- Jul 10, 2007
- 21,553
- 3,534
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Eastern Orthodox
- Marital Status
- Single
- Politics
- US-Others
Faith Matters: Departing priest knows graduates by their hearts
High school graduation ceremonies can seem as rushed and rote as a fast-food drive-through at noon, especially if the guest speaker isn't the president of the United States of America.
And that's a shame because each and every high school graduate deserves to be called by name and recognized for who they are and whom they hope to become.
Like Elena Mosby, who just graduated from Immaculate Conception High School.
"Elena, your feast day was yesterday for St. Helen, the mother of St. Constantine," Rev. Paul Christy told Elena last Sunday at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church's annual graduation ceremony.
Many Orthodox Christians are named after a saint of the church, which they celebrate on the date their saint is commemorated in the liturgical life of the Church.
"Ever since you were a little girl, I could tell you were different," Christy told Elena. "You sat in the front pew every Sunday, gazing into the beauty of the Divine Liturgy. But there was more than a curiosity about the church and the faith. I think it was more like devotion."
The ceremony was held at the end of a very long service, and on what happened to be Christy's last Sunday as Annunciation's pastor. After 16 years as parish priest, Christy and his family are moving to North Carolina.
"I noticed you are pursuing political science and global studies. I also noticed besides all the honors and achievements, you were part of the Bridge Builders program, which focuses on breaking down barriers within societies.
"All this may lead you someday into the field of diplomacy. What two adversaries could ever resist a compromise crafted by you, who combines elegance, intelligence and good will. May God bless you through the prayers of the noble St. Helen."
Christy spoke this way about each of the 11 graduates honored Sunday at Annunciation. He didn't just know their names and namesakes. He didn't just list their academic and extra-curricular achievements.
He knew these graduates by heart.
"William James Jake Zdancewicz," Christy told the Christian Brothers High graduate. "Because you have so many first names, one of your feast days could be October 23rd for St. James, 'the Brother of the Lord'. It's funny he is known in the West as James, but in the original Greek his name is really Iakovos or 'Jake.'"
In the Orthodox tradition, a child's Name Day -- the "feast day" of his or her patron saint -- is celebrated much like a birthday. Some consider it more important than a birthday.
"St. James was the first bishop of Jerusalem and, like you, he was a leader," Christy told Jake. "And he was a leader because again, like you, he showed a mastery over himself. He was truly rare and was revered by relatives, friends and even strangers because again and again, like you, he was humble and moderate and no one was sweeter in virtue."
Annunciation isn't a small parish. About 300 families call it their church home. Somehow they all know their pastor, but not as well as he knows them.
"Luke, your feast day is October 18 for St. Luke the Evangelist," Christy told Houston High graduate Luke Deitz.
"You, like St. Luke, are a man with many talents," Christy told Luke and the congregation. "You are blessed with uncommon wit, humor and creativity, and somehow you mix all this with compassion and a depth of thought way beyond your years."
Imagine someone you respect knowing these things about you. Imagine someone you respect saying these things publicly about your child.
"Luke, I also happen to know you are an excellent artist, so you have the ability to beautify the church through words, actions and images. Did you know that St. Luke was not only a physician and an evangelist but also an iconographer?
"I don't want you to dismiss that calling if indeed God calls you to it. May the Lord bless your right hand."
Luke felt blessed.
"It makes me want to live up to what Father Christy thinks of me," he said.
Now the entire congregation knows what Father Christy thinks of Luke, Jake, Elena, Bobby, Michael, Paul, Kristina, Alexandra, Clint, Nicholas and Jenna.
Later in the week, Jenna's mom, Kim Nikolich, sent the priest this note:
"Sunday you said something about each graduate. It was something personal, uplifting, and it came from your heart. That means so much to each one of them.
"As you know, Jenna doesn't let much get to her and doesn't cry much. Well, you touched her with your kind words. She left in tears by what you said. It meant so much to her (and Don and me). You really know these kids, inside and out."
Every graduate should be so fortunate.
