Beth's Wedding
Saturday 20 September 2008 was a very special day for me, although not as special as it was for Beth. I took the bus, Eastern Transport, from Baltimore to New York City for this special occasion. I arrived at the Baltimore Travel Plaza in plenty of time, but was extremely disappointed to find no parking available. I did find a spot on the street.
I also saw MTA dropping the ball. A woman with two young girls, about three years of age, ran to catch the bus. One girl lost a shoe first and then fell flat on her face. The woman was right in front of the bus and the drive just pulled off. She must had been a student of the Bob Newhouse's bus driver academy. I am sure that MTA did not teach her that.
While waiting for the bus, I met Chris and then Mariam, two delightful young people. Mariam's sister was already on the bus from Washington DC and she kept us informed of the bus status.
I got off my bus two blocks from the church. It was such a blessing to me to return to a church which I visited while in the seminary and Archdeacon Michael and Fr. Christopher both remembered me. Before the wedding, a woman came in off the street and wanted to see the inside of the temple, so I showed her. I explained to her that we were having a wedding and that I am from Baltimore, not New York.
After the wedding, rice was thrown. I think that I got more on me than the bridal couple. I went across the street and made this comment to a couple standing there and then I noticed the beanie on the man and greeted him with "Shalom." He appreciated that. He asked me what was happening and I told him that we just had a wedding ceremony and the reception is across the street at the cemetery. I then explained to him the Russian custom of visiting the graves of loved ones and having picnics there. He loved that idea. He is the rabbi of a local synogague.
After the reception in the cemetery, we had a dinner in the church hall. I had to catch a bus, so I could not stay for the dinner. I was there just for the beginning.
On the way home I showed the photos to a Chinese woman and she said that some of our customs are the same as some of theirs. She was impressed by the wedding.
Scenery on the way to New York
Somebody across the street
Decorator
Holy Cross choir
Altar Table
Father Christopher is an expert at belling ringing
Georgian style wedding crown
Romanian style wedding crown
Saint Anna the Prophetess
Holy Cross choir
Ina and Deacon Mark from Holy Cross
Dr. Carl
Subdeacon Douglas
Naomi
Robert
Coleen
Russ, father of the bride
Subdeacon Douglas, Naomi, Nicholas, and Roxanne
Richard plays a "mean" guitar
Mariam and Chris, two people whom I met while waiting for the bus. They don't know each other.
Scenery on the way to New York
New York style parking. I hope we never have to do this in Baltimore.
Archdeacon Michael and Deacon Michael
Russ and Beth, father and daughter
Preparation for the reception
Russ and Dr. Pat, the first photo that I have of them together and I've known them for about 15 years.
A mother photographing her two adorable daughters
Fr. Christopher and Deacon Michael
Sisters of the bride
"Rejoice, O Isaiah, a virgin is with Child and shall have a Son, Emmanuel, and Orient is His name, whom magnifying we call the virgin blessed."
"Crown them, O Lord, with glory and honor."
Icon of the Protection of the Theotokos
One of the Girl Scouts who helped out with this event. Dr. Pat is a Girl Scout leader.
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