A very satisfying Sunday

It was downright chilly Sunday morning and I ran around closing windows when I woke up.  After a week of constant sleep, I decided that I needed to make a rising time and stick to it for the most part.  So I chose 07:00.  I got up and showered and picked up the house.  Bishop Vladimir arrived around 10:30 and we did preparation for liturgy.  Fr. Melkizedech came in followed by Boris and Ivan.  We expected others but they were no show.  That was fine.  Boris had made the bread for communion (prosphora).  I didn't bring an Orthodox stole but had my riasa, outer cassock which was made for me in 1967 to use in Baghdad.  It's still in perfect condition after all these years.  We celebrated Divine Liturgy together in a reverent yet relaxed way.  Volodya (nickname for Vladimir) gave a sermon on the scriptures which were the Samaritan woman at the well and Jesus walking on water.  I have several photos taken during and after the liturgy.  This is such a wonderfully comfortable group!  Melchizedek wanted to try on the rainbow stole so we all posed and laughed acted a bit silly.  I'm sorry some of the photos are out of focus but I think some of the fun shows through anyway.  After we broke our fast, Boris and Melkizedech decided to make borsch so Ivan and Boris went shopping.  They took over the kitchen and the smells of onion and garlic wafted through the house.  Finally it was done.  And it was worth the wait.  Home made borsch has to be one of the best foods ever.  Ivan had to make a market run because we realized we didn't have any of the essential ingredient smetana - sour cream for the soup.  I spent a quiet evening.  Volodya came back around 22:00 because he had forgotten his house keys.  I was up reading anyway so no problem.  I had hoped to get up to Glossary for a cappuccino but never made it.  I had borsch for breakfast and as a bedtime snack at midnight.  I've got about two servings left which I'll finish before I leave Wednesday to Nikolaev. 

Here are the pics:

Bishop Vladimir communion for the priests

Our dear Volodya does love to pose!

Melkizedech wanted to try the rainbow stole.

Some of the comments started getting funny right about here.

And then we lost control.  Melkizedech has a wonderful big laugh.

Some of the expression on Volodya's face are priceless.