Saints Mary & Martha Orthodox Monastery
Orthodox Church in America
Diocese of the South
65 Spinner Lane
Wagener, SC 29164 - USA
telephone: 803-564-6894
email address:
Mary_MarthaM@pbtcomm.net






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ONE THING NEEDFUL
SPRING 2012

STRUGGLE

We are in the joy of “Christ is Risen!” and yet struggle with the reality of the Crucifixion. On this earth our life is the struggle.

For some it appears more time is spent in the joy of the Resurrection while for others the pain of the Cross. But God is the master craftsman of our lives. We need to accept each moment as He sends it and respond after the model of His Son, Jesus.

As we reflect on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ we are confronted with a person who is always compassionate and merciful – not bound by the culture or law. He always did the will of His Father. He operated out of love.

How hard it is for us to be loving! Yet this is the way God wants us to be. (How can we love God whom we do not see when we do not love our brothers and sisters whom we see?) God sees each person as he truly is and loves him. We seem to look with different eyes and choose to judge differently from God.

As we continue our daily struggles and journey to Pentecost may we be gifted with the Spirit to be truly Christ-like.

We have found a good source for Orthodox Coffins in the Southeast.

Daniel A. Kowalcheck
336-978-5385
dkowalcheck@orthodox-coffins.com
www.orthodox-coffins.com

MONASTERY NEWS

Christ Is Risen! As this issue of “One Thing Needful” is being written, we are coming to the end of the forty days of Pascha (the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ). Truly, He Is Risen!

So many of you are wondering when we’re going to break ground -- when God allows. The only deadline we had was to have part of the land cleared so that it could be blessed at Pilgrimage, April 28th. This was done, with the larger logs (oak and pine) being milled for interior use, the smaller logs for the fire place, and the rest to be burned or possibly mulched. Due to drought conditions we have not been able to burn.

Back in late September, we hired an architect that truly wanted to do the work and had some good ideas; however, his health proved to be too great an obstacle. In March, we started interviewing other architects and obtaining bids. On May 4th we hired another architect. The monastery building can be built in three phases, completing the exterior and roughing in the interior. Then, as we have funds, we will work on the interior, starting with the Chapel and one bathroom. As our contractor teasingly says, “We need to get this built before Mother Thecla changes her mind again.” God willing, there will be updated plans in our next newsletter and, just maybe, a building permit.

Saint Walburga’s Warehouse might be finished by the time you receive this newsletter. Currently, the metal workmen are correcting their mistakes. So much for being required to hire the workmen that the metal building company states you must hire if you purchase their product. We were told that they would have it finished in two days, but figured it would probably take a week. They arrived on the 12th of March, did not have it finished by the end of the week, then finished it incorrectly, and are now having to correct the mistakes. When the job is correctly done, they will be paid. Nothing is ever simple. We just learned that the metal workers are one sheet short. So the saga continues.

On the second Friday and Saturday of February, we hosted our annual Knitters’ Retreat. While only four women attended, the retreat was good for all of them, both spiritually and physically.

As any Southern gardener would tell you, there is always work in the garden, no matter what month it is. There is never any lack of work in a monastery. We received some much needed help from Maria Floyd, Donna Davenport, Debbie Stankus, Debbie Davis, Kathy Smith, Kathy Poole, Rebecca Rommen, Elizabeth Barna, and Fr. Dn. Steve and Nancy Hall.

Each year on the Saturday before Forgiveness Sunday, the Church Commemorates All Departed Monastics. We were blessed to have Liturgy served that day by Fr. Robert Royer. A number of years ago, we added the names of women monastics (nuns) to the list of men monastics (monks) in the canon of Matins. Hearing the names of women along side the names of men, who “fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7), inspires us in our own struggles.

On Friday, March 23rd, one unborn child (a miscarriage) was buried here in the morning. That afternoon Jacob Kowalcheck, a newborn infant whose lungs had not developed was buried. Great sadness enveloped all, then it started to rain, then poured and drenched everyone. With the rain came cleansing and joy in knowing God cares for and comforts all. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Howard Thomas (Peter) Herbert from the Charleston, South Carolina area along with the ashes of his wife, Reva Marie Wine Herbert were buried here on May 16th.

As with all those buried here and throughout the world -- May their memory be eternal.

Lent and Holy Week were challenging on many levels. One level was the goodly number of candle orders, for which we are grateful. As always, praying the Lenten cycle of services, keeping the Lenten fast, as well as other ascetical endeavors are challenging. Holy Week and Pascha services are more demanding, and for most of us exhausting. Keeping the Paschal spirit for forty days, fifty if you add Ascension and Pentecost stretches us to our limit. With Christ’s strength, we can “run the race” of the Pre-Lenten, Lenten and Paschal seasons, which are roughly one-third of the year.

