We continue our publication of Archbishop Victorin’s letters by presenting several from 1958, the year when he started living at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.
March 5, 1958
Detroit
Your Eminence,
Your lines from February 25 help me understand the source of some difficulties even I have here. The fact that on my inbound journey, the people in France don’t know that I met absolutely no other Romanians, except Your Eminence, gives them license to concoct various interpretations related to the reason of my arrival here.
For anyone who so desired, they could find out that I did not come here except for the interests of our unfortunate brethren in Jerusalem and, according to Your Eminence, to enrich my knowledge of ecclesial life here – in general. That’s why I avoided, ever since I arrived here, to entangle myself in their misunderstandings regarding the bishop. This is a problem which, as Your Eminence has affirmed so many times, is the expertise only of a synod or at least – in my opinion – of a superior hierarchical committee of our Orthodox Church.
If a copy of the little book “The Imitation of Christ” would fall into the hands of our clergy here, then even from just a few lines, they could see what sort of mission I have here, as I had in Jerusalem.
It’s true that, in this way, I have much to suffer and I cannot help even those who expect or deserve my help. But patience and hope in God’s help for all things.
With the same filial sentiments,
Archim. Victorin
Holy Pascha 1958
Detroit
Your Eminence,
My soul is very troubled over why I left Jerusalem. Howsoever life was there, at least there were feast days, whereas here my days pass without any feast days.
Your Eminence’s lines, however, have helped me understand that I’m not the only one called to bear this cross. There were others before us and still others in our times, who pass through the same spiritual turmoil.
And on the occasion of these holy days, I entreat our good God that He grant Your Eminence full health unto many years with better days, and also the joy of our past Paschal feasts, greeting you with the same, heartfelt,
Christ is Risen!
Archim. Victorin
June 9, 1958
St. Tikhon’s Monastery
South Canaan, PA
USA
Your Eminence,
Beginning in June, I’ve also changed my address. Maybe only during summer, maybe also for a longer period.
I find myself at a rural monastery in Pennsylvania. It was impossible for me to resist the summer climate in Detroit any longer.
I’m still not decided how long I’ll stay here. Nonetheless, my thought always flies back to Jerusalem, Jericho, Jordan… Yet the more time passes, it becomes that much harder to embark again on such a long-distance journey.
Sometimes, my discouragement every so often offers me a path to “salvation” in some parish, or in another more stable job around here. But maybe the prayers of those in Jerusalem, who continually ask me when I’m going back there, stop me from departing from the tranquility of our monastic life.
And the yearslong patience shown by Your Eminence, who are in the same situation, is the most salvific guide for me.
Pray for me, too.
Your Eminence’s, with the same filial sentiments,
Archim. Victorin
September 11, 1958
Your Eminence,
I write you so infrequently, yet every day I think about Your Eminence.
When I left Jerusalem, an Arab friend told me one of their proverbs: “a rock that you move from place to place decreases in weight.”
However difficult I manage here, somehow I’m scared to leave elsewhere, to be again a stranger in a strange place. The only path that still attracts me is toward Jerusalem.
You saw last time, too, when God helped me meet You, that I was not interested in anything else in France except to see Your Eminence once again.
Over these two weeks, I didn’t write you because I was thinking about a response from Jerusalem which I just received today. Their opinion is that I stay put for now, if possible. And I also repeat, if possible. Because everyone in the leadership of the local Romanian “episcopates” has one and the same desire: to see me destroyed or at least gone from America. Although I can’t perceive any other motive, for which they are so turned against me, except that despite being subjected to all their enticements, pressures, and persecutions, I have not given up my Jerusalemite way of life. And maybe they’ve become convinced that, given my lifestyle, I would not offer any advantage for their personal interests.
It could very well be that someone from here might ask Your Eminence’s opinions or facts on “with what interests I came here.” Even if they portray themselves as close friends, don’t respond to them, if possible, with any information about me. I don’t have anyone to help me in this country except our good God and the Mother of God.
As I recalled, I have the desire to leave only toward Jerusalem, or to the Holy Mountain, whenever it will be our good God’s will.
With the same filial sentiments,
Archim. Victorin
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