2003.11.25 ROCOR:
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESES
ESTERN EUROPEAN DIOCESE: November 24, 200
Vladyka's repose was a result of a reoccurence of his cancer: a tumor
appeared in his bladder, and the disease spread very quickly to his bones.
On Sunday, the tumor burst and he bled profusely, and that weakened him too
much for him to be able to regain any strength. The medical personnel
assured us that it was truly God's mercy, because had he lingered on with
the bone cancer the pain would have been truly excruciating.
Vladyka had been feeling poorly for the past month or so, but ascribed it
to old age and some sort of flu. The first indication that there was
something more serious was at the time of the Liturgy of St. James.
Usually Vladyka would prepare for weeks in advance, but this year, when we
asked him a few days before the service what his plans were, he admitted
that he had forgotten about it entirely. He nevertheless prepared
everything necessary for the service, and preached a beautiful sermon about
the Prophet Daniel (it was his custom to preach on the Old Testament,
reading at the Liturgy), though he admitted to being absolutely exhausted
afterwards.
He celebrated the Liturgy for the last time on November 9th and preached
on the prayer "Only-Begotten Son" and the life of the Emperor Justinian.
On the following Monday he helped us move to our winter chapel, and then
spent most of the following week in bed.
On Friday, November 14th, he let us know that he did not feel well enough
to celebrate nor even attend the services that weekend, and asked us to
make a doctor's appointment for him on Saturday. He refused to be
hospitalized, but was supposed to be taken in for tests on Monday. During
the night of Sunday, November 16th, he fell trying to get out of bed. He
ended up calling the fire department and they took him to the hospital.
Vladyka was slightly better on Tuesday and began to receive visitors. He
received Holy Communion on Thursday and Saturday, when we were informed
that his condition had taken a turn for the worse and that it was doubtful
that he would live much longer.
Matushka Abbess Macrina and several sisters visited him on Sunday
afternoon. He was weaving in and out of consciousness and very groggy from
heavy medication, but we nevertheless hoped to take him home on Monday, at
least for the last few days. But God willed otherwise; at 2:30 am, Vladyka
passed away.
May his memory be eternal!
The schedule for Vladika Seraphim's funeral is as follows:
On Wednesday, November 26th, Divine Liturgy at 7:00 am at Lesna Convent and
the monastic funeral service (in accordance with Vladyka Seraphim's will)
at 1:00 pm.