My Ordination to the Diaconate

[Milliardo]

I don't know if it will work here, but here are the pics of my recent ordination as Deacon. In the Orthodox Church, a deacon can be addressed as "Father" or "Father Deacon". The photo during my vesting (too bad we don't have complete vestments for deacons, so I have to make do with the Archbishop vesting me with the orarion, or in Catholic parlance, the stole; complete deacon vestments would be the orarion, stikharion (alb), and epamanyika (cuffs)). The black one I am wearing is the rassa (or, again in Catholic parlance, the cassock).

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30869877&id=1336729254

[pach]

I am very pleased and elated at the news of your diaconal ordination, Father Rodney.

You may be assured that I will pray for your on-going spiritual growth, that you may have that singular devotion to love our Lord through serving God's people in charity and truth.

Please pray for me too, I am a sinner and am unworthy of my calling as a seminarian, and I entirely rely on God's grace to pull myself through. We shall always keep in touch.



Always Yours in the Crucified Christ,

Francis

[Milliardo]

We are all unworthy. Each day I think about my being deacon, and I still feel unworthy. May the Lord have mercy on us.

You forgot my Orthodox name, Rodian. 

[pach]

Rodian 

Well, all the power to you, brother in Christ.

look at how times have changed. i remember us about, 2 or 3 years ago. the first time we met was at the Orthodox Church and now look at us, you are a deacon and I am now a seminarian for the Archdiocese of New York.

i never knew this was what our good Lord has in store for us.

[Milliardo]

I really don't know as well. I would think that you are on your way to becoming a priest, if that is His will. If it is His will I become as well, then so be it. It is He who leads.

[pach]

Indeed, God writes straight in crooked lines.

I would like to think of that as well, however, obviously a lot still has to be done , and I pray for God's grace I may be able to handle the pressure. It is super hard, much harder here in New York but with good people such as you, and the reception of the Sacraments, I may be able to cling on.


God uses all of us, everyone of us.

[Milliardo]

We have much to be done, Bro. Francis. I also don't know where to start. I am still an infant in Orthodoxy, and I am already a deacon. Mabigat na agad ang trabaho hehe! But God is gracious; He will see us through. He will provide one way or the other.

[pach]

Oh yes. I put my whole faith and trust in that. I would not have been where I am right not had it not been for the Providence of God.

That's the lesson I learned throughout my journey. Tayong mga alagad ng Diyos, hinding hindi tayo pababayaan. God will provide: pro + video (see to it), hence, God will see to it that we Men of God will be looked after.

The Lord looks after His very own!

[Milliardo]

He looks after all of us, whether we are clergy or not. God is that gracious. It's great you have faith, Bro. Francis. I do not doubt you have it, since we've talked as much here and personally. You are blessed.