June  2006
 

Monastery of Ss. Boris & Gleb
Torzhok, Russia

In this Issue

Winter in Russia by Stefan (Ron) Kinnersley
Sunday 25th June
Names and Addresses
 

Winter in Russia
by Stefan (Ron) Kinnersley

On 19th December 2005, Betty and I left Britain from Manchester Airport bound for a destination somewhere in Russia. Our flight took us to Moscow SV. Airport. Our friends, Frs. Stefan and Alexander, met us. From there, we were taken to Tver by car. I was a little apprehensive on the way with the road conditions, ice and snow; you know the normal things that we have over here. When we finally arrived, my hair was a little shade whiter than normal. We stayed in an apartment that is owned by Fr. Alexander.

From the 20th to the 23rd of December, we had free time to explore the town or city. On the 24th, we went to Fr. Alexander’s Church. I had my first go at ringing the bells. Betty told me afterwards that everyone ran out of the church because of the noise that I made ringing the bells. I wouldn’t know, as I didn’t have my hearing aids switched on. After the service we had our usual meal in the Priests’ dining room.

On the 26th, we visited the Bishop’s Palace to meet the Local Press, Television interview and Scout Leader. From there we were whisked off on another journey (what a birthday!) - destination Torzhok. To our greatest surprise, we were to stay at the Monastery of Sts. Boris and Gleb. Hieromonk Arkadiy met us and introduced us to the monks of the Monastery, all eight of them plus, of course, the Abbot and their special visitor, the Archbishop of Tver region. I had to be wearing my kilt plus one flask of single malt; it was my birthday.

On the 27th we had a quick tour of the town and did a little essential shopping. I bought myself Russian police coat and boots; it was 15 degrees below.

On the 28th we were able to have a history lesson of the monastery. It was built in 1038 and said to be the oldest in the country. During the Communist era the monastery was used as a prison and fell into disrepair. Now the buildings are being restored to their former glory, but there is a catch. The local council of Tver can take the restored buildings off the monks as they do not own the buildings or land. This has already happened where a building was taken from them and turned into a museum. The curators with the help of the local council dug up three graves of former Abbots and put the remains of the former on display in the museum. I must finish here as I have gone over my quota. (Notice I did not mention Vodka). To be continued.

Sunday 25th June

On this Sunday it will be exactly ten years since we first began to use St.Michael's. Over those years we have seen great blessings poured out on us. Hopefully we will all be at church for a group photograph after the Liturgy. Bring lots of food with you to share and we will picnic somewhere.

We serve a Memorial before Great Vespers on the Saturday evening to remember those who were with us at the beginning and have fallen asleep in the Lord ... especially Chad; John; Mary; George; Eugenia and Photini.

Names & Addresses

Recently, thanks to the hard work of Veronica Dobson, Winifred and Ian Carson and Richard Grace, we have made available a list of addresses, namedays and birthdays of members of our congregation , friends and visitors. We have a great age range and an international address range. Please use this "aide memoire" to keep contact , encourage the young and the elderly, and keep you informed so that we can pray for each other and be "family". This list will not be available on the website, for obvious reasons, but copies will be in church.

We have had heartwarming comments from those living abroad and at home when they have received cards remembering them on their special days.
 

An urgent appeal from Friends of the
Greek Orthodox Youth of Great Britain
Youth Camp

Every year a group of dedicated young people organise a Greek Orthodox Youth Camp for about fifty children. They do this because they believe that it is essential that Orthodox young people have the chance to be together, to develop friendships, to explore their faith, to worship, to share their experiences and to discuss their problems with people of their own age in an Orthodox environment. Most of the leaders have been to the camp as children and know that the friendships and experiences have been invaluable to their Orthodox Christian lives. This is more important for the many scattered smaller communities outside London.

At present there are no permanent facilities. The children pay to attend but this amount is not sufficient to cover the replacement of worn out equipment, nor special events. To maintain the Camp at its present high level there is an urgent need for financial assistance.

Urgent Equipment Needed

New tents at £400
Replacement of broken poles etc. £300 approx
Hire of kitchen and equipment £320
Sports equipment £250
Hire of mini bus £90 per day
Activities: approx £150 for 50 children e.g. Visit to farm museum and a trip to the seaside.

We need to do as much as we can for our young ones so that they can develop in their spiritual lives for they will be the church leaders of the future.

Please make cheques payable to GOYGB Camp Fund and send them to: Presbytera Catherine Maxfield, Fox Cottage, Albrighton, Shrewsbury, SY4 3AG.

We have several youngsters in our congregation at St.Michael's who will eventually, I hope, benefit from this Camp. I hope we can give some support now.