Greatly respected and beloved by all, our big-hearted and devoted ROCOR Bishop Anfim (Anthimus) of Bessarabia, Moldova, was recently unexpectedly taken from us by the Covid pandemic, and his quick passage from our midst is a great loss for his local flock in Moldova and for our entire world-wide Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and as he was only 48 years of age. He greatly loved God and His saints, he greatly loved the Orthodox Church, and people, and he never ceased to build and beautify the houses of God, and to be a constant missionary for saving souls....even to far away Congo, Africa..
His very face radiated God's love, and his own.
He was the Gospel's image of what the leaders of our faith should be, a true humble follower and imitator of Our Lord Jesus Christ, He "Who gave himself for the life of the world".
Vladyka Anfim truly gave himself for his flock.
This very intelligent and learned scholar was fluent in many languages, and
steeped in his knowledge and practice of the Orthodox Christian Way of Life.
He was, in short, The Good Bishop, The Good Shepherd of his flock....a true reflection of His Father in Heaven. He was "a man for all seasons".
He even in person reached out to some of the leaders of our ROCOR's "Andronik-Mt. View" lamentable and totally unjustified schism here in North America, to appeal to them, in love, to return to our fold, but...they closed their ears and would not heed his loving appeal, as they also have not heeded this same appeal which our entire ROCOR Synod has repeatedly beseeched them so to do, for some years now.
They are thus in the end, the big losers, likely to be soon openly & proudly aligned with Moscow's KGB founded and still totally controlled Moscow Patriarchy and its true 'patriarch', Vladimir Putin..
Now, Heaven is the gainer by his passage from us, but we still who are struggling in this transient life, are the losers, of one, next to our beloved Vladyka Metropolitan Agafangel, of our brightest and most out-going missionary bishops.
Dear newly departed to the Lord, beloved by all, Vladyka Anfim,
May God forgive all of your sins of your life on earth, and may you indeed Rest with the Saints, and Memory Eternal, and we will not forget your short but blessed life nor your devotion to Christ's Holy Church.
Your loving smiling face, we will not forget. You were the candle which could not be hid under the bushel.
Clearly, you were too good, for God to allow you to continue in this sinful world, and so He has taken you to be with Him, as you were perfected in a short time, at your youthful age of only 48 years.
With a sense of mournful sadness and loss, yet with hope in the Resurrection, -which was the dedication of your monastery, and in which hope you daily lived,
Retired Reader Daniel Everiss in Oregon, U.S.A.
Author: Metropolitan Agafangel.Date of publication:...Category:ROCOR.
Today, on October 24 at 4 pm, after a serious illness, at the age of 48, he passed away to the Lord
Right Reverend ANFIM,
bishop of Bessarabia
Kingdom of heaven!Eternal peace!
Bishop Anfim (Tudos Adrian Vasilievich), was born on June 14, 1973 in the Odessa region, Ukraine into a family of Orthodox Christians, was baptized in childhood.Higher education.1991-1993studied and graduated from the theological seminary in Romania in the city of Caransebes.1993-1998studied and graduated from the State University "Alexandru Ioann Cuza", in Romania in the city of Iasi, specializing in pastoral theology.In 1994, while studying at the theological faculty, on September 14, he took monastic vows with the name Anfim in honor of the schema martyr monk Anfima, at the Chatatsuya Monastery, Romanian Church.A year later, 1995, in May, on the feast day of St. Nicholas was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Vladimir (Kontoryanu), Chisinau and All Moldova, ROC MP, and on Pascha 1996 he was ordained a hieromonk by the same bishop.On July 19, 1997 he was elevated to the rank of hegumen.1994-2000 he fulfilled the obedience of the rector of St. Trinity men's.monastery in the village of Rud, Dundushan region, Moldova.Also, he performed the duties of the Dean of the Rezinsky District.In 2000, having learned the truth of the Church, he stopped communicating with the MP.Then he was spiritually nourished in the Romanian Old Calendar Orthodox Church.In 2010 he was admitted to communion with the ROCOR, a cleric of the Bolgrad diocese and received the blessing of the ruling bishop to create a men's monastic community and the beginning of the construction of the Resurrection men'smonastery in the village of New Sagaidak, Chimislia region, Moldova.From 09.11.2011By the Synod of the ROCOR, the monastery's founder was appointed abbot-rector of the Resurrection. Monastery.On May 23, 2012, with the blessing of the ROCOR Synod, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.On the election of the pastoral conference of the Chisinau diocese and by decree of the extraordinary Council of Bishops (November 25-27, 2014),On November 30, 2014 at the Resurrection Monastery, Moldova, he was ordained Bishop of Chimislia, vicar of the Chisinau diocese.From 04/05/2017 - Bishop of Bessarabsky.
