This post was meant to appear last Friday, but I spent the better part of the day at the doctor with my son, getting an IV antibiotic to help his little body is fight off an infection. Thanks to everyone who is praying for him, we trust his healing will come speedily. Here is the final story in a series about my recent trip to Russia.

After all our work was done in Komi, KC, Cheryl, & I spent a day in Moscow seeing the sites: a tour of the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Bolshoi Theater, the Gum Shopping Center and of course Red Square.

It was lunchtime & we had planned to eat first, but as we approached Red Square, the entrance directly in front of us was blocked off and it made me wonder what was going on. We had to walk around to an open entrance, but eventually made it into the square.

Situated in the middle of Red Square is Lenin’s Tomb where Vladimir Lenin’s body has been preserved since his death in 1924. Lenin was a communist revolutionary, the first leader of the Soviet Union, and a figurehead to communists everywhere.

Hundreds and even thousands of people gathered around Lenin’s Tomb and from afar off I could see people waving the flags and holding up signs. A huge line had formed going into the Mausoleum to see Lenin’s mummified corpse and I found myself drawn to this scene in a compelling way even though I didn’t know what it was all about. Charging right up into the middle of the crowd, I saw the flags were Soviet banners (red w/ the hammer & sickle) and the signs had pictures of Lenin’s face and such. To me it was like a jumping into a history book and being a part of some demonstration from 30 or 40 years ago.

I later learned that it was a celebration for Lenin’s 138th birthday – a man who died 84 years ago – but is said that: “he lived, he lives, and he will yet live”.

Still trying to figure it all out, I turned from facing Lenin’s Tomb toward the middle of Red Square and saw another very large group of people crowding around something or someone but I couldn’t see what it was – so I walked right smack up into the middle of it to find out. As I pressed toward the object of everyone’s attention, I noticed the multitude parting which made my way easier. Soon though I realized that whoever/whatever everyone was gathered around was coming right at me until I found myself face to face with Gennady Zyuganov – the current leader of the Communist Party in Russia who only weeks ago had finished 2nd in the national presidential election. Within a second, a security guard brushed me to the side firmly and the procession was on as Communist supporters began to march with Zyuganov down Red Square toward the blocked entrance we had tried to enter earlier.

KC, Cheryl and I joined the procession down & out of the square through the restricted area, with people all around bearing Soviet flags and wearing communist symbols on their clothing – with the Party Leader heading the march. We later learned that it was a celebration for Lenin’s 138th birthday – a man who died 84 years ago – but is said that: “he lived, he lives, and he will yet live”. Russia’s communist were trying to use this occasion to prove that at least Lenin’s ideology was still alive.

Exiting Red Square, we fell off the procession and headed directly for the McDonald’s located just 300 ft off the restricted entry way. I’m guessing the move blew our cover – surely no real communist would such a thing. But following the procession was an interesting experience and it let us take the most direct route to get lunch – which we were ready to have – you have no idea how much a good old fashioned communist march works up one’s appetite. I wonder what they did before there was McDonalds?