Saints Mary and Martha, Orthodox Monastery, Wagener, SC

This month of October began with the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos and has commemorations of many of her icons. The church celebrates the nativity of the Mother of God at the beginning of the liturgical year and continually reminds us of her place in the divine plan of salvation and in our individual lives.

St. Irenaeus tells us "And thus it was that the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve bound fast through unbelief, this did the Virgin Mary set free through faith."

We are again confronted by faith – that gift of God to us who are so undeserving of it. Without it we are bound and knotted. In our daily lives how many of us are "tied up in knots" and so unhappy with our situations. We forget God is in it all. It is our obedient response to His lead that will untie the knots we feel so tight.

What does God want we ask – His command is to love, to be merciful as His Father is merciful. Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, has shown us how to live and die for others to the glory of God. It is a simple path – not an easy one. As the Optina Fathers' prayer states, ". . . with peace of mind I may face all that this day brings . . . the grace to surrender myself completely to Your holy will . . . that whatever tidings I may receive this day . . . all eventualities fulfill Your holy will. . ." We need to firmly believe God is in charge.

The Virgin Mary accepted her path and with a strong, quiet faith was obedient to God's will in each moment of her day. May we flee to the Mother of God in each moment of our day so that we may respond well to what God sets before us.

It is wonderful for us to know that many of you actually read our newsletter and are truly praying for us to grow and supporting us in diverse and sundries ways. We cannot count the number of times that one of you has asked about the third woman and were disappointed that she had left. Well, she was with us for nine weeks, had a nice singing voice, and was a big help with both youth retreats, making candles, and many of the monastery chores. Pray that she finds God's will for her life.

As many of you know, lack of commitment (to Christ, to our spouse and our children, etc.), not taking responsibility for one's actions, and self-indulgence (Self is god for many people.) are major obstacles to living a fuller life, much less a monastic life. Be this as it may, we are expecting another woman to join us before the end of December. May God give her the strength to stay and grow with us.

We celebrated a first on July 15th. Two of the teenagers who initially met at one of our youth retreats about seven years ago were married at St. Catherine Orthodox Church in Aiken, South Carolina. The happy couple is James and Anna Freeman. James is now in his third year of college. May God grant them many years.

Archbishop Dmitri & Mother Thecla at the
Diocesan Assembly in Miami, Florida

The Diocesan Assembly for the Diocese of the South was held at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Miami, Florida the following week. Thank God there are still some of us "old timers" who go back to before this diocese was formed. We got together, remembered when only ten or twelve priests and an equal number of lay delegates were in attendance. Almost in unison, we exclaimed, "My, how we've grown." Even though we are still small, there are over sixty churches/missions, monasteries, and other institutions – from twelve to sixty plus in thirty years. Yes the Holy Spirit gives the increase to a phenomenal amount of work by those who labor faithfully in His vineyard.

At the Assembly, His Eminence takes the time to have lunch with the clergy wives (Matushki). As an honorary Matushka, Mother Thecla is invited to join them. This year twenty-six Matushki were in attendance – the most ever.

Clergy Wives' Luncheon with Archbishop Dmitri

Each year we allow the ducks to make nests and brood over a clutch of eggs. During this time an unknown predator killed two of the hens that had made their nest outside the duck pen. Even with a fully enclosed pen, this predator later found its way into the pen, and in one night killed twenty-eight ducklings and two of the hens. We discovered that it had found an opening in the netting that forms the roof and worked diligently to close all possible entrances. Still it found its way back in and killed two more hens before we finally secured the pen where it could not enter. With the help of Matushka Louise Hill, who is a true country woman, and information from a Clemson University Agricultural Agent, we learned from the way the predator had eaten the neck and head of the hens and simply bit through the heads of the ducklings that our flock was being besieged by a feral cat. Once it could no longer dine on duck, it left.

Knowing that we could not leave six hens with two drakes (the rule being one drake for the first ten hens, then add a second drake), we were able to locate and purchase an additional six Indian Runner hens. Three of these hens have some other duck breed in them as they have little white feathers sticking up on top of their heads. The really fashionable one has two feathers that hang down the left side of her head. Now it is time to finally find a mate for Abe our African Gray Goose.

