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Mar 25th, 2025
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 838
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Joined: Nov 2001
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In your charity would you please remember my best friend.
Yesterday, he turned 41. His Mom died a in July of 2001. He goes to the cemetary EVERY DAY and cries at her grave. He has not been to church in many years but was an altar server in his youth.
His Mom went EVERY SUNDAY and his Dad still goes.
He keeps asking me why my faith is so strong and his so weak.(our grandparents came from the same village in the Old Country)
I'm at a loss as to what to tell him...
I know that God showed me His love in many ways and He did send me a "sign" that I accepted. My friend also wants a "sign" but the only "sign" he wants is for his Mom to come back to this world.
I don't know what to do now... I just spent an hour on the phone with him talking about his birthday and what he did.
To say I'm worried and concerned is an understatement!
Anyone know of a monastery he can go to where they will TALK with him and try to answer his questions??
He has said he's receptive to this....
PRAYERS PLEASE!!!
Blessing to you all!!
thanks!
mark
the ikon writer
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,701 Likes: 6
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Remembering your friend in prayer, Mark --
CS
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Mark
Your friend, in his intense grief, is in my prayers
May He come to accepts the Father's help and comfort.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,964
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Dear Mark,
Of course I will pray for your friend. The loss of a parent, especially Mother, can be very traumatic.
Your friend seems to have fallen into a dangerous rut of suffering. A first step might be to shake up the routine. Perhaps someone can get to the cemetery before his daily visit, to leave flowers and an icon of one of his mother's favorite saints, or a copy of one of her favorite prayers or poems.
Your friend might see this as a sign of sorts, an indicator that someone else cares. Another possibility is to arrange for someone to show up at mom's grave at just the right time, willing to listen.
John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 192
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Dear Mark,
What a terrible situation for your friend and you to be in.
My prayers are with both of you.
Steven
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,461 Likes: 1
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Mark, our prayers for your friend. We have a UGCC monastery in D.C. (Holy Cross). If you need more contact info let me know.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 20
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Dear Mark - My mother stopped going to church when my father died eleven years ago, so I know how sad the situation can be. I'll include your friend in my prayers that they rediscover how much Our Blessed Lord loves them and wants to comfort them.
Miriam
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,696
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May the Lord bring peace to all who grieve and are angry. May He help them to see that in their grief, especially in their anger at Him, they honor Him. May He guide them to find their loved ones alive in Him.
Steve
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 838
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CHRISTOS RAZDAJETSJA! SLAVITE JEHO! Hello Everyone! Well, an up-date is in order. I got to see my friend over Christmas week (Western Christmas for those on the Julian Calendar). He's not doing any better BUT... he's not doing any worse! IMHO, he's taken a step forward. He purchased an original Russian ikon for me for Christmas. It's a nice ikon of the Mother of God in a kiot. Now comes the good news. While looking at on a website, he saw the "mate" to it; an ikon of Christ the Teacher also in a kiot. He bought BOTH OF THEM! He gave kept the Teacher and it's beside his bed. He's told me that he has it placed so that he can look at it when he's in his room!!!! I'm so excited!! I just hope that I can help him take another step forward with out pushing him down the steps... your prayers for both of us!! Blessings during this Holy time of year! mark 
the ikon writer
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Mark I am glad there is a little glimmer of light. Pray God it will continue and grow larger and stronger. But I have an off topic question [Sorry Fr Elias  ] Please what is a 'kiot"? [ Just to save upsetting folk an answer by PM or e-mail will do - thank you in advance ! ] Angela
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
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Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38 |
Dear Mark, If your friend wants to become even happier, let him get in touch with me!  I was over at some married friends who were thinking about divorcing. Now nothing could be happier . . . I think my smile is infectious . . . And, Angela, the "Kiosk" is a small stand where one can buy things like icons. That's what I think was meant, wasn't it? What do I know? Alex
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Alex , { with apologies to Fr Elias]
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Mark,
May the Lord continue to show His Face to your friend through your loving care for him. May He continue to guide you to do what He would have you do.
Steve
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