Mr. Russo Ordained
Submitted by Larie Tedesco
The Daily Picayune October 27, 1894


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The Head of the Italian Mission
Raised to the Presbyterian Ministry

In the Franklin Street Memorial church, corner 
of Felicity and Franklin streets, Rev. Ezekiel 
Forman, pastor, service of more than ordinary 
interest was witnessed last night.

Christopher Russo, an Italian citizen, who some 
time since abjured the faith of his fathers to 
become a convert to and worker in the 
Presbyterian religion, and who gathered together
a score of his compatriots and formed a mission 
in the Italian language, which was attached to 
the Franklin Street church, was last night 
ordained an evangelist.

The ceremonies begin at 8 o'clock with a meeting 
of the presbytery.

Rev. Dr. Rodenbush acted as moderator. There 
were present Drs. Palmer, Nall, Forman, Mallard, 
Watlron? and Elder Kelly. Church representatives:
Biloxi, Wm. Henderson; Prytania church, John E. 
Rodd; Canal Street church, John L. Many; Bercan, 
John A. S. Perkins; Italian church, Elder Peter 
Rizzo; Carrollton, Elder Brothers.

At the suggestion of the moderator the presbytery
listened to the trial sermon of Mr. Russo. He 
choose for his text the eleventh chapter of 
Romans, and amplified on the exposition that 
justification was the very end for which man 
was made. Justification comes by faith through 
the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. 
Russo said that when he belonged to the "other 
church" he did not know how to reach God, but 
when he begain to read the bible he found his 
way. He found grace, and knew that grace and 
peace of mind were with God.

Dr. Palmer moved that the sermon be approved as 
the final trial of Mr. Russo, and that he be 
ordained in accordance with the accepted ritual 
of the Presbyterian Churh.

Mr. Russo was request to come forward, and after 
he had answered the questions he knelt and the 
pastors placed their right hands on his head and 
Dr. Forman utterd the ordination prayer. When he 
arose as Rev. Russo each pastor gave him the 
right hand of fellowship.

Rev. B. M. Palmer delivered the charge to the 
newly ordained minister and acquitted himself 
of that austere duty with that quiet and telling 
eloquence that has made his name the synonym of 
pulpit excellence throughout the southern states.
Dr. Palmer's address closed the services.

Rev. Mr. Russo will take charge of the Italian 
mission, attached at present to the Franklin 
Street Church. He has twenty-four or twenty-five
communicants, and it is a decided novelty to note
the existence of a Presbyterian congregation 
holding services in Italian.