On Friday, the 10th of July, we had our first English Vespers with clergy. The service was led by Fr. Nicholas from Cape Town, South Africa. The choir was directed by Matushka Anastasia and Charity, an experienced singer from Fr. Nicholas’ parish. We also have to thank their choir director in Cape Town for putting together the first draft of the Vespers, much of which we kept and used. We gained a huge amount of experience and learned a lot from Fr. Nicholas and his parish.

Our side also responded very strongly. Two deacons, Frs. Deacons Georgiy and Konstantin, assisted Fr. Nicholas. Our altar server, Gleb, was also able to come and help our clergy. Many of our singers who have not yet tried Vespers showed up, even though it was a Friday evening, and many people overall.

We served the service of the Three Hands Icon of the Mother of God, and read the appointed paremies of the Theotokos. The first of these is the episode from Genesis with Jacob’s Ladder, which is a very fitting coincidence, as Fr. Nicholas is from the St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Mission in Cape Town.

At the end of the service, Fr. Nicholas offered a sermon on the meaning of the Three Hands Icon, in particular on always going to the Lord and the Theotokos for help first.

After the service, we went to a nearby cafe for late supper snacks.