From the Wisdom of Solomon, (Old Testament Book in the Orthodox Bible): and thinking of departed & greatly beloved Vladika Bishop Anfim, of Bessarabia, Moldova:
"1. But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.
2. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3. And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 5. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. 7. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 8. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 9. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for his elect."
"Blessed are they whom Thou has chosen and taken O Lord! Their memorial is from age to age".
Memory Eternal: To His Grace Bishop ANFIM
Author: Metropolitan Agafangel. Date of publication:... Category: ROCOR .
Today, on October 24 at 4 pm, after a serious illness, at the age of 48, he passed away to the Lord
The condolences on the death of Vladyka Anfim from the Greek Synod of the GOC of Greece are shared..
# RE: Eternal memory: His Grace Bishop ANFIM - Protodeacon Herman 10/24/2020 19:29
God rest the soul of your good servant, His Grace Anthim. 48 years old. So much had already been done by him, and so much remained ahead. But - we all walk under God ... Eternal memory, dear Master! Protodeacon Herman, in LyonRomanian, Italian and French - communication with our brothers in Romania, Italy and Congo is now difficult for us.
O Lord our God, the Life, the Helper, and the Hope of the Hopeless; Who providest healing to those who from their soul flee unto Thee; Who makest steadfast the weak, and consolest the fainthearted; Who supportest those in affliction, and healest those lying in illness, hearken unto the supplications and intercessions of Thy servants, and deliver them and us from the pernicious attack of the fatal virus called coronavirus.
Yeah, O Almighty Master, look down from Thy holy dwelling place, and behold, and visit Thy flock delivering it from all assault of visible and invisible enemies, and plagues. Receive the repentance of us who in humility and weeping cast ourselves into the immaculate sea of Thy goodness, and forgive us every sin, voluntary and involuntary, every passion and temptation. Preserve us inviolate in the Orthodox Faith, and in the way of Thy divine commandments. Blot out this virus which hath appeared on account of our sins, and grant to those in illness from it complete healing and remission.
Those in danger for praising Thy dominion in Thy sacred and holy temples, and houses of prayer, do Thou guard from all malice; from every affront of the enemy, and from destructive men and circumstances. Thy faithful people, being in affliction and necessity, do Thou empower, guard, and protect from every suffering of soul and body. Root out from their souls fear, and implant in them bravery. Make Thy Church steadfast, guard it from every evil circumstance and oppression. Uphold the pious, grant peace to our country, but the impious and their unrighteous councils do Thou scatter, that they not harm Thy world, and Thy creation.
And grant us, O Master and Lord of all, enlightenment of soul and correction of life, so that, being freed from the deadly virus, and all its woeful and severe symptoms, we may all glorify with one mouth and one heart Thine all-honoured and majestic name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
[This prayer was compiled and approved by our Holy Synod of the Church of the G.O.C. of Greece (November 2020) and the Priests are asked to read it at the Divine Services prior to “Through the prayers…” Additionally, it may be used by the faithful laity in their daily personal prayers.]
Subject: For St. Nicholas Feast Day Today: St. Nicholas with scenes from his life & his miracles
"The Truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness, and a teacher of temperance. Therefore thou hast won the heights by humility, riches by poverty, O our Holy Father Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls!"
O our Holy Father Nicholas, pray to God for us!
Subject: St. Nicholas with scenes from his life & his miracles
