Orthodox Easter

​Sunday I had a most unusual and delightful experience.  A bulk-carrier, Giorgos Dracopoulos, was docked at Port Manatee to discharge its load of ‘black sand’.  I don’t know the technical name for the sand.  The unloading process is for 3 cranes with clam-shell style buckets to dip into the hold, swing over the bulkhead to a hopper, open the clam shell to drop the sand into the hopper.  The sand funnels onto a conveyor belt and is carried to awaiting dump trucks.  The wind and the unloading process results in black sand in the air and around the dock near the ship. 
 
When it docked at Port Manatee, the captain of the ship contacted Anchor House requesting several kilos of lamb along with specific vegetables for Orthodox Easter Dinner.  Alan (dh) and others at Anchor House went out of their way to acquire the provisions requested.  Because of the ministry of Anchor House, dh and I were invited to celebrate Orthodox Easter on board the Giorgos Dracopoulos.
 
So, Sunday morning dh parked near the gangway to the ship.  The gangway for this ship is a ladder from the quarterdeck to the dock.  This ladder is essentially a rope ladder with a black sand covered steps and a cable stair rail.  To get from the parking lot to the gangway, we had to traverse the style over the conveyor belt.  Thankfully at least one of the crane operators noticed us and ceased unloading sand while we were boarding the ship.  I climbed the gangway with a plastic grocery bag containing a liter of wine and fifth of brandy in one hand holding the cable stair rail with the other.  I admit I was more frightened than tired as I finally reached the deck. Every surface I saw and stepped on was covered with several inches of black sand.
 
We were met on deck by the 3rd Mate who ushered us into the officers’ mess.  Shortly the Romanian captain and first mate joined us.  After several minutes of conversation, they led us to the smoking lounge where we were joined by many crew members for Holy Communion.  What a joyful communion with international Christians.
 
At dinner with the Captain and several officers, we learned about Romanian Easter customs.  The captain and first mate had cooked Easter Dinner for the entire crew.  We were treated with lamb soup, lamb sausage, roast leg of lamb, rice and many fruits.  What a gastronomic delight!  As the afternoon went on, we learned of other traditions, in particular each diner received a dark red painted hard-boiled egg; at a point in the celebration, each person lifted their egg declaring ‘Jesus is risen’ and striking another egg.  The winner is the person whose egg is not cracked. I never did figure out what the prize is!
 
After a few hours of getting to know you conversation, we left with several new friends, ‘left-over’ lamb and many dark red hard boiled eggs.  Today the Giorgos Dracopoulos is on its way to Houston, and I am making lamb filling for tacos.
 
Most importantly, I have two new Romanian friends.  Romania was never on my bucket list. Today, if I have a chance to visit Romania, I have new friends to visit!
 
Thank you God for new friends – especially new Romanian Orthodox friends – followers of your Son – people who rejoice you sent your Son, Jesus, who rose of a Sunday we call Easter!