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. […]
Daily Diary
by Vladika Varlaam
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 […]
MONDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2018
Another sunny day—how fortunate can we be? It does not make any difference if we have more snow storms because spring is not just ‘in the air’ as people say, but it is evident with plants coming back to life, and the air filled with Mother Earth’s welcoming fragrance. We had forgotten that today is […]
SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2018
Today’s service lasted more than four hours, beginning with full Matins, the Liturgy, prayers for travel, and a memorial for Michael who had reposed forty days ago. We were pleased to see our friends from Cranbrook whom we have not seen for some time. After an abundant Agape meal, people kept dropping in, many of […]
SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2018
For the first time in three or four weeks we had a full day of sunshine and it felt good to be able to open the sliding glass door to let in fresh air, full of earthy fragrance. We had visitors from Donetsk, the area in Ukraine where has been taking place, and I was […]
FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY 201
I experienced a most interesting session with my chiropractor who examined me and said that my right leg was longer than the left one. Thereupon, he manipulated it and the hip, and I arose, feeling all the pain disappearing. Now I must relearn to walk, for I have been hobbling for so long, that it […]
WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018
It happened at last. We had a couple of hours of sunshine in the afternoon and, while driving, I was almost blinded by the sun, not having seen it for so long. We can tolerate much rain, but an hour or two of sun can re-energize us. We finished the skin creams and labels the […]
WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2018
By mid afternoon, I felt energetic enough to prepare some skin cream. All the ingredients were on hand, and all I had to do was ask someone to bring down the large box with the containers for the cream, as it was sitting on top of a high cupboard. Stavroula happened to walk in and […]
TUESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2018
I drove two different vehicles today [not at the same time, of course], a sedan and a Jeep, and each one had its own virtues. It is reassuring to know that I can still drive comfortably at my age. Michael, a retired forensic coroner, came to fill the potholes on our monastery road, pushing a […]
MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2018
This morning a I had an appointment with Doctor Tadrous, who is a Copt from Egypt, whom I have been visiting for many years, The first visit is simple with a battery of tests, while the second one, to take place next month, he undertakes himself in his usual kind manner and has almost always […]
SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2018
did not sleep well last night so I allowed myself to come toward the end of Matins, knowing that Father Alexey and the readers would do well without me. We also had a large influx of Georgians who went to the old church immediately after the Liturgy to read an Akathist and prayers in Georgian. […]
SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2018
We had a discussion whether the overcast sky was greyish or silvery, with the latter term sounding more attractive. Some men came to help remove the broken limbs and branches, and they will bring a chain saw the next time they come. Others spread a thick layer of gravel and even made a wide path […]
FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2018
Stavroula and Vladika Lazar drove to Mission and later to Abbotsford where they were locked out of their vehicle. This happens to most of us at one time or another, but it can be frustrating while we wait for help to arrive. I picked up Galina at the train stop, as she was coming to […]
THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018
Is it possible that one twelfth of this year has already gone by? Obviously it has and the rest will pass just as quickly. Now that my computer is located here in my cottage, I can use it whenever it is necessary without having to walk in the dark to the main building and sometimes […]
WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY 2018
We did not see the red or, as it was also called, blue moon, for it was dark and cloudy early in the morning, yet many say that they felt its influence. When I asked them if it was a positive or negative influence, they all chose the latter. But, let us be positive, for […]
TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2018
No doubt you have heard the expression “when it rains it pours” and that is exactly what happened today. For the last couple of days almost no one has come to see us, but today the sun appeared and a tidal wave overwhelmed us. For days and weeks we have been calling Shaw and Telus […]