aug. 26 before he trades microphones and stage lights for Bibles and pulpits.

Earlier this year, the country music star announced his decision to leave the music industry to spend more time at his local church and eventually pursue ministry. “We’re going to pour into that church as members, and have my pastors and elders pour into me and disciple me and teach me, as I sit under their wise teaching,” Smith said, per the Deseret News .

Born in Dallas, Texas, he moved to Nashville to pursue music while he was attending Texas A&M University. Since Smith was 19 years old, he’s been in the music industry. He’s opened for Garth Brooks, released 11 albums and is known for his hit singles “Backroad Song” and “If the Boot Fits.”

During his career, he made a foray into acting. Smith starred in the film “Moonrise,” available on the Christian entertainment platform Pure Flix . The film was named after his 11th studio album.

His music career stretched over two decades before he decided to leave the industry. The husband and father of four said earlier this year he’s been working toward a master’s degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary — a seminary which prepares  Baptist church members  to become pastors and active in ministry.

Leading up to his final show, he recently spoke with “ Entertainment Tonight” about why he made his decision to leave music and pursue church ministry.

In 2019, Smith and his wife, Amber Bartlett, lost their 3-year-old son River in a drowning accident. Shortly after this happened, Smith told “ ET” he used substances to cope and eventually hit what he said was “rock bottom” when thinking about the loss of his son.

Smith recalled this moment when he thought about ending his life and told “ ET ,” “I had one thought and it was Lincoln and London, my two kids at home. That was the first thought that hit me. I thought I just saw their faces and then I said, ‘Jesus, help me.’”

This moment “was the beginning,” according to Smith. At the time, he said he didn’t know much about his faith, per “ ET.” Since then, his faith has become a bigger part of his life. The musician regularly tweets Bible verses, and themes of faith and family run through his music.

Afterward, Smith wrote a memoir called “Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache,” which describes the difficulties of losing a loved one, per People magazine. It was released on Aug. 1, toward the tail end of Smith’s last tour by the same name.

Now Smith is preparing to enter ministry.

“This season of my life will be actually being with my family and going to our little local church and learning under our pastor and going to seminary and getting out and speaking occasionally and talking about this book and telling people about my darkest night and how I was saved from that, so that’s where I am right now,” Smith told “ ET.”

The star previously said he didn’t feel like he could stay in music while pursuing ministry.

“I can’t go to seminary and pursue ministry and be poured in by my pastors and elders and then go out on weekends and try to be exalting myself. I think that’s a contradiction and it’s nothing against anyone else that can do music and succeed in denying themselves, I just — I’m not very good at it,” he told “ Good Morning America .”

“I want to learn and grow and serve my local church and allow my pastors to equip and affirm those next steps. Lord willing, I want to be used to help people find their purpose,” Smith said in an Instagram post .

Singer Granger Smith says he's pursuing ministry and that this summer will be his last tour

"I have felt a strong desire to pursue ministry," he said.

Country singer Granger Smith says this summer will be his last tour as he starts a new chapter in his life: ministry.

The "Backroad Song" singer shared with his followers in an Instagram video on Tuesday that he has been attending seminary and wants to pursue ministry.

"I have felt a strong desire to pursue ministry," he began. "This doesn't mean that I'm gonna start a church or a crusade or a revivial [sic]. This means to me that me and my family are gonna serve our local church. We're gonna pour into that church as members and have my pastors and elder pour into me and disciple me and teach me as I sit under their wise teaching."

MORE: Granger Smith on guilt and forgiving himself, year after son River's death

"Lord willing, one day they can affirm me into the next steps of [w]hat that might look like to glorify God best for my platform," he added.

Smith said that pursuing country music and performing on stage while also pursuing ministry has felt like a "contradiction" to him.

"In country music, when I get up on the stage and just need glorification and need praise, and if I don't get it that means my career is not doing well and so I work harder for that -- I can't reconcile those two things, y'all. I can't," he said.

"I can't go to seminary and pursue ministry and be poured in by my pastors and elders and then go out on weekends and try to be exalting myself," Smith continued. "I think that's a contradiction and it's nothing against anyone else that can do music and succeed in denying themselves, I just -- I'm not very good at it."

