I spent part of the day in the hospital where I had a bone scan, the first time ever for me. It was interesting, but somewhat lengthy and I was happy when it ended. I truly am glad that Vladika Lazar can drive me to such appointments and even for a short ride whenever the […]
Author: admin
Sunday, May 5, 2019
As the end of Matins approached, I wondered why there were so few people in church, but really there was no need to be concerned, for they quickly began to fill the church. At least a dozen people asked for prayers for travelling, then we had a general memorial litany which should be served next […]
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Naiana and Ovidiu came this morning to ask for prayers for travel, as they will be flying to Romania tomorrow for a brief visit. It is rewarding to see so many people asking for a blessing to travel, not that this can guarantee a safe trip, but it does give one a profound sense of […]
Friday, April 3, 2019
How could have this week have gone by so quickly? It began with the joyous Resurrection of Jesus Christ, then it led us along the path of Bright Week and, today, we celebrate the feast of the Theotokos, Lifebearing Spring. We had decided that, since few people could come today, we would bless our Holy […]
Thursday, May 02, 2019
Some of the weather from Alberta and Saskatchewan must have spilled over into our part of British Columbia, as it has been chilly all day. Still, as I walked by the workshop, I was overcome by an intense fragrance that came from the mock orange bushes. How sweet and enchanting was this fragrance that I […]
Wednesday, May 01, 2019
May has arrived and it feels like summer, especially when I got into the Jeep and it felt like a sauna. Aside from a visit by some lovely people, today has been quiet and restful. Some of the work I intended to do was left aside and perhaps I can to it tomorrow. It just […]
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
There was no time to waste this morning, as I had an early appointment with my specialist in whose office I had to wait an hour and a half before he could see me. Apparently there are some red flags waiving concerning my health and so I asked him if he thought that I might […]
Monday, April 29, 2019
Misha, Natasha and Elena arrived early in the morning to prepare food for Archbishop Irenee’s visit. The sounds of chopping, cutting, and stirring resounded in the kitchen as each one prepared separate dishes. In addition, much more food was sent by others. The visitors were a couple of hours late in arriving, with me fretting […]
Sunday, April 28, 2019
When I came to the church last night, it was already becoming crowded so, after I vested, I took my place near the 300+ year old icon of Jesus Christ and began hearing confessions. There were so many to be heard that I had to make them somewhat brief. Soon the church was in total […]
Saturday, April 27, 2019
The day began with some rain, followed by hail, but soon the sun appeared and stayed with us for the rest of the day. Father Alexey served the Liturgy this morning after which we brought out the Paschal vestment and everything else needed for this service of the Feast of Feasts. Each year we look […]
Friday, April 26, 2019
Before Father Vasili could retire for the night last night, a bat suddenly appeared and, no matter how hard he and Father Moses tried to catch it, the bat evaded them. Mind you, they are excellent mosquito catchers. As well, Father Vasili’s lost baggage was delivered this morning to his great relief. The service tonight […]
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Father Vasili arrived today from Florida after an extended and exhausting journey. He left Fort Lauderdale an hour later because of bad weather in Texas which meant that when he arrived in Fort Worth, he missed his connecting flight to Vancouver and he had to sit and wait much of the night. Upon arriving in […]
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
It was satisfying to see so many people in church for the Healing Service tonight at which Vladika Lazar officiated, assisted by me, Father Moses and Father Alexey. Lija and Gintas hurried back from Toronto to be present for this service and the rest of Holy Week. Concerning our “worldly affairs”, Natasha announced that our […]
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Perhaps some of you have already seen the photo of Vladika Lazar working with the back hoe excavator, making a trench to plant a row of cedar trees. Who would ever have thought, a year ago, that he could be doing this a year later? Father Alexey came to help us with the third Bridegroom […]
Monday, April 22, 2019
Now that we have entered Holy Week, time seems to have changed and the entire day was spent in waiting for the Bridegroom Service. Father Moses began to lose his voice which often happens to him in Holy Week, but thanks to the presence of Reader Sorin, we managed quite well. And, there you are, […]
Sunday, April 21, 2019
We celebrated the feast of the Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem with the church full of people. Unfortunately, Vladika Lazar was not able to attend as he was exhausted and he wanted to conserve his energy for the services this Holy Week. Palms and pussy willow branches were brought yesterday and even some today […]
Saturday, April 20, 2019
