Categories: uncategorized
Date: 31 October 2005 11:32:18
No, not the start of a joke, but what happened last night.
Two friends from the Ship and I made our way to St Hurmizd's for the English Qurbana (which translates as Offering / Oblation; what we would call the Divine Liturgy / Mass / Eucharist / Lord's Supper depending on where we go!) Unlike my last visit several weeks back, I was able to stay behind with the shipmates and meet some of the parishioners and Fr Genard, and the deacon I knew from our uni course.
Sunday was the 1st Sunday of the Hallowing of the Church and the Gospel reading (Matthew 16:13-20) in particular reflected the beginning of Christ's Church. In addition, Fr Genard chanted a beautiful and complex Aramaic hymn while distributing communion: I do hope I may get an English version of this and share it with you -- it was exceedingly beautiful in its melody and also in its words, the translation of which the choir director and Fr Genard did for us at supper afterwards. It was of the form, "Where shall I build my church?", with answers of "the sun", "the moon", "the stars" and more receiving a "No"; the "Yes" was given to the answer, "Upon this rock."
The liturgy was in the main in English and this ancient Church has a deeply beautiful liturgy, a bit of which I shared last time. It was a true joy and blessing to once again worship with them.
The supper afterwards was also very nice: we got to meet a few members of the congregation, the choir director, two deacons and Fr Genard. I did get to meet the deacon who I attended uni with, and it was a delight and an inspiration to see him so 'on fire' for the Lord. I gave him my number and I hope we can remain in contact and see each other regularly. One of the most striking things was the number of teenagers and young adults participating. The English Liturgy only started in February, and it is wonderful to see it bearing fruit.
Conversation topics ranged from the choir and what was sung in Assyrian/Aramaic to a wonderful and long conversation with Fr Genard on all manner of topics. He is a truly humble man and it was an honour and blessing to have him, and other people, spend so much time talking to us. Fr Genard and the members were so welcoming to us.
I know you're all waiting for my use of a certain word, so here it is...it was wondrous; absolutely wondrous!
Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the Assyrian church. Their Synod is being held Monday US time in Chicago. They don't tend to get as much press as the Anglicans and Catholics!
Also, please pray for the members of Ss Peter and Paul: they have bought some land ten or so minutes drive west of St Hurmizd's where they will build a new parish as well as a senior school (they already have a Primary School) and college, which will offer theological diplomas. May God bless and guide them. Their vision for the future and the love and fellowship shown to us is a true inspiration and a great challenge to the rest of us: myself and my parish especially.