Byzantine, Texas

From The Lion & the Cardinal, St. Michael fighting the devil : Now here is something unlike anything I've drawn previously. This ink and gouache drawing of the St. Michael fighting the devil was commissioned by a priest of the Maryknoll Missionaries, an order with a long history of missionary activity in Japan. He asked whether I thought it possible to create an image of the archangel in the style of traditional Japanese art without the result being kitsch. I was certainly willing to make an attempt. While inculturation is not something that I have consciously attempted in the past, I was eager to explore some of the illustrative ideas in Japanese woodblock printing. Utagawa Kuniyoshi, one of my favorite artists, provided most of the inspiration here. I was also curious to see how successfully I could maintain the western iconographic traditions in the content and arrangement of religious pictures while using an eastern style of illustration. I am pleased with the resul...

H/T: Again and Again Belgrade, Serbia ( serborth.org ) - At their afternoon session on April 29, 2010, the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church unanimously adopted the proposal of the presiding Diocesan hierarchs and entered into the Dyptichs of the holy Orthodox Churches the names of Archimandrite Justin Popovic of blessed repose, the spiritual father of Monastery Celije near Valjevo (1894-1979), from now the Venerable Justin of Celije and Simeon Popovic of blessed repose, the abbot of Monastery Dajbabe near Podgorica (1854-1941), from now the Venerable Simeon of Dajbaba. The liturgical commemoration of Venerable Justin will be celebrated on June 1 according to the old calendar (June 14 according to the new calendar), and the memory of the Venerable Simeon will be celebrated on March 19 according to the old calendar (April 1 according to the new calendar). The formal celebration of the newly canonized chosen ones of God will be at the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy...

( ROCOR-EAD ) - On Wednesday, April 28, on the Midfeast of Pentecost, in the Nativity of Christ Church, the faithful bid farewell to His Grace, Bishop Daniel of Erie, vicar bishop of the First Hierarch of ROCOR for the care of Old Believers. The church is located on the shores of Lake Erie in Erie, PA (both the city and the lake were named after the local Erie Indian Tribe), less than 100 miles from the Canadian border and the famous Niagara Falls. The vicar bishops of the Eastern American Diocese, Bishops George of Mayfield and Jerome of Manhattan, arrived in Erie on April 27 for Bishop Daniel’s funeral. Bishop Jerome celebrated the Old Rite Liturgy, co-served by parish clerics: church dean Archpriest Pimen Simon, Priest Theodore Jurewicz and Priest Hierotheus Popoff, as well as Priest Seraphim Wing, and parish deacons Stefan Klimczak and Markel Wassell. Bishop George prayed in the altar during the Liturgy. During the Small Entrance, in accordance with Old Rite tradition, the casket...

( OCA ) - The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America gathered in the Diocese of the West with the blessing of His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN for a spring retreat. The Synod held the retreat in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Holy Synod attended the Divine Liturgy on the feast of Mid-Pentecost, celebrated by Bishop BENJAMIN, at Holy Theophany Orthodox Church in Colorado Springs. Afterwards, Archpriest Anthony Karbo, rector of Holy Theophany, Rocky Mountain Deanery clergy and parish faithful welcomed the Holy Synod with abundant hospitality in their parish hall. And also... SYOSSET, NY ( OCA ) - The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America gathered for a spiritual retreat and discussions on pending matters in Colorado Springs, CO April 27-29, 2010. The retreat was led by Archimandrite Meletios of the Monastery of Saint John of San Francisco, Manton, CA, on the spiritual impact of a variety of pastoral matters. In the course of its discussions, the memb...

Reliquary of St. Herman ( OCA-DOW ) Bishop Benjamin will lead a pilgrimage to Alaska from the Diocese of the West this summer. The trip will include the historic capitol of Russian America, Sitka; Anchorage; a wildlife and glacier viewing cruise in Prince William Sound; and Kodiak. The highlight of the trip will be the 40th Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Herman celebration and trip to Spruce Island. The dates will be August 4 – 11, 2010. The package will include round trip economy air transportation to and from Seattle, in state flights, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and sight seeing. Some meals will be included. A full itinerary for the trip and cost will be posted shortly.

