With each passing day we come closer to the Feast of Feasts, Holy Pascha. Tonight’s Healing Service brought many out to hear prayers and readings in various languages. Father Alexey and Father Moses served together with me, while the readers were encouraged to do more than they usually do. It was also pleasant to see […]
Daily Diary
by Vladika Varlaam
TUESDAY 3 APRIL 2018
I was grateful to Thomas for driving me to the hospital to visit Vladika Lazar. Usually I use a walker to navigate the long corridors and halls, but his time Thomas got me one of the hospital wheelchairs and pushed me all the way to Vladika’s room. I must admit that it was enjoyable scurrying […]
SUNDAY 1 APRIL 2018
On this first day of the month of April we celebrated the feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem, often simply called Palm Sunday. The palms, brought by Gerry a couple of days ago, were blessed during Matins and so many people attended the service that we soon ran out of palms. The […]
SATURDAY 31 MARCH 2018
It took a bit of thinking about which tables stood where in the hall, but I think that they eventually were returned to their proper positions. The carpet in the hall looks so fresh, while the one in the new church actually beams with new life. The two Natashas together with Georgy and Kyrill rushed […]
FRIDAY 30 MARCH 2018
I went to town to do some errands and it suddenly dawned on me that today was a public holiday, that is, Good Friday for the non Orthodox, but one could hardly realize that there was some sort of reverence for this day, as the only thing one could see were chocolate bunnies and candy […]
THURSDAY 29 MARCH 2018
A work party has toiled this day. The pantry was emptied, washed and cleaned, then the cans, jars, etc were returned while whatever was past the due date was set aside. Some things had been sitting there for about four years. Carpet cleaners came to clean our carpets, some of which needed more attention than […]
WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 2018
This evening I heard, for the first time, the pleasant croaking of frogs in the distance and I suddenly realized how much I missed their vocal serenading. At the Presanctified Liturgy Altita came with her two youngest sons, one of whom, Augustus [Paul], had just returned from Scotland where he and his older brother Nicholas […]
TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
Many bushes, among them the camellias, have budded forth informing us that spring is definitely here, even if we think otherwise at times. We served a memorial service at the request of a woman living here for the repose of her mother who suddenly died in Russia. Later in the afternoon I visited Vladika Lazar […]
MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018
As soon as I had my spinal decompression, I hurried to the hospital to visit Vladika Lazar who was pleased to see me. I felt sorry for Vladika, as no one had dropped in for even a minute to see him on Sunday, the previous day. Of all the dozens of us in church, not […]
SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2018
Dima Gusev baked a number of loaves of pure rye bread that were used as a fund raising event. They were quickly snapped up because he bakes an exquisite rye bread that cannot be done better by anyone. The talent must run in the family because his father, Yuri, bakes a different type of bread, […]
SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018
This was one of those few days when we had fairly normal weather, while areas closer to Vancouver even had some snow. Thomas drove me to visit Vladika Lazar at the hospital and we found him in good spirits, having been told that his healing was coming along well. The new procedure was not only […]
FRIDAY 23 MARCH 2018
I visited Vladika Lazar who finally has been moved from Emergency to the ward where he should be, although the wait was quite long. The room is semiprivate giving him a beautiful view of nearby nature. The procedure that was intended for him has begun and we pray that it will hasten the healing of […]
THURSDAY 22 MARCH 2018
As a reminder that winter can still play tricks on us, even though we are officially in spring, the mountains around us are covered with a light blanket of snow that should disappear by late tomorrow. I spent much of the day in the hospital with Vladika who again was lying in a corridor, waiting […]
WEDNESDAY 21 MARCH 2018
This has been a warm day that offered me the opportunity to prune a couple of hydrangea bushes that, if done correctly, will bloom through the summer and into late autumn. We had many people present for the Presanctified Liturgy, many of whom stayed for a modest lenten meal that followed. It felt good to […]
TUESDAY 20 MARCH 2018
I awoke later than usual, then tended to office and paper work that had been ignored for some time. I also wrapped a large parcel of books, only to discover that there were two separate orders, so it had to be opened and rewrapped as two individual orders. It was my fault for being inattentive. […]
MONDAY 19 MARCH 2018
Today passed by very quietly with almost nothing of significance to mention. Yuri began baking his famous bread but someone turned off the oven and, consequently, the bread was a failure. In future he will have to post a sign informing anyone who walks into the kitchen that there is bread baking in the oven. […]
SUNDAY 18 MARCH 2018
I came to church late this morning as there were a number of things that had to be done first. As Father Alexey was serving, I could not see the congregation behind me while I was sitting next to the stand where confessions are heard. At Communion time I went into the altar and, when […]
SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018
Father Moses expressed our worst fears, for our beautiful cat has not been seen for several days. We are afraid that perhaps the cougars caught it and, if not, then the coyotes. It would probably be the former, since she has lived near the coyotes all her life and easily survived. Out of a litter […]
FRIDAY 16 MARCH 2018
It has been another bright and sunny day with our spirits held high by this lovely temperature. There were almost as many people present for the Liturgy today as there were on Wednesday with some bringing [healthy and nutritious] treats for Vladika. I have been driving him to the local Care Clinic daily where he […]
THURSDAY 15 MARCH 2018
Davey showed us the photos he took of the cougars in the chicken coop killing chickens. In one photo one can see only bones and feathers scattered about….poor chickens, but a good snack for the cougars! The cougars were driven away with hound dogs, so they might possibly stay away. At any rate, we are […]
WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH 2018
After several disappointments we at last got to see Vladika Lazar back at the monastery where he is reclining in his special chair at this very moment while I compose today’s diary entry. This chair can be used in various positions, and one can even sleep on it. We had a thoroughly good Liturgy tonight […]
TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018
We were in for more suprises today when Vladika informed us that the doctor decided, at the last minute, that he should remain in hospital a bit longer. So, let us hope and pray that he can return soon and be in good enough health to be out of the care of the hospital. Our […]
MONDAY 12 MARCH 2018
Thomas and I had a nice drive in the sunshine to visit Vladika Lazar. In fact it became so warm that we opened the windows to allow the fresh and fragrant air into the vehicle. Although Vladika Irinee’s plane had arrived from Whitehorse in the Yukon, the Deacon’s plane was delayed until ten thirty, so […]
SUNDAY 11 MARCH 2018
When I awoke, I could smell smoke from the fire in the hall and I knew that Misha had already arrived, which he did about five thirty in the morning. He did complain that not enough heat was given off by the wood as it was still somewhat damp. We had an enjoyable singing rehearsal […]
SATURDAY 10 MARCH 2018
Sorin and Doru spent considerable time this morning installing two long baseboard heaters in the new church so that we would not have to continue relying on individual heaters to provide heat. Of course the days area getting warmer and in about three months we shall be complaining about the church being too hot. I […]
FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2018
Yesterday’s rain turned to bright sunshine this morning with a clear sky and the occasional fluffy cloud drifting by. It finally felt like spring even though there was constant noise nearby with Andy and his friends sawing branches and working near the barn. That entire area looks terrible, as many of the broken branches were […]
THURSDAY 8 MARCH 2018
The entry for each day of the diary is written in the evening, sometimes very late, but today I am doing this in the afternoon, as I have an announcement to make. A number of people have been asking for a blessing to begin what could be called group praying. This is especially common in […]
WEDNESDAY 7 MARCH 2018
We were upset that Vladika Lazar was transferred to the Royal Columbian Hospital this morning, yet pleased that they would give him the care that he needs. The problem stems from being released too early and perhaps now he can heal properly. Quite a few people came for the Presanctified Liturgy tonight and the singing […]
TUESDAY 6 MARCH 2018
Vladika’s first night at home was peaceful but when the nurse arrived in the morning, she said that he was too weak to be here and that we should call an ambulance to have him transported to a hospital. We did this and a few hours later Father Moses and I visited him to find […]
MONDAY 5 MARCH 2018
For more than half a day we waited to be told of Vladika’s release from the hospital. There are so many people to thank for their constant visits during which they brought him nourishing food, gave him massages and helped him to walk with the assistance of a walker. We finally brought him back in […]
SUNDAY 4 MARCH 2018
The characteristic and pleasant scent of burning wood greeted my nostrils this morning as I stepped outside, and I knew that Misha has already arrived and started a fire in the hall. It takes a couple of hours to heat the entire hall, but once heated, it remains warm for a long time. The voices […]
SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018
For over a month I had been searching for the battery charger for the cordless vacuum cleaner and it is nowhere to be found. While in town I dropped into our local London Drug Store [a favourite of mine] and, lo and behold, there was a new type of cordless vacuum on sale. The words […]
FRIDAY 2 MARCH 2018
Tonight’s Liturgy was touching with very good singing, although I had difficulty in walking without a cane, yet Doru came up to the solea to help me keep my balance. It is a great pity that many people have never attended a single Presanctified Liturgy, while others claim that it is their favourite one. It […]
THURSDAY 1 MARCH 2018
I was reminded that in three weeks winter will officially be over and spring will step in. Aside from the terrible ice storm we experienced last month, I wonder where winter went and how quickly is passed by. Thomas drove me to the eye specialist for my yearly examination [all is well], then we went […]
WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018
The local Red Cross Society had lent some things for Vladika to use while he was in the process of purchasing them for himself. Today I bought a walker for him, so that we can return everything tomorrow. It was kind of them to provide these objects and now they can be used by someone […]
TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2018
Thomas drove me to the hospital to visit Vladika Lazar in New Westminster and, during the visit, his specialist walked in, an Orthodox woman from Cyprus. I was under the impression that she was satisfied with Vladika’s progress and she was concerned about preparing him for his eventual return home. Our little guardian angel, Stavroula, […]
MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2018
Thomas drove me to Abbotsford for my monthly visit to the chiropractor, after which I had an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon who is reputed to be the best in the entire valley. He kindly explained my situation and how any operation would only make it worse. He has not ruled it out, but he […]
SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2018
Since there was a gentle rain through much of the night, and Davey’s bobcat clearing the parking area, no one had trouble driving in or out of the monastery grounds. I was pleased with the attendance in church with a few new faces appearing. At the end of the Liturgy we read the prayer of […]
SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018
I could scarcely believe my eyes when I stepped outside this morning, for I found myself in a dream world. There was about one foot of snow with no wind, so that each branch, in fact, each twig had snow piled high on it. The negative aspect was, of course, that we might get snowed […]
FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2018
Walking back to my cottage at night, I was impressed with the complete silence all around me, with snow lying everywhere like several carpets piled one upon another. It was beautiful, but we do hope that it is the end of the snowy season. We had a larger attendance for this evening liturgy and the […]
THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018
It could scarcely have been a more perfect day with the sun shining brightly and melting the little snow that lay on the ground. I took Stavroula for a drive through the countryside, especially in the back roads far from the bustle of the towns and cities, then to our local post office where we […]
WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2018
Everyone kept talking about the snow that was promised for today and it seemed as if we would have even huge snowdrifts. In fact, we had only a dusting of snow, not like Vancouver and its suburbs where much snow had fallen. We served the first Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts tonight in this year’s […]
TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2018
Vladika Lazar had his operation today and, although I have not been able to speak to him. he apparently has done well and is now recuperating. I would like to ask people to wait a little so that he can feel better before rushing to visit him. We all realize that such visits can be […]
MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018
The entire day has been sunny, with almost no wind and the air feeling rather crisp. In fact, it was a perfect day to take out my bedding—blankets and pillows—to hang in the chilly air where they could be aired out the old way without using a dryer. After a few hours outside, the bedding […]
SUNDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2018
A light covering of snow on the ground did not alarm us, but the strong wind did. There was the possibility of losing our electricity but we carried on and, glory to God, all went well. There were fewer people than usual for the Forgiveness Sunday service, no doubt due to the heavy snowfall closer […]
SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2018
We were up at four o’clock in the morning to allow Vladika Lazar time to get ready for a trip to Vancouver for another scan. We are fortunate to have had Thomas drive him there. Meanwhile, Father Thomas arrived with others to begin the Hours in preparation for the Georgian Liturgy. Bishop Sabba arrived soon […]
FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2018
Daily tasks took up much of the day until early evening when our Georgian visitors arrived. Bishop Sabba, the Georgian bishop from Philadelphia, accompanied by Father Thomas of Toronto, arrived at Vancouver Airport and a delegation that met them brought them to the monastery. Someone was thoughtful enough to start a fire in the wood […]
THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2018
I served alone for the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple and I found it quite difficult, as I could not use my canes or walker. Still, by the intercession of Saint Simeon, I managed to complete the service. As no food was prepared for a meal, Elena quickly whipped up […]
WEDNESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2018
When I ventured out to see how much snow had fallen overnight, the sight was remarkable. A light blanket of snow turned the landscape into a work of art, and the sky was overcast all day with clouds hanging low, adding another layer of silvery beauty. Much of the snow melted throughout the day and, […]
TUESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2018
At this moment it is mid evening and Yuri has just informed us that it has begun to snow. This is not what we wanted to hear and, perhaps, next week might be cold with much snow. There is little we can do about it, but simply to have patience. The day itself has not […]