Priest Christopher Horsley of the Holy Transfiguration Church (Fountain) in Los Angeles.
On May 22, 2013, on the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Christopher, Father Christopher was severely injured and hospitalized when a large iron gate newly constructed on the church property fell on him and crushed his leg. Unbeknownst to any of us, the gate was improperly installed and its major functions and safety features (final guide rails/guide wheels) entirely missing. To illustrate this point: what came crashing down upon one man's reasonable attempt to open- that same gate required the strength of up to 8 firefighters to lift upright again; the force of one man would not be enough to bring down a properly installed, properly functioning, safe and effective iron gate. Father Christopher was rushed to the hospital and into surgery. Although his leg has thus-far been spared, held together with a number of rods and plates, Father Christopher remains in a great deal of pain and is facing a long, difficult recovery. His condition is further complicated by diabetes (Type 1); any infection or complication in his recovery may mean future amputation.
Father Christopher and Matushka Natalie have a family of three children, a mortgage and innumerable other responsibilities (not including the health costs they now face)- all dependent on his full employment and full pay. It will be months before Father Christopher is able to return to work in a full-time capacity. Any leave Father Christopher is able to take from work is absolutely minimal in duration (two weeks at the most it seems- not nearly enough) and would not constitute "paid" leave since his earnings are mostly commission-based. I don't know what the status of his employment will be once his leave is exhausted and he isn't yet able to return to work. Sufficed to say, the Horsleys will be weathering enormous financial strain.
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100% of donations go to the need. No commissions, salaries or overhead fees are withheld. We even have a donor who covers the PayPal percentages and postage we incur. Eventually there may be Worker's Comp, State Disability, Contractor's liability, and other coverage. Meanwhile the family has expenses and no savings. Please help.
Thanks from a Youth Conference Participant
January 1, 2013
RACS
300 Anza St
San Francisco, CA 94118
Thanks to RACS I was able to attend the 2012 6th annual St. Herman’s West Conference in Seattle, Washington. The conference was blessed to have the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon present. The Icon was with us during church services and lectures. Some participants were even lucky enough to hold the Icon for a lengthy amount of time. I was given this rare and blessed opportunity. We started and ended our day with prayer before the Mother of God.
The theme of the youth conference was the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church. The lectures were very informative and on point. One particular talk given by Fr. Alexander Krassovsky mentioned your organization, RACS, and how much you have done for the Russian community. Fr. Alexander’s topic was about preserving our Russian traditions and culture outside of Russia and that working for an organization such as RACS is a perfect opportunity to help our fellow Russians.
But, one of the most memorable moments of this year’s conference would have to be our trip to Vashon Island to visit the All Merciful Savior Orthodox Monastery and the abbot, Fr. Tryphon. The island monastery is very peaceful and gave me a detailed insight into monastic life.
Once again, I would like to thank RACS for giving me this opportunity to attend the youth conference. Because of your sponsorship, I was able to meet and socialize with Russian Orthodox youth and clergy of our diocese, and to attend lectures on topics very relevant to our youth of today. I now understand how important it is to keep our culture and traditions alive for future generations because we are the future.
Sincerely,
Anthony Triantafillidis
Photos from WAD Youth Committee
Latest From Tatiana
Schoolchildren visit Holy Spring, Gulag site
вот, наконец-то, выходной!
появилась свободная минутка написать тебе о том, как в этом году мы в нашей школе праздновали день святой Софии.
традиционно в этот день мы приглашаем батюшку, чтоб он освятил нашу школу.
для этого заранее пишем письмо на имя Владыки Митрополита Тихона, чтоб он благословил о. Александра Ремерова на это дело...
обычно после освящения мы либо устраивали беседу со священником, либо везли ребят на экскурсию в один из храмов нашего города или области. т.к наша школа является светским учреждением и детки , которые в ней учатся - в большинстве своем не воцерковленные, поэтому каждый год мы берем расписку с родителей, что они не против всех этих мероприятий. Чаще всего родители не против, даже если и детки не крещены в православной вере. Единичные случаи, кому не разрешают в этом участвовать: один мальчик - его родители мусульмане, а еще двое деток (брат и сестра) - их папа матёрый коммунист. Тут комментарии излишни...