What a lovely day it has been with nature showing us its treasury of spring delights. The air, in particular, was filled with the scents of spring and of the surrounding forests. A few people came to help us, staying all day to complete larger projects that had been started earlier. The icon of the […]
Friday, April 19, 2019
Some volunteers arrived early in the morning and immediately began working, while others came throughout the day. Windows were cleaned, floors washed, carpets steam cleaned and much, much more. We would like to thank all of them for giving up some of their free time and coming to help us here at the monastery, free […]
Thursday, April 18, 2019
A while ago I went to the kitchen in the main building and found what our very kind Thursday morning ladies prepared for us. A large pot of mushroom and pearl barley soup was cooling on the stove, while Father Moses was looking at a green tossed salad and some small potatoes with dill. Some […]
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
After mentioning yesterday’s soup, Anya and some others asked for a recipe. Actually, there is no such recipe. The basic ingredients consisted of: potatoes, onion, garlic, carrot, and chopped stinging nettles and dandelion leaves added near the end [to keep them from getting too soft and mushy]. I added lovage [liubistok or leustean] and a […]
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
How refreshing it is to have a good night’s sleep and, therefore, I was full of energy for the rest of the day. Although it is a bother to make, I wanted to have our annual spring soup, and therefore I asked Father Moses to pick a bag of stinging nettles and another of young […]
Monday, April 15, 2019
Last night was most curious in that I could not go to sleep, with my ‘good’ leg bothering me with sharp jabs of pain. Still, I did manage to fall asleep somewhere past five in the morning which of course meant that I walked about like a zombie during the day. Visitors were received today […]
Sunday, April 14, 2019
How splendid it felt to have had a good night’s sleep and to be ready for the new day. Father Alexey was ill and thus could not be present for the Divine Liturgy but I thought that Vladika Lazar and Deacon Markel did exceeding well and Reader Irenee gave a simple yet profound sermon. […]
Saturday, April 13, 2019
I have not been sleeping well the last few nights which means that I wake up every hour or so and, sleeping in the reclining chair, I get to see the night gradually changing into morning with the addition of the songs of the first birds and, eventually, the first rays of the sun that […]
Friday, April 12, 2019
The regular cleaning woman was back today after a holiday with her husband in Costa Rica and how good it was to see her. Our cottage was beginning to look like a disaster area. Well, in a couple of hours she had everything in order and looking “spic and span”. She told us how she […]
Thursday, April 11, 2019
I am writing Thursday’s entry on Friday morning and I shall explain what happened yesterday. The day felt quite normal until, suddenly, our constant problem occurred. We had a power failure. On the way back from town where Vladika had his therapy, we noticed a car lying deep in a ditch. It apparently had veered […]
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
I was happy to see our Jeep back again, although we will have to make an appointment later to do more work on it and to change the winter tires to summer ones. It was like seeing an old friend returning for a long visit. I was encouraged to see more people than usual for […]
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
We were so certain that the Jeep would be ready to be picked up today, but there was some difficulty with the diagnostic where all the lights would come on at once. At any rate, Chris, our good friend is supervisor of repairs and I know that he will do a good job. The Jeep […]
Monday, April 8, 2019
Perhaps yesterday was a day too full of afternoon activities, conversations and other stimulating events, because I found it difficult to fall asleep. Somewhere around three o’clock in the morning I finally fell asleep, only to hear the alarm clock ringing at six. We hurried to take Ksenia to catch the last train to Vancouver, […]
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Today’s feast of the Annunciation was celebrated with joy. It felt like “old times” with Vladika Lazar serving with Priest Alexey and Deacon Markel, while I sat on my walker next to the confession stand where people once again could come up for confession, the last couple of weeks having been difficult for me. It […]
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Monica arrived with a trunk full of shrubs and flowers to be transplanted, and later Natasha came with Xenia, the student studying in Berlin, whereupon they spent hours digging and transplanting, then raking and tidying up the yard. Since they had to leave early, we were glad to see Irina come who carried on their […]
Friday, April 5, 2019
Our health system allows us to have a cleaning woman come in once a week to clean the cottage. As it happens, the present woman is away in Mexico on holidays for three weeks, so the home care woman, who comes to help Vladika with his compression socks and other tasks, volunteered to do some […]
Thursday, April 4, 2019
My visit to the doctor was good, the staples were removed and I had a good chat with him. A rash had developed on my swollen leg, but he told me not to waste any money on treating it, as it will go away on its own, and his word is proving to be correct. […]
