01-05-2015, 03:53 AM
Paul, I arrived at Rabban Hormizd Parish, a dozen miles in from the coast in San Diego, at 9:57 am. To my surprise the first church member I met didn't speak much English. When the service began and the congregation spoke/sang the liturgy I was moved by the beauty of the sounds; music. The service was attended by 60+ people who invited me to a meal immediately after, the food smelled wonderful. Both the sign out front and the text written on the arch above the alter was in Estrangelo, as were the books the congregation held. About an hour into the service, the Father switched topics to church business, which was also related in Aramaic. I was made to feel quite welcome and met some of the congregation at the meal.
More important than all this, the feeling I had in that church I have not felt in a church for a while. It felt good and I had forgotten how much I missed it. I plan to return.
More important than all this, the feeling I had in that church I have not felt in a church for a while. It felt good and I had forgotten how much I missed it. I plan to return.