Good evening, Mark. The all-night vigil in Spassky usually ends around 19:30–20:00, depending on how the priest leads the service. If you come, after the service you can drink tea together in the refectory.
I usually stay till the end and it's normally done by 7:30 or so. If you're coming, maybe we could grab a quick tea after – I know a little place near the cathedral that stays open.
That sounds nice, Photini. I usually slip out a bit earlier to beat the traffic on 25th, but if the service runs late I’ll join you for that tea. Is the place you mentioned the little café on the corner with the blue awning?
Yeah, I’ll be there too, Mark. The Saturday Vespers usually runs about an hour and a half, so you should be out by 6:30-7 at the latest. You still doing any fishing up that way these days?
Yes, that's the one with the blue awning — they do a decent cup of tea and those little honey cakes. I usually stay till the end myself, so if you can join us after it would be good to catch up.
Yeah, those honey cakes are addictive — I always grab an extra one for the walk home. I'll try to make it after the service; what time do things usually wrap up there?
Yeah, I'll probably stick around for the full Vespers too. Haven't fished up near Penza in years, but I still tie a few flies on the weekends when the kids let me. You catching anything decent lately?
Yes, those honey cakes hit the spot every time. I might slip out a bit early this Saturday to beat the traffic on that side of town — does the talk usually run past 7?
Yes, those honey cakes are the perfect size for after a long talk. I'll aim to stay till the end too – do they still put the samovar out in the hall afterwards like they used to?
Yeah, the honey cakes are just the right size – two of them and you’re sorted without feeling stuffed. They still wheel the samovar out straight after, same as before, though these days it’s usually the big electric one from the kitchen. You coming down from Sydney for this one?
Those honey cakes are worth the drive from my side of town too. The talk usually wraps up right around 7, but Father sometimes takes a couple extra questions. If you're worried about traffic, the side street behind the cathedral is usually quicker than the main drag.
I used to fish the Sura myself back in the day, though it was mostly perch for me. What patterns are you tying these days? The Vespers should be lovely that evening.
Those honey cakes do make the trip worth it. I usually park on that side street you mentioned and it saves me at least ten minutes. Does Father take questions in the hall afterward or back in the parish room?
Those honey cakes really are something—my wife always grabs an extra one for the drive back. I think Father usually takes questions right there in the hall after. Do you usually stay for the whole thing or slip out early?
