Celebration in Culver City

Fr John Tomasi, Fr Basil Rhodes and Fr Yousuf Rassam celebrated the altar feast of the Mission “Joy of All Who Sorrow” on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. Fr John’s excellent homily was on the topic of how it is our responsibility and duty as Christians to bring joy to the sorrowing and broken people in the world. The joyous  Divine Liturgy was followed by a festive repast in the parish trapeza.

It was a nice turnout for the Mission, in spite of the fact of the early weekday Liturgy. As there are now a good number of Russians attending the Mission, Frs Basil and Yousuf were able to use some Slavonic for them, as well as lead the singing of “Otche Nash” (Our Father). The small choir sang beautifully, utilizing a good deal of znamenny chant. The Mission choir recently recorded a Byzantine chant
CD of the complete Lamentations for Holy Friday night in English, which is available from their excellent and well-stocked bookstore.