Welcome to the memorial page for
Fr. Alvian & Helen Smirensky
December 10, 2017 Light a Candle
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Message from Elena Behuniak
December 13, 2017 3:32 PM
To the family of the late Father Alvian and Matushka Helen Smirensky my deepest and heartfelt sympathy. Our Church has suffered a loss.
My sons had the privilege of serving under Father Alvian - he was a gentle man, fatherlike, ever so calming and diplomatic. My sons have very fond memories of him.
I shall never forget one particular Holy Pascha when Father Alvian came to the hospital to visit my late husband, Michael who was on a respirator at the time, to minister Holy Communion. Father Alvian was truly a "Holy Man". When one considers the priestly obligations of an orthodox priest during the Holy Week - particularly Holy Friday, Holy Saturday and Holy Pascha - it could only have been the "Holy Spirit" who provided Father Alvian with the energy to attend to my husband that day. It was truly a moment I shall never forget.May the souls of Father Alvian and Matushka Halen rest in peace and their memory be eternal.
They will live in our hearts forever.
Elena Behuniak - St. Basil's Parish
My sons had the privilege of serving under Father Alvian - he was a gentle man, fatherlike, ever so calming and diplomatic. My sons have very fond memories of him.
I shall never forget one particular Holy Pascha when Father Alvian came to the hospital to visit my late husband, Michael who was on a respirator at the time, to minister Holy Communion. Father Alvian was truly a "Holy Man". When one considers the priestly obligations of an orthodox priest during the Holy Week - particularly Holy Friday, Holy Saturday and Holy Pascha - it could only have been the "Holy Spirit" who provided Father Alvian with the energy to attend to my husband that day. It was truly a moment I shall never forget.May the souls of Father Alvian and Matushka Halen rest in peace and their memory be eternal.
They will live in our hearts forever.
Elena Behuniak - St. Basil's Parish
A candle was lit by Dn. Joshua Coolman
on December 13, 2017 10:45 AM
Message from Barbara Nichols Randall
December 13, 2017 12:23 AM
I worked at the State Library and was the Project Manager of CONSER before Helen came on board. I got to know Helen and Al then and continued their acquaintance in Guilderland. Both were wonderful people who will be missed.
Message from Maria Mahar
December 12, 2017 10:08 PM
Father Alvian and Matushka Helen were loved by everyone. We would see them at different churches and it was always a joy. H e was known for his sermons. He was short and to the point, but it left a lasting impression. I have never forgotten his sermon many years ago at Christ The Savior in Galway, NY when he told us about Mother Maria Skobtova of Paris. I had never heard of her, but he was the inspiration for me to look up her life. She was not your average saint, and I Iearned about atypically amazing life.
The last time that I remember seeing Father Alvian was when he was present at the ordination of Father Matthew Markewich on Dec. 15, 2012 at St. Basil's in Watervliet. He had come full circle when he could witness another new priest starting out as his duty was slowly coming to a close.
What a testament to their love that they both left together. May their memories be eternal.
Hymn of Promise
In the bulb there is a flower;
In the seed an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise:
Butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence,
Seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness,
Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
What it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning;
In our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing;
In our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection,
At the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
Natalie Sleeth
The last time that I remember seeing Father Alvian was when he was present at the ordination of Father Matthew Markewich on Dec. 15, 2012 at St. Basil's in Watervliet. He had come full circle when he could witness another new priest starting out as his duty was slowly coming to a close.
What a testament to their love that they both left together. May their memories be eternal.
Hymn of Promise
In the bulb there is a flower;
In the seed an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise:
Butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence,
Seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness,
Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
What it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning;
In our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing;
In our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection,
At the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
Natalie Sleeth
Message from Cathie Love
December 12, 2017 8:39 PM
Dear Nick,
I am so sorry for your great loss. I hope warm memories will give you some comfort.
Take good care of yourself,
Cathie
I am so sorry for your great loss. I hope warm memories will give you some comfort.
Take good care of yourself,
Cathie
Message from hal and linda dudash
December 12, 2017 3:43 PM
We lost touch with fr Alvian and Helen over the years I would like to think Fr Alvian and I seem to be kindred spirits. We are the only two priests in the OCA with destroyer duty. We both were interested in restoration of the liturgy. We both despaired that it would ever happen. Both of us didn't have much use for most bishops. We were at the same parish albeit years apart. We will miss father and Helen and we express our condolences to Maria and the family. May the Kingdom be theirs - together!
