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In Search of Spring
Spring…what
a wonderful word…even its sound
is optimistic. New England is replete
with examples of this inspiring season,
although this particular year its
appearance has been delayed in hibernation
a bit longer than usual. Each year
I wait for that first sign, that indisputable
expression looming from beneath the
frozen tundra of our northeast winters,
which illustrates spring is ready
to leap from winters depths. This
sign for some is the strengthening
solar rays of the rising sun - for
others it’s the fragrance of
fresh air sprinkled with the scent
of buds popping free from their cocoons
– or perhaps for others it may
be the recovery of replenishing funds
recently depleted from the previous
Christmas holiday. For me there is
one sign that no matter how much Mother
Nature decides to encase us in a frozen
glaze, this example of brilliant color
and life will pierce through winter’s
treachery with everlasting resilience.
I speak of the Crocus Chrysanthus.
Crocus, (which comes from the Greek
word Krokos and Chrysanthus which
is latin for “flower”
but of course a Greek name for flower
is Chrysanthe and it came before the
latin form…further illustrating
the fact that all words come from
“the Greek”), is a hardy
perennial that shows itself even before
the winter is willing to retreat.
This tiny explosion of renewal is
often found stretching its bouquet
toward the sun while snow is still
nestled at its roots. The valiant
battle it fights to break the boundaries
of the icy crust is the inspirational
story of struggle and regeneration.
The intrigue that surrounds this incredible
bloom is the indiscriminate strength
it possesses to throw caution to the
wind and with fearless cause, stand
strong barely above the hardened earth.
As the Crocus begins to carpet the
ground, the vibrate colors reminds
us that longer and warmer days are
just around the bend. For the record,
I have not yet seen one…but
I am eagerly, desperately searching
for the first!
We often take for
granted the common gifts that are
shown to us each day. The simple flower
breaching the snow, may pass our attention
year after year and then one moment
while standing at a curb, you notice
a strange sight - as strange a sight
as an astronaut may find on the moon
– which is a small flower growing
out of snow! You look down, maybe
even sending the tip of your shoe
over the leaves to see if it is real.
Or perhaps you may reach to its base
and brush the winter away to help
it along. The truth is, often we fail
to notice the subtle, yet magnificent
displays that are among us. We are
so tied into the ever popular “Schedule
Ballet” we face each day - you
know the show that begins with the
opening scene with the flight of a
bumble bee flicking at the ears of
the ever sleeping children and the
echo of the repeating chorus; “Its
time to get up, Its time to get up”
- followed by our favorite operatic
dialogue of, “I’m not
wearing that to school…Yes You
Are…No I’m Not…Yes
You Are…No, I am Not”.
The ballet continues - school, work,
piano lessons, dance practice, basketball,
soccer, baseball, home work, doctors
appointment, dentist cleaning, diaper
change, pacifier gone, play dates,
belly aches, “I will drop off…
If you pick up”, teacher conference,
principal office, lunch preparation,
spousal exasperation…and that’s
just Monday!
Yet within this
somewhat amusing anecdotal expression
of a typical day in the life, although
truer than not, remarkably, today,
we find in our community based upon
a common faith, a growing and thriving
renewed spirit. In an era when time
is the most precious commodity, we
find people among us pausing to add
their talents and contribute of themselves
for the common good. Here at our Cathedral
we are experiencing a rebirth, which
has sprung from the foundation of
those who came before us and of those
shoulders we stand upon, that allow
us to look beyond the horizon. Each
day we gather and discuss new programs
and new ideas spun from a golden thread
of a collective goal, to battle complacency
and weave a cloak that will embrace
us all. This cloth shines with each
additional stitch that crosses over
one another and strengthens the fabric
of our community.
We are constantly
faced with increasing struggles and
challenges. But as each new person
gives of themselves there is a reinvigorated
energy that is injected back into
the community. Occasionally, there
are those times when the barriers
just seem too great for anyone to
overcome. These barriers are frozen
solid by the complexities of circumstance
or the triviality of rational. Yet
just when there is a total sense of
exhaustion and despair, someone else
adds new strength and breeds new energy
to breakthrough and push beyond any
obstacle. Interestingly enough, no
one seeks accolades or crowning praise
for their efforts. To the contrary,
often they shy away from any assignment
of credit as an individual and attribute
the success to the group. What people
are these, who place aside the personal
“ego” for common goals
of achievement?
As President I have
been fortunate to learn from our community
each day. I have seen examples of
dedication that span decades and those
that have just begun. I have found
that there is much more that unites
us than that ever could divide us.
We come from villages or cities in
Greece and have also added different
cultures to our family that have enhanced
our diversity. Our common bond, our
common strength is our faith centered
on Orthodoxy.
I have stood at
times in our Cathedral sanctuary while
the furnace silently hums underneath
the colored rays of light that shine
through the history of our faith.
I often feel humbled by the simple
calm that surrounds and penetrates.
The beauty that is center under the
dome of our Cathedral has an incredible
impact on visitors and the faithful
alike. However, there was a time when
I would attend church services but
not notice the depth if its beauty.
I would arrive with accumulating distractions
of the accomplishments of the past
week and schedules to plan for the
upcoming one. I would stand and sit
without even noticing, kneel when
everyone else did and recite the Lords
prayer on queue. Although the enormity
of the structure and the detail of
art would not be missed, I would often
find myself thinking more of the artisan
than the inspiration that allowed
that artwork to come alive. Although
often, I would feel inspired by a
sermon, or a momentary acknowledgment
of the day, afterwards, I would be
driving home thinking more about the
upcoming afternoon event than the
message that was lost through self
absorption.
I know there was
one day, even one moment, unfortunately
I cannot recall which, while attending
another Sunday service, I decided
to purge all thoughts and began to
truly pray. It was then I noticed
a strange sense of tranquil regeneration
that occupied my thoughts. Although,
in a way they were not thoughts, but
a beautiful sense of awareness, that
I was not alone. I felt at ease and
began to see the Cathedral come alive
in a way that transcends life itself.
In my life I have
experienced much but I cannot say
that I receive a greater sense of
peace, and inspiration than the moment
- I come to church.
Kalo Pascha
Yours in Christ,
William Kiritsy
President
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