A New Novel, Part 306 Amen

6 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 306 Amen

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.  We come to the end of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “God, our God, who were present in Cana of Galilee, and blessed the marriage there, bless these servants of yours also, who by your providence have been joined in the communion of marriage.  Bless their goings out and their comings in.  Fill their life with good things. Take up their crowns…” he took the crowns from their heads and placed them on the altar, “…in your Kingdom, unspotted and unblemished, and keep them without offence to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Dobrushin, “Bow your heads to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar prayed, “May Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial Trinity, origin of life, the one Godhead and Kingship, bless you and grant you long life, fair offspring, progress in life and faith, and fill you with every good thing on earth, and count you worthy of the promised good things of the enjoyment of heaven, at the prayers of the Mother of God and of all the Saints.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar stated a loud voice, “Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.  Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

“Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy Father, give the blessing.  May he who by his presence at Cana declared marriage honorable, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, of the holy Sovereigns crowned by God and Equals of the Apostles, Constantine and Helen, of the holy great Martyr Prokopios and all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.  Through the prayers of our holy fathers Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us.

“Amen.”

We have reached the end of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  There is the final blessing and the final prayer.  Father Makar pronounces them married then the final Amen.

Here is the secret in this.  They are not really married in terms of either the church, the ancient world, the Jews, or almost any other religious agency or group.  Marriage is only official at consummation.  This is one of the points of the Book of Tobit and in the ancient world.  The ceremony of the sacrament is a pleasant and important step, but until they become "one flesh," they are not married.  Tomorrow, an important conversation.

A New Novel, Part 305 Lifting the Crowns

5 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 305 Lifting the Crowns

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Dobrushin, “Let us bow our heads to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar lifted the cup from the altar.  He held it high.

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar blessed the cup, “O God, who made all things by your strength, who made the inhabited world firm and adorned the crown of all that had been made by you, bless too with your spiritual blessing this common Cup, which you grant to those who have been joined in the communion of marriage.  For blessed is your name and glorified your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar held the cup for Dobrushin to drink then Aksinya.  He offered them the cup three times while stating, “I will take the cup of salvation and I will call on the name of the Lord.”

Then he grasped Dobrushin and Aksinya by the hands and led them around the altar three times.

Ekaterina followed behind and chanted, “The Virgin has conceived and given birth to a Son, Emmanuel, who is both God and man. Orient is his name, whom we magnify as we call the Virgin blessed.  Holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and were crowned, intercede with the Lord to have mercy on our souls.  Glory to you, Christ God, boast of Apostles, joy of Martyrs whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

When they stood at the front of the altar again, Father Makar raised Dobrushin’s crown, “Bridegroom, be magnified like Abraham, blessed like Isaac and multiplied like Jacob, as you go your way in peace and carry out in righteousness the commandments of God.”  He set the crown back on Dobrushin’s head.

Father Makar moved to Aksinya.  He raised her crown, “And you, Bride, be magnified like Sara, and rejoice like Rebecca and be multiplied like Rachel, rejoicing in your own husband, keeping the limits of the law, for so God has been well-pleased.”  He lowered the crown back onto her head.

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

The bride and groom are offered the cup of peace.  They share in it three times.  Then Father Makar led them around the altar three times.  Finally, we have the lifting of the crowns.  Father Makar blesses them at each point. 

There is much powerful symbology in every step of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  I won't try to describe every point, much is obvious--some is lost in time.  In general, most of you can see how these pieces fit into the work as a whole.  Specifically, the marriage, as I mentioned before, is a primary metaphor in this novel for the theme of the novel.  Since this novel is a semi-allegory of the Book of Tobit, you might want to check out that work to see exactly where this might fit.

A New Novel, Part 303 You Declared Marriage Honorable

3 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 303 You Declared Marriage Honorable

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar, “Lord almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray you, hear and have mercy.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar, “Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear and have mercy.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar, “Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness of sins for the servants of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and for the people here present, who await your great and rich mercy.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “For you, O God, are merciful, and love mankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed again, “Lord, our God, who in your saving dispensation were pleased in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable by your presence, now too preserve in peace and concord your servants, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, whom you have been well-pleased to be joined to each another. Declare their marriage honorable; keep their marriage bed undefiled; be well pleased for their life together to be without spot; and grant that they may reach a ripe old age, carrying out your commandments with a pure heart.  For you are our God, a God who has and who saves, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.” 

“Amen.”

Father Makar prayed, “Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Ekaterina replied after each petition, “Grant this, O Lord.”

There isn't much to be said about today's portion.  This is the continuing of the prayers in the Orthodox wedding service.  These remind us that in the Orthodox view, Christ Himself ordained marriage to be undefiled and pure by His presence at the wedding at Cana.  These prayers are for the purity of the marriage.  Tomorrow, the Lord's Prayer.

