His Eminence has kindly allowed me to
retire as from my 75th birthday, so this is my last
message as retiring Dean. He has persuaded me to retain
the title of Dean
"Emeritus" which is, I think, generally
understood as meaning "honorary", although I am tempted to
construe it as "undeserving". A number of things have induced me to ask to
retire, mostly being tasks which were wished on me
for which I had no aptitude and which caused me undue
stress. I am grateful for the loyalty of those who have
urged me to remain, but I have to recognize that
there are probably only a few years left (perhaps ten, my
specialist said a year or two ago), and it would be nice
for some of them to be spent free of administration.
One thing for which I
have felt responsible has been the provision of services
in Dunedin since Fr Ilyan's death last year. Now that the
centenary has been held we have an offer which, if His
Eminence approves, should provide a solution in the medium
to long term. I hope an announcement will be made before
long. I have only to express my gratitude to those who
have filled in over the last year, especially Fr Victor
who has very willingly gone down and who has inspired
support among the Russian immigrants who have arrived over
the last few years.
The centenary was all
that we had hoped and the attendance from the whole
country was very gratifying. As requested, the other
clergy took charge and allowed me to rest sitting in a
chair in the midst of the Church. A baptism was a sign for
the future and especially for the continuation of the work
that Fr Ilyan had opened up in Southland.
I have indicated to
the Ashley Church Committee (the residents' committee
which administers the Church) that I hope to be able to do
a Sunday Mass here for some time yet. I think the
Committee will be willing to continue the arrangement for
our Church to use the church, and I hope that our people
will show sufficient interest to make that
plausible. My choice of Ashley was motivated by its
suitability for the Western Rite, and there is enough
suitable material here for that, but I think the Committee
is equally happy for the Byzantine Rite to be used as it
was for a good deal of the public services.
His Eminence has invited suggestions as to the
new Dean. Some time ago I wrote to him that although I did
not have a suggestion as to the name, I did have some
thoughts as to the relationships between the Dean, the
Archbishop, and the parishes of NZ. By retiring I express
my acceptance of the decisions he and they will make in
the future while I devote myself, I hope, to prayer and to
the advice given by Voltaire of "cultivating one's
garden". My editing of the musical version of the Western
services is not far from being finished and I hope to
manage to finish at least the Season, so that sooner of
later it will be possible for a high standard to be
attempted in some places.
When I presented myself to the Orthodox Church in
1971, it was obvious that any work for the Church would
have to be done on what is sometimes called "the smell of
an oily rag". This became the accepted way of doing things
here and a certain amount was achieved. To a considerable
extent that limitation continued into this century
and nevertheless progress continued. Now the work
which in the 70s and 80s involved me and my travels is now
in the hands of others, and a good basis exists for
continued growth. All that will be necessary is openness
to co-operation with Almighty God and His will, and with
one another.
Thanks be to God, and to His Hierarchs, and to His
priests and people, for allowing me to have a home in His
own Church for the second half of my life, when others
were constrained to remain in places where their
conscience and spirituality lacked fulfilment in various
ways. May this Church continue to be increasingly
open to those who sincerely believe her Truth and love her
heavenly atmosphere.