The servant of God Fr. Peter E. Gillquist departed this life at 9:20 p.m. on July 1, 2012, surrounded by family. He has finished the race. Memory eternal!
July 7, 2012
Last evening ended three days of services culminating in Fr. Peter’s burial at All Saints Orthodox Cemetery in Bloomington, IN. His Grace Bp. Anthony, who presided at the funeral service, delivered an inspiring, engaging and memorable eulogy. Fr. Gordon Walker preached a truly evangelistic homily at the preceding Divine Liturgy. The Audio for both, as well as Fr. Jon Braun’s tribute, can be found at Ancient Faith Radio (http://ancientfaith.com/specials/fr._peter_gillquist_memorial). Below you will see the tri-fold sunbeams caught on film by one of the faithful at the funeral service.
We will post more photos as they become available.
We are moved by your outpouring of love. Thank you for your kind words and sincere prayers!
+++
In lieu of flowers it is requested that memorial donations be made payable to All Saints Church (6004 So. Fairfax Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401). Funds will be split between the building funds of All Saints Church, Bloomington, Indiana, and St. Athanasius Church, Santa Barbara, California — Fr. Peter’s two “home parishes.”
Schedule of Services for Fr. Peter E. Gillquist – July 4-6, 2012
Wednesday, July 4
6:00 p.m. Public Visitation at All Saints in Bloomington
7:00 p.m. Trisagion Service
*All Night Vigil to Follow* (Reading of the Psalter)
Thursday, July 5
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy in Bloomington (Followed by transport to Carmel, IN)
5:00 p.m. Public Visitation at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (3500 W 106th St. Carmel, IN)
7:00 p.m. Trisagion Service
*All Night Vigil to Follow* (Reading of the Psalter)
Friday, July 6
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (His Grace Bishop Anthony Presiding)
11:00 a.m. Funeral Service followed by Mercy Meal at Holy Trinity GOC
3:30 p.m. Burial Service at All Saints Cemetery in Bloomington
Accommodations near Holy Trinity Church, Indianapolis/Carmel
The following hotels currently have rooms available for Thursday night, July 5.
Jamieson Inn
10201 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46280
(317) 816-1616
Mention “$69 funeral rate”
Courtyard Marriott
10290 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46290
(317) 571-1110
Mention “Fr. Peter Gillquist” to get special $79 rate
Embassy Suites Indianapolis – North
3912 Vincennes Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 872-7700
$119 king room
$139 two queen beds
Drury Hotel
9310 N. Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 876-9777
$87 for King or double
June 10, 2012
In 1999, Fr. Peter E. Gillquist (retired and attached to All Saints) was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. Miraculously, he survived through the grace of God, the prayers of the saints, and the care of physicians. His prayer was to be given more time to assist in starting more mission churches, and to grow old with his wife, Khouria Marilyn.
Now, 13 years later, he has again been diagnosed with melanoma — only now stage 4. We are awaiting further word on a prognosis and possible treatment options. Scroll down to see any updates posted on this page. God bless you.
***For Immediate Release***
June 14, 2012…
The Very Rev. Fr. Peter E. Gillquist has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma. Fr. Peter survived a diagnosis of stage 3 melanoma in 1999 and another bout in 2010. He, Kh. Marilyn, and family await test results to determine treatment options in the management of this aggressive cancer.
The Gillquists request your prayers as they continue a lifelong journey of faith in the Great Physician, remembering that our communal prayer is for the healing of soul and body, and in the Lord’s time, a Christian ending to life, that is painless, blameless and peaceful.
Fr. Peter retired from 25 years of service to the Antiochian Archdiocese as Director of the Department of Missions and Evangelism in January. He is attached to All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bloomington, Indiana, where his son, Fr. Peter Jon, serves as pastor.
June 19, 2012
Fr. Peter is in the hospital tonight with a fever. His physician felt it would be the best place for him to receive care as the doctors search for a possible infection causing this elevated temperature. Thank you for your continued prayers.
June 20, 2012
Fr. Peter is still in the hospital. During tests early this morning to determine the cause of his fever, it was discovered that his cancer is moving even more quickly than anticipated, and has spread to some of his vital organs. Fr. Peter’s children are travelling now to be with him and Kh. Marilyn. Your prayers for their safe travel, and for Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn’s continued peace during this time of illness are appreciated.
June 22, 2012
Our family shared a special time in the hospital room with Fr. Peter this morning, reading aloud your kind words of encouragement which have been posted on this site. Thank you for your continued prayerful support.
June 24, 2012
Fr. Peter is still in the hospital, surrounded by his wife, children, and a grandchild who is carrying his first great-grandchild. More family will be en route to Bloomington throughout the week.
