DAILY DIARY Reader Irénée brought a box full of the latest book written by Vladika Lazar, the copies of which were quickly grabbed after the Liturgy. As for the Liturgy, Father John served together with Vladika Lazar, Father Alexey and Deacon Markel, with Subdeacons Igor and Andrei helping as did the altar boys Ivan and […]
Daily Diary
by Vladika Varlaam
SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2018
As with any event that takes place here at the monastery, we were concerned that all was ready for the marriage of Tomas and Suneet and, indeed, we got off to a good start. Then, about half an hour before the ceremony was to begin, we had a power failure which sent us into a […]
THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER 2018
Andy warned us to be careful, as the big bears showed up and are roaming about freely. We were most pleased to see the entire Bingham family of three generations that had come for Tomas’ wedding. The grandchildren have grown up considerably and, even though they live far away, we have watched their progress through […]
THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER 2018
We were visited this morning by Father John and Matushka Anna Bingham of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, who are here for the marriage of their younger son Tomas. With them was Andrei Pryadko, their son in law, whom we remember so well as a young student at our local university many years ago, who then married […]
TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2018
The sedan had to be taken to the glass replacement shop as the front passenger window would not stay up even though the glass had been replaced some time ago and it worked satisfactorily until recently. The shop operator was kind and told us that he would immediately look at the problem. Father Moses and […]
MONDAY 1 OCTOBER 2018
Although this first day of the month of October began with light showers and a heavy grey sky, our spirits were not hampered and we hoped that this month would be a pleasant one, even though there was a forecast of snow for the interior of British Columbia. Would it snow here? Of course not, […]
SUNDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2018
This morning was overcast with a light drizzle, the type of morning when you would much rather pull the comforter over your head and go back to sleep. But such was not the case, for Sunday s a special day for us, the culmination of an entire week of preparation and expectation. The singing on […]
SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018
I am touched by the concern of you in Florida about not seeing some of the diary entries. At times I wonder if anyone even bothers to read the diary, then suddenly I discover that there are readers located everywhere. We baptized little Neonela this morning and, even though Vladika Lazar and I are having […]
FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2018
Vladika’s doctor reviewed some of Vladika’s old xrays, in particular those taken after he had the terrible fall of ten metres in 1998. He skull was so fractured that the doctor could not believe that he did not die then. Yet, twenty years later and sixteen metal plates used to reconstruct his face, he is […]
THURSDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2018
The service for the feast of the Elevation of the Cross began in a somewhat unorganized manner, for a few things could not be found but, finally, all was in order and we began. Father Shio served in Georgian and since we are not very familiar with this language, we were not quite certain when […]
WEDNESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2018
I am writing this entry on Thursday, the following day, because yesterday, just as the Great Vespers service began, I felt ill and had to leave the church. Both Father Moses and I seem to have had ptomaine poisoning, as nothing else could have been the cause. It was the first time in my memory […]
TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2018
It was very warm today, but after a cool spell with rain, today felt like mid summer again as we struggled to keep cool. Even our air conditioner was put away, confident that we were about not needing it anymore. The leaves are beginning to turn colour and I noticed that some of the oak […]
MONDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2018
As I drove to Abbotsford for my monthly chiropractic session, I entered a huge fog patch where it was almost impossible to see ahead. Driving very slowly, I crossed the bridge and in a few minutes I was once again in the bright sunlight. I rather think that while Father Shio is with us, all […]
SUNDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2018
Two Divine Liturgies were served under one roof at our monastery this morning. The old church brought together many Georgians where Father Shio served, while the new church had its regular Sunday service. Naturally, the Georgians were thrilled to have a service in their own language, with Father Shio serving and Andrei as the reader. […]
SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2018
This day was dedicated to visitors, the first coming in mid morning before leaving for home in Vladivostok. I said that I would pass on their request for everyone to pray for the founding of the first Orthodox monastery in Japan. Everything is available except for the red tape to allow the monastery to be […]
FRIDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2018
Today’s Liturgy for the feast of the Birth of the Theotokos was served in three languages, English, Slavonic and Georgian, with Father Shio serving with Vladika Lazar. Father Moses and I were at the kliros and, if I might be so bold in saying so, I thought that we sang quite well. A number of […]
THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2018
I began making two prosphoras, a small one for tomorrow’s feast and a large one for Sunday, including several small loaves for tonight’s Blessing of Loaves in Great Vespers. Thinking that it would be a good idea to place all of them on a large cookie sheet, I set them in the oven and only […]
WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
When Vladika Lazar awoke this morning, he could hear some unfamiliar sounds outside his window. Pulling aside the curtain, he saw a couple of bears eating apples while climbing the trees. He quickly banged on the window so that the sound scared them off. This means, no doubt, that they will return tonight to eat […]
TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
I felt today that I was a chauffeur, having driven to Abbotsford and later to Mission. It might not seem to be that great a distance, buts it was tiring, even though I enjoy driving. On the other hand, a number of tasks were accomplished that had been postponed for a long time which gave […]
MONDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2018
After all that had taken place yesterday, today we quiet by comparison. Andy came with his two dogs named Five and Nine, large and beautiful animals, always ready for a treat such as a doggie biscuit. I took a short walk to look at the berry bushes and was horrified to see how the obnoxious […]
SUNDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2018
This was an exceptional Sunday since there were two Divine Liturgies celebrated here at the monastery this morning, the regular one in the new church and another one in the old church. Father Thomas, a Georgian priest from Toronto and Father Shio, a hieromonk from Georgia, served in Old Georgian. Father Thomas has been here […]
SATURDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2018
I have often mentioned how the weather can vary in our valley and so it was yesterday and today. A nearby area had some snow, but not ours, a torrential downpour struck one area, but not ours. Perhaps, with time, it will be the reverse for us. Meanwhile, we have been subjected to loads of […]
FRIDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2018
Happy New Year!! In case you are wondering was is meant by this, we must not forget that our Orthodox Church year begins on the first day of September, which is today, on the Julian Calendar, as it is indicated in many of the services for this day. Apparently this is why children return to […]
THURSDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2018
A couple of ladies came this morning to help us in the kitchen, mainly to prepare some food for us. How could anyone refuse such assistance? At any rate, they prepared a huge pot of borshch and fried fish. The borshch was so delicious that I had two helpings, with sour cream, and I felt […]
WEDNESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2018
We celebrate the memory of Saint Alexander Nevsky today, a dearly beloved saint of the Orthodox Church and the patron saint of our own dear Alexander, Prince Andiysky, who was a benefactor of our monastery together with his wife, Princess Elena Andiyskaya. He reposed in the 1970s and she in the 1980s, yet their memory […]
TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2018
After yesterday’s scare with Vladika Lazar being rushed to Emergency, today felt so calm and restful. He can get out of the Jeep alone and open the trunk to pull out his walker, then close the trunk by himself. While in town today, he walked about half a block, again with the walker, but he […]
MONDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2018
What a day this has been. Thomas come to inform me that people were sitting in church and waiting for me to appear. I had no idea why they had come, but I went to see them and had an interesting hour or more with them. Then, Vladika Lazar and I drove to town to […]
SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2018
We certainly cannot complain about it being too hot and dry, as we had a gentle rain much of the day, a typically autumn rain. This was the first Sunday in weeks when it was comfortable in church and the fans were turned on possibly half way through the service. A lot of activity took […]
SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Vespers service was well attended and after, we had supper prepared by Lija, meaning that there was a lot to eat. Some of the visitors were Lithuanian speaking which does not happen often. Vladika Lazar walked, with the aid of a walker, to church and even served Vespers. Now we are ready for the […]
FRIDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2018
The day began with plenty of sunshine, then light clouds began to gather, followed by heavier ones so that by mid afternoon it began to rain, not heavily, but enough for the soil to soak up the refreshing rain. This meant that I had to use an umbrella while walking between buildings, something I have […]
THURSDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2018
An underground nest of wasps was found on the lower lawn and our neighbour promised to deal with these nasty insects. Yuri, who has a pest control business, came this morning to check on any problems we have with mice and rats. All is well, except in the main building where he found a bit […]
WEDNESDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2018
Thank you for your greeting from Moscow, Ekaterina and Mikhail. I am pleased that the Daily Diary of this monastery is reaching more and more people around the world. On the one hand, life here seems to be quiet and unassuming, but perhaps, on the other hand, these are the qualities that appeal to the […]
TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2018
Elia and Gerry took us out for lunch, a belated Father’s Day treat. When the waitress came to take our order, she called all of us “You guys” to which Vladika quickly answered, “We are not guys!” then he went on to explain that older people should not be addressed that way. I think that […]
MONDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2018
After a much needed rest, this week has begun with renewed energy and a lot of enthusiasm. There are a number of emails to be sent, phones calls to be made, and more manuscript proofing. I accomplished only about thirty pages today as the concentration necessary for this can tire one out fairly quickly. We […]
SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2018
What a pleasant surprise it was to see so many people in church this morning, even though it is a long weekend and many are away. A family that recently moved here from Ottawa was present, our dear Vera from Seattle brought three large Napoleon tortes, and Ovidiu grilled the salmon he caught. We had […]
SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2018
It is the beginning of September, a new month, and it already feels somewhat autumnal, not to mention the strong aroma of freshly spread manure coming from the neighbouring farms. We baptized baby Matthew who smiled throughout the service and definitely enjoyed the water. People present at the service were from various countries, including Afghanistan. […]
FRIDAY 31 AUGUST 2018
The pungent smell of manure that was spread on the neighbour’s field was very evident today, reminding us that we definitely live in a rural area. Our visitors from Moscow sent us an aerial view of the monastery taken on their drone. It shows part of the monastery from a different point of view with […]
THURSDAY 30 AUGUST 2018
It is still early evening and one can see how much shorter the days have become. Summer is not over and yet we have been thinking about winter and the problems it can present, such as loss of power. We no longer are gathering blueberries, although other berries are continuing to appear. The apples and […]
WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST 2018
I did some proof reading for Vladika Lazar on a book that he is writing. It brought back fond memories when this was a constant activity in previous years. I used to have difficulty in beginning to proof read, almost as if I did not want to bother with it, yet when I finished a […]
Tuesday 28 August
We celebrated the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos with a Liturgy that was well attended, considering that it was a working day. Of course, breaking the fast was enjoyable with a large amount of food for everyone. We could not stay to visit with the people too long, as Vladika Lazar had an […]
MONDAY 27 AUGUST 2018
It was almost amusing for me to turn on the heat in the vehicle this morning, because it was so cool, as I drove to the chiropractic clinic yet, an hour later, on my return trip, I had to turn on the air conditioner, for it became too warm outside. We were informed that the […]
SUNDAY 26 AUGUST 2018
Finally, after waiting for so long for some rain, I walked to church carrying an umbrella. The rain has not been heavy, but enough to moisten the soil and to gladden our hearts. When I announced that I was going to read prayers for travelling, I thought that only one or two people would come […]
SATURDAY 25 AUGUST 2018
Rain finally arrived, although not as heavily as we had hoped, still every drop was a blessing. I hope that it will rain tomorrow as well, as all the plants really need it. We baptized one year old Stephen who behaved splendidly, except at the very end when he began to whimper. As he was […]
FRIDAY 24 AUGUST 2018
There was no need to worry about the front door opening at night, as it was tightly locked. As is the custom to bake a prosphora on each Friday, so today I baked two, one for Sunday and a smaller one for the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos next week. Alas, the larger […]
THURSDAY 23 AUGUST 2018
Finally it has become cool and, in fact, when I tried to sit outside for a while, I almost felt like putting on a sweater, whereas days ago it was simply too hot to sit outside. We had somewhat of a shock this morning when Vladika Lazar noticed that the front door was wide open. […]
WEDNESDAY 22 AUGUST 2018
Today has been an extraordinarily quiet day, with almost no telephone calls, no emails, and no visitors. This is most unusual, but perhaps it can be seen as something useful, giving all of us here more peace and quiet. We are looking forward to some rain later this week, as the summer has been very […]
TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
At last we can see the mountains across the valley, as there is less smoke and smog, although it is far from being clear. Davey had to rush his dog to the animal hospital, as a bear or cougar attacked it at night and ripped its back. There were reports of a cougar lurking about […]
MONDAY 20 AUGUST 2018
Smoke from the fires in the interior of British Columbia was worse today and it caused my throat to be raw and sensitive. There seems to be no end to the fires, of which there are about 550 in the entire province. While at the local post office, I noticed an older couple riding up […]
SUNDAY 19 AUGUST 2018
We celebrated the feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ today with the blessing of the first fruits of the season at the end of the service. The baskets of fruit filled the table and overflowed onto the floor, giving us a marvelous picture of the Lord’s generosity. The large number of worshippers […]
SATURDAY 18 AUGUST 2018
The neighbours spent much of the day in building a retaining wall on the other side of the main building where a steep slope was left looking rather wild. At the bottom of the slope is where some women had planted various berries which have done well, although, because the path is so steep, I […]