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THE PRIEST AS... - 2011 TIKHONAIRE
The Priest as Sacrifice Taken from “Papa-Dimitri Gagastathis, the Man of God” “In 1972, my youngest daughter, Chrysoula,
Calybitis left secretly. So did St. Alexios, the decided to become a nun. This came about man of God, as well as many others. That’s by God’s providence. I was very glad, but I where I based my decision to act in such a knew that I would face many difficulties from manner! What else could I do? “One Saturday afternoon, Presbytera Presbytera. Indeed, I went through much suffering from her part—even more than in gave me much trouble, nagging about the years of the guerillas. It defies Chrysoula’s leave and blaming it on me. description… The day Chrysoula was to go off Indeed, I was to blame, because I knew that to the monastery, she came to me secretly this was the way of God, and I also desired it and took my blessing. She had told to be so. I told her a couple of things that I Presbytera that she would go for a few days ought to—namely, that she should be glad to Athens for some medical examinations. If and proud that we were made worthy to offer I would tell Presbytera on that occasion, only a gift to God and to the Most Holy Theotokos God knows what would have happened. But —but she would not listen. I kept silent. In the evening, I went to the issue needs to be I entreated them to strike Satan serve Vespers in the handled with brains parish church. On my and not with pains… I who troubles Presbytera and me way back, I passed by have read the lives of through her. And what a wonder! the Archangels, as the saints and I know When I returned home, Presbytera usual. I didn’t know in t h a t o t h e r s a c t e d came and asked forgiveness for all what mood I would similarly, too. St. John
that she had said that evening…
Fr. Michael and Kh. Donna Laffoon St. Mark Orthodox Church • Irvine, CA • www.st-mark-church.org