A New Novel, Part 301 The Readings

1 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 301 The Readings

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  Father Makar continues with the readings appointed for marriage...

Dobrushin spoke, “Let us attend.”

Father Makar read from the Psalms, “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!  May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!  May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!  May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!  May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!  May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!  May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!  Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.  O Lord, save the king!  May he answer us when we call.  You have placed upon their head crowns of precious stones.  They have asked you for life, and you have given them length of days.”

Dobrushin, “Wisdom.”

Father Makar stated, “The Reading is from the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians.”

Dobrushin, “Let us attend.”

Father Makar read, “Brethren, give thanks at all times for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, making yourselves subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is head of the wife, as Christ too is head of the Church, and he is the Savior of the body. But as the Church is subject to Christ, so wives must be also to their own husbands in everything. Husbands love your own wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for her, that he might sanctify her, having purified her with the washing of water with a word, that he might present the Church to himself glorious, without spot or wrinkle or anything similar, but that she might be holy and unblemished. Thus husbands must love their own wives like their own bodies. One who loves his own wife loves himself, for no one hates their own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as the Lord does the Church, because we are members of his body, from his flesh and from his bones. ‘For this reason a man will abandon his father and mother and be attached to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, I mean concerning Christ and the Church. However let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife respect her husband.”

Dobrushin, “Peace to you.”

We are still slogging through the wedding ceremony.  I do hope this is entertaining to you.  I realize it isn't as exciting as the main plot.  I could have cut it to a single sentence or a paragraph--I've done that in some of my novels, but in the case of this novel, this detail is necessary.  Unless you are Orthodox, you might never have attended or participated in a wedding like this.  The details are important and especially how they fit into the theme of the overall novel.

These are the readings from the Psalms and from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians.  Do you remember, Aksinya was memorizing Paul's letters?  Listen carefully to them and see if they don't fit the concepts of this novel.  See if they don't have very important meaning to Aksinya.  Even if you don't agree with the points of the readings, you shouldn't miss this point: "...One who loves his own wife loves himself, for no one hates their own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as the Lord does the Church, because we are members of his body, from his flesh and from his bones. ‘For this reason a man will abandon his father and mother and be attached to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, I mean concerning Christ and the Church...”

This is the ultimate point after all--the mystery of Christ, the church, and marriage.  The semi-allegory of the Book of Tobit rests on Tobias, Sara, marriage, and the demon.  The demon sought to interfere with the marriage of Tobias and Sara.  Marriage is an example of the mystery of Christ and the Church.  Do you remember the demon's work in splitting harming elements of the Catholic Church in Wien.  Likewise, we know the demon has caused a great rift in the Orthodox Church there too.  The problems between Father Makar and Dobrushin represent this split.  They are split because Makar can't see a spiritual battle--a battle Dobrushin has enlisted in.  Tomorrow, the Gospel.

A New Novel, Part 300 The Crowning

31 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 300 The Crowning

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  Father Makar continues with the marriage prayers...

Dobrushin called, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina replied, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed again, “Holy God, who fashioned man from dust, and from his rib built up a woman and yoked her to him as a helper like himself, for it was not pleasing to your greatness for man to be alone on earth, do you, Master, now send forth your hand from your holy dwelling, and link…”  He put Dobrushin’s right hand in Aksinya’s.  She held it tightly while Father Makar continued to pray, “…your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, because it is by you that a wife is linked to her husband. Yoke them together in likeness of mind. Crown them into one flesh. Grant them fruit of the womb, enjoyment of fair offspring. For yours is the might, and yours the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar took the two crowns from the altar.  He lifted the silver one over Dobrushin’s head, “The servant of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, takes as his crown the servant of God, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He lowered the crown on Dobrushin’s head while stating this three times.  Then he made the sign of the cross three times on each of them.

Father Makar took the gold crown and held it over Aksinya’s head, “The servant of God, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, takes as her crown the servant of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He said this three times as he slowly lowered the crown to her head.  He made the sign of the cross three times on each of them again.

He chanted three times, “Lord our God, crown them with honor and glory.”

Now we get to the crowning.  The crowning is the high point in an Orthodox wedding.  The significance of the crowns is they represent the marriage of Christ with the church.  The woman represents the church, her crown is silver, and the man represents Christ, his crown is gold.  The man's crown is placed on the woman and the woman's crown on the man.  The rings of betrothal then during their lives represent the crowns.

The point in this scene and in this novel is that marriage represents an important element in Christian thought.  Aksinya was crowned before this through her reliance (you could say faith) in Christ.  Do you remember whom she told the demon now owns her soul.  The marriage directly represents this point of salvation.  Further, now the crown of Christ is a crown that represents Dobrushin.  The image isn't that Dobrushin is Christ or that Aksinya is the church, but rather that Christian faith and the imagery of the novel is being played out in this ceremony.  That is the point.  It will have more meaning in the context of what happens in the next chapter.  Tomorrow, prayers following the crowning.

A New Novel, Part 296 The Betrothal is Complete

27 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 296 The Betrothal is Complete

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The betrothal is first...

Dobrushin announced, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “Lord our God, you journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water you revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of your servants Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from you. For it was you who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to your inheritance and your promise to your servants, our fathers, your elect in every generation, look on your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love. For it is you, Lord, who declared that times a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’. It was your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of your servants will be blessed by your mighty word and by your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives. For you are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

They said, “Amen.”

Father Makar announced, “The betrothal is complete.  Now we can begin the crowning and marriage.”  He continued, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!  He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.  Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”

The entire betrothal and marriage is a metaphor for this entire novel.  Do not forget that Aksinya and the demon are contracted.  Aksinya has declared her new allegiance, but she is still bound to the demon.  A marriage is a contract, a covenant.  Aksinya and Dobrushin are making a contract and the rings are their surety.  The rings represent themselves.  They are betrothed.

This is a metaphor through the entire novel, that is, marriage is the picture of Aksinya's relationship with the demon, with Dobrushin, with Christ, and with God.  The imagery of Rebbecca and Issac continues.

The imagery of the rings is brought out in the prayer.  Then the betrothal is complete and the marriage begins.  This begins with the preface prayer.  Tomorrow, the marriage continues.

A New Novel, Part 295 Peace to All

26 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 295 Peace to All

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony...

Father Makar, “For to you belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

Ekaterina, Dobrushin, and Aksinya answered, “Amen.”

Dobrushin bowed his head, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina replied, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “Eternal God, who brought into unity what had been separated and establish an unbreakable bond of agreement; who blessed Isaac and Rebecca, and declared them to be the heirs of your promise; bless these servants of yours also, guiding them in every good work.  Because you, O God, are merciful and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

The others answered, “Amen.”

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Matushka Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Dobrushin stated, “Bow your heads to the Lord.”

Matushka Ekaterina answered, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar prayed, “Lord, our God, who once betrothed yourself to the Church from the nations as a pure virgin, bless this betrothal, and unite and preserve these servants of yours in peace and concord.  For to you belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

They all replied, “Amen.”

Father Makar approached the altar.  The rings sat beside a golden dish near the center of the Holy Table.  The gold ring was on the left and the silver ring on the right.  They touched one another.  Also on the table were two crowns, one golden and one silver and a golden cup.  Father Makar placed the rings on the dish and turned first to Dobrushin.  He took the gold ring and with it made the sign of the cross three times on Dobrushin’s forehead, “The servant of God Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin betroths himself to the servant of God Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  Father Makar took the silver ring and with it made the sign of the cross three times on Aksinya’s forehead, “The servant of God Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna betroths herself to the servant of God Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He then placed the rings on their right fingers.

With a smile, Matushka Ekaterina exchanged the rings between Aksinya and Dobrushin.

Father Makar completes the prayers.  If you look carefully at them, they provide themselves a metaphor to everything that has been happening in the novel.  First Rebecka and Issac then God to the church.  These precede the betrothal through the giving of the rings. 

The rings are symbols of perfection and eternity.  They are gold and silver.  The woman wears the golden ring representing the husband's dedication, and the man wears the silver ring that represents the wife's dedication.  The rings are placed on the right and opposite person's fingers.  They are then exchanged to the proper person's right hand ring fingers.  The wedding band on the left hand is an American trait and not a European or orthodox tradition.

A New Novel, Part 294 Do You Wish to Marry this Man?

25 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 294 Do You Wish to Marry this Man?

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony...

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.

Father Makar continued onto the platform and to the altar.  Dobrushin stopped just before the platform.  After Father Makar censed the altar, he put the censer in its stand and returned to them.  He turned to Aksinya, “Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, do you wish to marry this man, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin?”

“I do wish to marry him.”

“Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, do you wish to marry this woman, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna?”

“I do.  Master, give the blessing.”

Father Makar’s brow rose in surprise that Dobrushin spoke the deacon’s part but he continued, “Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

Ekaterina pronounced, “Amen.”

Father Makar stated, “In peace, let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina replied, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, and after each petition, Ekaterina replied “Lord, have mercy.”  He started, “For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.  For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.  For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.  For Tikhon of Moscow 11th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, for the honored order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.  For the servant of God Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and the servant of God Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, who are now being betrothed to one another, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.  That they may be granted children for the continuation of the race and all their requests that are for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.  That there may sent down to them perfect and peaceful love and help, let us pray to the Lord.  That they may be kept in concord and sure faith, let us pray to the Lord.  That they may be blessed with concord and sure faith, let us pray to the Lord.  That they may be preserved with a blameless manner and way of life, let us pray to the Lord.  That the Lord, our God, may grant them honorable marriage and a bed without defilement, let us pray to the Lord.  For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.  Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.  Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.”

Matushka Ekaterina replied, “To you, O Lord.”

Okay, here with go with the whole 9 yards.  I did cut the prayers a little, as you will see, but in general, I give you it all.  Now, an Orthodox marriage is like this.  First there is a betrothal.  The betrothal can go for a year or a minute before the actual marriage.  You must have the betrothal.  Then there is the marriage itself.  The couple is not married at the end of the betrothal--they are at the end of the marriage.

After cleansing (censing) the altar, the first step is the declaration.  This is the question of intent for the marriage (betrothal).  The bride then the groom is asked.  Dobrushin recites the deacon's part and surprises Father Makar.  Ekaterina should not technically do the deacon's part, so Dobrushin is taking a burden from Makar and from Ekaterina.  Then the prayers begin.  Okay the prayers are long--that's why I condensed them a little.  Tomorrow, more prayers. 

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 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 216 They Told You to Watch for Me?

8 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 216 They Told You to Watch for Me?

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.

Aksinya is in the street before her house speaking with a man who is removing all her families goods from her house.  The bills haven't been paid and her creditors have required recompense...

The man did smile at that, “You? Who are you?”


Aksinya lowered her head. Her voice was very low, “I am the Countess Golitsyna.”

The man’s laughter filled the street, “I find that hard to believe, but we were told to watch for a young woman who came to the house and claimed to be a countess.”

She raised her head, “They told you to watch for me?”

The man shut his mouth. He shrugged and shoved the paper back into his coat. After a moment, he announced a little too loudly, “When she is found, the alleged Countess will be in debtor’s prison for a long time. It serves her right for trying to fool everyone.”

“I…I didn’t.” The sound of heavy hooves and wooden wheels come from behind Aksinya. She turned around. A large carriage moved up the street behind her. It stopped quickly and a couple of men in priestly robes stepped from it into the street. Their eyes swept over Aksinya and the large man behind her. They ignored her and stepped toward the entrance of the school. The doors had not been opened yet that morning. The taller priest struck the door with his staff. Aksinya stood frozen in place. She was suddenly very cold. She had no coat and had not eaten anything since last evening. The day was above freezing, but not much.

The priests stood at the doors to Sacré Coeur. The taller priest paced in front of the large doors. The shorter tapped his staff impatiently against the ground. There was a long moment until the door opened. Before Aksinya could note what went on at the doorway, she heard another coach approach from the other side of the dray. She wondered with apprehension how all this would end up. The dray blocked the street so either of the carriages would have problems if they tried to maneuver around it. The coaches might be too large to pass each other comfortably too.

Aksinya thought she had problems before--now she has real problems.  Do you remember, Father Dobrushin told her not to leave the Ecclesia, but Aksinya felt that she had too.  She believes she must face the just punishment for her wrongdoing.
 
Helmut tells Aksinya he and Willi were told to watch for her.  One guess where Willi went.  Helmut goes on to tell Aksinya that she will be going to debtor's prison for a long time. Before Willi returns, a carriage comes up the street behind Aksinya.
 
Two priests get out of the carriage.  Aksinya appears like a cleaning woman to them, they ignore her at first.  I remind you that she hasn't eaten, and she is cold. 
 
The priests received some kind of summons or message--they are looking for something at the school.  What do you think it is.  While the priests are trying to get into the school, another carriage comes down the street on the other side of the dray.  Now, who could that be?  The moment Aksinya gets out of the safety of the Ecclesia and her friends there, she falls under immediate problems.  Tomorrow, more difficulties.

A New Novel, Part 215 The Bills Must all Be Paid

7 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 215 The Bills Must all Be Paid

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.

Aksinya ran away from the Ecclesia. Two men are taking the furniture out of her house.  She is speaking to them.  One of them has gone to check on the horses...

Helmut’s lips rose over his teeth again. It wasn’t a smile.


Aksinya reached for the paper.

Helmut pulled it back. His frown deepened, “Please don’t touch it. It is an official document.”

Aksinya moved a little closer to the paper. Under her breath, she read the document, “There is a list of litigants and claimants.” Her voice filled with dismay, “The list is very long. It says, that because the alleged Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna is in arrears for…,” she gasped.

“Is there something wrong?”

“The amount is so large.”

The man made a loud huff under his breath, “That is why the directive tells us to take everything from the house. It still won’t be enough to pay for it all.”

Aksinya wailed, “You will take everything I own, and it still won’t be enough.”

Helmut’s nose twitched, “It won’t be enough at all.”

“What about my jewelry?”

“We haven’t seen any jewelry. Perhaps the previous repossessors removed it.”

Aksinya’s eyes widened, “But my father’s money.”

The man’s face twitched again, “I heard it was all Russian. It isn’t worth the paper it is printed on any more.”

“But I have nothing else.”

“I understand there were loans too. They must all be paid.”

“What will I do?”

The man did smile at that, “You? Who are you?”

Aksinya is speaking with Helmut one of the men moving the furniture from her house.  Helmut shows Aksinya a directive that gives him authority to remove the furniture.  Aksinya reads the paper and discovers that it claims she owes a very large amount.  Helmut tells her all the furniture in the house won't be enough to pay the bills.  Aksinya's cry: “You will take everything I own, and it still won’t be enough.”  For a person who was driven by luxuria, this is an exquisite torture.  Aksinya will have nothing left at all.  Aksinya asks about her jewelry, and her father's money--it is all gone.  Aksinya has nothing left and yet, the man tells her there will be more to pay. 

At the end, the man asks who she is.  He guesses, but do you remember what Aksinya appears like?  She looks like a cleaning woman.  Tomorrow, who are you?

A New Novel, Part 214 The Bills Haven't Been Paid

6 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 214 The Bills Haven't Been Paid

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.

Aksinya ran away from the Ecclesia.  She makes her way back to the street where her house and the school are...

The moment Aksinya stepped into the street that served both Sacré Coeur and her house, the fog seemed to rise. She didn’t need to see, she had the stone wall to guide her. Her fingertips were frozen and she couldn’t feel the wall anymore, but she still knew it was there. She continued along it toward her house. As she moved closer, she noticed for the first time a large dray outside it. Some furniture sat at the back of the moving carriage. A few pieces were stacked inside it. Most of it was out in the street. Two men exited her house. They carried one of her chairs. Aksinya recognized it immediately. It was the floral one her father had liked so much. It was very well made and the fabric was Damascus silk. Aksinya removed her hand from the guiding wall and hurried her steps.


Her attention was centered on the men at her house, so she didn’t notice the dark figure who moved from the entrance of Sacré Coeur when she passed and headed back the direction she had come. A wiff of sulfur halted her for a moment then she continued.

Aksinya stopped breathless before the two men. They paused and put down the chair. One was tall and heavy with large features and a swollen nose as though he had been struck there many times. The other was a thin younger man with straggleing greasy hair and protruding teeth. They didn’t smile, but they did wait for a moment to allow Aksinya to catch her breath.

Finally, she forced out, “What are you doing in my house?”

“Your house?” the larger man spoke. His lips rose over his teeth, but he didn’t smile, “We’re removing the goods.”

“But why?”

“The bills haven’t been paid.”

“Not paid? But they were…They were all paid.”

The younger man leaned on the back of the chair. The large man stuck his dirty hand into his coat and brought out an official looking paper. He didn’t give it to Aksinya, but held it up at arms length so she could see it.

The younger man’s voice was slightly high pitched, “Helmut, why are you taking the time to show that to her? We have work to do. She’s just a putzfrau, a cleaning woman.”

“Halt Mal , Willi. Don’t you remember our instructions?” He made a gesture behind his back.

The younger man scratched his head, “You don’t mean.” He glanced meaningfully at Aksinya.

“I’ll let her read the ruling. You check the horses,” he turned around and winked.

“Oh,” Willi nodded, “I’ll check on the horses.”

Helmut’s lips rose over his teeth again. It wasn’t a smile.

Aksinya makes her way back to her house.  The way wasn't so difficult.  When she gets there, a large carriage is there.  A dray is a transport carriage.  They are usually enclosed.  They are used for carrying heavy loads.  Two men are removing the goods from her house.  When Aksinya sees this, she runs the rest of the way to her house to confront the men.  While she is running a dark figure who was hiding at the entrance to the school sneaks the other direction.  I don't leave you to guess who this person is, the whiff of sulfur should make it clear.  Aksinya stops at the smell, but continues.  She doesn't see the figure and can't connect the two events--I want you to connect them.
 
I give you a short description of the men who are carrying the furniture from Aksinya's house.  Then, we find out what is going on.  You should have expected it.  You should have guessed it.  They have been at their work for more than one day.  Aksinya chanced upon them in the middle of their work.  The bills have not been paid on the house, therefore the creditors are taking Aksinya's property.  These are the things of Aksinya's family.  They have belonged to them for generations.  This is the luxuria that Aksinya loves, yet all in a moment, they are gone.  This is the revenge of Asmodeus.  He promised to take away everything important to her.  He has taken Natalya, Ernst, Sister Margaretha, sorcery, the goods and wealth of Aksinya's family, her education.
 
Aksinya looks so different from the past, the younger mover thinks Aksinya is a putzfrau, a cleaning woman.  So far has Aksinya fallen from where she once was.  There is something going on here too.  Helmut signals Willi to check the horses, but there must be more to it than that.  Helmut shows Aksinya an official paper.  Tomorrow, what the paper said.

A New Novel, Part 213 A Walk in the Cold

5 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 213 A Walk in the Cold

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.

Aksinya has left the Ecclesia.  She knows where she is going, she isn't certain how to get there…

Aksinya knew generally where she was within the city, but she wasn’t certain how she should go. She recalled little of her flight here. She only remembered the stone wall that lay on her left the entire time. Aksinya tentatively placed her right hand on the wall at the street outside the rectory and began to walk up the street.


The morning was cold, and her breath formed gentle swirls in the air. Her clothing was insufficient for the day, but she didn’t have a cloak anymore. She could only imagine with regret her warm mink cloak. As she walked, the morning clouds seemed to descend. They enclosed her, but she kept her hand on the right hand wall and continued along the cold cobblestone street.

Around her, she could hear and smell the city come awake. The rich fragrance of coffee filled the air. She smelled butter and eggs as they cooked. Somewhere bacon sizzled and the scent of the hot grease flowed into the street. Aksinya remembered bacon. Her mouth watered. Her empty stomach rumbled.

The muted conversation of waking mothers and fathers came to her. She heard crying babies. The creaking of harness and wheels moved in and out of the fog. She caught the nicker of horses and their heavy hooves on the cobbles. As of yet, none of this came within her sight. The fog pressed down against her and kept it all hidden from her. She could tell the world was lightening. She could feel a little warmth seep into the cold late winter morning.

Aksinya didn’t stumble. She didn’t falter. She kept moving forward. Slowly shapes began to appear in the fog. A lampman passed her on the other side of the street. She recognized him because he carried a long taper and a tool that he used to cut off the gas at each lamp. The light of the morning already dimmed the blaze from the gaslamps. It was too early for the beggars and too late for the prostitutes to be in the streets.

The only thing Aksinya could remember of her flight to the Ecclesia was that she held her left hand on a wall the entire way.  To return, she places her right hand on the wall.

For the trip, my intention is to put all your senses into play.  The morning is cold.  I show you Aksinya's breath.  She is cold because she only has a light dress.  I want to remind you of Aksinya's past life and her place before--there is a specific purpose in this.  I make the trip slightly mysterious, but I use language that is not creepy--clouds formed, and everything is cold.  Then, the city begins to wake.  You can taste and smell the morning.  You can hear it as well.  The morning is lightening.  At the end of this piece, you see the lampman.  He is the only one about, other than Aksinya.  The beggars and the prostitutes are not out yet.  Tomorrow, the arrival.

A New Novel, Part 212 Leaving the Ecclesia

4 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 212 Leaving the Ecclesia

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.

Aksinya heard and understood well that she must face punishment for her actions.  Repentance isn't enough; she must pay restitution for her evil, she must atone for her sin.  Only then can things be made right--perhaps, but how can you pay restitution for murder or sorcery…?

Aksinya woke very early the next morning. She stood in the darkness and folded her blanket. She straightened her dress. She hadn’t bathed much since she came here. She was certain she smelled, but that couldn’t be helped. She tried to smooth her hair. That was impossible. Ekaterina usually brushed it in the morning for her. It was not long enough to braid properly, but it wasn’t short enough to not be a problem. It just touched her shoulders. She had no mirror and was glad of it. She couldn’t stand to look at herself. It was too dark anyway. She brought out her rosary and quickly said the first decade and the last prayer. She would complete them later. She crossed herself then lovingly drew her hand over the leather cover of the Greek Bible. She wanted to take it with her, but she knew she couldn’t. It wasn’t really hers. She had memorized most of the Gospels and Acts. She wanted to begin to memorize Paul’s letters next.


Aksinya turned abruptly and stepped to the door of her room. Although nothing changed, the room seemed to darken. She felt for the handle and pulled the door open. Her hand stretched out to the wall at her right. With her right hand trailing against the wood, she followed the hall to the back of the rectory. The outside door only halted her for a moment—it was bolted but not locked. She went out through it to the small backyard where she and Ekaterina hung the wash every Wednesday. In the predawn night, the low clouds reflected enough light for her to see. Aksinya’s eyes were so accustomed to the dark, it seemed almost bright to her. The thin gate that led outside the yard had a simple wooden latch. She opened it and in the predawn, exited into the street outside the rectory.

Okay, watch how I set the scene for you.  The following is entirely in narrative, but using showing and with very little telling.  The very small areas where I tell you information adds to the scene development--I'll point it out.  

First the when: she woke very early the next morning.  You know she is in her room in the Ecclesia.  I use some showing to give you a mental image of the place and her actions--she folds the blanket.  The telling is interspersed in the text.  I could have had her smell herself, but you can't really smell yourself.  I handled this by telling you, then I show you that Aksinya tries to smooth her hair.  Then lots of information about the hair.  I can't let you forget about the hair.  All this scene setting puts you into the story.  Watch how Aksinya touches the Greek Bible.  Notice, I brought every sense into this description and this scene.  I want to activate every sense of the readers.  Look at the information I give you that completes the previous scenes.  We knew Aksinya was memorizing the Bible, just as she memorized the books of sorcery.  In this narrative, I show you that she has memorized the Gospels and she wants to memorize the rest.  She says her prayers but doesn't complete them because she is in a hurry.

Now do you realize what her decision was.  She steps to the door, and I give you a premonition--the room seemed to darken.  I show you the darkness of the place.  I give you pieces of her life with Ekaterina.  Aksinya makes her way out of the rectory and the Ecclesia.  Tomorrow, Aksinya is on a mission.

A New Novel, Part 211 She Must Face Punishment

3 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 211 She Must Face Punishment

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.

The priests and Ekaterina are discussing Aksinya and Natalya in the kitchen of the rectory. They have no idea that Aksinya is listening in the darkness by the door…

Ekaterina’s voice was soft, “Hush Makaruska, have you thought, that perhaps we are the only ones who might care for her. She is not like most people. She is a little strange, but she has no place else to go and no one else to turn to.”


“I don’t like having her here. I have a bad feeling about everything connected to her. Her preoccupation with the idea of a demon or with sorcery is just laughable. I think she should be under lock and key in an insane asylum, but Father Dobrushin won’t let me report her.”

Ekaterina’s voice was hard, “I would stop you too.”

“She claimed to kill her lady-in-waiting. Doesn’t that mean something to you? What if she tries to kill someone else?”

“We have yet to determine if what she said was true. We can’t find any evidence that the Lady Natalya was hurt much less killed.”

“If what the Countess said is true, she is a murderer. If what she said is not true, she is insane, but you two still want to keep her in an Ecclesia. If she really is a sorceress and called a demon, she is the most dangerous person to have within these walls.”

Ekaterina’s voice rose, “But she confessed. She has been a great help to me.”

“She confessed to murder. She may be forgiven by God, but she has yet to face the true punishment for her crimes.”

Father Dobrushin opened his hands, “Everything you say Makar is true. I just know there is more to her and this whole thing than we know. She is forgiven, but we will not allow her to escape the just punishment for her crimes. Even she should understand this.”

“She doesn’t know this Dobrushin—she is insane.”

“I hear you, brother. Let’s sleep on it. She hasn’t caused us harm. We can keep her here a little longer. Check with the police again tomorrow.”

Father Makar mumbled.

“I, for one, need to get to bed.”

Ekaterina was dismayed, “What about me. You had me send my helper away, and now I have the entire kitchen to clean. Father Makar and Father Dobrushin stood. Both their voices came at almost the same time, “I’ll help.”

Aksinya crept down the short corridor to her room. She didn’t relight the taper. She didn’t read her book. She lay on her cot under the woolen blanket and thought about everything she heard. Finally, she made up her mind and fell into a fitful sleep.

Now it comes.  I give you the last paragraph from yesterday.  Aksinya has no one else to turn to.  We will shortly find out...well, we shall find out.

Then Father Makar begins his argument.  He speaks his mind because he doesn't know Aksinya is listening.  He thinks she is insane--indeed, in the minds of any reasonable person, Aksinya is insane.  Father Dobrushin doesn't have any power in the Ecclesia, but Father Makar is compassionate--he has not turned Aksinya in to the authorities because Dobrushin has asked him not to.  Ekaterina has her say as well.

Father Makar continues his argument.  Aksinya claimed to have murdered--what if she tries to kill again?  His argument is well made: if what Aksinya said was true, she is a murderer; if what she said was not true, she is insane.  If Aksinya is really a sorceress and called a demon, she is very dangerous.  Ekaterina's response is weak--we can hear how weak (I don't need to elaborate).  Then, the clincher from Father Makar--Aksinya may be forgiven by God, but she still has to face the punishment for her crimes.  This is absolute truth.  Forgiveness doesn't equal pardon--each person must face the judicial punishment for their actions.  Father Dobrushin agrees--this is truth.

Father Makar then makes his ultimate point--Aksinya is insane, she can't know that she must also face punishment.  Do you see the other side of this?  If Aksinya is sane, she would seek the just punishment for her sin.  This is Socrates' answer too.  A man who is sane and realizes his transgression of the law, will seek the just punishment for breaking the law.  This was how Socrates justified dying himself.

Father Dobrushin suggests they take their time and wait and see what happens.  Remember also, he told Aksinya to stay in the Ecclesia to protect her.  Then I give you a little levity.  Ekaterina sent away her helper and the kitchen still needs to be cleaned.

The end is a kicker.  Aksinya heard everything.  She thinks about what was said.  You can guess her thoughts.  She can prove her sanity by seeking just punishment.  She is a danger to the Ecclesia.  She doesn't wish to be a burden.  She is not wanted and even Father Dobrushin agreed with Father Makar.  What other decision could she make?  This is the end of chapter 16.  Tomorrow, scene and chapter setting for chapter 17.

A New Novel, Part 210 Even They Aren’t Looking

2 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 210 Even They Aren’t Looking

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.

The priests and Ekaterina are discussing Aksinya and Natalya in the kitchen of the rectory.  They have no idea that Aksinya is listening in the darkness by the door…

Father Dobrushin continued, “Whether she is insane or not, is not the main question to my mind. What I want to know is does the Cardinal seek her, and what happened to the Lady Natalya?”


Father Makar hunched over the table, “The Lady Natalya is certainly not dead.”

Father Dobrushin and Matushka Ekaterina stared at him.

Father Makar shrugged, “I went to every funeral in this city since the Countess came to us. I saw the dead. The Lady Natalya was not among them. Unless the Catholics are hiding something more sinister than a lady-in-waiting, I am certain, she isn’t dead.”

“Then where is she?”

Father Makar shrugged again, “If I knew, I would tell you. I honestly don’t know. I’ve checked with anyone who was close to the two of them.”

Ekaterina asked, “What about Ernst von Taaffe?”

“To tell you the truth, I have not been able to approach him. He is in seclusion. From what the Countess told us, I’m sure he would have nothing to do with the Lady Natalya. I was shocked myself when I heard what happened. The poor boy was embarrassed and certainly stripped of his honor.”

“You checked at her house.”

“I check every day. No one answers. No one is there.”

“But no one is looking for her?”

“Not as far as I can tell.”

Father Dobrushin clasped his hands on the top of the table, “I just can’t believe it. Surely her aunt and uncle…”

Father Makar shook his head, “Even they aren’t looking.”

Ekaterina scowled, “Do you think they were so shocked by what happened?”

“No idea.”

Father Dobrushin pressed his hands more tightly together, “I’m not gong to let her out of the Ecclesia yet. For now, I think it is too dangerous.”

Father Makar cocked his head, “If they aren’t looking, then there is no danger for us. Maybe no one wants a crazy woman like her.”

Ekaterina’s voice was soft, “Hush Makaruska, have you thought, that perhaps we are the only ones who might care for her. She is not like most people. She is a little strange, but she has no place else to go and no one else to turn to.”

I start with a repeat of the statement from yesterday by Father Dobrushin.  His questions are also our questions.  Then we get a shocking revelation from Father Makar: “The Lady Natalya is certainly not dead.” This is new news to Father Dobrushin and Ekaterina.  We discover that Father Makar, although he doesn't trust or like Aksinya, he is still thorough.  He is seeking Natalya.  Did the thought come to you that the church in Wien might be hiding something?  Don't worry, they are, kind of, but nothing as sinister as the death of Natalya. 

Father Makar goes on to tell us that he has checked with everyone close to Aksinya and Natalya.  Then Ekaterina asks about Ernst.  Now, you begin to see the destruction Aksinya through the demon caused.  Ernst is in seclusion.  He is stripped of honor.

Then we find again, no one is at Aksinya's house.  This is a portent.  No one is looking for Aksinya.  Isn't that odd?  Then Father Dobrushin brings up Aksinya's aunt and uncle.  Of course they aren't looking for Aksinya.  Do you remember from the very beginning, Asmodeus threatened Aksinya that he would strip the Bockmanns of their honor and position.  The Bockmanns would rather that Aksinya never come back.  They want to forget and ignore the girl who caused them such an uproar.  I don't get into everything yet, you will see it all in its glory soon enough, but you might be able to guess just what is going on under the surface.  

Then, I give you the big one.  I've had Father Dobrushin mention this twice before: “I’m not gong to let her out of the Ecclesia yet. For now, I think it is too dangerous.”  Is is too dangerous, and dangerous for whom?  Okay, if I've given it out 3 times now, you know this is important.  Father Makar answers harshly, that no one may be looking for Aksinya.  Aksinya, we know, has no one to turn to.  She has no place to go--you didn't hear me say that, ha.

Tomorrow, more of the conversation Aksinya isn't supposed to hear.