Just prior to the beginning of the Great Fast, His Grace Bishop Luke hosted a ‘Russian Tea’ with the wives of our current married seminarians. The afternoon was filled with wonderful conversation!

As rector of the seminary, Bishop Luke, together with his councils, deemed it prudent for him to meet with the seminarians’ wives, and to open a dialogue between the administration and the families who are presently attached to the monastery. This was initiated to give them the opportunity to express any concerns they may have, and to discuss issues they are facing.

Bishop Luke decided to implement this by inviting the wives to for a get together in his office over tea. The initial meeting was one month in the planning stage, but fortunately all the invitees were able to attend. While enjoying a mini feast kindly prepared by Hegumen Cyprian, they discussed issues concerning family life, amenities for families with infants, general quality of life improvements, and issues concerning the monastery being able to adequately sustain this more diverse community.

Another important topic of conversation was centered around how to best provide pastoral instruction to the new, prospective Matushkee.  This was discussed by the administration prior to this get together. As a result, talks have begun with a very experienced parish Matushka, who will plan to meet with these young wives, to guide and instruct them in preparation for their future service to the Church.

The wives were very engaged during this meeting and expressed their gratitude for being able to meet with Vladyka as a group, and for having been given this opportunity to communicate with him directly.