We discovered today that reading your posts is not only encouraging to Fr. Peter, but also a helpful diversion from his physical pain.
As will happen, it seems there is some mis-information being circulated on the internet regarding Fr. Peter’s condition. Please always refer to this site for up-to-date and accurate information from those at his bedside.
June 25, 2012
We have been anticipating test results regarding possible treatment options, and today we received news that no cancer treatment would be of positive effect in Fr. Peter’s case. Therefore, the emphasis of his care is on pain management and prayer, so we are working on both. Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn, and their children are strengthened through your prayers.
June 27. 2012
Fr. Peter is sleeping more and more each day. He will be transferred to a hospice facility this afternoon, where his family will continue to participate in his care and comfort management, together with a 24-hour nursing staff. Your continued prayers for a peaceful journey are appreciated more than you know.
June 29, 2012 – The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Blessed feast day, dad. Fr. Peter has been in a hospice facility since Wednesday afternoon. When our family first heard about a hospice house, we were unsure what to expect. What we have found has been a blessing beyond what we can express: a large living room with couches and a kitchenette, a smaller, intimate sitting room, a chapel, a sizible outdoor deck, and eight large bedrooms, most of which look out into the woods. Currently, only half of the rooms are occupied by patients. At the foot of Fr. Peter’s bed is a four foot wooden shelf, which holds icons of Christ, the Theotokos, St. Peter the Apostle, St. Nectarios, and many of the holy unmercinaries. Vigil lamps burn around the clock, and at least one family member is with Fr. Peter at all times.
Presently, Fr. Peter sleeps most of the day. When he is awake, he asks for prayer. The family gathers to pray and sing, and he sings with us. These are the things we will remember all our lives.
The prayers you offer and the words you post here are such a source of encouragement to all of us. Thank you for your love and support as we continue this journey together.
July 1, 2012 – Saints Cosmos and Damian
These are holy days. God is so merciful, loving, and compassionate.
After the Liturgy of Ss. Peter and Paul Thursday night, Fr. Peter asked for prayer at the Hospice House. Fr. Peter Jon arrived around 10 p.m. and asked, “Dad, would you like to receive communion tonight or tomorrow?” Fr. Peter stated clearly that he would like communion right away, so we began to pray and sing. Although it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to speak in complete sentences, Fr. Peter recited all the prayers by heart and sang perfect harmony with the communion hymns. Then he went to sleep. That is the last food he has consumed — the Bread of Life, and thr Fountain of Immortality.
Fr. Peter didn’t awaken again until the following evening at 9:00 p.m. (Friday), when the wheels of Fr. Gordon Walker’s car hit the driveway. Fr. Gordon had driven six hours to be with his friend of 50 years in his time of need. They talked a while, smiled a lot, and then Fr. Peter went back to sleep following evening prayers.
The following morning (Saturday), we all gathered in Fr. Peter’s room for morning prayers, as he slept. Around 3:00 p.m., Fr. Peter awoke and asked if Fr. Gordon would hear his confession, which he did. Then a call was placed to Fr. Jon Braun, and the three old friends shared a few minutes together, talking about heaven. Then Fr. Peter fell asleep again.
Since that time, his vitals have changed dramatically, and he appears to be making the final sprint for the finish line. “Finish the race” is what his family members whisper in his ear. We are gathered by his bedside in prayer, Scripture-reading, and song. Finish the race, dad. We love you so much.
July 1, 2012
The servant of God Fr. Peter E. Gillquist departed this life at 9:20 p.m. surrounded by family. He has finished the race. Memory eternal!
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!”
Funeral arrangements will post tomorrow morning.
Please be assured of my love and prayers for Fr. Peter and Marilyn and the whole family.
May the Lord alleviate your pain and grant you healing. I was recently told I had renal cell carcinoma and while waiting for surgery I read a book that I highly recommend called Outsmart Your Cancer by Tanya Harter Pierce which offers many non-toxic remedies. After the tumor was removed from my kidney, and about 5 days after I was released from the hospital I was told it was benign. I was fortunate, thank the Lord, but I believe this book may be of benefit. In the meantime, you are in our prayers as both Barbara and myself have been blessed so many times by your words of life and wisdom. Blessings and recovery to you, Dn Richard and Barbara Schmidt
Dear Fr. Peter:
We thank God upon every remembrance of you. Thanks to your courage (to make the journey) and your literary gifts (to pen Becoming Orthodox) we were led into the Holy Orthodox Church. Please know that you and Marilyn are in our prayers. With much love in Christ, Fr. David & Kh. Debbie and the Faithful of St. Andrew in Arlington, WA
Fr. Peter was a great writer and editor and a kind man. Because of his article in Christianity Today, we moved from Arizona to Isla Vista to join the church. He was a living advertisement for Christianity. My prayers for Marilyn and the family.
My family and I will be forever grateful to Fr. Peter for his charity, tolerance, and stewardship. Thank you also for posting details about his last lap – what a testament to his grace and that of your family. Sending love and blessings always.
Dear Kh. Marilyn and family,
We wish to express our heartfelt sympathies. We are truly grateful for the priviledge of having known Fr. Peter. We have been immensely blessed by his godly influence.
May God continue to grant you His peace and comfort in the days ahead. Much love in Christ,
Dn. Basil and Joanne Vazquez
He is in Paradise, asleep in Christ, at rest and at the Resurrection we shall all be together in our final theosis as the Bride of Christ.
As saints, we are reminded by St. Paul, that all those who are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, death no longer has dominion over us and we shall resurrect!!!
Fr. Peter,
Rest well and look forward to seeing you soon.
ICXC NIKA!!!
Fr. Peter, Marilyn, and family,
Our love and prayers are with you always. May God’s grace, mercy, peace, and infinite love fill your hearts. “I thank God in my every remembrance of you.” Thank you for changing the course of our life, and leading us to the holy Orthodox Church. May God’s healing grace be with you.
Fr. Gregory and Pam Rogers
Thank you for sharing your Christian gifts with so many of us. I attended your missionary conferences and learned that the mission is in the here and now. God bless you and your family. The seeds you have planted will continue to bloom and flourish.
Dear Father,
May the blessings of our Lord and Savior be with you and your family.
May the wounds of our Lord Jesus be with you always to help you and cure you from all that causes you harm.
You have left an important imprint in my life with your missionary work all over the world to bring the church of God to its roots in Orthodoxy .
we always keep you and your family in our daily morning prayers together with our normal liturgical prayers.
In Christ
Dn Nazmi
St James Antiochian Orthodox Church in Placentia ,
Calif.
Father Peter,
Your contribution to our life is beyond measure. We thank God upon every remembrance of you for your courage and love for Christ that led to your journey and that of countless thousands of us to the blessings of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We pray for God’s rich blessing and mercy on you and your family.
In Christ,
Ken and Myrna Hull
My most sincere prayers and condolences during this time are extended for Fr. Peter and his family.
Father Peter Memory Eternal.
I and many have had the distinct priveledge of attending Fr. Peter’s seminars. He will be sorely missed.
20 years ago attended the pan-Orthodox conference on missions and evangelism in Santa Barbara organized by Fr. Gilquist and really got started as an orthodox christian at that time, thanks Fr. Gilquist
Know that our prayers are with Fr. Peter (senior). Whether the healing be physical or spiritual, God says “I am here, be at peace.” Always by his side telling him that all is well.
A prayer for Father Peter:
Glory to you, heavenly Father, for the sickness that I am afflicted with. My ilness has humbled me and reminded me of your laws. Let me keep your words always.
You hear me in my trouble, and so I will proclaim to the world your infite goodness. I will praise you forever.
When you finally call me home, I want to go in peace. I love you Lord and want to be in your holy presence forever. All I need now is Jesus. Amen.
Fr. Peter traveled to St. George Orthodox Church in Pharr, Texas once. My husband, I and my sister traveled from San Antonio to hear his talk and later decided to move here. He inspired us in our lives to live as Orthodox Christians in all things. I will miss his ministry. My prayers are with his family and loved ones.
Just as the Fathers lay down that perfect love knows no sin, so
I for my part declare that a perfect sense of death is free from fear…The remembrance of death, is like all other blessings, is a
Gift of God–He who has died to all things remembers death…
St. John Climacus
My prayers are sent heavenward for all of you. May our dear
Fr. Peter be free of pain and be at peace. The heavenly Hosts
are there in his room, not only to bring him comfort, but to
comfort all you, as well.
We remember Fr. Peter so fondly back in the EOC days when we were members of Fr. Mel Gimmaka’s fledgling Church. He would visit us often with encouragement and good teaching. He was a wonderful, faithful servant of our Orthodox faith. It is such a blessing to me and my family to know he is with our Lord and Savior praying on our behalf. Memory Eternal, Fr. Peter. You will be missed!
May his memory be eternal! We are going to miss him very much. We would like to convey our deepest condolences to his remaining family members.
Memory Eternal! May you find rest and comfort in the light of our Lord, Father Peter. Thank you for all that you have done for the Orthodox Church, here in America, for your books, your lecturees, your prayers and all of your efforts. Thank you. You will be missed.
