This was from Me by St Seraphim of Viritsa

 This was from Me by St Seraphim of Viritsa . “This was from me” is a famous letter written by saint Seraphim of Viritsa that he sent to his spiritual child, a bishop who was in a Soviet prison at that time; this homily “This was from me” is written as a consolation and counsel to the bishop to let him know that God the Creator addresses to the soul of man.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Things that concern you concern the apple of my eye. You are precious in my eyes and I love you; for this reason, it is a special joy for Me to train you. When temptations and the opponent come upon you like a river, I want you to know that,This was from Me.

I want you to know that your weakness has need of My strength, and your safety lies in allowing Me to protect you. I want you to know that when you are in difficult conditions, among people who do not understand you, and cast you away,This was from Me.

I am your God, the circumstances of your life are in My hands; you did not end up in your position by chance; it is precisely the position I have appointed for you. Weren’t you asking Me to teach you humility? And there – I placed you precisely in the atmosphere, the school where they teach this lesson. Your atmosphere, and those who live around you, are merely performing My will. Do you have financial difficulties and just barely make it? Know that, This was from Me.

I want you to know that I dispose of your money, so take refuge in Me and know that you are dependant upon Me. I want you to know that My storehouses are inexhaustible, and I am faithful in My promises. Let it never happen that they tell you in your need, “Do not believe in your Lord and God.” Have you ever spent the night in affliction? Are you separated from your relatives, the people you love? I allowed it to affect you so you turn to Me, and in Me to find consolation and comfort. Did your friend or someone to whom you opened your heart, deceive you? This was from Me.

I allowed this frustration to touch you so that you may learn that your best friend is the Lord. I want you to bring everything to Me and tell Me everything. Did someone slander you? Leave it to Me; be attached to Me, in Me your refuge so that you can hide from the contradiction of the nations. I will make your righteousness shine like light and your life like midday noon. Your plans were destroyed? Your soul yielded and you are exhausted? This was from Me.

You made plans and have your own aims; you brought them to Me to bless them. But I want you to leave it to Me, to direct and guide the circumstances of your life by the hand, because you are the orphan, not the protagonist. Unexpected failures found you and despair overcame your heart, know That this was from Me.

Because with this tiredness and anxiety I am testing how strong your faith is in My promises and your boldness in prayer for your relatives. Why, is it not you who entrusted their cares to my providential love? Is it not you who now leave them to the protection of my All Pure Mother? Serious illness found you, which may be healed or may be incurable, and nailed you to your bed. This was from Me. 

Because I want you to know Me more deeply, through physical illness, and to not murmur against this trial I have sent you. And do not try to understand My plans for the salvation of people’s souls in various ways, but unmurmuringly and humbly bow your head  before My goodness. You were dreaming to do something distinct and special for Me and, instead of doing it, you fell into a bed of pain. This was from Me.

Because then you were sunk in your own works and plans and I wouldn’t have been able to draw your thoughts to Me. But I want to teach you the most deep thoughts and My lessons, so that you may serve Me. I want to teach you to sense that you are nothing without Me. Some of my best sons are they, who are cut off from active life, to learn to use the weapon of ceaseless prayer. You were called unexpectedly to undertake a difficult and responsible position, supported in Me.

I entrust these difficulties to you, and for this reason the Lord your God will bless all your works, in all of your paths. In everything your Lord will be your guide and teacher. On this day in your hands, My child, I gave this vessel with the divine myrrh, for you to use freely. Remember always that every difficulty that you will come across, every offensive word, every slander and criticism, every obstacle to your works, which could cause frustration and disappointment, every revelation of your weakness and incabability, will be anointed with this oil, This was from Me.

Know and remember always, no matter where you are, That whatsoever stings, will be dulled as soon as you learn in all things, to look at Me.

Everything was sent to you by Me, for the perfection of your soul.All these things were from Me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Life-Miracles-Prophecies of Saint Sraphim of Viritsa pp143-147, Translated by Fr. Nicholas Palis, Orthodox Kypseli Publications, 2005, Thessaloniki, Greece Shared from ICONANDLIGHT web page

March 24, 2026

Historical Roots St. Mary's Orthodox Church Calgary

Historical Roots of St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Calgary

It is the deep yearning of every immigrant who moves to a new country to preserve and practice their faith and traditions in their new homeland. Malankara Orthodox Christians began immigrating to Canada as early as the 1960s and 1970s, settling across various provinces. A significant number found a home in Alberta, particularly in Edmonton and Calgary. By the 1980s, the community in Edmonton successfully established a church named after the first canonized saint of the Malankara Orthodox Church: St. Gregorios of Parumala.