Our annual Pilgrimage on April 28th went well. Liturgy was concelebrated by Fr. Thomas Moore, Fr. Peter Smith, and Fr. John Parker. Forty-four others attended throughout the day. With so many people contributing to the potluck luncheon, the table was full and overflowing. After praying the Akathist to Saints Mary and Martha, the four corners of the cleared land where the monastery will be built were blessed. (God willing, next year we will have a chapel and not have to put up tents.) Then we gathered under the tents again and prayed a forty-day Panikhida (prayers for those who have reposed) for Nona Zheltov, whose son and family now live here. Afterwards, we sang the Pascha Canon of Matins as we processed to the cemetery to bless the graves. After resting for a short time and cooling down from the heat, the few of us remaining, prayed Vespers. (Below are photographic portraits of some of the people who attended.)

On May 8th and 11th two groups of home-schoolers came for a candle demonstration and a tour of our monastery. Everyone enjoyed themselves, as they had the opportunity to become acquainted with us, and we with them.

A long-time friend and Orthodox Christian missionary, James Hargrave, visited us in late February after returning stateside from Tanzania in East Africa. With great joy, he and his to be bride, Daphne, will be married on May 27th. We haven’t met Daphne, but we know James is a very happy man. Both are planning to return to the mission field in Tanzania. May God grant them many years!


SAINT ANGELINA OF SERBIA
QUEEN, MOTHER, MONASTIC
July 30th

St. Angelina was the daughter of the Albanian Prince Arnit Spata, descended from the Komneni imperial family, and of Princess Maria, a descendant of the house of Musaki that ruled over the areas of Durrës and Vlorë, important Albanian ports on the Adriatic Sea. Her father was a member of the League of Albanian Princes that had been created in 1444 to resist the Ottoman rule. As a child growing up in the court at Elbasan (present-day Central Albania), her parents trained her in the spirit of the Gospel teaching of Christ, and she was devoted to prayer and almsgiving. Nonetheless, Angelina lived in troublesome times and knew personally of the devastation of Christian nations at the hands of the tyrannous Ottoman Turks. She was still a child when in 1448, the Christians were defeated by the Muslim Turks. Under their tyranny and cruelty, many of the Albanians had become Muslim, others emigrated to Hungary, while some of the chief families, holding obstinately to Orthodoxy or Roman Catholicism, were exterminated by their conquerors.

After the fall of Smederevo in 1439, the Turks captured the heir to the Serbian throne, Stephen (Stefan), son of Prince George (Djordje) Brankovich (1427-1456) and Princess Irene Komnena. The God-fearing young Serb was blinded by the Turks in an attempt to crush Serbian independence. Never succumbing to self-pity or depression, St. Stephen bore his misfortune well. In 1458, he began to reign over the Serbs, but the following year, he was forced to flee his domain. He sought refuge at the court of the Albanian hero, Prince George Kastrioti “Skenderbeg” (1414-1467), where he was welcomed as a kinsman and became a member of the household. It was here that he met Angelina, the sister of Skenderbeg’s wife. As time went on, Stephen and Angelina, both of whom loved Christ and His Church, fell in love and were married in 1460 in Skadar (Scoder) which at that time was under Venetian rule. So great was Angelina’s love for her spouse that she was willing to share his precarious lot – a blind ruler without a country.

During their trials, the holy couple raised one daughter, Maria (Marija), and two sons, George II and John, bringing them up in a Christian manner, in a spirit of piety, well equipped for spiritual struggles. The family lived in Albania until the Turks became more and more a scourge on the surrounding countryside. Serbia and Albania were being devastated by the Muslim invasion, and the family was forced to endure great sorrow and hardship. A military alliance between Angelina’s brother-in-law, Prince George Kastrioti “Skenderbeg”, and King Ferdinand I of Naples enabled the royal couple to flee to Udine in the Republic of Venetia (northeast of Venice, Italy) in 1467 where they remained in exile. Stephen’s sister, Catherine (Katarina), Countess of Celje (present-day Slovenia), helped the couple to purchase a dilapidated castle, which was lovingly called the Castle of Belgrade, located on the River Tagliamento in Furlania (present-day Italy) near Udine. St. Stephen reposed in 1476.

Left a widow without a country, life was difficult for Angelina. Overwhelmed at the loss of her beloved spouse, she had no time for grief or despair. Not only did she have three children to raise, but she suddenly found herself in charge of all administrative matters and the dwindling financial resources. She learned Latin, Italian and German in order to fulfill her royal duties and to interpret the intricacies of the political arena that surrounded her. She tried to sustain the kingdom of Serbia in exile from the castle in Furlania, but the family soon fell into poverty.

