What an Easter! Ethiopia meets Russia in Harrisburg PA.

Sasha, you merit a gold star for this one. Of course, Sasha is the beaming Russian fellow togged out in the Cossack ensemble in the photo. In America, many Ethiopians come to our parishes.  God willing, the split between the Ethiopian Church and the rest of Orthodoxy may be mended. They are the bearers of an ancient and venerable tradition.

CHRIST IS RISEN!

INDEED HE IS RISEN!

UPDATE: Sasha just sent me an e-mail saying that these lovely ladies are Eritreans. Yes, they are next door to Ethiopia, but, apparently, they are not quite the same thing. Thanks for the correction, Sasha!

Memories of Jordanville

A moving evocation of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville NY. We went to the monastery for Easter services last night, and it was so beautiful that one could not know if one was on earth or in the forecourts of Paradise. There were some interesting changes. Some English was used in the service, and before the liturgy proper began, one of the seminarians was reading the Acts of the Apostles in Spanish. Jordanville is the beating heart of our Russian Orthodox Church here in America, and I would say to everyone to go there at least once… one knows that one is on holy ground sanctified by the podvigi of many elders and spiritual fathers. 

Thank you, Fr George, for your kind and loving advice to me. I bow before you in appreciation and gratitude. Pray for this sinner.

KHRISTOS VOSKRESE!

VOISTINNU VOSKRESE!

The music is a setting of the Great Doxology by Pavel Chesnokov. The ensemble was not identified, I am sorry.