Post-Christmas and Epiphany Concert

"The Light of Christmas and the Truth of Baptism" - this was the general title of the now traditional festive event held at the Tambov Central Church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.

Nativity and Epiphany have well-known artistic symbols. These include Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" and Ivanov's "The Appearance of Christ to the People."

Both world-famous masterpieces reveal the mystery of the Incarnation and Salvation, demonstrating the ultimate degree of God's self-abasement in the person of Jesus Christ. God comes into the world as a baby, born in disparaging circumstances, and then this Son of God walks down into the waters of the Jordan River to stand among sinners during the Baptism by John the Baptist.

It is no coincidence that in ancient times Christmas and Epiphany were celebrated as a single celebration, for it is a time of beginnings…His earthly life and ministry.

During our gathering, poems by Tolstoy were read, depicted in Raphael’s painting: “And He, in deep insight, already entering into battle with the world, looks forward, and with a clear eyes, sees Golgotha ​​before Him.”

Anatoly Alipichev, senior pastor of the Tambov UECB Region, explained in his sermon the significance of Baptism as a special sacred rite and a sign that revealed the truths of the New Testament.

The poetry portion of the program featured poems by Christian thinker and poet Vladimir Solovyov (read by Boris Gorshevsky) and poet Lev Boleslavsky (read by Evgeny Stepanov). Irina Blokhina, a local poet and organizer of numerous cultural and educational events, recited Christmas poems by Boris Pasternak. She also read poems from her own collection.

Elena Betretdinova, a soloist and participant in various church and community music projects in various cities and among various peoples of Russia, performed her original song about Christmas in the evening.

Rebecca Kuren of the Calvary Chapel Evangelical Church performed the Christmas song "Silent Night" with a soulful and heartfelt rendition. Rebecca and her husband, Pastor Ray, have lived in Russia for many years, dedicating themselves to Christian service to the Russian people.

A musical group from the International UECB Churches, led by professional violinist Alena Tolstopiatova, praised the Lord with holy inspiration and professional brilliance, with musicians performed "Christmas Medley in the Style of Mozart" and French carols.

Local church choirs, led by graduates of the Institute of Sacred Music, Alena Andreeva, sang Christmas carols of Slavic origin. Alexander Atik, conducted the choir, which performed the Christian and international hymn "O Come Let us Adore Him" and the hymn "Born in Silence."

Christmas is a universally recognized holiday for children, so there were many children in the musical groups of the local church and other churches that performed various numbers.

There was an instrumental ensemble created by Alexander Atikov, as well as a family and church ensemble from the Source of Life Church, and then a group from the Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith.

The evening's program featured a wide variety of music and songs. Classical pieces, contemporary popular Christian music, and spiritual works from ancient Russian folklore.

A group from the Community of Molokans praised the Lord by singing a Biblical Psalm in the distinctive Old Russian style. And young people from the Central Church sang a now-forgotten but beloved hymn from the repertoire of pilgrims: "Christ sat with his disciples."

Here in Russia, the Christmas season lasts almost a whole month. This time, it was much richer and more eventful.

City residents were able to attend a Christmas production by the Shadow Theatre, prepared for the first time by a group of hearing-impaired people from the Central Church.

The puppet theater from the Ryazan Church "Nadezhda" performed the play "The Snow Queen" based on the famous parable by Hans Andersen.

Of all the Christian holidays, Christmas is the most musical. The countless number of musical compositions arguably exceeds the number of sermons and theological treatises written on this topic over the centuries.

This inter-church evening, which took place at the end of the winter holiday season, was able to partially showcase the rich musical heritage associated with this great Christian holiday.

Vladimir Popov