Dormition in Calistoga

As the afternoon shadows lengthened on Thursday, August 14th, the bells of Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga, CA, rang out joyously, announcing the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, served the Vigil that evening, which was attended by 40-50 guests. Both Father Joakim Provatakis (St. Symeon, Calistoga, CA – ROCOR) and Father Lawrence Margitich (St. Seraphim, Santa Rosa, CA – OCA) assisted in the altar, while Father Nebojsa Pantic (Ss. Constantine and Helen, Vallejo, CA – GOA) brought many of his parishioners. The lampadas in our tiny church shone brightly and garlands of flowers adorned the epitaphion of the Theotokos as we sang the special hymns of the feast: “The angels, as they looked upon the dormition of the Virgin, were struck with wonder, seeing how the Virgin went up from earth to heaven.”

The next morning, nearly 200 pilgrims flocked to the monastery for the hierarchical Liturgy. Serving with Archbishop Benjamin were Father Joakim Provatakis, Father Lawrence Margitich, Father John Schettig (St. Seraphim, Santa Rosa, CA – OCA), and Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov (Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco, CA – OCA). Also present were Father James Jorgenson (retired – OCA), Father John Christiansen (St. Timothy, Fairfield, CA – Antiochian), and Fr. Philip Halliwell (Christ the Saviour, San Francisco, CA – OCA). Continuing a joyous tradition, Fr. Stephan Meholick (St. Nicholas, San Anselmo, CA – OCA) and several of his parishioners joined us in the choir.

Archbishop Benjamin gave a beautiful homily, featuring a story about poor farmers working their fields, who see a royal procession. Having no gift to give the king, one farmer takes water in his hand and offers it to the king, saying “We have nothing to give you and there is nothing that you need, but it is our duty to give you gifts and it is good for us, too. So, please accept this water.” The king, amazed and touched, accepted the gift and gave the man great gifts in return. We are the poor farmers – anything we can offer God is His already. But it is our duty and privilege to offer Him a gift, and while He needs nothing, the gift we can give Him and which He does want, is our gratitude. The other gift that we as humankind together offer Him is the Theotokos, the pure one who bore Him. On her Dormition, He receives her into His Kingdom, and with the gift of her offered to Him, He gives us the gift of salvation.

Lovely meals and times of fellowship followed both the Vigil and the Liturgy. The sisters are deeply grateful to the many friends who helped in the preparation and serving of food, the care of the grounds, and not least of all, the clean-up after the feast! Following the Liturgy and the meal afterwards, one of the sisters gathered the children and made bunnies out of socks. The children enjoyed their bunnies – particularly because the REAL monastery bunnies, Pulgita and Fiver, came to oversee the process! Many thanks to all who were present for our feast and all who contributed their work and prayers. God bless you!