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Country singer on healing after tragic death of 3-year-old son

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Granger Smith's wife speaks about son’s drowning death, shares water safety tips

In addition to announcing the news about his tour, Smith said he's coming out with a new book, "Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache." The book will focus on the death of his son, River, in 2019, and Smith's journey that followed, according to a synopsis of the book.

Smith's son, who died in a drowning accident, was just 3 years old.

MORE: Granger Smith donates over $200,000 to children's medical center in honor of late son River

"It shouldn't surprise you what that book is about. But it's about from when I lost my son Riv to when we had Mav and everything in between that the Lord did and the radical way of opening my eyes," he said. "And that message is so important to tell."

Smith ended his video by saying that the tour will be all about his fans.

He also added that he's hopeful about the future and what it holds for his family, saying that he and his wife of 13 years, Amber Bartlett, have been "united" on his decision to pursue ministry.

"She's my best friend and she's my first counsel," he said. "We've been praying over this very video right here that I'm making. And I know there's gonna be a lot of questions and I'm gonna try and stay engaged and try to answer questions and I'm not going anywhere, I'm gonna be here."

"I just wanted to get this off my chest out here in the woods to tell you guys that I love ya," he said.

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Up Toward the Light

Up Toward the Light , Through a simple conversation between a boy and a tree, country-music star Granger Smith shares an incredibly powerful and deeply moving story filled with life lessons on loss, grief, and the strength gained in finding the light and the will to move forward with joy and purpose.

About The Book

In this wonder-filled and inspiring story of surprising loss but found strength, a boy encounters a red oak who shares forest wisdom about the rich soil and the nourishing sun, pointing the boy toward a simple truth about moving on: we must grow toward the light. With breathtaking artwork from Laura Watkins, this picture book

• is for ages 4 to 8;
• is a message of hope and strength that is passed through generations;
• shares the value of pain, grief, and reaching out of the darkness toward the light; and
• is perfect for fans of  The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ;  The Velveteen Rabbit ;  The Invisible String  or other beloved stories that teach life lessons through simple but profound moments.

As you settle into the soothing nature of Granger's storytelling, let this meaningful interaction between a boy and a tree guide you toward the purpose and goodness of life.

TAKE A SNEAK PEEK INSIDE THE BOOK!

About The Illustrator

Laura Watkins was often found drawing on wallpaper as a child. There just weren’t enough regular sheets of paper to keep up with the demand! But since graduating with a degree in illustration in 2011, Laura has been very busy and very content to work on books. When she’s not drawing, Laura is usually found riding horses or trying to keep control of her two Irish Setters.

About The Author

Granger Smith  is giving everything to God. After 24 years touring as an award-winning, platinum-selling country music singer-songwriter, Smith chose to leave the music business to pursue ministry. The "Like a River" summer tour in 2023 will mark his last as he moves full throttle toward his faith. Honoring his late son, River, Granger's first book,  Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward after Loss and Heartache , was released on August 1, 2023 (W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson). Compelled by the call to ministry, Granger intends to serve his local church under the teaching, council, and leadership of his pastor and elders while he continues work on a master's degree at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, along with public speaking and authorship. Granger and his wife, Amber, live north of Austin, Texas, with their kids London, Lincoln, and Maverick. Visit grangersmith.com for more.

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13 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in the D.C. area

Art, music, dance, children’s activities and a chance to view General Order No. 3.

The official celebration of Juneteenth falls on a Wednesday this year, but events are spread across the days leading up to the federal holiday. Here are 13 opportunities to celebrate across the D.C. area.

Saturday, June 15

Juneteenth 2024 at Watkins Regional Park

The Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation throws its Juneteenth 2024 celebration at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro. Visitors can immerse themselves in living history demonstrations, help paint murals or join dance lessons. Entertainment includes the Chuck Brown Band and Trouble Funk, while vendors sell food, drinks and crafts. Noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Freedom at the Rock at BlackRock Center for the Arts

Montgomery County’s 27-year-old Juneteenth festival returns to the BlackRock Center for the Arts on Saturday for Freedom at the Rock, a day-long concert that includes Secret Society; DuPont Brass; Trouble Funk; and “Black Broadway on U,” a tribute to Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday with vocalist Deborah Bond. Beyond the music, multiple stages feature dance performances and workshops, documentary screenings and record vendors. Noon to 10 p.m. Free.