Message from Don and Talitha Lourie
December 12, 2017 3:21 PM
Carl, Anna, and family,
We are thinking of you and praying for you during this time of loss. We are so blessed to have met Fr. Alvian and Helen. May God comfort you with thoughts of how they are rejoicing together in heaven.
We are thinking of you and praying for you during this time of loss. We are so blessed to have met Fr. Alvian and Helen. May God comfort you with thoughts of how they are rejoicing together in heaven.
Message from (Protopresbyter) Daniel & (Matushka) Dunia Hubiak
December 12, 2017 11:41 AM
Dear Nicholas, Anna and Masha,
We are deeply saddened to learn of he repose of your parents, Fr. Alvian and Matushka Helen. They were a devoted and caring pair to themselves, their family, their parishioners, and to all with whom they came into contact. Their presence will be missed by all, but we have hope in the Lord's promise of Eternal Life in His never-ending Kingdom. Their names have been added to our prayer list of the departed.
We will miss Matushka Helen's annual Christmas greetings with her updating of information about the extended family. Unfortunately, we are unable to be present for the funeral. Our disabilities and infirmities precludes a trip to the New Skete Monastery.
Please accept the heartfelt sympathies which we extend to the entire Smirensky family.
May the memory of Archpriest Alvian and Matushka Helen be Eternal!
With love and hope in Christ,
Fr. Dan and Dunia Hubiak
We are deeply saddened to learn of he repose of your parents, Fr. Alvian and Matushka Helen. They were a devoted and caring pair to themselves, their family, their parishioners, and to all with whom they came into contact. Their presence will be missed by all, but we have hope in the Lord's promise of Eternal Life in His never-ending Kingdom. Their names have been added to our prayer list of the departed.
We will miss Matushka Helen's annual Christmas greetings with her updating of information about the extended family. Unfortunately, we are unable to be present for the funeral. Our disabilities and infirmities precludes a trip to the New Skete Monastery.
Please accept the heartfelt sympathies which we extend to the entire Smirensky family.
May the memory of Archpriest Alvian and Matushka Helen be Eternal!
With love and hope in Christ,
Fr. Dan and Dunia Hubiak
Message from Tim and Rose Miller
December 12, 2017 9:20 AM
Our sincere expression of sympathy to Maria and her family on the passing of her parents. Although a tragic loss to her family, may they be comforted by the thought of their love transcending into heaven where they are still holding hands in love and the spirit of God.
A candle was lit by Tim and Rose Miller
on December 12, 2017 9:16 AM
A candle was lit by Sheila Etienne
on December 11, 2017 9:34 PM
A SPATHIPHYLLUM was sent on December 11, 2017
Condolences to Maria and the entire family. Your wonderful parents will always be remembered for their Great and Beautiful Love of each other and Compassion for others! May God give you the peace and strength you need going forward.
Message from Mary Tinney and Lucy Devine (daughter)
December 11, 2017 9:13 PM
They will be missed by so many. They had beautiful souls that shown on all they came in contact with. His teachings will live on in his students and her kindness will be remembered by all she helped. Lord Have Mercy on their souls and May their Memories Be Eternal.
Message from Fr. Peter Olsen
December 11, 2017 8:19 PM
It was an honor and a privilege to know Fr. Alvian and Matushka Helen. They were extraordinary individuals that one rarely meets in one's lifetime. Fr. Alvian was my mentor, Spiritual Father and inspiration. I was blessed to drink from the wellspring of his deep wisdom, knowledge and insight. He was a zealous and conscientious pastor famous for his love, compassion and gentleness. I cannot even begin to enumerate the multitude of favors and assistance he gave me when he was attached to St. Basil's in Watervliet. We have lost another great one because of our unworthiness. Matushka Helen was extraordinary in her own right, a brilliant and very educated woman. She was an essential support and help to Father in his ministry. Without her he would not have been who he was. I loved and love them both very deeply. I will cherish the memories and what they have left embedded in my heart and soul. They will be sorely missed. My deepest and sincerest heartfelt condolences to Carl, Anna, the family, and the New Skete Community. May the memory of the newly departed Archpriest Alvian and Matushka Helen be eternal!
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