Faith Matters: Departing priest knows graduates by their hearts » The Commercial Appeal
High school graduation ceremonies can seem as rushed and rote as a fast-food drive-through at noon, especially if the guest speaker isn't the president of the United States of America.
And that's a shame because each and every high school graduate deserves to be called by name and recognized for who they are and whom they hope to become.
Like Elena Mosby, who just graduated from Immaculate Conception High School.
"Elena, your feast day was yesterday for St. Helen, the mother of St. Constantine," Rev. Paul Christy told Elena last Sunday at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church's annual graduation ceremony.
Many Orthodox Christians are named after a saint of the church, which they celebrate on the date their saint is commemorated in the liturgical life of the Church.
"Ever since you were a little girl, I could tell you were different," Christy told Elena. "You sat in the front pew every Sunday, gazing into the beauty of the Divine Liturgy. But there was more than a curiosity about the church and the faith. I think it was more like devotion."
The ceremony was held at the end of a very long service, and on what happened to be Christy's last Sunday as Annunciation's pastor. After 16 years as parish priest, Christy and his family are moving to North Carolina.
"I noticed you are pursuing political science and global studies. I also noticed besides all the honors and achievements, you were part of the Bridge Builders program, which focuses on breaking down barriers within societies.
"All this may lead you someday into the field of diplomacy. What two adversaries could ever resist a compromise crafted by you, who combines elegance, intelligence and good will. May God bless you through the prayers of the noble St. Helen."
Christy spoke this way about each of the 11 graduates honored Sunday at Annunciation. He didn't just know their names and namesakes. He didn't just list their academic and extra-curricular achievements.
He knew these graduates by heart.
"William James Jake Zdancewicz," Christy told the Christian Brothers High graduate. "Because you have so many first names, one of your feast days could be October 23rd for St. James, 'the Brother of the Lord'. It's funny he is known in the West as James, but in the original Greek his name is really Iakovos or 'Jake.'"
In the Orthodox tradition, a child's Name Day -- the "feast day" of his or her patron saint -- is celebrated much like a birthday. Some consider it more important than a birthday.
"St. James was the first bishop of Jerusalem and, like you, he was a leader," Christy told Jake. "And he was a leader because again, like you, he showed a mastery over himself. He was truly rare and was revered by relatives, friends and even strangers because again and again, like you, he was humble and moderate and no one was sweeter in virtue."
Annunciation isn't a small parish. About 300 families call it their church home. Somehow they all know their pastor, but not as well as he knows them.
"Luke, your feast day is October 18 for St. Luke the Evangelist," Christy told Houston High graduate Luke Deitz.
"You, like St. Luke, are a man with many talents," Christy told Luke and the congregation. "You are blessed with uncommon wit, humor and creativity, and somehow you mix all this with compassion and a depth of thought way beyond your years."
Imagine someone you respect knowing these things about you. Imagine someone you respect saying these things publicly about your child.
"Luke, I also happen to know you are an excellent artist, so you have the ability to beautify the church through words, actions and images. Did you know that St. Luke was not only a physician and an evangelist but also an iconographer?
"I don't want you to dismiss that calling if indeed God calls you to it. May the Lord bless your right hand."
Luke felt blessed.
"It makes me want to live up to what Father Christy thinks of me," he said.
Now the entire congregation knows what Father Christy thinks of Luke, Jake, Elena, Bobby, Michael, Paul, Kristina, Alexandra, Clint, Nicholas and Jenna.
Later in the week, Jenna's mom, Kim Nikolich, sent the priest this note:
"Sunday you said something about each graduate. It was something personal, uplifting, and it came from your heart. That means so much to each one of them.
"As you know, Jenna doesn't let much get to her and doesn't cry much. Well, you touched her with your kind words. She left in tears by what you said. It meant so much to her (and Don and me). You really know these kids, inside and out."
Every graduate should be so fortunate.
Faith Matters: Departing priest knows graduates by their hearts » The Commercial Appeal