After several unsuccessful attempts to sell the Castle of Belgrade in order to obtain funds, Angelina made a deal with the Holy Roman Emperor and German King Frederick III. In October, 1479, he gave her the Castle of Weitensfeld close to the city of Gurka in Kärnten (Carinthia in the southern region of present-day Austria). She moved her husband’s relics and placed them in a church near this castle. In 1484, light from the sky beamed down on St. Stephen’s grave two times during a service in the church and everyone present was rather alarmed. They decided to open the grave and were amazed to find his relics whole and intact. After this miraculous event, Frederick III decided it might be politically advantageous to unify the Serbian royalty with the Byzantine Empire. He arranged for the marriage of Angelina’s daughter, Maria, to Boniface III Palaeologus, the Margrave of Montferrat, on October 17, 1485 at Innsbruck, Austria.

Disputes intensified between Frederick III and the King of Hungary, Matthias Corvinus (c. 1443-1490). In 1439, a distant cousin of the Emperor died – Albert II (1397-1439), King of Germany, Hungary and Bohemia. Frederick III became head of the House of Habsburg and in 1440, he was elected King of Germany. He also became the guardian of Albert II’s son, Ladislaus V, and became regent of Austria on behalf of Ladislaus; however, he was unable to establish himself as regent in Bohemia and Hungary.

Struggles ensued between King Matthias and Frederick III. King Matthias fought two unsuccessful wars in 1477 and 1479 against Frederick III and in 1482, he began a third campaign. Since the Serbian throne in Hungary was unoccupied, the Hungarian King, concerned about possible political repercussions, wanted to solve the problem of Serbian troops in his army. King Matthias eventually took Wien (Vienna) in 1485 and conquered the Duchies of Styria, Carinthia and Carniola. After successfully subduing Frederick III, King Matthias forced the emperor to hand over Angelina and her family. Having a pretender to the Serbian throne, King Matthias received them at Budim (present-day Budapest, capitol of Hungary) where he affirmed Angelina’s royalty and gave her the fortressed cities of Kupinik (present-day Kupinovo) in Srem (present-day Voyvodina), the area west of present-day Belgrade, between the Danube and Sava Rivers, and Slankamen, the area northwest of present-day Belgrade on the Danube River. Angelina chose as the family’s residence the fortressed city of Kupinik. On February 15, 1486, Angelina and her children left for their new home, once again bringing with them St. Stephen’s miraculous relics. According to tradition, Angelina had the boat they used for travel taken apart and, from the boards, the Church of St. Luke was built. The incorrupt relics of St. Stephen the Blind were entombed in this Church and became a source of many healings in Kupinik. Later, his relics were entombed at the Monastery of Krushedol in Frushka Gora.

With King Matthias’ promise of military protection, in 1486 the Serbian kingdom was reestablished at the city of Kupinik under the leadership of George II, who would rule the Serbs for ten years (1486-1496), successfully organizing the Serbian troops and fighting against the Turks. He was a peacemaker, skillful politician, and protector of the Orthodox faith. Ever cognizant of her responsibility toward the Orthodox Serbian people, especially those in exile, Angelina was involved in all governmental affairs. She was known for her construction and repair of churches and monasteries and for her works of charity. Angelina devoted her whole life and all the money she could raise to helping the poor, widows, orphans and those in exile. She and her sons often traveled to the southern territories of their fallen kingdom to comfort and strengthen the people in the face of the Turkish onslaught and oppression. The Serbs joyously awaited the family’s visits. The Brankoviches’ relationships with Hungary and Italy brought the Serbs sorely needed food and supplies. Angelina and George II also made diligent efforts to keep the Orthodox faith alive during the difficult time of Islamic religious persecution. As a result, she became one of the most revered of all saints in Serbia and is lovingly called “Mati” or “Mother” Angelina.

Very conscious of the dangers to the Orthodox faith inherent in the Turkish occupation, George II abdicated the throne in 1496 at the age of 34 in favor of his younger brother, John. John’s life was full of good works and a great love for the Church, especially for the monasteries of Mount Athos, Dalmatia and the Banat. He was the last to rule Serbia before it was subjected to the Turks. John died suddenly on December 10, 1502 when still young. Since he had no sons, all properties now reverted to the Hungarian King Vladislav Jagiello because of the agreement for military protection made under the former King Matthias. In 1504, King Vladislav unexpectedly gave John’s widow, Jelena Jaksić, in marriage to the Roman Catholic nobleman Stanisha Beryslavich. Once again, Angelina was in sudden poverty and the Brankoviches had been disinherited. Realizing that she was no longer able to help the monasteries, she sent an appeal to Basil (Vasilie) III, Grand Prince of Moscow (1479-1533), admonishing him to care for and assist the Orthodox churches and monasteries. With resources donated by Prince Basil III and the brother of her son’s widow, Angelina was able to build the Monastery of Krushedol in 1509 where her incorrupt relics would later be buried, together with the relics of her husband and her two sons.

