November 4, 2011
Washington, DC: A Righteous Woman: In blessed memory of Elena
Petrovna Cox (on the 40th day of her repose)
On
Sunday, September 26, on the eve of Great Feast of the Glorious
Exaltation of the Holy Life-Giving Cross, after a prolonged illness,
Ms. Elena Cox, a tireless co-laborer in the Vineyard of the Lord in
Washington, DC, was translated to the mansions of the righteous.
Volumes could and should be
written about all the good she did for God, the Church, and her
fellow man. She was a shining example of what it means to dedicate
oneself to Christ our God. Not only did she serve the Church by
directing the choir for many years, but she assisted with private
services, singlehandedly baked prosphora, cleaned the church,
fulfilled her duties as secretary of the Parish Council, co-edited
the Russian version of "Parish Life" and did many, many other things
crucial to the development of our parish life. Any parish needs at
least five people like Lyalya (as we affectionately called her by
her Russian diminutive) to help the clergy.
Mrs. Cox worked for many
years at the United States Information Agency as editor of the
Russian-language magazine "America Illustrated." With their
substantial pensions, she and her husband, Reader Leonid Cox, could
have easily lived a very comfortable life in retirement. However,
being self-centered and selfish was not in their nature. While they
could see immense need around them, they refused to indulge in
selfishness. The Coxes established the Benevolent Fund at St. John’s
and were among its largest contributors. After her husband’s death,
Mrs. Cox continued to participate in the work of the fund, to help
the needy, and to continue the legacy of giving.
Here are a few short
remembrances of Mrs. Cox sent in by some of our parishioners of the
St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC.
Archpriest Victor Potapov
Lyalya portrayed what is very seldom seen in today’s sinful world –
a living saint! Every time I saw her in church, I would make a
special effort to come up to her. I would greet, hug, and kiss her
as if she were my own mother or grandmother. I always walked away
with such a feeling of peace and comfort in my heart and soul. No
matter what the situation, Lyalya always put a smile on all of our
faces. Personally, I always found solace in Lyalya – a haven for our
salvation and an example for all of us to emulate. We were all
blessed to have lived side-by-side such a righteous and pious
individual. Memory eternal!
***
Many of us remember (and witnessed) how on Pascha night, after the
Midnight Office and Liturgy, while everyone was in the church hall
celebrating and breaking the fast, Lyalya would be on her hands and
knees scrubbing the wax off the floor of our cathedral.
***
Mrs. Cox died on the patronal feast of the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Her patron saint built that church, and Mrs.
Cox sustained St. John’s with her tireless work for the church. She
built this church by her strength with her labors for the parish
council, choir, and blessed bread, so it is fitting that she see the
feast of the Cross as did St. Helena, and repose on the feast of the
Holy Cross of Our Savior, which she
carried and which her patron saint rediscovered.
***
You don't know what a beacon the Coxes were to me. Your remembrance
of Elena made my whole day yesterday. It was my birthday and it felt
like a blessing to know that such a righteous soul is now praying
right at the throne for us. When I got the note, my husband was
driving back to DC on I-270 from State College. I read him your
e-mail and said, "I will be late to teach class but this is worth
being late for." We wept.
***
I so admired Elena and her quiet devotion. That is pure Christian
duty and love in the most profound way we read in the lives of the
saints. Once I was concerned about having a panihida for someone’s
40th day. Mrs. Cox said, "Don’t worry – I have them all written
down. It is taken care of." May God grant me to be there for her
memorial meal. Memory eternal!
***
Many years ago, when I first came to St. John the Baptist, I kept
wondering whether I was properly dressed, what icon is the best to
stand next to, how many times to cross myself, and when to bow. I
tried to watch others to follow the ritual. Over the years, one
person became the most memorable role model: a tiny woman in big
glasses always dressed the same – a gray cardigan and a gray skirt.
I close my eyes and I see her – she is standing quietly by the
column in the dark, she is not doing anything special, and only
crosses herself twice at the Psalm verse: "Lord, do not forsake me;
do not be far from me, my God." Thus, unknowingly, one person can
teach another how to pray. Oftentimes, I think about her (this real
nun in the world) and the prayer comes: "Lord, do not forsake me; do
not be far from me, my God."
***
It is the sad news, but important in a human sense. I knew Lyalya
and I was deeply impressed by her, as would anyone who had met her.
She was a unique personality and influenced people not only in the
church to she was devoted, but in a much larger space of her human
and professional presence. I remember her at the America Illustrated
office and also later visiting our Washington File office at the
U.S. Information Agency. Her human dignity, strong spirituality, and
high professional standards made her a living example of Russia’s
great cultural tradition. She was a hardworking guardian angel of
purity and music of the Orthodox faith and Russian language. Her
memory is enshrined in people’s hearts because she was among those
who make humanity universal and possible.
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