Sunday, June 16

Juneteenth Brewbilee at Arts Herndon

Henry Simms, a blacksmith who escaped slavery to become Herndon’s first Black business owner, is celebrated at Herndon’s Juneteenth party. At noon, historian Barbara Glakas shares Simms’s story before the main event: a beer tasting featuring Black-owned beers from Soul Mega, Urban Garden, Liquid Intrusion, Black Beauty, Black Viking, Joyhound and Virginia’s Bitter Fruit. Tickets include either 10 tastes ($20) or unlimited beers, a T-shirt and beers to take home ($40). Taps flow until 7 p.m., when the NuPop Jazz Cabaret with Al Robertson and Carolina concert begins. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Beer tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Free-$40 .

Tuesday, June 18

Juneteenth at the National Archives

The National Archives holds the two documents central to Juneteenth: The Emancipation Proclamation, in which President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed all enslaved people in Confederate states “are, and henceforward shall be free” as of Jan. 1, 1863, and General Order No. 3, which Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued in Galveston, Tex., on June 19, 1865, informing all enslaved people that they were now free. The two historic papers are on display side by side in the Archives’ East Rotunda Gallery for three days only. Through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free .

The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

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Pages:  379-406

In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

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• Kontinental Hockey League

Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

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Gagarin cup (khl) finals:  atlant moscow oblast vs. salavat yulaev ufa.

Much like the Elitserien Finals, we have a bit of an offense vs. defense match-up in this league Final.  While Ufa let their star top line of Alexander Radulov, Patrick Thoresen and Igor Grigorenko loose on the KHL's Western Conference, Mytischi played a more conservative style, relying on veterans such as former NHLers Jan Bulis, Oleg Petrov, and Jaroslav Obsut.  Just reaching the Finals is a testament to Atlant's disciplined style of play, as they had to knock off much more high profile teams from Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg to do so.  But while they did finish 8th in the league in points, they haven't seen the likes of Ufa, who finished 2nd. 

This series will be a challenge for the underdog, because unlike some of the other KHL teams, Ufa's top players are generally younger and in their prime.  Only Proshkin amongst regular blueliners is over 30, with the work being shared by Kirill Koltsov (28), Andrei Kuteikin (26), Miroslav Blatak (28), Maxim Kondratiev (28) and Dmitri Kalinin (30).  Oleg Tverdovsky hasn't played a lot in the playoffs to date.  Up front, while led by a fairly young top line (24-27), Ufa does have a lot of veterans in support roles:  Vyacheslav Kozlov , Viktor Kozlov , Vladimir Antipov, Sergei Zinovyev and Petr Schastlivy are all over 30.  In fact, the names of all their forwards are familiar to international and NHL fans:  Robert Nilsson , Alexander Svitov, Oleg Saprykin and Jakub Klepis round out the group, all former NHL players.

For Atlant, their veteran roster, with only one of their top six D under the age of 30 (and no top forwards under 30, either), this might be their one shot at a championship.  The team has never won either a Russian Superleague title or the Gagarin Cup, and for players like former NHLer Oleg Petrov, this is probably the last shot at the KHL's top prize.  The team got three extra days rest by winning their Conference Final in six games, and they probably needed to use it.  Atlant does have younger regulars on their roster, but they generally only play a few shifts per game, if that. 

The low event style of game for Atlant probably suits them well, but I don't know how they can manage to keep up against Ufa's speed, skill, and depth.  There is no advantage to be seen in goal, with Erik Ersberg and Konstantin Barulin posting almost identical numbers, and even in terms of recent playoff experience Ufa has them beat.  Luckily for Atlant, Ufa isn't that far away from the Moscow region, so travel shouldn't play a major role. 

I'm predicting that Ufa, winners of the last Superleague title back in 2008, will become the second team to win the Gagarin Cup, and will prevail in five games.  They have a seriously well built team that would honestly compete in the NHL.  They represent the potential of the league, while Atlant represents closer to the reality, as a team full of players who played themselves out of the NHL. 

• Atlant @ Ufa, Friday Apr 8 (3:00 PM CET/10:00 PM EST)
• Atlant @ Ufa, Sunday Apr 10 (1:00 PM CET/8:00 AM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Tuesday Apr 12 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Thursday Apr 14 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)

Games 5-7 are as yet unscheduled, but every second day is the KHL standard, so expect Game 5 to be on Saturday, like an early start.