Jacobs Well Fall 2019 Trust

curtain. In another corner was the Bishop's broadcasting
studio, where he recorded tapes for subsequent
broadcasts. There were floor-to-ceiling bookcases
along the walls, with icons and family portraits
interspersed among the books.
One of the most spectacular memories I have
of Vladyka occurred in Moscow in May of 1991.
Bishop Basil had been asked by Patriarch Aleksi
to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and back to
Russia. The purpose was to bring back the Holy
Fire, which miraculously proceeds from the Tomb
of Christ in Jerusalem each year on Holy Saturday.
For only the second time since the fall of Communism,
the Patriarch would celebrate the Divine
Liturgy in the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow's
Kremlin. The church was filled to capacity, and the
service was televised and seen all over Russia. When
the tremendous side doors of the cathedral were
swung open, there standing with the sacred Holy
Fire from Christ's Tomb raised for all was Bishop
Basil. Vladyka entered the ancient church, proceeded
through the royal doors with the Patriarch, and
placed the Holy Fire on the altar.
At the end of the Liturgy, the Patriarch, led by
Bishop Basil, all the clergy, and thousands of worshippers,
exited the great doors of the cathedral for a
mile-long procession through the streets of Moscow.
Moscow had not seen such a religious procession
in 70 years. All the church bells in Moscow were
ringing, and above our heads the blue sky was filled
with giant hot-air balloons arrayed with huge icons.
On the same trip, I was approached after a separate
service by one of the young choir singers. Upon
learning that I was from America, he asked, “Do you
know Vladyka Basil Rodzianko?” To which I replied,
“I know him quite well! In fact, he recently stayed
at our home for several days.” The young man said,
“In Russia we consider him a saint!”
V. Rev. Thomas Edwards was the rector of Holy
Apostles Church in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, for 30
years until his retirement in 2001. He now resides
in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
above: The New Jerusalem
(Tapestry, c. 14th century)
St John the Theologian sees the new
Jerusalem desecending from the heavens.
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