A friend of a friend graciously came out to our monastery to teach us how to sell on eBay. Among the many items that people give us to sell at the flea market, are items that have much more worth than we could possibly get for them at the flea market, so we have been putting them aside in the hopes of selling them for more on eBay or Craig's List. Little by little, we will be selling through the internet. All net proceeds go to our building fund.

On August 18th, Archbishop Dmitri graced us with his presence. The picture picture to the left shows His Eminence and Mother Thecla in the foreground, with Mother Helena, Fr. Thomas Moore (middle) and Fr. Dn. Joseph Kreta (left). Of course Corelli, our tri-tone collie dog, had to give the Archbishop his own special greeting (below). It is a good thing that His Eminence loves animals, especially dogs. We had a lovely visit over coffee and dessert.

Betwixt and between, prayers, Saturday Liturgies, Sunday and weekday Liturgies, visitors, candle making and chores, we prepared for the Clergy Wives' Retreat that was held during the fourth weekend of September.

Mother Beth Freeman, who organizes the Clergy Wives' Retreat, did an excellent job of informing Orthodox clergy wives of this event. Thirteen were planning to come; however, eleven were able to attend. This was the largest group we have had in the nine years of hosting this retreat. Matushka Rozanne Rucker from Saint Augustine, Florida, led the retreat. Matushka Marta Rios was not able to attend the retreat due to a back injury and subsequent back surgery (She is healing well.); however, Fr. Ernesto Rios, who had graciously offered to serve Liturgy for these women on Sunday, still made the drive from Port St. Lucie, Florida, and served Liturgy. We all need to remember the wives of Orthodox priests and deacons in our prayers. Theirs is a difficult task which often requires all their strength, patience, love, and talents. It is not easy being the wife of a priest or deacon, taking care of a family and home, working a full time job, and being active in the parish.

Ten of the Clergy Wives, Fr. Ernesto Rios, and Us
Clergy Wives' Retreat 2007

On the last Saturday of September, we traveled to the Habitat for Humanity site on John's Island which is west of Charleston. There we met a number of Orthodox young people and their sponsors who were helping to build homes for the working poor. Most of the young people came from Saint Nectarios and Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Churches in Charlotte, North Carolina, and one was from the Citadel in Charleston. This was a first-time Matthew 25 Weekend that was organized by Fr. Joshua Anna. May God help all who strive to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, house the stranger, clothe the naked, minister to the sick, and visit those in prison; for in so doing, we are serving Christ Himself.

Due to the late freeze in April, our pear tree only produced a handful of pears. Usually it produces bushels of pears and we are making pear wine till we run out of carboys (five gallon glass jars with a narrow mouth). Sad to say, this year, there will be no pear wine; but next year . . .

After Saturday Liturgy on October 6th, Fr. Marcus Burch and several of his parishioners from St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Greenville, South Carolina, gathered for the blessing of graves and grave stones for Roman Melech and Constance Wickenkamp. May their memory be eternal.

Unfortunately, with just two of us, there will not be a 2008 Women Saints' Calendar; however, we are selling the three calendars as a set for $15, separately $6. This would make a lovely present or great library addition for someone interested in Saints.

A necessary corollary to the vow of virginity is the cultivation of a hatred of sin, of anything not pleasing to God. Paralleling this is the concept of spiritual shame – a concept almost completely forgotten in our sophisticated society. The Prophet Jeremiah lamented in his day that shame had been extinguished in the human heart, i.e., "Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush" (Jeremiah 6:15), what then can be said about our modern mindset infested as it is with depravity and self-indulgence? Again, in our willful ignorance, Jeremiah's words are fitting, "We lie down in our shame, and our disgrace covers us." (Jeremiah 3:25)

Art Work by Denise Norman of
St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church,
Rincon, Georgia

To possess spiritual shame is to stand firm in chastity and purity. Without shame, the way is clear for an absolute insensitivity toward sin. Shame makes possible our relationship with God because it exposes the clash between who we are and who we should be as His image and likeness. Blessed Fabiola struggled greatly with this inner incongruity, but was not able, through her own efforts, to win the victory. Her zeal and love for God were great but volatile and immature, and she vacillated throughout her life between chaste asceticism and life in the world, with all its allurements and debauchery.

