CIX

Dear Friends,

It seems in a few short weeks, please God, that my bishop, CORNELIUS, will ordain me, an unworthy sinner, as a sub-deacon. He will be coming to my home parish of St. John the Baptist in Brantford, Ontario, 6 October 2002 (Feast of the Conception of St. John the Baptist, Julian calendar).

I want to ask for the prayers of everyone on here. This is a big step and I am acutely, daily conscious of my own vast unworthiness, weakness, and sinfulness. Pray that I serve God and His Church well!

In Christ,


Adam DeVille

Dear Adam,

If you are going to be working at that parish, you really DO need our prayers.

God bless!

Alex

Dear Adam,

Congratulations!

May the Lord give you all that you will need to serve His Church.

Ad multos annos!

Steve

Alex,

Your comment is well taken! I was there for two years and saw much grace but also much ugliness--thankfully much less of the latter than in years past, but it bubbles just beneath the surface and keeping the lid on that cauldron is a never ending effort!

I have, however, recently left the parish in order to begin doctoral studies here at the Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa. Still, Brantford remains my home and the pastor of that parish is a very dear friend indeed, so pray for him as HE continues there!


Adam

Axios, Axios, Axios! Keep that orarion crossed!

My dear Friends,

Thank you for all who prayed! It was very much needed and appreciated! Prayers are needed now more than ever so that I never, through my sins and weaknesses, bring dishonour on the office given to me.

Bishop Cornelius came yesterday and I was sequentially set apart as acolyte, reader, singer and then ordained a sub-deacon. Glory to God! It all went very well, thanks in large measure to two sometime members of the forum, viz., Ilya Galadza and Daniil Galadza, both of whom bring an enviable ease and skill to serving a pontifical liturgy! They, together with Cyril Kennedy and Simon McGherety of St. Elias came with their sub-deacon, Tibor Turi and of course their beloved pastor, Archpriest Roman, whom to know is to love almost immediately! All told, their presence was an immense gift and joy to me, and they added so very much indeed.

It is very humbling and moving to be surrounded by clergy, kneeling at the feet of the bishop, and to have others put clothes on you! Such a basic thing reminds one that--in the words of John`s gospel which came to mind yesterday--"another will gird your loins and take you where you would not rather go!" In my case, I went willingly and joyfully, but not a little nervously! It is all still a little hard to believe that it is real! I was prepared for nervousness but not for tears yesterday, and struggled greatly to restrain them, especially when everyone sang "Axios!" I may now be "worthy," but only, *only* through the grace of God.

Pray, friends, that I continue to be worthy by leading--as the bishop prayed yesterday--a "blameless" and "unreproachable" life for the glory of God and the upbuilding of the Church!

Adam

P.S. A shameless plug: Jaroslava Trentchev of Brampton, Ontario, made my sticharion and orarion, and they were the talk of the town! Gold brocade fabric with very dark purple (my favourite colour) velvet and a purple satin lining. She does absolutely outstanding work, and for fraction of the price compared to places like Istok or Eastern Christian Supply. If anyone needs sub-diaconal, diaconal, priestly or other vestments (she also does wedding dresses, theatre costumes, etc.) made, I can give you her number.

Dear Subdeacon Adam,

Let me be the first to refer to you by your new style over the internet!!

Daniil still posts here, when he feels so moved . . .

Congratulations and may St Justin the Philosopher guide you in your studies.

(I graduated with my Ph.D. on his feastday!).

It used to be the case that when people attended Oxford or Cambridge, they HAD to be ordained a deacon in the Church of England before graduation.

It is nice to know you are following that tradition . . .

God bless, once again.

Alex

Dear Subdeacon Adam,

Congratulations!!! It was touching to hear your words in this post. And it made me a little envious too. :p

Just the other day, I was thinking of emailing you, but I've misplaced your address. Haven't seen you online in quite a while, and have been wondering how you have been doing. If you still have my email address, drop me a line and let me know what's going on with you.

God bless you in your ministry to God and His Church, and pray for me.

I am a little envious, fellow subdeacon...you getting ordained in my favorite parish...

There's nothing like a pontifical there...I have been there for two and they were both glorious. That tag team of Illya, Daniil and Cyril is hard to beat, those liturgical "whiz kids"...

You're absolutely right about Yaroslava. She's much better quality than Istok. I have a wool winter podriasnik from Yaroslava that I love and is so comfortable. I'm thinking about having her make a diaconal set for me. Sounds like your colors are very nice.

The only other one that could compare is Nikita Borisov in upstate New York who's made vestments for ROCOR and OCA bishops. I have a gold Bulgarian set that was fairly reasonable and is nice.

May God bless His newly ordained Subdeacon Adam and grant him many years, Mnohaya i Blahaya Lita!
Your fellow subdeacon, a sinner (from the southern extent of the parish boundaries of St. Elias)

Thanks to all of you for your kind and gracious words, very much appreciated!

Just a note of clarification for the record: the ordination was in my home parish of Brantford, to which the crew from St. Elias came. The site of the ordination was of some question to the eparchy, since I am only there sometimes and more often here in Ottawa, but Bishop Cornelius was gracious and accommodating as usual.

Thanks again to all of you. May we support one another in prayer!

Adam

Dear Adam,

Do you know Fr. Bohdan Choly who is now at St Cyril and Methodius in St Catharines?

He used to be at John the Baptist's in Brantford.

My uncle attended there for years as well.

Alex

Again,

AXIOS!

All in all, a very nice pontifical service and ordination. The unveiling of the new icons and the priest's "party" in the back room were something I had never seen before. Fr. Zenovi is very creative.

By the way, www.sofrino.ru has cheaper sub-deacon's vestments.

Daniil