H/T: AOI ( St. Andrew House ) - 'Archbishop Demetrios on the Way Out?' by Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON - At 83 years old and beleaguered by a raft of questions about his ability to keep leading, Archbishop Demetrios may leave his position at the Archbishopric Throne of America, it emerged after intense discussions at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, where he traveled unannounced, as well as among prominent Greek-American leaders who want him retained. The National Herald was unable to reach him at press time. Those familiar with the issue attribute the possible development to his age the constant accumulation of various unresolved problems under his tenure recently. Sources said it was believed at the Patriarchate that these questions have stagnated the ecclesial life of the Archdiocese of America. TNH also has learned that a group of prominent Greek Americans do not agree with the possibility of Archbishop Demetrios leaving his post and threatened to stop al...

If you have read this blog for any length of time you know I have a certain steadfast affection for the hymn Agni Parthene (in English called 'O Virgin Pure' or more colloquially 'Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride'). I also have a soft spot for S'Nami Boh (God is with Us) and O kto kto Nikolaja l'ubit (Hymn to St. Nicholas). The blog christ is in our midst posted a Slavonic version of the hymn. It brought a smile to my morning. I hope it will do the same for you.

H/T: OBL News ( VirtueOnline ) - A Coptic Orthodox Church observer to the Fourth Global South to South Encounter ripped into the Episcopal Church, stunning some 130 archbishops, bishops, clergy and laity, urging them to say "no to ordination of homosexuals, no to gay marriage, no to such immorality, and that it is time to purify the sanctuary of the Lord from this abomination that causes our God to suffer, bleed and be crucified again everyday." "You are martyrs without the shedding of blood because you are upholding the teaching of the Gospel handed down once and for all to the apostles," Bishop Anba Suriel told the stunned delegates. "An army of sheep led by a lion is more powerful than an army of lions led by a sheep. I really pray that you lions here, the primates of each of the provinces of the Global South will stand united with one accord against the heresies of The Episcopal Church. "I want to share with you a saying of Saint Anthony the Gr...

HAMDANIYA, Iraq ( AFP ) — The Christians of northern Iraq have chosen to defy mounting attacks by extremists by erecting a statue of Jesus modelled on the giant Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. The sculpture is only a tenth of the size of the 40-metre (130-foot) iconic statue that towers over the Brazilian city, but it has become a popular site for visitors in Hamdaniya, the north's largest Christian town. "The idea of the statue is not to say Christians were here in case we leave," said Bashar Jarjees Habash, the city's coordinator of Christian affairs. "But the idea of building the statue of Jesus opening his arms is to send a message of peace to everyone to say that we want to live in peace with all," said the 48-year-old. "The people of this area have always tried to live in peace with everyone, even those who fight and threaten them." In February, Human Rights Watch called on Iraq's government to do more to bolster security...

Washington ( CNN ) - The Supreme Court narrowly ruled Wednesday that a white cross, erected as a war memorial and sitting on national parkland in the Mojave Desert, does not violate the constitutional separation of church and state. The 5-4 conservative majority said Congress acted properly when it tried to transfer land around the Mojave Memorial Cross to veterans groups, an effort to eliminate any Establishment Clause violation. The land then would have been declared a national memorial. A federal appeals panel had blocked that land swap. "It is reasonable to interpret the congressional designation as giving recognition to the historical meaning that the cross had attained," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote. "The Constitution does not oblige government to avoid any public acknowledgment of religion's role in society." But even among the conservatives who voted to allow the cross to stand, there was strong disagreement about how similar disputes should be s...

( STOTS ) - The second book in his series, Taught by God: An Introduction to Orthodox Theology written by Dr. Harry Boosalis will be published by STS Press in May 2010. A preview of the book is as follows: "The present study is comprised of preliminary lectures in Orthodox theology. While intended for first-year Master of Divinity students at St. Tikhon's Seminary, its introductory level of approach and reader-friendly style is suitable for anyone interested in the ancient spirituality of the Christian East. "Based on Holy Scripture and patristic teaching, this study refers to the writings of a variety of Orthodox theologians, especially those from Eastern European backgrounds. This book is original in that it preserves its teaching purpose by maintaining a practical approach as well as an appropriate level of language. "Taught by God: An Introduction to Orthodox Theology is ideal for any layman who seeks to introduce himself to, or increase his knowledge of...

