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THE FIRST HIERARCH HOSPITALIZED
The First Hierarch in the Hospital
Tuesday, 3 December: The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox
Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus,
was hospitalized.
Following the celebrations in San Francisco and the Autumnal
Session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church
Outside of Russia, Vladyka Metropolitan returned to Holy Trinity
Monastery. His advisors, seeing his fatigue and weakness,
insisted that the First Hierarch rest, and a week and a half
ago he departed for Florida for several days. In Florida,
Vladyka began to experience pains in his chest, and by Friday
they were sufficiently strong that he was obliged to go to
the hospital, where he spent three days. On Monday, 2 December,
Metropolitan Laurus returned to Jordanville, and a day later,
his temperature increased and he was once again hospitalized.
Physicians are in the process of diagnosing his problem. Vladyka
Metropolitan is very weak and regrets that he could not serve
in Syracuse, at the Church of the Entrance into the Temple
of the Most-Holy Mother of God, and will likely not fly to
Seattle for the feast day to St. Nicholas Cathedral.
The First Hierarch asks prayers of the faithful flock of the
Church of Christ.
Friday, 6 December: Vladyka Metropolitan remains in
the hospital. On the day of the Entrance of the Most-Holy
Mother of God into the Temple, he was able to partake of the
Holy Gifts. Doctors are still unable to determine the cause
of his pain and temperature. Churches of the Russian Orthodox
Church Outside of Russia are fervently praying for the health
of the First Hierarch.
Monday, 9 December:Vladyka Metropolitan is reportedly
feeling better. The chest pains have disappeared, as has his
temperature. Doctors in the local hospital (Cooperstown, NY),
found no serious problems and feel that Metropolitan Laurus'
condition is a result of fatigue. This morning, accompanied
by Protodeacon Victor Lokhmatov, Vladyka Metropolitan departed
by car to Boston to see his own physician-specialists. Vladyka
Laurus arrived in Boston in the early afternoon and he was
admitted to the hospital for rest and further examination.
Vladyka Metropolitan thanks everyone who prayed for him and
asks for their continued prayers.
Wednesday, 11 December: The First Hierarch feels
much better. Doctors at the Boston hospital are caring for
him and it is expected that Vladyka Laurus will be released
to return to Holy Trinity Monastery in the next few day
On Tuesday, the rector of Epiphany Church in Boston, Protopriest
Roman Lukianov, visited Vladyka Metropolitan.
Monday,
16 December:
On Friday, 13 December, Vladyka Metropolitan was released
from the hospital. The initial diagnosis was confirmed: the
weakness and pains were caused by fatigue and stress, which
heightened the effects of his previous illness. Vladyka Metroplitan
spent 13-15 December at the home of Protodeacon Victor Lokhmatov
in Herkimer (6 miles from Jordanville), then returned to Holy
Trinity Monastery and returned to work. Vladyka Laurus hopes
to serve on the feast day of St. Nicholas.
Letter of Gratitude from Metropolitan Laurus
Dear Ones in Christ:
I am taking this opportunity through the Synodal internet
site to express my sincere gratitude to those who expressed
their sympathy through their letters, emails and telephone
calls. For almost three weeks I was under total hospital care
and study of my health. Thanks to the Lord, no particular
afflictions were found. It turns out that the trouble arose
in relation with a previous operation of the pituitary gland
(a benign growth), and from radiation treatment, which affected
the glands controlled by the pituitary. Thanks be to God,
everything has been normalized now.
With God's help, I returned to my obediences. From all my
soul I thank my brethren archpastors, clergymen and flock
for their holy and fervent prayers and kind wishes. May the
Lord save you!
I fervently ask not to abandon me in your future prayers.
With earnest love in Christ Jesus,
Metropolitan Laurus
Jordanville
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