Bonovox

I would like to make the case for the glorification of Mother Alexandra, the former Princess Ileana of Romania.  First I'll relate how I got to know her:

In 1999 my family was going through a lot of stress.  Some things were good, yet still a cause for stress:  A move to Niagara Falls and the birth of our second child, Hannah for instance.  Other things were on the negative side.  An incident with my employer that resulted in my name and face being splashed across the front page of the local paper, and my resultant legal action against the City; Our eldest (who turned 2 that year)breaking his leg in March, and being diagnosed with cancer in July; a conflict and controversy in our parish, resulting in the resignation of our young priest; the assignment of a new priest (Oh, put the coming of Fr. Paul in the "positive" category.); and other extraneous stressors.

But in Sept. of that year, I had to attend a week at the "Theological House of Studies" at the Antiochian Village, our archdiocese conference center, near Pittsburgh.  This was to complete my residency requirement for the "St. Stephen's Course," as I was studying to be ordained a deacon.  Our new priest, Fr. Paul, was also required to attend, so we drove down together.

It was a busy week, but I had wanted to find the tomb of the recently glorified Saint, Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn, who was on the grounds.  Finally on the day we were to leave, I asked Fr. if he wanted to find the grave, and pray before we headed home.  He agreed that it was an appropriate thing to do. 

We did in fact find his grave, up in the Village Camp.  A holy place to be standing indeed.  Fr. said a prayer, and I remember him asking for St. Raphael's guidance for the journey home.  St. Raphael did guide us for certain, but not as we anticipated.  He sent us to his Sister in the Lord, Abbess Alexandra.

We had left the village, with Fr. driving.  We were gabbing and excited about the events of the past week, and the things we had learned, and the people we had met.  We gabbed right on past the exit we were supposed to take, for the I-79 North.   When we discovered the fact, we realized that the next exit was 20 miles, we decided we needed to navigate a new route home, instead of making a 40 mile round trip for nothing.  Fr. was a former Air Force pilot, and I am the kind of guy who like to curl up in bed on a cold night with a good map.  So we figured that between the two of us we could find our way home.

Our journey did not take us immediately home.  We were driving along, when Fr. slammed on the brakes, and pulled to the side of the road.  "Do you see that?"  He pointed.  There in front of us was a sign for "Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Monastery."  Now I am sure you realize, that There is not an Orthodox Monastery in every town in the US.  IN fact if you have ever tried to FIND a monastery, you realise how daunting that task is.  But God (through St. Raphael's prayers no doubt), saw fit to deliver us right to the door step of one.

So we of course drove up the long drive and knocked on the door.  A nun, who I know now as Mo. Charitina, met us at the door and begun to show us around.  She mentioned something about expecting us.  She showed us the beautiful church, and begin to explain some of the history of the place.  When we entered the Nave, I noticed a table, that had two small baggies, with what appeared to be cotton in them, but I did not pay much mind.  Mother began to explain to us about a "weeping Icon," that they had access to.  She said that the oil that was retrieved had brought miracles to many people when they were anointed with it.  She then said that Mother Christophora, the monastery abbess, had called to say we were coming, and to prepare some oil for us to take with us.  (!!)  Mother Christophora we were told, was actually on her way to the Antiochian Village for the St. Thekla pilgrimage!

Back to Mother Alexandra.  Mo. Charitina began to tell us about the  founder of the monastery.  I believe it is the first English speaking Orthodox monastery in North America, and the first community of nuns.  She is buried there, and Fr. and I prayed at her grave, saying a prayer of thanksgiving of course, for this holy place, and for being miraculously brought there.

Mother Alexandra is the former "Princess Ileana of Romania."  Here is a brief bio:

The above is from http://www.tkinter.smig.net/PrincessIleana/index.htm, and there is some other good stuff there....pictures, and some of her writings.

I plan on using this blog to inform people of her life, and to encourage the Orthodox faithful to consider the Grace that is evident in her life.   Please send me any other thoughts, experiences and testimonies, and I will post them.

Wife, mother, nurse, nun, abbess, author, visionary, intercessor and in "cahoots" with my patron, St. Raphael!

Truly, God is wonderful in His Saints!