Bonovox

I was tagged by Laura for this: "Top 10 Greatest Influences Outside of God and my Family Members."  You know, this is pretty hard!  You don't realize how influential your family is on you until you try to "do without them!"

OK, here is min in no particular order:

1) Stephen Pietrezak  (Spelling of last name might be wrong) This is the guy who introduced me to Orthodoxy, and then vanished from the earth.  Maybe he's living on Mount Athos or something.  Or maybe he was an angel?    I am eternally grateful for him.

2) CS Lewis  "Jack" is the best representative for all the authors that have influenced me in my life.  He taught that it was actually OK for a Christian to "think."  To that point, I thought thinking and Christianity were mutually exclusive.  Other writers include:  Francis Schaeffer, Frank Schaeffer, Kyriacos Markides, Tolkien, KALLISTOS Ware, Peter Gillchrist, HIEORTHEOS Vlachos, John Romanides, ANTHONY Bloom, Tito Colliander, Zane Gray, Louis L'Amour, CS Forrester, Victor Hugo, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Richard Weaver.....

3) Mother Raphaela Mother is a nun, the abbess of the Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery in Otego, NY (In the Leatherstocking region).  She was the guest speaker for the Pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy service here in Buffalo, when Kelley and I were exploring Orthodoxy.  We both had a mystical experience, and Mother's warmth and humanity "sealed the deal" for Kelley and comforted us in this very difficult time in our lives.  (Our family had a very difficult time in our decision to become Orthodox)

4) Metropolitan PHILLIP (Saliba)  I am very grateful for Saidna PHILLIP's vision of bringing Orthodoxy to America.  He has his critics, and I too do not agree with every decision from "Englewood," BUT his leadership has enabled countless of us to "find Orthodoxy," and to get cradle Orthodox out of their "ethnic ghettos."  Eis Polla Eti, Despota!

5) Mike Pelechaty  Mike was my youth pastor when I was in high school and college.  I don't think he realizes the influence he has had on me, esp. during that very difficult time in my life.  He challenged me to think, and to learn to be "consistently Christian."  He is now a medical doctor in Orchard Park, NY.

6)  Mike Caputy  This Mike was the college and career minister at "The Tab" for a while, and a buddy.  He is also a rock and roll drummer...well he is really a Blues, R&B drummer...whose now playing Country!  He was Rick James drummer for a while, and last I knew was playing for David Lee Murphy and others in Nashville.  We've since lost touch, but I will never forget the nights we sat by Lake Erie eating LaNova Chicken Wings and drinking beer, praying that God would show us "realistic Christianity."  I had since changed my search to that of "authentic Christianity," but Mike seems to have given up the search all together.  I love you man and I pray for you....

7) Tommy Reid  He is/was the Sr. Pastor at "The Tab."  I am sure he doesn't want to take the blame for it, but his preaching had allot to do with me embracing ideas like the sacraments.  Assemblies of God in general disdain such notions, but Pastor never did a wedding or baby dedication or ordination, without emphasizing that God's grace is transferred by the laying on of hands.  He mentioned to me once, that he could have seen himself as an Episcopalian priest.  A classy guy, and a great homilist.

8)  Since Laura mentioned her patron, I will mention mine.  St. Raphael of Brooklyn  He is also "representative" as there are so many Saints whose examples and intercessions I am so thankful for.  St. Elizabeth the New Martyr, The as yet unglorified (uncanonized) Mother Alexandra, St. Nektarios, St. Spyridon,  St. Seraphim of Sarov, St. Herman of Alaska, St. George etc...  See my blog on my family's names

9)  Fr. Paul Solberg my current pastor, as representative of all the great priests that have affected our lives.  Fr. Paul is a great pastor, and lays his life down for the sheep.  He is especially good at going out and getting those whom have strayed.  Fr. George Aswad is our "priest emeritus," and was the pastor who brought us into the Church.  His advice to me when I got engaged, instead of putting a wedge in our relationship (Kelley did not want to become Orthodox), led to our eventual entrance together as a couple. As me to tell you the story sometime!  Finally, the priest  between the two above, Fr. Jayson Post.  He was with us through the whole process of my son's illness and treatment for Retinoblastoma. He cared for us as a good pastor.  We miss you and Paula and pray for you and your family.

10)  Finally, a fudge.  The young lady "Kelley Rainville" was not related to me when we got engaged and married.  But she has changed my life in so many ways.  My friend and lover, my confidant and partner.  We are so different, but truly complement each other in our strengths and weaknesses.  She has given me the most wonderful children, and she lays down her life for them by carrying them for 9months, nursing them with milk from her own body, and putting her "career" on hold to stay home and home school them.  Not an easy life, but she does it out of love.   I pray that I would learn to be as self-sacrificing as she is.

Whew...that was hard...but worth it!  I tag Aaron, Justin M and Gina!