“My Dear Son Vladyka”
wrote to you that he received communion, and that the doctor was here. I try not to leave Papa alone, only when <…> I am in church and at the cemetery (approximately one or two times a week); I tried to decorate the grave for the 40th day, as much as I was able to. I think that it was nice. When Papa asked Zhorzh how it was decorated, Zhorzh answered that it would be impossible to do it better. After Mama’s death, Zhorzh has visited two times. <…> We are now receiving many letters regarding Mama’s death, and I answer them at Papa’s dictation. Kisa and the children are now leaving for Caracas to see her cousin. <…> My mood is still <…> despondent, I keep thinking that perhaps I did not do everything for Mama, in order to preserve her. My health is average; I am not doing what the doctor told me to do—walk more. I am waiting for letters from you. Pray for us. M[aria] L[yubarskaya]
Letter from Boris Ivanovich from November 16, 1952 [The envelope was not preserved] Nov. 3 (old style) — Nov. 16 (new style), 1952 My dear son Vladyka! Yesterday I confessed and received the Holy Mysteries at home. Fr. Flor came to us for this purpose at about 9 a.m. From December [sic] 1–2 (old style) I passed a very bad night, and early in the morning, Kisa went to batiushka to invite him to come to me, and then Koka went to the doctor, who came to me around 1 p.m., prescribed medications for me, and told Mura in detail how my treatment should proceed. After Fr. Flor’s visit, I felt well. The doctor found that my illness is progressing, and that my blood pressure had dropped further. I feel very weak, but I have an appetite. Fr. Flor lifted my mood a lot by saying that in the life beyond the grave I will see your mama again. Soon it will be December 5 (old style), six months since Mama’s repose. Mama’s grave <...> is in complete order, but still we thought that we would put up a memorial monument. What is the situation regarding the convention of the Synod in New York this year, and your trip here? I sent you my congratulations for November 8, and this letter was sent to Versailles, you have probably already received it. And in what state are matters after your meeting with the daughter of Maria Alexandrovna? Write to me more often. I always wait impatiently for your letters. I ask for your blessings and prayers. I embrace you affectionately. Loving you, [Signed by B. Maximovich in his own hand] Note on the same sheet from his sister Maria: November 3/16, 1952 Dear brother, I am sending you Papa’s letter, and I can add that I am very concerned about his health. <…> Papa’s strength has
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failed greatly, and he has dizziness and irregularities in his pulse. Last night, I had a great fright. It’s very difficult with medications. He does not want to take them, but he categorically does not want injections; please write to him on this subject. I am in a great hurry and am not writing well. Did you receive Papa’s congratulations on your name’s day? <…> Did you really submit articles to the editors of “Orthodox Russia”? [Pravoslavnaya Rus’, the main Church-community publication of the Russian Church Abroad, published by Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York —Ed.] If you did, then I will subscribe; Papa is very interested; he says that some article was yours, but we did not read it. Pray for us. Goodbye. Write! M[aria]
Letter from his brother Konstantin from December 12, 1952 Exp. Lug. C. Maximovich C. A. Electricidad de Valencia Valencia – Venezuela December 12/November 29, 1952 Dear brother! Today Papa received a letter from you, where you write almost nothing about your illness. Through South America, from Mikhailov from San Francisco, he found out that you are in the hospital with an ailment of the legs. We are all very concerned about your condition. We [found this out] today at the same time as we received your letters. This evening, Fr. Flor was with us, and served a moleben for your health. Please write to us, what is wrong with you, and how [you] are feeling. If it’s difficult for you, please ask someone to write. We beg you to take care of yourself. Even if you don’t want to take care for yourself, you should do this for the sake of the good work which you serve. Write, only write the truth, do you need money for treatment? Do you need to pay at the hospital? I will send you [money]. Write openly. Everything is going well for us. We are waiting impatiently for news from you. Pray for us. I kiss you. Kons(tantin) On the same sheet, a note from Ksenia Leontyevna Deeply-respected and dear Vladyka! The news of your illness alarmed us greatly. We hope that everything is now completely well with you. We are waiting for news, and wish you a complete and quick recovery. Asking for your blessing and prayers, Your Ksen[ia] On the same sheet, a note from his nephew Boris Dear uncle Vladyka! How are you feeling? The news of your illness alarmed us all greatly. I am sending you grandpa’s photograph, taken with my new camera. Your Borya. (To be continued in the next issue.) VOL. 2 (№2) 2014 SPIRITUAL SPRING