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For the last several years I have served at the Church of the Holy Cross on their patronal feast day. The difference this year is that I am now a deacon. So it is much more enjoyable to serve.
I was told that "the bishop was tickled pink when he heard that you will be with us." I always look forward to the visit of the bishop, especially Bishop Thomas, who is a very personable gentleman whom I highly respect. He has a great sense of humor and people seem to feel comfortable around him.
Earlier on Sunday 13 September 2008 I was coaching chess at the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School. We had a chess tournament that day. As soon as I finished, I came directly to the church. I left the school and immediately when I got to the car put on my cassock and made sure that everything was on the front passenger seat so that I would not have to try to get everything together at the last minute.
I was really pleased to notice that my dark red vestments match the bishop's and several of the priests' vestments. This is rare. In the future when I have vestments made, I hope to have very simply vestments and light weight.
Fr. Gregory, Deacon Mark, and I served. We also had Subdeacon Ephraim serving and an altar server and Reader, now Subdeacon Douglas serving. This was my first time as a deacon serving with Bishop Thomas. I have served with Bishop Mercurius and Metropolitan Herman.
At the end of the service, we sang "O Lord, save Thy people" several times. Then we sang "Before Thy Cross" as we venerated the icon of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. At one point I asked Bishop Thomas if we could sing it in Slavonic since we had Fr. John, Fr. Ted, Fr. Gregory, and me, all of whom know it in Slavonic. What I did not know was that there were several others there who loved it when we did it in Slavonic and they also sang along. Before I left the banquet later, they told me how much they enjoyed that.
During Vespers as I was facing the people, I noticed a certain cute little girl in front. She saw me and smiled and waved. Of course, I had to smile back. Some people did notice a big smile coming over my face but they did not know why. No, it was not Anna.
After the service, we went to the banquet. Fr. John was on my right and Fr. Ted was on my left. The food was wonderful. I took a photograph of my plate. Seconds were also offered after everybody had a chance to eat. I thought that this was a really nice touch.
Bishop Thomas presented Fr. Thomas with a tile from our previous temporary home, Revisions in Catonsville. Holy Cross used to meet there for services. Before each service, somebody set up the temporary temple and after the service, we took down everything.
We also had a wonderful video of the history of the parish and after the banquet Roxanne gave out copies of the video. It was very well done, of course.
We also had a few selections from the choir. Copies of two of the selections were on the tables so that we could follow and even sing. The second selection was Psalm 103 (104) arranged by S. Glagolev. They used to sing this one at Holy Cross and I hope that they will start singing it again when I am there.
The third and final selection was D. Bortniansky's Blessed Be the Name of the Lord. I was in heaven! I have not heard this one for centuries. It is easily my favorite Blessed Be the Name of the Lord. At St. Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas this was very popular. One time I pulled a muscle while singing it. At St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church we used to sing this one in Slavonic and we also sang Christ Is Risen to this tune.
Besides the good food, it was really wonderful meeting new people and seeing old friends. For some, this was the first time seeing me since my ordination.
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