“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” (Ps. 27:4, ESV)Last Sunday May 16, 2021, the Lutheran Church of Gubanitsy, Leningrad Oblast, celebrated a double anniversary of 160/30 years since the dedication/restoration of the church.
Love for the church of Gubanitsy and a yearning for live fellowship during the pandemic resulted in a full church. For obvious reasons, guests from Finland could not attend the celebration in person, but modern technology made it possible for the worshipers to hear the greetings of Rev. Arvo Survo. After him, Rev. Pavel Krylov, Dean of the ELCIR West Ingrian Deanery, delivered a speech extending his greetings on the occasion. Together with the guests, he performed a piece from Korpimessu (“The Taiga Mass”) on a kantele and gave gifts. Other guests of honor, too, gave their greetings. The gathering enjoyed the singing of church choirs from Skvoritsy (thank you for letting us hear children’s voices as well!), Gatchina, Gubanitsy, and the Open Door Gospel Choir from St. Anne’s Church in St. Petersburg.
After a celebration meal, anyone who wanted could come up to the altar to pray with the bishop and the pastors who had served the church of Gubanitsy in the previous years. Special thanks to the musicians from Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Olonets who had traveled a long way from Karelia to accompany the prayer with hymns of praise. Cordial thanks to the organizers and guests for the warm celebration! Thanks be to God for His gifts!
Welcome to the Annual Choir Festival in Skvoritsy on June 12!
Bishop Ivan Laptev