Abbot Damascene Visits St. John’s Church in Eugene, Oregon
On June 16 and 17, 2018, Abbot Damascene, in the capacity of Episcopal Assistant of Missions, visited the St. John the Wonderworker Church in Eugene, Oregon, accompanied by Br. Pavel, a novice of the St. Herman Monastery.
The travelers arrived in the evening of Saturday, June, 16, and attended Vespers. Afterwards, Fr. Seraphim Bell, the rector of the parish, heard confessions. Fr. Damascene and Br. Pavel were hosted at the home of Fr. Protodeacon Stephen and Diaconissa Irene Dyer, who have been with St. John’s Church almost from the beginning.
The next morning Fr. Seraphim served the Liturgy with Fr. Damascene and Fr. Stephen concelebrating. Over sixty people were in attendance. Fr. Damascene gave the sermon after the Gospel reading. After the Liturgy, an agape meal was served in the parish hall, and then Fr. Damascene gave a talk on spiritual life. The parishioners were attentive and responsive. They asked questions afterwards, in a group setting and one-one-one with Fr. Damascene, until about 3:30 pm. Br. Pavel, meanwhile, talked with Fr. Seraphim, with whom he has been friends for several years, having first met him on Mount Athos.
That night Fr. Damascene and Br. Pavel had dinner with the Dyers. The next day Fr. Seraphim met them at the Dyer’s, where they took a walk to a nearby park which adjoins a river. They then went to Fr. Seraphim’s home, where Fr. Seraphim and Fr. Damascene had a profitable talk.
Fr. Damascene found the Eugene parish, like the other communities he’s visited, to be in a good state. The parish is a healthy mix of cradle Orthodox, those who have been converts for many years, and recent converts. Those who have struggled in the spiritual life for many years are able to pass on to the new believers the fruit of their experience and knowledge.
May the St. John the Wonderworker Church continue to grow in love, joy, and peace, and in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22), through the prayers of its heavenly patron, who himself was abundant in the gifts of grace, and poured them out on our American land! Amen.
