"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

One of my favorite films of all time is the Godfather. It's a classic film, and takes place in Long Island, New York.

Two weekends ago Ashley and I were able to have our own Long Island adventure!

No, we didn't get caught up in a mafia movie, or get surrounded my mob guys in a toll booth.

The St. Tikhon's Seminary Mission Choir, of which I am a member, was invited to sing at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America in Syosset. To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of St. Tikhon's and St. Vladimir's Seminaries, choirs and representatives from both schools came to the Chancery and celebrated a wonderful outdoor Liturgy with many distinguished clergy, including Metropolitan Tikhon, Bishop Michael, Bishop Mark, and Igumen Sergius, Abbott of St. Tikhon's Monastery.

The outdoor setting gave folks a chance to see more of what goes on behind the Altar than what they normally would. In place of an iconostasis, a few large icons were placed on stands, giving a full view of the Altar area, and all the activities of the clergy.

The Liturgy was beautiful, and we could not have asked for a more lovely day to celebrate outdoors. It was a humbling experience to sing "We have seen the True Light..." while watching the sun come through the trees, and the Autumn leaves fall on us while we sang.

St. Tikhon's Seminary Mission Choir
(Photo by Chris Patton, STOTS Media Office)

My first Mission Choir trip was a great success, and I feel grateful and privileged to have been a part of it. I'm looking forward to meeting Priests and their congregations all over the Northeast in the years to come through our Mission Choir outings.

Finally, to St. Tikhon's and St. Vladimir's Seminaries, I wish a happy 75th Anniversary, as well as a happy 50th Anniversary to St. Herman's Seminary in Kodiak, Alaska. May God grant you many, many years!

-Matthew