Tuesday, January 24, 2006

sealed

The blog/journal entries/emails done less than a week from a funeral I always find to be strange; I can remember when my Grandfather died, it was strange to be experiencing happiness; yet it happens. Fr. John Scratch and his loss are never far from my consciousness, nor are the spiritual gifts his life gave me.

To the point that when I write of Fr. John, I cannot think of much else.

What I wanted to quick write about is inline with what he taught me through this life… even through the week of funeral services, I learned that I had really become orthodox; as if it is sealed more deeply within me… that this is right, this Church, this life is what I have always been looking for…

6 comments:

kimberley francis said...

i was with friends last weekend as we prayed a panakita (sp?) for the anniversary of our friends mom falling asleep in the Lord, we could see other men in the parish struggling with their own loss of parents. it was heartbreaking in some way, but also life giving that these men could cry and heal together in the safe company of Christ.

Sealed. Protected. Assured that we are loved.

Love you Elizabeth,
I wonder when we'll see you next?

elizabeth said...

i love you too Kimberly... am not sure when i will be able to come to BC again... my time there is never far from my thoughts, though i am making my home in ottawa, st. hermans will ALWAYS be my first orthodox church/family/home...

i am not sure how to spell that either; i know it is said panaheeda, but am unsure of the spelling; i was at one for fr. john scratch this past wens, 9 days after, 1 week after the funeral litrugy and burial...

oh how long it is that we miss those we love...

may God direct our steps and when we do meet again, may it be for a time of rejoicing...

mamachurchmouse said...

i often see it spelled "panakhida" on church bulletins, if that's any help. and some people pronounce it "panakeeda".

hope it helps.

elizabeth said...

perhaps it would be 'panakheeda' ...

Kassianni said...

How long did you know/have you known Fr.John Scratch Elizabeth?
I'd love to hear (when you're ready, of course) ruminations...

elizabeth said...

only as long as Cheryl and Zeke... they actually have many more stories than i... but... as you can see by posts from dave, etc, those fr. john met/loved never forget and are changed by it...

what can i say about him... well... he glowed with love; i prayed for him every day [still strive to] and once, when i told him this, his humility and profuse thanks overwhelmed me; he knew i would like ellis peters and gave me one of his books on brother cadfael via cheryl; when he would do vespers [i go to the cathedral every wens] it was so strong, his voice carried; the presence he gave to his serving i will never forget; nor do i know if anyone would ever be able to match it; even in death his strong presence was very real to me, and the funeral services made a very strong impression on me; things that week really feel into place for me within myself in a new way, his example, even by things i learned of his pursuit of God that i listened to from people who knew him longer inspired me to likewise pursue living a life of repentance...