Fabiola was a Roman patrician of the illustrious Fabian family who learned of the holy path of chastity and asceticism from Blessed Jerome (F. September 30th). Her life, however, would follow a much different, albeit tortuous, route than that of his other "daughters" who frequented the domestic community of St. Marcella (F. January 31st) in Rome. Impulsive, passionate and headstrong, Fabiola would not find a place in that demure circle. At an early age, her parents married her to a dissolute nobleman of equal rank. She was granted a divorce due to his immoral lifestyle. While he was still alive, she married another man, equally degenerate, whom she impulsively left without seeking a civil divorce. Her actions caused great scandal in Rome and were condemned by the Church.

After the death of her second husband, Fabiola willingly performed public penance, confessed her sins in the presence of the faithful, and was readmitted to communion with the Church. Sincerely repentant and desirous of the ascetic life, it is not known if she secretly vowed celibacy or followed a private rule of life. It is certain that her actions exhibited real change. Fabiola sold her estates, gave hefty donations to churches and religious communities, devoted herself to works of charity, and founded the first public Christian hospital of record in the West. She did not simply foot the bill for these endeavors. She served the sick herself and personally gathered the poor and sick, the orphans, widows and homeless from the streets and alleys of Rome.

In 395, Fabiola visited Blessed Jerome in the Holy Land and reestablished her relationship with him. He found lodging for her, and she diligently studied under his guidance, dedicating herself to a life of chastity and asceticism. She may have even joined the monastery in Bethlehem founded by St. Paula the Elder (F. January 26th), but was unable to fulfill its requirements. It would appear that Fabiola simply needed more activity, diversion and companionship than the cenobitic rules allowed. Her behavior, however, was such that Blessed Jerome was caused to remark that "her idea of the solitude of the stable of Bethlehem was that it should not be cut off from the crowded inn."

Hearing rumors of the Huns' descent upon Jerusalem, Fabiola promptly returned to Rome where she founded and supervised a hospice for pilgrims. This hospice was the first of its kind, the fame of which spread throughout the world. In spite of her works of charity and desire for the ascetic life of piety and chastity, Fabiola struggled with her former wantonness and need for companionship. If she had indeed taken a vow of chastity, she was continually on the verge of breaking it. In fact, she reposed right before she executed her plans to set out on another long journey with a third consort, rumors concerning which had Rome in quite an uproar.

Nonetheless, Blessed Fabiola was held in great esteem by the citizens of Rome and many people attended her funeral. A kinsman requested a eulogy from Blessed Jerome, who had been in contact with his wayward daughter until her death, the content of which sought to assuage the consternation present at the funeral: "I give you this, Fabiola, the best gift of my aged powers, to be as it were a funeral offering: let envy depart and detraction be silent . . . the soul which fell among thieves has been carried home upon the shoulders of Christ."

Blessed Fabiola struggled her entire life against sin and particularly against the spirit of fornication. Her dubious title of "Blessed" conferred by the Church is puzzling, yet is in accord with the Gospel teachings, particularly the image of the Father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, an image so tenderly and powerfully drawn by Our Savior Himself. (Luke 15:11-32) The Prophet Isaiah aptly states: "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6) Yet, human beings, whether learned hierarchs or self-righteous gossips, are not so eager to accept this tender, loving God who, in spite of the repulsive stench of our porcine sins, would unconditionally embrace Blessed Fabiola, covering her sin with His own robe of righteousness and adorning her efforts with His garments of salvation. (Luke 15:22; Isaiah 61:10)

Unquestionably, Blessed Fabiola fought with her passions and continued restless until her death. It would appear that she was unable to thoroughly hate sin and to nurture a healthy concept of shame to under gird her desire for chastity. It remains for the heavenly Father Himself to purify her, she who allowed the defilement, even delighted in it, and definitely pursued it. However, once embraced by the Father, she would no longer be a prodigal child. She would become His pure, undefiled daughter, for His embrace would imprint upon her His own likeness. Certain saints, like Blessed Fabiola, are not graced with "angelic perfection" in their earthly lives, yet God crowns their flawed efforts with sanctity and radiant beauty. The Lord's promise is certain and is the hope of all the ages, even our own: "Come now, let us reason together . . . Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow . . . [for] I will forgive [your] unrighteousness, and [your] sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more." (Isaiah 1:18; Hebrews 8:12)