Rollin' Straight Ethnic

The past several weeks at St. Michael's has proven to be a veritable exposé of cultural and intellectual delights. Two weeks ago it hosted its annual Institute, a weekend full of interesting and stimulating lectures. This year's topic was "The Earth is the Lord's: Environmentalism and Stewardship in God's Creation". I came away thoroughly stimulated by what went on those two days. As I listened to the lectures and then the discussion and Q&A sessions afterwards, I had an overwhelming feeling of joy. I had read before that Orthodoxy is a religion for ALL people, not just the intellectual, the romantically-minded, etc. but for everyone, and after those sessions I truly felt that way. People from all walks of life were standing up and engaging with these speakers, sometimes debating, sometimes affirming and inquiring, but no one was shot down and everyone's voice was heard and taken as valid. Sometime soon everyone should be able to access the lectures and Q&A on Ancient Faith Radio, so I'll be sure to call your attention to it.

This past weekend the Church hosted "A Taste of St. Michael's", and expo on the presence of the Church itself in the city. There was delicious ethnic foods created from our multi-national membership, tours of the church, a small "concert" of liturgical music, and ethic music and dancing. Between dances, they also were showing clips from a nice little film on the Holy Cross Monastery in West Virgnia. 

Tonight after Vespers we were treated to an amazing vocal display via the Konevets of St. Petersburg, Russia. They're currently on tour, and ended up at St. Michael's more or less by happenstance. They sang a little with us during Vespers, and then after another delicious dinner full of ethnic foods, they sang several liturgical hymns and belted out quite a few Russian folk melodies. Here's a taste: