Russian priest provides spiritual care for Hollywood staff

{Apostle1.com Note, Commentary & Opinion update: As many of you may or may not know, on our Vladyka +Thaddeus' birthday of 2/4/2010, he was faced with the passing of Bishop +Matthias who is more well known as Father +Jeffery "Matthias" Hammons who died in the arms of his Vladyka at St. Alphonsos Hospital (Boise, Idaho - 35 miles from their residence in Caldwell) - - - after he (Father +Jeffery) served the Church for 25 years and in residence with our Vladyka for 27 years.  Theirs was a celibate life after many, many situations and events that impacted their lives both spiritually and materially. 

In the end, those various and numerous material struggles created for a more honest and sincere spiritual struggle for the life to come... whereby it was more fully realized for Father +Jeff it is believed.

The many, many last years and end of Father +Jeffery's life was truly that of a very celibate Monastic more in seclusion although having to live in a secluded way with the public only as and when necessary according to the situation and circumstances or surroundings they had resided in, in New Mexico and now in the Boise, Idaho area.  Inasmuch as he and our Vladyka have been the victims of the Pentecostal hatred toward anyone and anything "Catholic" sadly to say, even when Father +Jeff laid on his death bed it didn't stop... we must, if we are true and sincere Catholics (Orthodox and Roman) in our struggle in this life for the life to come... add prayers for them and all others who suffer from such 'hate'.

It is our hope, speaking for myself and Father Vincent, that you will share in our prayers for the repose of the soul of Father +Jeffery who we have personally known as we also personally know our Vladyka. 

We had waited for some time before posting so that we could share in our Vladyka's grief and prayer life for his spiritual son.  Now, we shall be posting news and information along with providing more material, such as below, for you! 

It is asked that if any one of you are viewing this message and article to send condolences to our Vladyka at: thaddeus@apostle1.com }

Moscow, February 9, Interfax - Rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Los-Angeles Archpriest Alexander Lebedev has provided spiritual care for actors and staff members of the world “dream factory” for almost thirty years.

“Many of our parishioners work in film studios as directors and actors. There’ve always been many actors in our parish who actively participated in church life. Such famous actresses as Natalie Wood and Sandra Dee were my parishioners. I was familiar with Yul Brynner, who was a parishioner of Orthodox church in New York,”

Fr. Alexander told an Interfax-Religion correspondent on Tuesday.

According to him, today several Hollywood stars, including Jeniffer Aniston, adhere to Orthodoxy. Tom Hanks, who is also an Orthodox Christian, is an active guardian of St. Sophia Church of the Constantinople Patriarchate.

Fr. Alexander noted that many Americans converted to Orthodoxy after marrying to Greek or Russia women. As, for example, famous baseball player Alex Rodriguez.

Russian actors and directors living in Hollywood are also Fr. Alexander’s parishioners. The priest told that active member of his parochial community actor Pavel Lychnikov had recently invited him to consecrate a film studio before filming a new film there..

Orthodox faith inspires some Hollywood actors to lead less bohemian lifestyle and overcome temptations, the interviewee of the agency said..

“Certainly, we try to help them control themselves. So that women participating in movies observed proprieties and chastity. Sometimes there’s a possibility to influence their choice in favor of scenarios of moral character,” Fr. Alexander said.

Poodwaddle.com