Sistertech’s Russian is practically non-existent. She can count to ten, with difficulty. And I can say “Very Good!” and “Thank You”.
But Isabel was a whiz at Russian. What a champ! She translated into English the central liturgy used in the Russian Orthodox Church, the Divine Liturgy. This labor of love certainly helped begin to bridge the Eastern and the Western sides of Christendom.
The first verse of Psalm 24 perhaps is one Isabel held dear.
1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
Makes one yearn to think globally and act locally, doesn’t it? All languages are there just waiting for others to learn as part of the extravagant display of self-expression by The One In Charge. It follows, logically, that various religious expressions, too, belong to The One In Charge. No wonder Isabel took on the daunting task with a cheerful heart.
So Isabel, here’s to you! Очень хорошо! (pronounced something like “o-chen hara-sho”)