Franz Schubert. Ave Maria. sung by Peresvet Male Chamber Chorus

This is an a cappella rendition of the beloved old Schubert standard by the Peresvet Male Chamber Chorus in a live concert video from Podolsk in April 2008. The soloist is Yuri Barkov. 

Rejoice, O Virgin Birthgiver! composed by Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev.

A contemporary setting of this vigil hymn by Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev is matched with photos of ordinary Orthodox Christians in Russia and Alaska. They look rather similar, do they not? Well, we do share a common faith, after all! To their credit, the faithful of the Alaska Church have strayed the least from the practises of the Mother Church. of all Orthodox in America.

Remember to keep the Church of Alaska in your prayers as it going through a Way of the Cross at present. These native people were the first Orthodox in America, and they need our help NOW.

Ask for the intercessions of Patriarch St Tikhon for the Alaska Church he loved so much.

Beautiful Zlatibor: A Blessing from Orthodox Serbia. Part 1. music by Enrique Granados

This is the beautiful land that our Serbian brothers are defending from Albanian misrule. A look at the wonders of the their countryside is enough to convince one of the intensity of the Serbian love for such a motherland. To those with eyes to see, the beauty of the Serbian soul is as evident as is the beauty of the Serbian landscape. The music is by Enrique Granados, played by the incomparable father-and-son team of Celedonio and Angel Romero. May God preserve Serbia through its time of trial. To my Serbian co-religionists, I pray for you daily. We won’t forget you.

BMD

Beautiful Zlatibor: A Blessing from Orthodox Serbia. Part 2. music by Pyotr Ilyich Chaikovsky

This is Part 2 of a video triptych of the beautiful region around Zlatibor in Serbia. Serbia is one of the loveliest regions in the Balkans, certainly more so than Albania, a sad and decrepit place. The music is the scherzo from Chaikovsky’s Symphony nr 4 in F minor, op 36 played by the Vienna Philharmonic under the direction of Claudio Abbado.

Keep the Orthodox Christians of Serbia in your prayers. May God preserve them!

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