« Holy Relics, a persimmon, and a rather lively chat with Fr. Alexandros
Our Last Days at the Skete…or so we thought »
Posted on July 28, 2010 in 2005 Pilgrimage to the Skete of St. Anna, Mount Athos - 0 COMMENTS
A VISIT TO THE CHAPEL OF SAINT GEORGE
by Rev Fr Chris Flesoras
I may have written this elsewhere, but I remain most thrilled that Fr. Cheroubim does not believe that the desert should replace the world. In other words, whether we are members of a parish or members of a monastic community, each remains valid and a unique setting in which salvation can be attained by the faithful. Problems often arise when we cross over from one to another or when we identify with a particular extreme in either the world or the dessert. The middle road, as he noted, is a good road to travel, and joyously so!
As I continue writing my thoughts and reflecting on our time at the Skete, the dads are venturing forth to participate in Confession. Needless to say, Confession is good for the soul and a most needful part of our spiritual disciplines whether in the world or in the monastery. Although neither dad had found occasion to go in some time, both made it a priority while at the Skete. And, the result…well, both seem to be a bit more at peace and my father, for whatever reason, seems a bit more philosophical (mom is surely going to have her hands full with the new philosopher-king in the house).
After Confession, Fr. Theophilos led us to the house and chapel dedicated to St. George. It was a beautiful walk, concluding at a most picturesque chapel of the Skete. Besides our walking sticks, we carried a few icons from our parish as well as a basket of dried fruit for the brothers.
Upon our arrival we were warmly greeted Fr. Dionysios, a thirty-seven year old monk filled with kindness and the love of Christ. He explained to us that the Chapel of St. George is the most recently built chapel at the Skete, taking some 20 years to build as all of the supplies had to be carried up to the Skete by monks, workers or on donkeys. We venerated the icons in the Chapel, took a few pictures and retired to the formal salon for a bit of coffee and conversation.
As I looked at the pictures on the walls, I recognized a most familiar face, Bishop Gerasimos Papadopoulos of blessed memory. I had not realized that prior to his coming to America, Bishop Gerasimos was a member of this particular brotherhood at the Skete of Saint Anna. After serving the Church of America, most notably as a Bishop of the then Diocese of Pittsburgh, he retired at the Seminary. By the time I attended Hellenic College and Holy Cross he was quite retired, yet on account of his extreme holiness (some would consider him to be one of the first saints of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese), he was revered as the elder of our community.
A few moments later, Fr. Dionysios and Fr. Seraphim, the elder of this brotherhood, again joined us. I wrote some time ago of the holiness of Fr. Seraphim, but it is worth noting again that he is one of the elders of the Skete and one of their most revered and respected monks. They brought us coffee, water, a little shot of liquor, and a sweet.
While we sat and enjoyed their company, we chatted entirely in Greek, although Fr. Dionysios does speak a bit of English. Thankfully, my Greek was a bit better than when I arrived in Greece and both were very understanding of my linguistic challenges. I must admit though, that by the time we concluded our conversation, I was mentally exhausted (the thinking in English, translating into Greek and then speaking routine of the past several days caught up with me). I truly envy those, in a good way, who learn and speak various languages with ease. By no means is this my forte!
As we concluded our time together, Fr. Seraphim presented each of us a most unique prayer rope. The “Tears of the Theotokos” as this style is called traces its origins back to a monk of Mount Athos who found himself unable to craft a traditional prayer rope. He lamented this inability with tears, as his livelihood was dependent upon some craft. The Theotokos though, hearing his lament and seeing his tears, directed him in a vision to pick the seeds from a particular plant and then boil them in water. Upon doing so, the shell of the seed would soften and crack, revealing a most beautiful inner seed that was then to be polished and strung, one by one.
One of the other crafts of this particular brotherhood is making incense, some of the best not just at the Skete, but also on the Holy Mountain. Young Fr. Seraphim who has a twin brother, who is also a monk at the Skete, brought me a number of boxes to purchase for our parish. He recommended his personal favorite, Cypress, which he himself had just made! He also presented me a CD of chanting by Fr. Dionysios at one of their feast days (he is considered to be one of the most gifted chanters at the Skete).
We said our good-byes, thanked them for our gifts and their hospitality, and received their blessings as we were already running a bit late for lunch back at the Kyriakon. Along the way back, Fr. Theophilos and I spoke about the responsibilities of the Dikaios. As Fr. Cheroubim is the Dikaios, he and those in his house, find themselves quite busy offering hospitality to all the pilgrims to the Skete, coordinating services, overseeing all projects of the Skete… Needless to say, Fr. Theophilos looks forward to returning back to a more sedate life once Fr. Cheroubim has concluded his tenure. I look forward to experiencing this silence upon my next visit in 2006.
Well, we were an hour late for lunch. Thankfully, the garbanzo beans were a plenty and the smoked fish was reheated, that is, wrapped in a newspaper, lit on fire, and when the paper is burned off, ready to eat. A bit of bread into the beans, with a bite of fish was outstanding.
At the conclusion of our meal, the dads and I decided to wash the dishes. Only after a bit of arm-twisting, did Fr. Theophilos agree and that would only be after Vespers in the Kyriakon. Vespers was celebrated, the plates were washed, the dads napped, and I would write a bit more in my journal…