Итак, 3 человека, и это на всю школу.
Church honoring New Martyrs and Confessors - Iskitim, Siberia
On the site of mass executions 1920's through 1960's
Estimated casualties 200,000+ according to Metropolitan Tikhon of Novosibirsk
One -fourth of the population of the third-largest city in Russia, Novosibirsk, was executed here.
All six bishops and 32 priests were martyred by having their own pectoral crosses and panagias heated and pushed into foreheads.
Of the 115 slave camps, execution sites, this is considered the deadliest, no survivors.
Most martyrs were first tortured.
The funding is from the Diaspora (us), we are safe, secure. Many of our forefathers and brethren were not as fortunate.
Download the PDF brochure describing this project in more detail.
Latest Updates:
March 28, 2013 - A report on the construction sponsored by RACS(PDF).
Today, 14 September, 2012, we see the Church in their honor rising.
Phase II, the exterior will be finished by 2 October, 2012.
Cupolas (manufactured off-site) will be installed in November.
The Blessing is scheduled for 19 January, 2013.
Latest pictures of the construction:
Kiryukhin Family Appeal
Dear friends, parishioners, faithful,
We are pleased to announce that His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America has appointed a much- needed third priest for our parish. Although this appointment is temporary, through June 2013, time will tell. We have had this gap for many months now and this will certainly assuage the overburden on Fr Peter and Fr Serge.
The ‘new’ Fr Sergei, Sergei Sergeievich Kiryukhin who has been teaching at Jordanville Monastery-Seminary will be arriving with his wife and five children, ages 13 and down. He will be arriving here in two weeks and will be immediately ordained into priesthood. We will all be invited to the Sacrament.
Today we need some money to assist with ‘resettlement’. Please donate $25 or more if you can so we can provide the necessary welcome ‘ingredients’ such as furniture, furnishings, and schooling supplies for the family.
Дорогие друзья, прихожане, братия во Христе!
Его Высокопреосвященство архиепископ Сан-Францисский и Западно-Американский Кирилл назначил столь необходимого нам третьего священника. Хотя это назначение имеет временный характер и истекает в июне 2013 года, Бог расставит все по местам в свое время. Сие назначение поможет облегчить бремя, несомое за прошедший срок о. Петром и о. Сергием.
«Новый» о. Сергей, Сергей Сергеевич Кирюхин, преподавал в Свято-Троицкой семинарии (Джорданвилль) и прибудет к нам с матушкой и пятью детьми разного возраста, 13 лет и младше. Сергей Сергеевич приедет в Сан-Франциско через две недели и будет немедленно рукоположен во священники. Все приглашаются в собор в этот день на рукоположение.
Сегодня нам необходимы средства на переселение Сергея Сергеевича. Пожертвуйте, пожалуйста, 25 долларов или больше для того, чтобы мы могли помочь всему семейству с мебелью, домашней утварью и школьными принадлежностями для детей.
On May 22, 2013, on the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Christopher, Father Christopher was severely injured and hospitalized when a large iron gate newly constructed on the church property fell on him and crushed his leg. Unbeknownst to any of us, the gate was improperly installed and its major functions and safety features (final guide rails/guide wheels) entirely missing. To illustrate this point: what came crashing down upon one man's reasonable attempt to open- that same gate required the strength of up to 8 firefighters to lift upright again; the force of one man would not be enough to bring down a properly installed, properly functioning, safe and effective iron gate. Father Christopher was rushed to the hospital and into surgery. Although his leg has thus-far been spared, held together with a number of rods and plates, Father Christopher remains in a great deal of pain and is facing a long, difficult recovery. His condition is further complicated by diabetes (Type 1); any infection or complication in his recovery may mean future amputation.
enormous financial strain.
вот, наконец-то, выходной!