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
I am taking this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of the Presanctified Liturgies that are served on Wednesdays and Fridays. If it is difficult to attend on a Wednesday, try to come on a Friday, as there are only five such liturgies left and we will not have them again until Great Lent comes […]
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
The weather forecast is for intermediate rain for several days, beginning tomorrow. I suppose that it will give enough moisture to the soil for us to see the countryside alive with the joy of spring. Virgil came for prayers for travel and a blessing before flying to Romania for some time. Neither he nor his […]
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2019
Suddenly there is colour everywhere. The camellia bushes are sporting their gorgeous blooms , while the decorative quince is even bolder with its mass of colour. Each day brings a new joy. Grandmother Svetlana phoned from Volgograd just a few minutes ago and she sends her love to everyone here. We miss her terribly. I […]
SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2019
Because it is difficult for me to both stand and sit in church for a long time, I have gone during the second half of the Liturgy. When I slowly entered the church I was amazed to see how many people were there. At the end of prayers for travellers, I sprinkle people with holy […]
SATURDAY, MARCH 30 , 2019
About forty students and those accompanying them arrived at eleven to spend the day here at the monastery. They are Coptic and they try to come at least once a year, particularly in Great Lent when they read, contemplate and discuss spiritual matters. It is impressive to see a large body of young people so […]
Friday, March 29, 2019
Last night was difficult for, in the first place, I had difficulty getting into bed so I spent most of the night on the reclining chair, and secondly, late in the morning I suddenly heard a crash and a cry and I new immediately that Vladika Lazar was in trouble. I found him lying on […]
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Vladika Lazar insisted that I should get some outdoor exercise, not just the exercises I do indoors while holding on to a rail. As a result, he drove me into town where he filled up with gas, then set me free to walk wherever I desired. That was a fulfilling exercise but, once home, I […]
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
It was a great day today, although I did not even step outside for a minute. My swollen leg needed some tender care, as they say, so that much of the time I lay in the reclining chair, or else did my required exercises. As much as I like going out for a drive, I […]
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
This has been another day in my walk [with crutches] toward complete healing. We had unexpected and joyous news which will be revealed in a few days concerning our monastery and its future. Thanks be unto Thee O Lord, the Friend and Benefactor of all humanity. Since I am mainly housebound, any suggestion to get […]
Monday, March 25, 2019
Do I need to say more about spring’s arrival? Not really, yet how enthralling it was to see the first azalea covered in its glorious mantle. Other bushes are beginning to show their beauty, while flowers keep popping up everywhere. Our cottage was treated to a proper cleaning today when Elena came, ready to clean, […]
Sunday, March 24, 2019
There were such mixed emotions when I entered the church this morning. I knew that the entire service would be too tiring for me, so three strong men came at eleven to help me walk across the courtyard and up two sets of stairs, while using my crutches. As I walked into the church using […]
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Even though I did not fall asleep until 3 am or thereabouts, it felt so good to be back home again. The good news was that I could catch up on my sleep throughout the day while seated in a reclining chair. People tried not to bother me, but they came with food fit for […]
Friday, March 22, 2019
I am back as the writer of the Daily Diary. I missed three days, as I was in hospital having a hip replacement which, at least according to the surgeon, was most successful. The staff was particularly kind and helpful, as was the surgeon himself. Davey brought me back to the monastery this afternoon where […]
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Vladyka Lazar: Vladika Varlaam had a successful hip replacement surgery at the UBC Hospital today, and will likely be home tomorrow or Saturday. Thank God for the Canadian health care system. Today, for the first time since my series of four strokes and a major cancer surgery, I drove into the nearby city of Mission. […]
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
A very tiring day it has been, having driven to Vancouver for two preadmission sessions and back again to the monastery. I cannot imagine how commuters do this every single day and how they can keep themselves from falling into hopelessness. It is no wonder then, that city people come here and admire the peacefulness […]
Monday, March 18, 2019
It became so warm that windows had to be opened and air conditioning turned on in the Jeep. Someone might wonder why it had to be turned on instead of opening the windows, and the answer is that the vehicle is impossibly hot if left in the sun and the air conditioning gives some immediate […]