UKASE
№: 11.27.09
November 17, 2009
To all monastery, parish, and
mission rectors
Of the Eastern American Diocese
Dear
Reverend Fathers!
Priest
Rodion Aragon, the sole priest of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
serving in Costa Rica, is deathly ill with stomach cancer. According
to Archpriest Daniel McKenzie, Fr. Rodion had been under medical
observation for the last several weeks, in connection with a mystery
illness that had been causing him much pain and had prohibited him
from eating.
During
his scheduled operation on November 11, doctors discovered the
stomach cancer. At this point, operating was futile. Upon awakening
after surgery, Fr. Rodion was in so much pain that the doctors had
to put him back under.
In
2008, Fr. Rodion joined Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, and
was preparing to continue his education. The large Russian community
in Costa Rica raised money to construct the first Russian Orthodox
church in that country, which would be built in the Pskov style. The
community, with Fr. Rodion at its head, looked joyously toward the
future.
I
hereby authorize monastery, parish, and mission rectors to carry out
plate collections at the end of any Sunday Divine Liturgy, for the
needs of Fr. Rodion’s family. Collected funds can be sent to the
Fund for Assistance to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of
Russia.
