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Freinds,

We're really sad that we could not be with you but what a wonderful work God is being done there. I plan on being there on November 6.

I gather from the lack of response concerning pictures that none were taken. Am I correct?

CDL

Dan,

I was serving on the Altar so a camera was out of the question for me.

Someone was taking pictures, perhaps we can talk to the diocese about getting copies?

John

John and Steve,

It appears that some wise strategy is taking place. Meetings and studies of Eastern Spirituality have taken place. A widely publicized liturgy was offered. Now a follow up is being offered made up of an event at a less convenient time than the first. This will tell how deep the interest is.

Steve,

What kind of follow-up event is planned for Vespers on Nov. 6?

CDL

I'm interested in showing up for the Nov. 6th thing, that's after my play stuff is over.

Please guys, take me along.

Nov 6th will be a talk by Fr. Loya on the gifts of the Eastern church to the world. Then a vespers service followed by a time of fellowship and food. It begins at 4:30 and should end around 7:30.
Then next event is in the works, but probably a DL in early Dec.
More info to come as the Holy Spirit leads.....

For those who attended how did the portable iconostas work out? Did you encounter any unusual situations?

John, any problem in training the Latin altar servers? Enquiring minds want to know.

Dan L

John, if you need some ideas for a portable iconostasis let me know. My wife and a farm mom friend made a wonderful one, you can see some not-so-good pics of the central part of it from last Agape Vespers in a large house at http://www.stlukebyzantine.org/gphx/agape4.jpg
http://www.stlukebyzantine.org/gphx/agape2.jpg
http://www.stlukebyzantine.org/gphx/agape3.jpg

For the Altar Servers we had 11 men including myself (why does the number go up.. because I finally realized that we had six on one side and 5 on the other rather than 5 on one side and 4 on the other.)

Six on one side five on the other. They included:

2 - Roman Catholic Seminarians

2- Men who are in the Peoria Byzantine study group

2 - Teenage Altar boys

2 - Men who are in charge of the Sacristy at the Cathedral

2 - Interested laymen (one was the son of a bi-ritual deacon)

They were all respectful they all followed directions, and they simply took my lead, I had to use hand signals to communicate, but I think we kept the communication to a minimum. I asked one of the seminarians to be the lead on the right side, and I was the lead on the left.

Father, since this was mostly an RC crowd decided that he wanted the altar servers to hold the ends of a purificator under the chins of each communicant. So I had 8 alter servers on that duty, and two candle bearers during communion. I hope father wasn't too unhappy with me walking up and down during the front to make sure that everyone knew what they were to do, but I decided I would rather be too careful rather than not careful enough.

When it came to the great and little entrances, since the cathedral didn't have a aisle at the middle both entrances were done to the back of the Cathedral. The altar servers on the right side were asked to shift over to the left a couple of steps when I came around the altar with the Cross.

I did explain to them what was going on and what needed to be done. At the end of liturgy, I made sure to thank everyone who served, because of the awesome job that was done. Everyone thanked us many times over for the opportunity to serve.

The portable worked out well. However I would like a more complete traveling Iconstasis for future excursions. It sufficed for the time being, but I would like to have one with actual doors and Icon panels.

John

Magnificent! What a wonderful start to what I pray will be a wonderous future.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Thank God for your humble and most excellent effort.

Dan L

Ours folds with hinges, the brass plate on the backside of the iconostasis as not to be seen, and the doors come off separately (since it was Agape Vespers you can't see then as they were open in the above pics).

Each large panel when folded and is held in the folded position with a bungee cord for loading. Takes about 20 minutes to set up or take down.

We started off with just four folding analoys which a carpenter friend made out of oak. Now we put these in front of the iconostasis and put devotional icons there as well and have a couple more for readers/cantors.

Diak,

I am looking at your photos. I am thinking that we may try to build or own portable, but truth be told I am not all that handy. Or I should say that I think that I am not all that handy.

John

I'm asking again, what music was used by the choir. Choral or chant, and if chant what type?

Ungcsertezs

Dear U-C,

The new music from Pittsburgh was used. There was a choir, directed by Professor Thompson, but the music was not choral. They simply led the chanting with some small harmonizations.

I'm not going to get into a music debate here. I do note with approval that the liturgy book printed up for the event had the following instructions on posture: at the times when we must stand, it said "Stand." At the times when we may sit, it said something like "You may sit." Which means, we can stand! I'm pleased as punch that sitting will not be presented as normative, but as an option.

Well, we have much to look forward to then come Nov. 6th. Praise God.