Good Friday at Saint Paul's

Though strictly roots RC himself, the Flaneur made this scene at this admirable Anglo-Catholic Church for their Good Friday service.

Saint Paul's Church

I was on Montecito Avenue on Palm Sunday and stopped to image-capture this Escher-like Church. Observing that the doors were open I looked further. From the vestibule one could a see chamber group playing in a lovely and sacred setting. I got a schedule of upcoming events and hoped to return.

My opportunity came yesterday Good Friday, 

Saint Paul's Choir performed Schutz' supernal lamentation

 The Seven Words of Christ on the Cross.

The Pre Raphaelite saints and angels bespeak the love of music here

Singing, it is said, is twice praying.

The venerable capellmeister leads a small chamber orchestra

in the exquisitely somber music, evoking the Passion of Jesus.

In the magnificent altar window above, an  image of the Risen Christ.

The pastor Rev. Mauricio sits behind the altar.
He carried that very heavy cross to the altar rail 
together with two senior citizen ministers, all barefoot.
Afterward he carried it single-handedly
around the Stations of the Cross.

This window was more consciousness-expanding seen face to face.

At precisely 3:00 o'clock, the hour of Jesus' death,

the liturgy concluded with the ringing of a bell thirty-two times.

18 April 2014