Posted on 12/13/2017 9:20:24 AM PST by NRx
ALBANY — The Rev. Alvian Smirensky, a Russian Orthodox priest recalled as accomplished, compassionate and wise, had his life’s final wish fulfilled, according to the Rev. Peter Olsen, who referred to the older priest as his spiritual mentor.
“He had said to his son in law, I don’t want to live without my wife,” said Olsen, archpriest of St. Basil’s Russian Orthodox Church in Watervliet.
In fact, Alvian and Helen Smirensky, married for 59 years, died Sunday within hours of each other, on adjoining beds at Albany Medical Center Hospital.
Their deaths on the same morning were not the result of an accident, crime or other shared tragic circumstance, but were the endings through unconnected natural causes of two lives intimately joined for six decades. That was fitting, according to another fellow clergyman who knew them well.
“They were very much a partnership,” said the Rev. Christopher Savage, prior at New Skete Monasteries in Cambridge.
Helen Smirensky went to Albany Med late last week for emergency surgery, Olsen said. (He did not say what her ailment was, and family could not be reached Thursday.
The surgery was not successful, however, and on Saturday night, Father Alvian, as he was called in the Russian Orthodox tradition, went to his wife to perform ministrations at her death bed.
As he was being driven home to the Beverwyck senior living community in Slingerlands, Alvian had a massive stroke, Olsen said. He was promptly transported back to Albany Med, where staff arranged for them to be together.
Helen, 84, whom Olsen called Matushka (for “priest’s wife”) died around 5 a.m. Alvian, 88, passed away about three hours later, Olsen said.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesunion.com ...
Memory eternal!
My aunt and uncle are married 70 years this Nov... I often wonder about that... thats a LONG time to be together... since they got married at 15/16
This happens so often with couples who have shared so many years together. Rest safely in God’s Hands.
I understand how he feels...
Vicnaja pamjat!
6 ... from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.
“I understand how he feels...”
Same here. Coming up on 40 years.
My son is as Orthdox priest in PA and knew of Father Smirensky and Matushka Helen.
I lost my wife to cancer back in June and I'm still taking it hard. We were together for 35 1/2 years and hardly ever apart. I know she's in a better place now, with Jesus and her family in Heaven, but I miss her so much. She was not only the love of my life and my soulmate, she was my best friend and I'm lost without her.
Prayers for you during this difficult time.
Stay strong, FRiend.
Kudos to the health care team that let them be together at the end.
Not every health care worker is as sensitive as these appear to have been.
Two years ago last July, this happened to two friends.
They had gotten married after WWII and before the Korean War.
She had a devastating stroke during open heart surgery and was wheel chair bound and had trouble speaking for 10 years.
He was admitted to the hospital with heart complications.
She was in a board and care home. When she was told that he was in the hospital and was seriously sick, she died.
When their daughters told their Dad in the hospital that his wife of 60+ years had died, he told his daughters goodbye and that he loved them and died.
This is not that uncommon.
Condolences
Truly sorry for your heartfelt loss
I’m with you, friend!
Wonderful love lives on in Heaven. God bless this couple.
Yes, very much so. Thank you for sharing the picture with us.
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