I would like to ask those here to pray for Archbishop Sergei Kindiakov(forgive me for my mis-spelling) of the ROCIE. I know many here are opposed to that group. I am not happy, myself, about the turn of events, but just the same, I feel a need to mention something about this man.
He fell asleep in the Lord around 12 midnight on April 10th. He had suffered from a stroke and had been in the hospital for 2 weeks, in a coma. He was around 72, I believe. I went to visit him twice, near the end.
He was my confessor-priest, going back to 1997, until 2000. He was gentle and compassionate. He was so kind with me, when I confessed, the first time. I was so nervous because I didn't know what to expect, but he was so accepting. He didn't excuse my sins but he helped me to see that I was fighting a great force. He had a way of explaining God's work in my life that made me feel like I was building up to something and not being condemned for it. He gave me hope. Somehow, he understood my struggle, but I never knew why. Over the years, I discovered that he was also going through his own struggles. That is what made his heart soft and everybody wanted to go and confess to him and I mean everybody. When he left ROCOR, it was as if we had lost a spiritual father that we could turn to for all our troubles.
I want to give my testimony to Archbishop Sergei...for he helped me through the most difficult spirtual struggles of my life. He truely loved me and cared about my spiritual turmoils. And there are many people who have gone to him for guidance who feel the same way.
It is not about overcoming our demons that make us worthy(because everybody fights demons), but that we can be a guidance to others to come to Christ, because God calls others through us and if we accept that, then we are doing a great deed...in the name of Jesus Christ. Remember...it is not about ourselves, but about bringing our brethren to the full Truth...to Christ.
Eternal Memory to Archbishop Sergei.
