An Orthodox Monk's Pilgrimage to Carmel
 


 

Dear in Christ,

In all things we must be obedient to one another. This is one of the most ancient prescriptions for our soul's salvation which the ancient Desert Fathers gave to us. In adherence to this, and at the suggestion of our Sisters in Carmel Lonnie and Elisabeth, I am putting down these words to give you all a better idea of where I came from and how I have entered in this Pilgrimage to Carmel.

I am an Hieromonk, that is a Priestmonk, in the Greek Orthodox Church. As many know the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches have a common beginning, and have only in the last millenium been separated. This being so, we share very much in the way of history, belief and spirituality. One of the chief points of a common belief is that of the Mother of God, Mary the Most Blessed Virgin. Orthodox monastics in particular, have a great devotion to the Mother of God, or Theotokos. The center of Orthodox Monasticism, and what may be considered the center of Spirituality for all Orthodox, is the Holy Monastic dwelling of Mount Athos, in Greece. It is said that this place was once favored by a visit from the Mother of God, while she lived with St. John the Evangelist. That upon her stepping ashore she declared that this was to be her special "garden". The Monks of Mount Athos have accepted the Theotokos as their supreme Abbess. Devotion to the Theotokos is worldwide in the Orthodox Church. It is through this devotion that I can trace my 'Call to Carmel" and the beginnings of my Pilgrimage.

I have always had a tremendous devotion to the Mother of God, and at some point in the early 1990's I made a special prayer to Her, asking that She teach me how to pray. I must offer a side suggestion here, do not ever ask the Mother of God for something unless you really want it; because as a loving Mother She is most willing to give whatever is needed to and for Her children. This indeed she did for me.

Orthodox Monastics have a string of knotted cord which we use to count our prayers, primarily the "Jesus Prayer" -- Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. We carry this with us everywhere, it is always in our hand, as a spritual sword. So it was natural that our Holy Mother would utilize this in answer to my prayer. I was led to review some other forms of pray using stringed beads and the like and thus began to pray the Rosary. I even used my own prayer rope, or Chotki, to do this. It seemed perfectly natural, and meditating on the Mysteries of the Rosary was a wonderful spiritual excercise. After some time doing this, in my private Prayer Rule, I began to look at other Roman Catholic Marian devotions. It was just a short step to also include the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Mother of God. And so this continued for a few years.

I then came across the use of Scapulars, and in particular the Brown Scapular. I had an immediate affinity toward the Brown Scapular and decided to study from whence it came. What an eye-opener that was! I suddenly came upon the Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Here, unlike the other Roman Catholic Orders founded upon a personality, was a monastic order I felt "at home" with. Even to the point that their loyalty and devotion was to "the Lady of the place", much in the same way that Orhtodox Monastics lived. There was also the fact that the eremtic life these brother led was right out of the Palestinian monastic tradition I was greatly familiar with. I felt these brothers uniquely akin to Orthodox monasticism. In order to feel more akin, I went out and got a small Brown Scapular and began to wear it under my monastic habit. This cannot be done wiithout changes occuring!

I was content for some time, but then as I began to want to know more about these desert brothers who moved to the cities, ( much the same as I had done) I learned of the Third Order of Carmelites. I read as much about them as I could. I figured that this was something open only to Roman Catholics, but having seen the many expressions of Franciscan Tertieries - Catholic, Anglican and even Methodist - I figured that maybe there might be a small corner I could squeeze into in the Carmelite Third  Order.  

So I wrote to the Provincial of the Third Order, at that time Fr. Peter Byrth, O.Carm. I simply told him my history and asked if there was some way to "associate" with the Third Order. His reply was a thunderclap. He sent me an order form and asked me to get the Formation manuals for the Third Order; to take the six months of prayer and preparation to see if this is what I wanted, before Reception. He said," I think the Blessed Mother has brought us together across a gulf which others may see as impassable but we know that she is the Mother of each one of us and she is not limited by the vagaries of history." He also said that in his reading of "Carmel's Call" that being a Catholic in good standing would also include me. I was astonished. I did not imagine this much, maybe just a loose affliation somehow.

I ordered the books and began to study ravenously. I took my time and even extended beyond the normal six months of preparation. In the meanwhile Fr. Peter was given a new assignment and Father Patrick McMahon became the new Provicial Delegate. He did not seem as eager to draw me into Carmel as Fr. Peter. He felt that he needed to consult with the Father General, basically so as not to be stepping on any ecclesiatical toes, considering the unusual circumstances. I sat on pins and needles. Two and a half months later I received a letter from Fr. Patrick which stated that the Father General saw no problem, and asked Ôhow about the Lay Carmelite Assembly is San Jose in July for the Reception and Clothing in the Scapular? I made my reservations that day.

As the outgoing Third Order Provincial, Fr. Peter Byrth was also at the Assembly and Fr. Patrick deferred to him to actually Receive . It was a very moving and spiritually enhancing ceremeony, but what was even more moving was what happened after the Ceremony. Fr. Patrick asked me to stand by the door of the "Chapel" so I could meet and be greeted by the other Carmelites at the Assembly. What an experiece! I was greeted, kissed and hugged by the over 250 Carmelites - Friars, Sister and Laity -as I asked each one to pray for me. I hope that still are.

Thus has been the beginning of my Pilgrimage to Carmel. One of the greatest helps along the way has been Cincarm and the wonderful Carmelites I have met along the way these past two years. I am very happy and proud to have been allowed to become a member of the Family of Carmel. I can only hope and pray that Our Most Blessed Mother will be able to somehow use the abilities of -

      the unworthy monk Kyrill, T.O.Carm

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