A letter I received today

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is risen!

I would like to inform everyone that the Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna will visit Holy Trinity Cathedral on May 1 at 11:30 a.m. It will be a brief visit because she has to leave by noon. I also would like everyone to make every effort to greet her so that Her Imperial Majesty, the Grand Duchess Maria, will know that Orthodoxy in America is thriving by our presence here at Holy Trinity Cathedral. This announcement also will be made from the ambo after the Divine Liturgy. I hope that all of the parish council memebers will be at the church door to greet her with the rest of us.

On behalf of His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN, our rector, with his blessing, I will greet Her Imperial Highness with the cross as she enters the Cathedral. Subdeacon Johann and I will escort her through the tour of the cathedral. Our deacons also will join us.

Tentatively, if you agree, I would like ask the head of stwards, Katherine to bake the bread. She will also have the honor to greet Her Imperial Highness with a bouquet of flowers. As usual, our warden, Anthony Frank, will present bread and salt. Reader Stephen will give a short tour. I also would like him to appoint bell ringers.

If there is anything that you would like to add to this list or change, please feel free to notify me. We would like to review this in the next parish council meeting this Sunday.

We would like to greet her with bread and salt, a bouquet of flowers. We will present a framed picture of Holy Trinity Cathedral, post cards, and a booklet of our history with a commemorative mug from the 100th anniversary. If you would like to add anything or have another idea, please inform me.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. I look forward to see you all on that special day after next Sunday.

Indeed, He is risen!

With Love in Christ,

Archpriest John Takahashi, Dean

Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco