A New Novel, Part 293 Do You Have the Rings?

24 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 293 Do You Have the Rings?

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  This is the beginning of the Orthodox marriage ceremony...

Properly accoutered for his role to administer a sacrament, he lit the incense and prepared the altar.  All the while, Aksinya and Dobrushin waited in the Narthex.

The scent of the incense came first to Aksinya.  She breathed it in.  Her heart was full.  She felt nothing but joy.  Perhaps it was impossible for her to feel apprehension anymore.  Still, the crucifix between her breasts did not burn, and she felt no pain in her body.  She was excited and filled with desire, but that didn’t seem to bother her at all.

Finally, Matushka Ekaterina entered the narthex.  She placed Aksinya on the left and Dobrushin on the right.  Then she asked, “Dobrushin, do you have the rings?”

Dobrushin searched in the pockets of his vest and brought out a box.  He placed this in Ekaterina’s outstretched hands.  Aksinya watched wide-eyed.  Ekaterina noticed.  She opened the box for her, and Aksinya saw two simple bands, one silver and one gold.  Aksinya sighed, she clasped more tightly to Dobrushin’s arm.  Ekaterina took the box with the rings into the sanctuary and stepped to the altar, the Holy Table.  Through the Holy Doors of the sanctuary, Aksinya saw Father Makar take the rings from the box and place them on the altar.  He picked up the censer.  From the Christ candle, Ekaterina lit two small candles then she led Father Makar back to the Holy Doors where Aksinya and Dobrushin waited.

Father Makar entered the narthex and came first to Dobrushin.  He made the sign of the cross once on Dobrushin’s forehead, then on Aksinya’s forehead.  He repeated the sign a second and then a third time on their foreheads.  Ekaterina handed the lighted candles to Father Makar and he gave one to Dobrushin and one to Aksinya.

Father Makar turned and censed the sanctuary in the sign of the cross.  He stepped through the doors and continued to cense in the shape of a cross at each step.  Dobrushin stepped behind Father Makar and Aksinya still on his arm came with him.  Behind them followed Ekaterina.

I debated whether to give you the whole of the chapter and the whole of the marriage ceremony.  I decided that the imagery was too important to leave out.  This is a piece of history that may never be found in this kind of source again.  I do this in many of my novels.  I will admit that I did condense the Orthodox Mass in Hestia, but that was at the advice of one of my prepub readers.  I like to include the entirety of documents and historical information.  That is part of my style and part of the way I ensure historical accuracy.

Father Makar is ready to begin the ceremony.  He prepares the altar.  Then I give you Aksinya's impression of the scene.  This is an important part of the scene setting for the marriage.  Through Aksinya, I show you many important points.  First, the smells of the place.  Second, her joy.  Third, her lack of pain (her reconciliation with God).  Fourth, her excitement and desire.  It is a proper desire now--she feels no guilt.

Ekaterina places Aksinya and Dobrushin then asks for the rings.  Do you notice, Aksinya didn't expect for there to be rings.  She likely knew there should be rings, but Dobrushin has prepared.  He has a ring for her and a ring for him.  Ekaterina shows the rings to Aksinya.  Aksinya's response is to cling more tightly to Dobrushin--this has become a metaphor for her love and acceptance of him. 

The next step is the blessing of the rings.  Ekaterina gets the candles, and she and Father Makar come to the Narthex.  We see the events in the marriage ceremony.  We begin outside the Nave with the blessing of the bride and groom.  Then they are given candles to enter.  They enter the nave with the censer blessing each step.  Aksinya still clings to Dobrushin.  Tomorrow, at the altar.

A New Novel, Part 292 Aksinya and Dobrushin Waited in the Narthex

23 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 292 Aksinya and Dobrushin Waited in the Narthex

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  Father Makar agreed.  This is the beginning of chapter 21 and the marriage ceremony...

Inside the Ecclesia, Matushka Ekaterina lit the gas lamps and then the candles.  In the sacristy, the Archpriest, Father Makar donned his robes. He put on each piece with a prayer.  Over his white robe, the sticharion, he put his head through the epitrachelion, his stole, and carefully straightened it.  He placed laced cuffs, the epimanikia, over the sleeves of his sticharion and loosely tied them.  They represented manacles, the chains that bound him into the service of God.  He tied a cloth belt, the zone over the epitrachelion and sticharion.  On his right side he suspended his nabedrennik with a strap that he drew over his left shoulder.  A further diamond-shaped epigonation partially covered the nabedrennik and was also held in place by another strap over his left shoulder.  He intentionally left off the omophorion, but still mouthed its prayer and kissed it.  He bowed his head and placed over his neck the chain of his pectoral cross which was quite fine and his engolpion, a medallion with the icon of Christ in its center.  Over everything, he donned a beautiful silver phelonion that was covered with gold stitching and decorations.  It was large, conical, and sleeveless, with an open front so his hands were free.  At the collar, he buttoned the high varkas that matched his phelonion and at the back rose as high as the top of his head.  Father Makar completed everything with a crossless mitre on his head and a final prayer. 

Properly accoutered for his role to administer a sacrament, he lit the incense and prepared the altar.  All the while, Aksinya and Dobrushin waited in the Narthex.

You already know the place.  I don't give another description of the Ecclesia, instead, all I need to do is tell you it is the Ecclesia.  It is dark--I don't describe this either.  I show you Ekaterina lighting the candles and lamps.  Then, the rest is about Father Makar preparing for the sacrament.

This is an important metaphor and point.  The first, is that Father Makar is going to all this trouble for his friend.  There may be bad feelings and tension, but Makar still wishes to honor his God and his friend.  The second is all the importance around each piece of the accouterments worn by an Orthodox priest.  I don't tell you all their meanings.  I simply tell you the pieces, their order, and that prayer accompanies each as it goes on.  The importance in this description is that you see how important this is to Makar and incidentally to Ekaterina, Aksinya, and Dobrushin.  This is the element of their belief and their faith.  It is the power of the elements--their symbols and not themselves.

The final sentence simply puts it all together:  Properly accoutered for his role to administer a sacrament, he lit the incense and prepared the altar.  All the while, Aksinya and Dobrushin waited in the Narthex.  Tomorrow, we begin.

A New Novel, Part 291 I Will Not Untie Your Crowns Either

22 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 291 I Will Not Untie Your Crowns Either

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  Aksinya asks Father Makar to marry them.  Ekaterina encourages her husband...

Ekaterina put her hand on Father Makar’s, “Makaruska, do you really wish them to be wed anywhere but here?  They intend to do this.  You know Dobrushin’s purpose.  Grant them this small gift.  I shall witness and you shall witness.  Anything else would be wrong.  You know that.”

Father Makar sighed, “I do understand.  I just do not want to encourage this foolishness.”

Ekaterina stared at him, “This is not a sin.  There is nothing wrong with marriage or marrying them.  She is a Princess.  He is the son of a Count.  Their ranks are unmatched but acceptable.  They would not come here together like this if they did not both agree.  Do this for them and that will be the end of it all.”

“The end of it all?” asked Aksinya around Dobrushin.

“The end of these matters that have plagued Father Makar since you came to the Ecclesia last year.”

Aksinya turned them a curious look.

Dobrushin quickly continued, “Please, Father Makar, marry us and that will be the last favor I ask of you.  We will go, and you will likely not see us again.”

“I will marry you, but you will not stay under this roof any more.  I told you that when you left before.  That means I will not untie your crowns either.”

“I understand.  That was the agreement we made.”

“Come then.  Quickly.”

They stood.  Dobrushin helped Aksinya take off her new coat.  Ekaterina kissed Aksinya’s cheeks.  She brushed Aksinya’s lengthening hair.  Then they entered the Ecclesia together

We have seen a lot that be knew about Father Makar, but we also discovered much that we didn't.  Much of this has been implied but not shown directly.  In this conversation, we learn about reasons and times and estrangement.

Ekaterina wants Father Makar to marry them--she doesn't see any harm in it.  She may or may not know what Dobrushin and Aksinya plan.  We get some indications that both Father Makar and Ekaterina know.  I don't give you this insight.  Ekaterina strongly gives the impression that they know.  She says:  "You know Dobrushin’s purpose.  Grant them this small gift."

The completion of this idea is then:  “I do understand.  I just do not want to encourage this foolishness.”  Ekaterina makes the argument for Aksinya and Dobrushin.  Then we get a repeat of information you might have wondered about.  Ekaterina says it clearly here.  To the church and to these people, the noble ranks are still important.

Watch Aksinya's response.  She is not cowering behind Dobrushin, but he is her cover and her protection.  She has to speak around him to get to Makar and Ekaterina.  Then Ekaterina tells them all that Makar has had a problem with all this since Aksinya showed up at their door.  It was the door Dobrushin opened for Aksinya.

Father Makar relents with Dobrushin's request--he begs, but Father Makar makes clear, he doesn't want Dobrushin and Aksinya to remain in the rectory.  He knows what is going on and will not give them the protection of the Ecclesia against the demon.  The demon, in Makar's mind is imaginary after all.  Ekaterina isn't sure what to believe.  She fights for the marriage, but not for the right to stay.  This is unsaid and not that important to the plot, but it is the unspoken undercurrent here.

The reference to untying the crowns refers to the crowns that are placed on the heads of a couple when they are married.  In the past, they wore these crowns for a week and at a ceremony in the church, their crowns were untied.  This was likely due to the fact that the crowns were commonly owned by the church and loaned for the wedding. Today, most just buy their own crowns.  The ceremony of untying the crowns is still done in many Orthodox churches.  There is an important metaphor here.  Though Aksinya and Dobrushin will be married, their crowns will not be untied.  They will be united in this permanently.  This was intentional.  Father Makar means that he will not lend the crowns to them for the week--we see in it, that their crowns will be permanent.  This is a subtheme in the book--that of marriage and everything around it.

There is more to this than anyone is speaking.  Listen to Dobrushin:  “I understand.  That was the agreement we made.”  Makar and Dobrushin already worked this out.  Father Makar needed convincing again.  Perhaps he thought Aksinya would be convicted by the courts and Dobrushin would not have any chance of marrying her.  Again, there is much that was not said here.

Now, look at the preparation: Dobrushin helped Aksinya take off her new coat.  Ekaterina kissed Aksinya’s cheeks.  She brushed Aksinya’s lengthening hair.  Then they entered the Ecclesia together.  This is all a metaphor in these simple statements.  Aksinya had not taken off her coat.  He takes it off her.  This is the simple welcoming to the Ecclesia.  It also is significant that he bought it for her, and that he took it off her.  Do you remember her dress?  It is white wool--a dress suitable for a virgin bride.  Then Ekaterina kisses Aksinya.  Aksinya was welcomed before, but this is official.  It is the welcome of one bride to another.  Ekaterina brushes Aksinya's hair.  You know the hair image.  Aksinya's contract was with the demon--now Aksinya will enter into a contract with Dobrushin.  There is great power in this.  Note, the hair is lengthening.  Tomorrow, the marriage begins.

A New Novel, Part 290 Are You Both Idiots?

21 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 290 Are You Both Idiots?

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can get rid of the demon.  We discover Dobrushin has given up his position in the Ecclesia for Aksinya.  Father Makar thinks Aksinya is insane...

Father Makar squinted, “Look how she clings to you.  Didn’t I tell you before, Dobrushin, she displays every indication of insanity?  You traded your future for this,” he pointed at Aksinya.

“I know what I have done.”

“You spent all your remaining funds on her too.”

“I have bought a pearl of great price.”

“You are insane, Dobrushin.  Why did you come back here?  What do you want from me?”

Aksinya stuck her head forward, a little around Dobrushin, “We came to ask you to marry us.”

“To marry you?  Are you both idiots?  Dobrushin, what have you traded your future for?”

Dobrushin set his features, “Father Makar, we will be married whether you do it or not.  We need to be married immediately.  Either you do it or the Rathaus.”

“The Rathaus is closed for the day.”

Dobrushin grimaced, “This may be a matter of life and death.  We had to make our plans.  I had to propose.  It was too late after that.”

Father Makar snorted, “You know what I think about all of this.  Why don’t you go find a priest who will marry you tomorrow?”

“You know the problem.  The Catholics have excommunicated Princess Aksinya.  The Rathaus will do it, but this is a sacrament.”

“Others might do it for you.”

Ekaterina put her hand on Father Makar’s, “Makaruska, do you really wish them to be wed anywhere but here?  They intend to do this.  You know Dobrushin’s purpose.  Grant them this small gift.  I shall witness and you shall witness.  Anything else would be wrong.  You know that.”

Father Makar sighed, “I do understand.  I just do not want to encourage this foolishness.”

We learn more--Dobrushin spent the rest of his money on Aksinya (paying off her debt).  Do you remember Aksinya's comments about purchasing her.  Dobrushin confirms this metaphor with his response: “I have bought a pearl of great price.”  This is a Biblical metaphor that means he has paid to purchase something of great spiritual value.

Father Makar isn't pleased.  He rants and then asks why they came to the Ecclesia.  Aksinya exerts herself here.  She has made up her mind and she wishes to marry Dobrushin.  Dobrushin lays it out: either the Ecclesia or the Rathaus.  This is all bluster--the Rathaus is closed.  Dobrushin is a little off with his argument, but you could tell that.  He makes his point, but he isn't exactly correct.  The others that Father Makar means are the nonCatholic and nonOrthodox churches.  That is not necessarily likely in this culture, but they could try.  Dobrushin and Aksinya see this as a point of life and death.  There is a criticality in speed.

Ekaterina finally steps in to provide her quiet and gentle argument.  Tomorrow, what we shall do.

A New Novel, Part 289 You Traded Your Future for This?

20 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 289 You Traded Your Future for This?

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can get rid of the demon.  They need to be married by contract in the church.  They return to the Ecclesia for this reason.  Father Makar doesn't give them a very warm welcome...

“Yes,” Aksinya still held to Father Dobrushin with one hand.  She put her other arm around Ekaterina, “Father Dobrushin defended me.  I am not going to prison.”

Father Makar sat at the table.  He scowled at them, “You should call him Dobrushin or Herr Lopuhin.”

Aksinya asked, “Why?”   

“Didn’t you note his beard, his clothing?  He is no longer a priest because of you.”

“Because of me?”

“Dobrushin, didn’t you tell her.  I can’t believe she is so slow.  I would not permit Dobrushin to defend you in court.  Because he opposed me, I took away his right to ordination in this Ecclesia.  When I send my report to the Patriarch of the Church, he will likely not be ordained anywhere else.”

“You can do that?”

“Yes.  I am his superior and an archpriest.  I can make any decision I desire concerning his future in the Church.”

“He will never be a priest again?”

“Not likely unless the White Russians prevail.  The Reds want to destroy the Church there.”

Dobrushin led Aksinya to her usual chair, “Sit, Princess.”

Aksinya would not let Dobrushin go.  She held to him even as she sat and would not release his arm.  He moved his chair closer to her so he could sit.  Ekaterina placed a mug of hot dark tea before each of them.  She sat down.

Father Makar squinted, “Look how she clings to you.  Didn’t I tell you before, Dobrushin, she displays every indication of insanity?  You traded your future for this,” he pointed at Aksinya.

Ah, now we discover what Dobrushin truly gave up for Aksinya.  Father Makar says it.  He tells Aksinya that she should call Father Dobrushin simply Dobrushin or Herr Lopuhin.  Father Dobrushin is no longer a priest.  When he decided to defend Aksinya, Father Makar removed him from his position.  Remember, I gave you all the evidence you needed.  His beard had been cut and he wasn't wearing his collar.  Aksinya should have caught on too, but she was not thinking about that at all--not until now.

Father Makar would not permit Dobrushin to defend Aksinya.  He forbade Ekaterina to attend the trial.  We get a little history of the Russian civil war--the Reds did indeed try to destroy the church.

Watch Aksinya.  She is clinging to Dobrushin.  This is more than ever her small attempt to hold her world together.  She just learned of the sacrifice Dobrushin made for her.  She clings to him because she doesn't know any other way to comfort another person.  She clings to him because he is suddenly her only hope.  You can't miss the fact that she is also his only hope--he has given up everything for her.  Father Makar misinterprets Aksinya's actions.  He sees only that she is insane.  He can't understand her actions in any other way.  Aksinya does show such signs, but it is the result of her decisions.  She finally has someone she can cling to.  This has been Aksinya's greatest desire from the beginning.  She has put her love and attention completely on another person.  Tomorrow, the question. 

A New Novel, Part 288 You Are Welcome Only Because of Her

19 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 288 You Are Welcome Only Because of Her

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can get rid of the demon.  They believe they know how to end this problem.  They need to be married by contract in the church.  That is the first step.  They go to the Ecclesia for this reason...

When they arrived at the church, the lights were off except in the rectory.  Father Dobrushin helped Aksinya down from the carriage and they walked together to the door.  Aksinya held onto his arm.  She kept very close to him.

At Father Dobrushin’s knock, Father Makar answered the door to the rectory.  It was the same door Aksinya had fallen before when she came there to confess and be absolved.  The moment he saw them, Father Makar pressed his lips together and tried to shut the door.  Father Dobrushin held it open with his hand, “Please Father Makar.  We need you to do something for us.”

“Dobrushin, I told you before, I don’t want to have anything to do with… her.”

“This last thing we need from you.  Only you can do it for us.”

“If it has to do with the imaginary demon, you are both insane.”

They heard the voice of Ekaterina from the kitchen, “Makaruska, let them in.  There is no reason our friends should stand out in the cold night.  We have tea and a warm kitchen.”

Father Makar snarled, but he stepped out of the door way, “You are welcome only because of her.”

Aksinya and Father Dobrushin followed Father Makar into the kitchen.  Ekaterina was standing.  She embraced Aksinya and kissed her cheeks, “We heard you had been freed, and it was all because of Dobrushin.”

“Yes,” Aksinya still held to Father Dobrushin with one hand.  She put her other arm around Ekaterina, “Father Dobrushin defended me.  I am not going to prison.”

Scene setting is necessary here.  You know the Ecclesia and the rectory.  I remind you this is a church.  The description I give you shows the attention of Father Dobrushin and Aksinya.  She has totally decided to put her trust in her bridegroom (there is that metaphor again).

We see the estrangement between Father Makar and Father Dobrushin.  This is sad because they were great friends.  I remind you of the circumstances that brought Aksinya here in the first place.  This is important and you realize this, but I wanted the picture to be in your mind.  Do you remember Father Dobrushin carrying Aksinya into the rectory? 

Father Makar rejects them.  They are like Aksinya before seeking sucress and help.  Father Makar does not want to help them.  Father Dobrushin is not above begging for this help--just as Aksinya begged before this same door.  They knocked...do you see the metaphor in this?

Father Makar rejects Aksinya and all she represents.  He thinks she is insane and his friend is insane to believe her.  Ekaterina speaks for them both.  She welcomes them--remember who was the strength in the Ecclesia.  They are only welcome because of Ekaterina.

I want to remind you of Aksinya's savior in the trial.  This is a metaphor too.  Ekaterina shows you this through her words and actions.  She welcomes Aksinya completely.  Aksinya demonstrates this too--she will not let go of Dobrushin.  Tomorrow, the question and some revelations.