I don't usually post wisdom from the elders/Fathers as there are many fine blogs already doing that and my inbox is full of parish mailing lists with words from the desert and the like, but I liked this post from Byzantine Ramblings and I am reposting it below. Abba Isaac relates the following: "When I was younger, I stayed with Abba Kronios, who never asked me to do any work, even though he was old and had palsy. He would get up and give water from a pitcher both to me and others. As well, I stayed with Abba Theodore; neither did he ask me to do anything. He would set the dinner table himself and say to me: 'Brother, if you like, come to eat.' I would say to him, 'Abba, I moved in with you to be useful; why do you not, then, let me do something?' But the Elder always remained silent. "I went to the Elders and told them this. Going to him, they said: 'Abba Theodore, this brother came to stay with your holiness in order to be useful; why do you not ...

( Antiochian ) - The Antiochian Women of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest invite women to the fifth annual retreat Friday-Sunday, May 14-16, 2010 at Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Monastery located at 3389 Rives Eaton Road in Rives Junction, Michigan. Download retreat flyer (PDF) Mother Abbess Alexandra of the Convent of St. Thekla at Antiochian Village will present the retreat, “Create in Me a New Heart,” focusing on the Holy Spirit in our lives. She will bring together reflections on the actions of the Holy Spirit through salvation history from the Scriptures and the Fathers with emphasis on our practical, daily synergy with the Holy Spirit. On Friday following Vespers and dinner there will be an informal meeting with Mother Alexandra. On Saturday following Divine Liturgy and brunch Mother Alexandra will give her presentation (noon to 3 PM). Please see the retreat flyer for the complete schedule, lodging information and the reservation form.

( spc.rs ) - A regular session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops has began with the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the Belgrade Cathedral church led by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia with the concelebration of all Bishops of our Holy Church.

SYOSSET, NY ( OCA ) - After several years of inactivity, and with the blessing of the Holy Synod of Bishops, the Canonization Commission of the Orthodox Church in America is resuming its work and activities. "The members of the Holy Synod, at their recent spring 2010 session, reiterated the Commission's mandate to begin detailed studies of the lives of Metropolitan Leonty [Turkevich] and Archbishop Arseny [Chahovtsev] and to discern whether the Church should officially proclaim them as saints," said Alexis Liberovsky, Commission secretary. "The task of the Canonization Commission is not simply an intellectual undertaking relying on human reasoning and 'proofs,' but rather it is the prayerful discernment of the will of God for His holy Church. Canonization, or glorification, is the recognition by the Church of what God has already revealed." [Information on the process of canonization/glorification may be found on the OCA web site at w ww.oca.org/FS.N...

( ROCOR ) - A conversation with the First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York. – Your Eminence, when did you first visit Latin America? – I first became acquainted with the Latin American region in 1987. The South American Diocese was ruled at the time by Bishop Innokenty (Petrov, 1902-1987). He led an interesting life. Vladyka Innokenty fought in the Russian Civil War and participated in the seizure of Ekaterinburg in July 1918. He was inside the infamous Ipatiev House soon after the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. In 1948, Ivan Petrov (his lay name), made his way to Argentina. In 1957, he became a priest, Fr John. Following the death of Archbishop Afanassy (Martos, 1904-1983) of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Paraguay, he was tonsured a monk and was given control of the orphaned diocese. Bishop Innokenty spent most of his time in Asuncion, Paraguay, which was why the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outsi...