Early Days: A Commute of Faith

At the time, Calgary was home to only a handful of Malankara Orthodox families. Because there was no local parish, the norm was to drive roughly 300 kilometers to Edmonton over the weekend for Holy Qurbana, punctuated by occasional fellowship meetings at the homes of local families.

It was into this community that my family and I moved to Calgary in September 2000. With a young family, we quickly realized that these occasional arrangements were not enough to sustain us spiritually. We deeply desired a local Orthodox Christian Church where we could worship regularly. During our search, we were blessed initially to find a spiritual home and commune with an Eastern Orthodox parish, St. Peter the Aleut, under the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).

During this period, I discovered an Internet forum called the Indian Orthodox Internet Forum (IOIF). It became a vital digital space where Kerala immigrants shared thoughts and encouraged one another. Through IOIF, we learned firsthand about the monumental work of H.G. Mathews Mar Makarios, who was instrumental in establishing parishes under the Catholicate across North America. We also learned of his missionary expectations through the St. Gregorios Mission parishes in Spokane under Father Michael Hatcher and Father John Brian, as well as the 2001 arrival of Father Lazarus (brother to H.G. Mar Makarios) to serve as the vicar of St. Gregorios Parish in Edmonton.

The Impact of Father Lazarus

Through the forum, curiosity led me to discover the unique personality of Father Lazarus. He had been a driving force in establishing parishes in North India, served as one of the founding secretaries of the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (OCSM) from 1964 to 1966, and was a revered educator at Bethany School, Kunnakulam. The real turning point for me was hearing from fellow IOIF moderator Oommen Kappil (from Philadelphia), who fondly recalled how students would skip classes just to hear Lazarus Achen’s zealous and passionate speeches.

I connected with Father Lazarus over the phone, and we would speak for hours—a tradition of deep conversation that continued until his repose on March 4, 2024.

Almost a year after I first connected with him, providence stepped in. I was contacted by Titus Samuel, who had just moved to Calgary from Fort McMurray. He took the initiative to coordinate with Father Lazarus to celebrate Holy Qurbana right here in Calgary. A new routine was born: we would receive Achen at the Greyhound bus station once every few months. He would spend the afternoon resting at our downtown apartment, after which more established families would pick him up for evening fellowship, followed by Holy Qurbana the next day.

Recognizing the growth and dedication of this small community—primarily led by Titus Samuel, Paul Ramanat, and a few others—Diocesan Bishop H.G. Mar Makarios officially directed Fr. Lazarus to serve as the vicar of a dedicated St. Mary’s Orthodox congregation in Calgary.

Elevation to a Full-Fledged Parish

On St. Thomas Day, December 21, 2002, the Calgary congregation was elevated to a full-fledged parish in the name of St. Mary by Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. Mar Makarios. The historic occasion was graced by the presence of clergy and laity from  near and far like Father Philipose Philip Diocesan Secretary of Canada & UK Diocese from Toronto, Father Michael Hatcher from Spokane , lay members from our Edmonton parish as well as representatives from local Sister Orthodox Churches like Ethiopian parish as well as  Eastern Orthodox OCA and Antiochene parishes in Calgary.

The parish continued to hold monthly Holy Qurbana led by Fr. Lazarus, who was later assisted by Fr. Philipose Philipose from Edmonton. In 2009, during the structural reorganization of the Malankara Orthodox Dioceses, the parish officially came under the Southwest Diocese of North America.

Growth, Transformation, and a New Horizon

What began as a small gathering of about 10 families has flourished into a vibrant parish of more than 100 families, driven by a steady influx of immigrants moving to Calgary over the last decade.

To nurture this rapid growth, the need for a resident priest became vital to the life of the parish. On August 15, 2010, Diocesan Bishop H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius appointed Fr. Binny M. Kuruvilla as the first full-time resident priest, which allowed for regular, frequent Holy Qurbana and pastoral services. Later, in October 2019, Southwest Diocesan Bishop H.G. Zacharias Mar Aprem appointed our current vicar, Fr. George Varughese (Shabu Achen), to guide the parish forward.

Today, under the leadership of the newly formed Canadian Diocese, the parish is moving toward its greatest milestone yet. God willing, on May 30, 2026, St. Mary's Orthodox Church will move into its very own permanent place of worship.

As we cross this threshold, it is only fitting to look back, remember our roots, and honor those who laid the foundation. May we continue to hold each other in prayer. May Christ’s mercy guide us as individuals, as a parish, and as a Church under the Catholicate—firmly rooted in Calgary as an Orthodox Christian community that is welcoming and accessible to all languages and all cultures, for whom Christ became Incarnate

 In Christ, 

George Varghese

Calgary, Canada

May 20, 2026 Updated