Trapped in time (about fifty years ago)

For the next three weeks, I shall have very limited access to the internet – I’m staying at the Kazan Skete in Santa Rosa as I visit parishes in Sacramento, Chico, Fairfield and Santa Rosa. I apologise for the lack of activity on the site and for all the unanswered emails. For those of you who find it difficult to believe that there are people in California today who do not have internet access (and I was one of the unbelievers), have a look at what I had to use in order to write a letter to His Eminence Gerasimos…

When I saw it, I wanted to put on my gloves before touching it – it looks so precious, like a museum piece from fifty years ago!

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In the five minutes of internet access I’ve got left, I want thank all the monasteries that welcomed me during this trip – Protection Monastery in Lake George, St John’s in Goldendale, All-Merciful Saviour on Vashon Island, St John’s in Manton, Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Santa Rosa. Everywhere I’ve been, the brothers and sisters received me with so much love and care, and they provided me with the time to rest and prepare for the long trip ahead. I felt very much like home, although home is so far away.

In many cases, they know perfectly well what I’m going through. Most of them have been on this journey before, as founders of their own monasteries – they know what it’s like from experience, they don’t need to imagine it. May God bless them for their help and compassion, and may He keep me safe and healthy, so we may complete the work He has entrusted us.

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Finally, don’t forget about the ‘Ways YOU can help’ button above – I cannot visit all your parishes, but you all may still help us by making a Donation via PayPal or by cheque; you’ll find all the information needed above. If you need to know more, just email me (and forgive me for taking a few days before I am able to get back to you). In Christ, fr seraphim.