Fr. Peter flew across the country to be with us at our chrismation, though we were strangers. He was a good shepherd who continually added new lambs to the flock. May his memory be eternal!
Fr. Peter was a great influence on all of us who left the Episcopal church to become part of Orthodoxy-The one true faith. Memory Eternal!
Father Gillquist’s books meant a lot to me, far away in Sweden. I thank God for him. Pastor Åke Eldberg, Church of Sweden
May his memory be eternal. I am a founding member of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Lubbock, TX. We started as a mission church in the 1970′s. We are now a viable parish with a full time priest. It is due to the vigilance and help of people like Father Peter that our little parish exists. May he now enjoy the fruits of his labor in the presence of our Savior.
I have been telling my children about Fr Peter’s life and have been also telling them of his repose as a great example of how a Christian life can be victorious even in dying. I went in to my daughter’s room to let her know when Fr Peter had passed. She said “So did he finish the race daddy?” I told her “Yes. Yes he did finish the race, and that’s why this is also a great thing. Finishing the race is a wonderful thing for a Christian.” Thank you Fr Peter for being a great example for me and my family even at the end of your Earthly life.
I remember Fr. Peter probably before I was a teenager. He was a colleague of my father’s and an important ally in the cause for domestic and foreign Orthodox missions. His presence was always one of an energetic man with one primary impulse driving him daily: preaching Christ for the salvation of all. This inclusive approach to the Gospel lead Fr. Peter, among other places, to Romania to counter the influx of sectarian proselytes, South Texas to share his faith with recent converts, and Penn State to engage young minds in a rabidly secular environment. When an Orthodox encyclopedia is written and edited about the later part of the 20th cent. in the United States, it will not be surprising at all to find Fr. Peter’s contributions to the life of the Church described as “significant,” “substantial,” and “a major turning point in the demographic composition of Orthodox communities in North America and the perception of being Orthodox both by members of the Church as well as those residing outside its parochial boundaries.” I pray that the evangelical example Fr. Peter gave us will only grow as he is now our heavenly intercessor cheering on our efforts as we continue the race which he has completed. By the prayers of the departed servant of God, the Archpriest Peter, may a double portion of his spirit be sent down upon us so that we may go forth unto all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nicholas Reeves
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
We love you now and always will. We pray for your health and for your family, for your comfort and strength when needed.
We pray that God’s grace will sustain Fr. Peter and all his family. His tireless and dynamic ministry has touched so many lives–undoubtedly the prayers of thousands of grateful souls are even now rising to the heavens on his behalf!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
All our Love
The Robinsons
Dear Fr. Peter & Marilyn,
May God grant you both His healing grace & comfort at this time! We deeply love you both and will be praying!
Love in Christ, our Great Physician,
Fr. Bill
Indeed! The Tsoukalas family stands firm with you in prayer and healing. God’s Will be done…
May God be with you on your journey Fr. Peter.
There is no doubt that you have made a lasting impact on me that will forever shape the man that I am, the children that I raise and the fervor with which I approach this beautiful gift called life.
Thank you Fr. Peter,
Antony Caldaroni
Lord have mercy. Sending our LOVE and fervent prayers for our dear Fr. Peter from all the Schaefer Family. We love you all!
Glory to God that “He works all things out for the good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
We love you Father Peter and Marilyn and thank God for you and your example of Christ’s love and heart to the world..
Doug, Cheryl, David, Carissa, Sean, Daniel and Ciara
We also truly thank you for all of your prayers for Daniel. We love you both.
Lord have mercy! We are fervently praying for you! May God grant you a quick healing and bodily comfort in the midst of this!
Lord Have Mercy! Our thoughts and fervent prayers are with Fr. Peter and his family.
Keeping you in my prayers….and your family. God Bless.
Our love and prayers to Fr Peter, Marilyn and all the family for strength and God’s grace in this next chapter.
Prayers arising!
Fr. Peter & Khouriyee Marilyn …
God is with You! Please know that you, your Family and your Earthly Doctors, Nurses & Therapists are in our Prayers … from our Holy Altar at St. Mary Parish in Johnstown, PA and from within the Closet of our Hearts!
We Love You and ask for Your Prayers too!
+Fr. Don, Khouriyee Janet, Christopher & Stephen Shadid and
The Faithful of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Fr Peter & Kh Marilyn, and all your dear family,
Praying God’s strength and sustaining arms beneath you as you journey your respective paths in the coming days, months, years. Through everything, I am continually reminded that our God is always good–always. May we be granted grace to follow in His footsteps.