( UOC-USA ) - On Wednesday, April 21, 2010 His Grace Bishop Daniel met with the representatives of Zoe for Life organization in Parma, OH. ZOE is a non-profit Christ-centered support organization with three major goals: to help women in crisis pregnancy, to assist Orthodox Christian couples seeking to adopt, and to create an Orthodox Christian abstinence program to educate young people. The organization is endorsed by the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas. Paula Kappos, president of ZOE for Life presented the bishop with a summary of the organization’s ministry, stating that “Many women in crisis pregnancies wrestle with abortion, some with adoption and some with suicide. To encourage women to carry their infants to term, ZOE offers emotional and spiritual support, confidential access to professional agencies, and connection to potential adoptive Orthodox Christian families.” His Grace was escorted to the meeting by the pastor of St. Vladimir ...

New York ( GOARCH ) - The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America convened in its regular Spring Session in the Synodal Chamber of the HolyArchdiocese in New York, on April 21st and 22nd, 2010, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. The Holy Eparchial Synod deliberated on the following issues: Liturgical Issues: It was announced that the Ecumenical Patriarchate approved the submitted text of the Holy Prothesis (aka Proskomedia ) and the Divine Liturgy, with liturgical rubrics by the Synod, so that it may be translated into the English language. Additionally, the Synod assigned to the Synodal Committee in charge of liturgical issues the responsibility to prepare similar texts for Sacred Services, Orthros and Vespers. Furthermore, the Synod completed its work on the text of the Service of Receiving non-Orthodox Christians into the Orthodox Church through Chrismation. Canonical Issues: The final approval of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ec...

H/T: Directions to Orthodoxy CUMBERLAND ( Projo ) — All six bells — Stephan, Sophia, Vera, Nadezhda, Lubov and Gabriel — that were stolen from the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church last week have been recovered. But only four of them could ring again in the small bell house in front of the church. “Well, we miss the bells,” the Rev. Vasily Lickwar, pastor of the Orthodox parish on Manville Hill Road, said at a police news conference Thursday. “They are an integral part of our worship.” The bell Stephan, named for Saint Stephan the first martyr, the largest at hundreds of pounds, is now in three pieces, and Father Lickwar said that bell and the second-smallest of the bells, Lubov, named for a second-century martyr, now shorn of its top, won’t join the others. The police say James M. Haselton, 32, of Lincoln, was attempting to sell the bells at scrap yards in Woonsocket and Lincoln. The police said another arrest is possible. Police Chief John Desmarais said Haselton,...

From the blog Pithless Thoughts : Have you bought the entire catalogue of Barsanuphius keychains, St. John (of the Ladder, Theologian, Evangelist, Cassian, of Shanghai, of San Francisco, Damascus, the Faster, the Short, etc. etc.) refrigerator magnets, books about "my journey to Orthodoxy", Mount Athos mousepads, Philokalia coffee cups, and Moses the Black greeting cards for all occasions? Well, Ortho-consumers, do I have a new Ortho-shopping destination for you. It's... Oh yes, Curmudgeophan, this is the new "Pithless Mall" where you can purchase Ortho-kitzch-to-the-next-level: expensive but useless and pointless stuff with Monkabee, Curmudgeophan, Moo the Turtle, Orthographs and other weirdness on it. Imagine the evangelistic conversations you could start with one of these creations sitting on your desk! Imagine the look of ummmm... when you give a Curmudgeophan coffee cup to your new God children, priest or your Archbishop for a name-day gift! The ini...

Apologies for the translation, done by Google Translate. ( Ecclesia News ) - Days 16 17 and April 18 will be marked in the history of the Orthodox Church in South America by the end of "First Assembly of Bishops of the Orthodox Churches in South America." The event was held at the headquarters of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of São Paulo (Brazil), hosted by Dom Damaskinos Mansour. Participated in this meeting, the bishops of the Orthodox Churches present in South America (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Patriarchate of Antioch, Patriarchate of Moscow Patriarchate of Romania), represented by 10 hierarchs. The absence of the bishop of the Patriarchate of Serbia was justified by his participation in the meeting of the Holy Synod of Serbia. The purpose of the Meeting was to implement the resolution of the 4th Conference in Chambésy (Switzerland) in 2009, the Orthodox Churches, in order to create worldwide Meetings of Bishops for a greater witness of Orthodoxy ...

