Please remember in your prayers the servant of God Vasili Vasilievich,
ordained to the rank of deacon on Cheese-Fare Sunday at the Old
Rite Church of the Ascension of Our Lord, Gervais, Oregon.
Archbishop Sophronii (jurisdiction: Belokrinitsa Hierarchy of Old
Ritualists) ordained him first to the deaconate, then in due time (sometime during Lent) will, God willing, ordain him to the priesthood, and he will
serve in Riga or Daugavpils, Latvia.
This is history in the making, since there are approximately 85 to 100
parishes of priestless Old Ritualists in the Baltic states (since the
1700s), but until now there have been no parishes who have returned to
the fullness of the Church with the priesthood and sacramental life. A
whole new diocese will be created within the next few months, and a
temple will be consecrated. It is not known if a pre-existing church
will be used, or if a new church will have to be built, but apparently
a significant number of young priestless Old Ritualists are preparing
to make their exodus back to the fullness of Orthodoxy. (This has been
contemplated for the past generation, but is only now beginning to
happen.) Please pray that many souls will eventually make this journey.