Having survived the vicissitudes of power and wealth, John’s death brought Angelina to her limit. She renounced the world and its lust for power and placed her entire hope in God. She became a nun in the Monastery of Krushedol where she gained renown for her spiritual struggles, asceticism, and love.

After abdicating the throne, George II had traveled southward down the Morava river to Manasia, a Serbian Orthodox Monastery, to become a monk, taking the name “Maxim”. During his monastic life, he received numerous death threats from the Turkish authorities, so fearful were they of him and of his political savvy. Forced to flee Manasia, he built himself a little cell in a wooded area in the Diocese of Wallachia in central Romania where he continued his monastic struggle. God granted him the gift of unceasing prayer and of spiritual discernment. He was greatly loved by the people and opened his cell to many guests who sought spiritual counsel.

At the recommendation of the people, the Monk Maxim was ordained a priest in 1502 at the age of 40. Five years later, when the Archbishop of Wallachia died, Father Maxim was unanimously elected as his replacement. During his time of service (1507-1512), his personal example of holiness was a source of unity to the Romanian, Serbian, Greek and Bulgarian Orthodox in Wallachia. Archbishop Maxim’s bishopric included Wallachia and the Metropolia of Belgrade and Srem. Krushedol was the seat of his Diocese and continued to be the spiritual center for the Serbs in Srem until the 18th century. In 1512, he abdicated his archiepiscopal throne in Wallachia and retired to the Monastery of Krushedol, where his mother was living out her monastic vocation. He died there on January 18, 1516 at the age of 54. The relics of St. George/Maxim and St. John, both entombed at Krushedol, were incorrupt and worked many miracles.

Now devoid of any earthly ties and longing for her heavenly homeland, St. Angelina reposed shortly after her son, St. George/Maxim, on July 30, 1516. Her relics were also found to be incorrupt and were buried with the relics of her husband and sons at the Monastery of Krushedol. For centuries, the relics of the entire family have worked miracles and to this day, the Serbian nation calls upon them in prayer for assistance in the continuing battle against the subjugation and annihilation of Serbia.




June 9th at 9am
July 7th at 9am
August 11th at 9am
September 1st at 9am
Matins starts at 8am.

SAVE THE DATE

Clergy Wives’ Retreat

September 27-30, 2012
Contact Mother Beth Freeman: 865-660-6438
OR E-mail her at beth@senes.com




BUILDING FUND UPDATE

With hard work and sacrifice many of you, Orthodox and non-Orthodox,
have contributed to our Building Fund.
Thank you.
We ourselves also add as much as we can.
It is our fervent prayer that this project will start soon.
Currently there is $438,921.65 in the Building Fund.
Thanks be to God.


FROM MARTHA'S KITCHEN

Banana Nut Cake
with Praline Icing

Prepare two cake pans by buttering and flouring. Preheat oven to 325° F.

3 1⁄2 cups sifted flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
11⁄4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Sift the above ingredients together and add

2/3 cup softened butter
2/3 cup of buttermilk
11⁄4 cup of mashed bananas (about two)
2 large eggs

Beat with an electric mixer and add

2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Pour equal amounts of cake batter into prepared cake pans. Bake at 325° F. for 40 minutes. Cake is done when a toothpick is inserted into the middle of the cake and comes out clean. Cool on metal racks for 10 minutes. Then turn each cake layer out onto dinner plates.

Praline Icing

While the cake is cooking, chop up 1 cup pecans, sift 1 cup of powdered sugar, and measure out 3 tablespoons of butter. In a sauce pan measure out 6 tablespoons of evaporated milk and add 1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar.

Now you must work quickly to put hot icing onto hot cake. Heat evaporated milk and brown sugar to a boil, stirring the whole time. Remove from heat and quickly stir in butter till melted. Stir in powder sugar till blended and add nuts. Pour part of icing over bottom layer. Take second layer and stack it on top of first layer with icing. Pour the remainder of the icing over top layer. This should cover the top layer with a little pouring down the sides. This cake can be served warm or at room temperature.

Recipe by Lou Frances Greenwood Jackson

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