Reflections From Fr Chris

Feb 07, 2009 by Fr Luke Palumbis

A Few Notes from Fr. Chris Flesoras of the Parish of St. Anna in Roseville, CA

Stewards and Friends of St. Anna Church,

Greetings from Greece!  I pray this note finds all of you well.  It has been a most blessed trip with Fr. Luke.  We arrived safely in Greece on Tuesday evening and have stayed extremely busy since then.

On Wednesday morning, we were received by Fr. Cherubim Apostolou at the house of the Theophileon Brotherhood in Thessaloniki.  It’s a modest but elegant home situated around the corner from St. Demetrios Church.  It was good to speak with Fr. Cherubim, learning of his ministry at the eleventh century church of Panagia Chalkeon in Aristoteli Square.  We were also able to set my travel to the Skete of Saint Anna for the next day.

Later this afternoon, we met with the silversmith who has produced many of the ecclesiastical items for our parish (vigil lights, chalice set, censor, etc.).  It was a blessing being able to visit George as well as order a few needed items for our parish.

We also made a stop at the Church of St. Demetrius to receive the blessing of the patron of Thessaloniki.  Such a beautiful Church and such a wondrous saint!

In the eve, I was able to spend some time with Fr. Cherubim as well as with another member of his brotherhood.  We dined close to the Church of St. Demetrius and walked a bit around the city.  It was a late night in anticipation of an early morning to depart for the Skete.

I awoke after a few hours sleep to depart by taxi to Ouranopolis, the port city where pilgrims depart for the monasteries of Athos.  To my surprise and joy, I traveled on the boat,  “the little boat of St. Anna”, with a monk, Fr. Dionysius, whom I had met in 2005.  His kaliva (home) venerates the Great Martyr George (this is the house from which we purchase our incense for our parish).  We clipped across the waves stopping briefly at the port of Daphne on Mount Athos, and then arriving at the Skete.

What a great joy to return!  Fr. Theophilos was waiting for me with two mules, one for my bags and a second for him to lead the pack mule up the hill.  So, up the 2,000 plus steps to the house of the Theophileon Brotherhood.  Needless to say, there are countless stories to share.  At this point, I will limit my schedule to noting our work in the garden, the praying of services, a trip to the Kyriakon to venerate the Holy Relic of Saint Anna, the enjoyment of some great discussions, the eating of most tasty meals, and a restful night sleep (awaking at 4:30 for Liturgy).

I returned to Ouranopoli by boat, traveled by taxi to Thessaloniki, enjoyed an evening with Fr. Cherubim, and joined Fr. Luke, our host Alexia, a dear family friend of Fr. Luke’s family, and Fr. Athenagoras, a youthful, dynamic and compassionate priest of the region.  We enjoyed a delightful dinner during which I learned of Fr. Athenagoras’ ministry to the gypsy children surrounding his parish (the neighborhood is crime ridden, drug infested, and is considered the poorest area of Thessaloniki.  A video news story on his ministry is posted on the St. Basil website, .  Although it is in Greek, the pictures speak a thousand words, not to mention that Fr. Luke is keeping a detailed blog in which he recounts his experiences and shares his thoughts.

Today it is back to Panagia Chalkeon to venerate the Holy Relics of the 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebasti.  We will then meet with the iconographers who painted the beautiful icon that depicts the gifting of the Holy Relic of St. Anna that is placed in our church by our proskintaria (the place where we venerate the icons and light our candles.  We will then meet with a woodworker regarding a few items for our parish, visiting a tailor for altar clothes, and visit a few friends in the evening.

Tomorrow we will pray services at St. Nectarios Church, the parish served by Fr. Athenagoras, to later depart for Cyprus.  Again, I would encourage you to visit the St. Basil website for photos from Fr. Luke’s travels (including the monasteries of Meteora).

God’s continued blessings.  Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to offer our prayers for our parish families…

In Christ,

Fr. Christopher