+ Memory Eternal

From Father Josiah:

ARCHIMANDRITE SYMEON, 82, of the Monastery of St John the Baptist in Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, in the U.K., reposed late in the night of last Thursday, August 20th. Father Symeon was one of the original four monastics who came with Elder Sophrony (Sakharov) from France to England in 1959 to found the monastery. Father Symeon’s funeral on Saturday afternoon, likened to “another Pascha,” lasted over four hours due to the large number of faithful – many being his own spiritual children – who came to kiss his hand a final time before he was laid to rest near his spiritual father, Elder Sophrony, in the crypt of the monastery’s funerary church of All Saints.

Father Symeon, right, with Elder Sophrony

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Father Symeon in January of 2007 when I visited the Monastery of St. John for the first time with Pres. Catherine and the girls (and baby Garet). I didn't speak with him much, except for he was telling us a story once, while giving us a tour. He showed us his office where he meets with/confesses people. The man had life in his eyes, even if then he was 79 or so.

The photograph below is from the Paschal procession at St. John in 2008. Father Symeon is holding the icon with Father Z, standing on the right.

With the spirits of the righteous made perfect, grant rest also to the souls of thy servant, O Savior, and preserve him in that life of blessedness which is with thee, O Thou who lovest mankind.