This past weekend, our parish had the joy of welcoming the St. Tikhon’s Mission Choir. From their arrival on Friday evening through the final luncheon on Sunday, the seminarians brought with them not only their God-given musical gifts but also a spirit of humility, reverence, and deep love for the Church that left a lasting impression on us all.

They began their visit by joining Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Marble Head on Saturday morning, where they chanted the responses to the Divine Liturgy that elevated the entire service. Their voices carried the prayers of the people with a beauty that reminded us just how powerful liturgical music can be.

Later that day, they joined us at Ss. Peter and Paul for Vespers, lending their voices once again to the prayers of the Church. That evening, the parish hall was transformed into a place of celebration as we hosted a concert and cocktail hour in their honor. It was a joyful gathering getting to know the seminarians, with voices echoing through the hall, friends catching up over drinks and small bites, and a shared sense of purpose uniting everyone in attendance.

Sunday morning’s Divine Liturgy was moving as the sang with such reverence and strength. After a short but lively coffee hour, several members of the community joined them for the annual grave blessings, a tradition that holds deep meaning for our parish family.

We closed the weekend with a luncheon, offering one final opportunity for connection, reflection, and gratitude. And we have much to be grateful for:

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to raise over $12,000 to support St. Tikhon’s Seminary – a gift that can fully fund an entire year of study for one student. This was nothing short of remarkable. Glory to God!

It’s easy to be discouraged by the challenges at times, but weekends like this remind us of the hope we carry, the beauty of our tradition, and the importance of supporting the next generation of clergy.