† Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor, Vancouver

By SubDeacons Daniel de Broder

As I look back at the past eight years, at this church, there art so many memories. I am twenty years old, and currently assist in the Altar at Holy Resurrection as a reader and acolyte. My parents guided me throughout my life, taught me everything I know. I have no idea where I would be today if it was not for the loving support of my family. I wanted to acknowledge the above, before telling you about my life as an Orthodox Christian.

It was in 1991 when my experiences as an Orthodox Christian began conveniently at Holy Resurrection Church. On March 3, 1991, Father Evan Lowig baptized me along with my dad, Robert, and my two sisters, Amanda and Nicole. My mother was already baptized as a child, and as you may not guess, she was baptized at Holy Resurrection as well.

Sometime later, in 1991, for some reason, our family decided to attend St. Herman’s Orthodox Church in Langley. There I met two clergymen – Father Lawrence Parley and Father Melvin Gimmaka. And there it was, that God showed to me His great light. My Parents asked Father Lawrence to bless our house. During this time, Father Lawrence asked whether I would like to serve as an Acolyte, in the church sanctuary. Amazed, I said yes! My family and I had been attending St. Herman’s for approximately six months, when we decided to go back to Holy Resurrection Church. It was sometime in early 1992.

On our return, I was asked also by Father Evan to serve with him in the Altar, as an acolyte. Amazed again, I said yes! I got a feeling that there must have been a reason why I was asked both by Father Lawrence and Father Evan, to serve in the Sanctuary. Suddenly, one summer day in 1992, I felt some strange sensation, kind of the feeling of a great power coming over me. At that point, I realized that God was calling me – it was a call to become a priest.

At that time, back in 1992, I was assisting to the priest in the Altar at Holy Resurrection alone. No other acolytes or sub-deacons were serving there. May be not all the time was it like this, but it sure seemed like it. This had its advantages though it allowed me to master the service of the Divine Liturgy, conducted each Sunday. To this day, I have almost the whole service memorized. However, being alone was also a hard task, because no one can be in two places at once.

At one time, in 1993,1 heard some shocking news. I learned that Father Evan had to move on to another church, and Father Andrey Somow would be taking his place. But after a while, I recognized that it wasn’t so bad. I must admit, that I have learned a lot from Father Andrey. He also encouraged me to begin reading in the church, first the Hours, and later the Epistles.

One day, Father Andrey introduced me to Simeon Nodel. At last, help arrived. Simon and I started to get to know one another, and became friends. Unfortunately, Simon and his family had to leave for Bolivia, so back I was all alone again. Not long after Simon’s departure, Constantine Somow started attending church regularly. Every Sunday, we served together. Due to this fact, we became good friends.

Now, I would like to skip a few years to 1995, a very significant time of my life. One Sunday in September, Father Andrey told me that he had asked Bishop to tonsure me a Reader. I was amazed yet again. God was really serious about me being a priest, I thought. But I didn’t realize how serious this was. When the Bishop came, he not only tonsured me as a Reader but also gave me permission to wear an Orarion, the piece of clergy vestment, which Sub-Deacons do wear. I was so happy! I praised God, and thanked Him for everything he has done for me.

I met another friend in the church in 1997. There was a young man by the name of Denis Stepanyak who began serving in the Altar as an acolyte also. We started talking, getting to know each
other. Now, just as with Constantine, he and I have a good friendship.

There are other stories, which I can tell, so many experiences in our church I have had in the past eight years, but it would take so long to tell everything. With God’s help, I will become a priest, spreading His “good news”. With faith in God, everything is possible. “…If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).