On the evening of Sunday 22 February, the Sunday of Forgiveness, we had vespers with the rite of asking forgiveness.  Our full choir sang under the direction of O. I. Itsikson.  Approximately 35 of our parishioners, both adults and children, gathered for this moving service in which, at the mid-point, the Lenten melodies begin and the church vestments are changed to black.  Afterwards, in accordance with the practice of the Russian Orthodox Church, all asked forgiveness of one another.