I only met Fr. Belisarius a few times, but I was impressed and humbled when he encouraged me in my little writing apostolate. It was a personal blessing! Forgive me if I describe him as "well-rounded" which, with his long white beard and cheerful smile always made me think of St. Nicholas. How appropriate that this dear man went to the Lord on the first Sunday of Advent. I can imagine him on Christmas day filling our stockings with prayers and blessings as we muddle on in the Valley of Tears. The article after the break was sent as an email by one of my readers. I reprint it here with her permission and with gratitude. As I read it I was reminded of Yeats famous quotation, "The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity." How many of the dissenters in our Church bubble over with zeal as they undermine the faith? How many of those in the hierarchy, called to promote the faith "lack all conviction" having traded it for the Almighty tax exemption. How many failed to protect the little lambs in the flock and allowed the sodomite wolves to prey on them without interference? Fr. Belisarius was not one of them. He was a simple, humble priest who truly loved children and God's people. May the Lord bless us with many more like him.
Fr. Constantine, pray for us.
