As Winter Rages, A Church Makes Lunch

Located in the center of Moscow, just off Tverskaya Ulitsa, the Kosma and Damian church is a beacon of hospitality and warmth, especially during a winter that experts say has been the city’s coldest in 60 years. Every Wednesday, the church offers a free lunch and warm clothing to the homeless, the poor and the hungry. Above, men waiting for the meal under a painting of Christ.

Men waiting in the church hall.

People participating in a prayer before the meal.

People tucking into their lunch. Between 150 and 200 people come for the meal each Wednesday.

Soup being passed out to those at the table.

An elderly woman sitting under a painting of a similarly dressed icon. This woman arrived at the church with her hands close to being frostbitten; she was given valerian root tea, which quickly helped warm her up.

People sitting as a volunteer, in the background, tends to those who are ailing.

A volunteer, standing on the right, passing out bread to go with the soup.

A woman ladling soup into bowls for volunteers to bring to the tables.

A volunteer arriving at one of the tables with bowls of hot soup.