SYOSSET, NY ( OCA ) - In anticipation of the first North American Episcopal Assembly, slated to convene in New York City May 21-23, 2010, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah has asked that special petitions be included in the Litany of Fervent Supplication. Under the chairmanship of His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Assembly will bring together all canonical Orthodox hierarchs across the continent. Comprehensive and informative background information on events and deliberations leading to the convocation of the Assembly may be found on the web site of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas . Metropolitan Jonah and all diocesan and auxiliary bishops of the Orthodox Church in America will participate fully in the Assembly proceedings. Petitions to be included in the Litany of Fervent Supplication V: That the Lord may grant our Hierarchs gathering in Episcopal Assembly to grow in wisdom and strength...

( mospat.ru ) - According to the established tradition, the Old Belief Metropolia of Moscow (Russia Orthodox Old Belief Church) holds annual celebrations on the Sunday of Myrrh-Bearing Women to commemorate the Emperor Nicholas II’s decree to unseal sanctuaries in the churches at the Rogozhsky Cemetery. On this day, a solemn service is conducted at the Cathedral of the Intercession for which clergy and laity come together from various parts of Russia and near-abroad countries. The celebrations usually include a recital of church hymns, which took place on 18 April 2010. The performance was given by the Moscow cathedral choir, the choirs of the Ostozhenka and Rzhev Parishes, the diocese of Moldova and singing Siberian parishes, the choirs of the Velikoretsky Procession with the Cross, the Moscow theological college and the Metropolitan Alimpy Choir, Nizhniy Novgorod region. The audience noted a noticeable growth in their performance skills and the prevalence of young people in the choi...

Apr. 20, 2010 ( Star-Telegram ) - The question of whether same-sex couples who marry in other states should be able to divorce in Texas -- which recognizes only marriages between a man and a woman -- heats up today when it goes before an appeals court in Dallas. The case, expected to draw national attention, involves two Dallas men, identified in court documents as "J.B." and "H.B." who married in Massachusetts in 2006 and want a divorce. State attorneys will argue to the 5th Court of Appeals today why that should not happen in Texas. This is the first such case in Texas to be appealed to a higher court -- and one that could go all the way to the Texas Supreme Court before a precedent-setting ruling is delivered, political observers say. "This is likely to be the major civil-rights initiative of the coming decade," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. "The 1960s were about the rights of blac...

( OCF ) - The Orthodox Observer, the official newspaper of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, is considering creating a network of special correspondents to contribute news articles of a general, non-theological nature in the various metropolises of the Archdiocese. Potential contributors must be members of OCF and majoring in either journalism or public relations at the undergraduate (3rd or 4th year) or graduate levels. Photographic coverage of events also would be welcome. Contributors can gain practical reporting and photographic experience through publication in the Observer, which has a circulation of about 160,000 throughout the United States and also reaches Orthodox Christians in about 20 other countries. If interested in receiving further details, contact the editor in chief, Jim Golding at jim@goarch.org or 212.570.3557.

( OCMC ) - The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), located in St. Augustine, FL, is seeking 8 volunteers to join their Thank You Calling Team. Individuals on this team will make calls each month to OCMC donors thanking them for their gifts on behalf of OCMC. Solicitation is not a part of this program. Training and orientation will be provided, and calls can be made from the OCMC offices or from home if the volunteer has unlimited calling. The time commitment is 3-4 hours per month and volunteers don't have to reside in north Florida. Calling lists will be provided via email. To find out more information, or to volunteer to become a part of this team, contact Kenneth Kidd, OCMC Annual Gifts Officer, at 904-829-5132, Ext. 161 or at kenny@ocmc.org .

The Triumph of Orthodox Music Over Oppression ( AFR ) - Listen to composer Nicholas Reeves talk about a coming concert in New York City to honor the work of composers who were banned or controversial due to their connection with or influence from the Orthodox Church under communist oppression. More information about tickets for this May 8 event is available HERE . Or you can call 646-450-4077.

H/T: Creative Minority Report

More great photos from the blog Ι.Ν. ΑΓ. ΒΑΡΒΑΡΑΣ ΠΑΤΡΩΝ available here .

