Concert – In Heaven’s Embrace

Tambov is home to one of the oldest and most renowned musical educational institutions in the world— now known as the Rachmaninoff Music and Pedagogical Institute. Many young people from UECB churches study there, naturally integrating into church music and choir groups.

On the Feast of Pentecost (Trinity Sunday), a celebratory musical evening titled "In the Embrace of the Heavens" took place at the Central Evangelical Christian Baptist Church in Tambov. The program for the evening was prepared by the local UECB large youth choir led by Roman Tolstopyatov.

Following Russian tradition, Trinity Sunday is a celebration of nature. Lush, fresh greenery, open heavens, and the sun shining in its power are signs of God's love and care for the world and humanity. The mighty work of the Triune God is revealed in the miraculous renewal of nature.

In harmony with all creation, majestic hymns like "I Marvel at God's Grandeur" and "King of Kings, Great God" were sung by the choir with striking beauty.

Complementing the theme of God's created world, a vocal and instrumental ensemble performed the popular Christian hymn "By the Quiet River" in the style of romantic Russian theme. And emphasizing the close connection between all Christian holidays, the choir members performed several songs about Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection.

Young preacher Alexey Reshetov reminded the congregation of the resurrected Christ's words to Mary Magdalene: "Go to my brothers and tell them" (John 20:17).

Vibrant Christianity cannot be stagnant, armchair, reclusive, living only within its own community interests, and confined to a familiar, comfortable zone. Vibrant Christianity is in constant motion, as churches recognize their calling to be communicating vessels. Engaged Christian fellowship and selfless participation in one another's lives are fertile ground upon which the life-giving fruits of faith grow.

Also in memory of Boris Berezhnoi, a musical evangelist, tireless missionary, and devoted servant of the Gospel, the choir sang his favorite hymn, "I Believe." And this was especially fitting, as Boris Berezhnoi held his last evangelistic concert right there in Tambov, in the open air, in front of the Evangelical Christian Baptist Church before his death in 2021.

All participants in the program and those present felt a living connection between generations. It is also very encouraging that the initiative for this event came from a passionate and dedicated "army" of young Christians.

Vladimir Popov