Mary Abdelmassih, ( AINA ) - Dina el-Gowhary, the 15-year-old Egyptian Muslim-born girl who converted to Christianity, was subjected to an acid attack, the latest in a string of failed attempts by Muslim fanatics against her and her father, 57-year-old Peter Athanasius (Maher el-Gowhary), who converted to Christianity 35 years ago. Several Fatwa's were issued calling for the "spilling of his blood," which makes their lives in constant danger in the face of the reactionaries and advocates for the enforcement of Islamic apostasy laws, which call for the death of a convert. Dina said that three weeks ago as she ventured out from their hiding place in Alexandria with her father to get some bottled water, her jacket was set on fire due to acid being thrown at her. "My father quickly took my jacket off before the fire reached my arms. Ever since then I am terrorized to go out in the street, with or without my father." Through an aired interview with Freecopts advo...

( mospat.ru ) - Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, will visit Italy from May 14th to 20th, 2010, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The programme of his stay will include a visit to Milan, Turin, Bologna, Ravenna, and Rome, celebration of divine services, meeting with the hierarchs of the Roman Catholic Church, lectures at the university, and meetings with compatriots. On Sunday, May 16, Metropolitan Hilarion will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Moscow Patriarchate parish in Milan. The DECR chairman, together with hierarchs and clerics of the Moscow Patriarchate, will celebrate the Liturgy at the Shroud of Turin on May 18 at night, and will deliver a lecture at the University of Bologna that same day. On May 19, the Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations will visit Rome and meet with the President of the Pontifica...

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 18, 2010 ( Zenit.org ) - Benedict XVI sent a telegram of condolence to Father Adolfo Nicolás Pachón, superior general of the Society of Jesus, on the occasion of the death of Cardinal Tomas Spidlik, who died in Rome on Friday. He was 90. The Czech cardinal, a Jesuit, was a specialist in Eastern theology and spirituality and founded the Aletti Center , which is attached to the Pontifical Oriental Institute. "The pious demise of Cardinal Tomas Spidlik, distinguished Jesuit and zealous servant of the Gospel, has aroused deep commotion in my heart," said the telegram, which was sent Saturday. "It is with profound gratitude that I recall his solid faith, his paternal affability and his intense cultural and ecclesial labors, especially as an authoritative expert on Eastern Christian spirituality. "I raise fervent prayers to the Lord that, by the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin and of St. Ignatius of Loyola, He may give the deceased cardinal ...

April 15, 2010 ( cerkiew.pl ) - A few minutes after 8 o'clock p.m. in the Polish Army's Orthodox Ordinary chapel a first panikhida (mourning) near the late Archbishop Miron's coffin took place. Archbishop died in a crash of presidential plane last Saturday. Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and all Poland along with Warsaw's clergy conducted this service. Bishop Jerzy was also present. The body of the deceased hierarch arrived today by plane with 29 other bodies identified by victim's relatives. Ecumenical prayer took place on the military airport Okęcie, in which took part Orthodox Ordinary's chaplains fr. Bendza, fr. Dudicz and fr. Andrejuk. Then the coffin with the Archbishop's body has been transported with other coffins in a funeral procession to the Torwar, and finally the Archbishop's coffin came to the Ordinary's chapel. Several dozen people have gathered on the panikhida. With paschal singing they welcomed the deceased hierarch. "Christ...

CUMBERLAND, RI ( OCA ) - Thieves made off with six bronze and brass bells, one of which weighing 1200 to 1500 pounds, from Holy Dormition Church here, on Friday, April 16, 2010. The theft was discovered by Archpriest Vasily Lickwar, rector, that morning, after he observed a man quickly getting into a van parked in the church's driveway. When questioned, the man told Father Vasily, "I just love to come here with my girlfriend and pray." Moments after the van left, Father Vasily discovered that five of the six bells that had hung in small wooden tower next to the church were missing. A sixth bell, about the size of a large coffee can, remained. But shortly after investigators left, Father Vasily discovered that it too was missing. "It had to be a premeditated job," Father Vasily told local news media. The bells were were installed at different times during the parish's 102 year existence. One bell originally hung on the Queen Mary, while others came fr...