May your recovery be swift and complete. Lord have mercy!
Our prayers are with you at this time. God bless you with His Peace and Healing. Lord have mercy.
Prayers for Fr. Peter and his family from all his friends here in Altoona.
Dear Fr Peter:
You were very influential in my life, and I am grateful for your kindness and encouragement. You will be in my prayers daily! May Grant you Peace and Joy forevermore!
Jim
Dear Fr. Peter.
We are thanking our Lord Jesus for your healing and for the gift of the precious love of Khouriyee Marilyn and a loving family that surrounds you. For He is truly our physician! May the minds, hands, and hearts of your medical team be guided by Him, who loves you and never leaves you. You have been such an inspiration to us in our life and we thank you from our hearts. With Love in our Lord, Cynthia & Richard Mosher.
Kh. Tamera and I are indebted to you forever for your assistance in our conversion and acceptance into the Orthodox Church. We are praying for you every day, and have been since coming into the church in 2007. May God have mercy on you and on us and grant you strength and healing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Fr. Philip Pelikan
Of course, we will pray to our Lord AGAIN!
Dear Father Peter:
Fervently praying to the Holy Archangel Raphael for your complete healing in every way, and have been lighting candles at church. Praying Gods comfort and guidance for you and your entire family, just as you have been a comfort and guide to so many in their spiritual walk! May His peace be with you!
Our most fervent prayers for Fr. Peter and the entire family.
You are in our fervent prayers! May the Lord, the Great Physician of our souls and bodies, grant you complete healing, Father Peter, through the intercessions of His servant St. Nektarios the wonderworker of Aegina and Pentapolis!
I will keep Fr. Peter and all the family in my prayers.
Fr Peter is much loved by me and my family. We are praying for God’s mercy and will to be done. Kevin & Colleen Allen
Much love and many prayers to our beloved friend and colleague, Fr. Peter, and the dear Kh. Marilyn.
Cheri Mullins
AHoS Residency & MA Thesis Director
Fr. Peter will remain in our prayers whatever the outcome.
Protodeacon Michael
Fort Wayne, IN
Lord have mercy! Earnestly praying for your recovery, Father, and remembering Kh. Marilyn and all your family in our prayers as well.
Be assured that I will remember Fr. Peter and the whole Gillquist Family at this difficult time. We are at peace, since we rest in the hands of the Divine Physician, Who loves us and cares for us.
I pray our Heavenly Father will visit and heal His faithful servant, Fr. Peter Gilquist, and return him to health an vigor, so that he can continure to work according to His will!.
I will be keeping Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and their family, in my prayers
All of us at Ancient Faith Radio and Conciliar Press are praying for our beloved Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn.
Father Peter and Kh. Marilyn!
Christ is amongst us!
I am putting you folks on our monastery prayer list! I remember the last go around and I pray that the Lord will be merciful to you and all of us and grant you Father Peter His healing and strength! May you obtain this healing through the good work and wisdom of those doctors the Lord has put on your pilgrimage and may this healing come to you through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos!
Always yours in Christ Saviour,
Hieromonk Joshua +
May Jesus, the great physician, heal you in soul and body according to His mercy and grant you peace. Love and peace to all of your family.
Thank you for your ministry. It has been a great help in my conversion to the Orthodox faith. My prayers are with you and your family.
Fr. Peter, you visited our then-fledgling parish in Idaho and gave me your blessing the evening before my chrismation. I have always been especially grateful for that and will pray for you in return now. Love in Christ, Allyson (Mary)
Dear Peter, we love you and Marilyn and your children, and remember with joy our time together. May the Lord continue to bless you both, and be certain that you remain in our prayers with confidence and joy in the Lord who saved us all. All love in Christ. Kit and Diane
I will pray for Fr. Peter. You are a special priest, Fr. Peter.
Love and Prayers! Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles, Leyland. UK will remember you Fr. Peter in prayer during the Liturgy and in my unworthy prayers! Love to you and the congregation there at this difficult time.
Praying with you. Love and Blessings.
Sarah and I will be in prayer. Lord, have mercy.
Fr. Peter,
You and your family are in our prayers…
Fr. Steven
Dear Fr. Peter & Marilyn & family,
It is with sadness that I hear about Peter’s health. You know that metastatic melanoma rings resonant with me because of my beloved who is now in the very presence of the Lord. I will be praying for you, your family, and the attending doctors in the coming days and months ahead. May His peace reign in your hearts all during this time. Our God is an awesome God! Isaiah 41:10
Forever friends,
Mary Harrington
Fr. Peter, you remain a powerful presence in my heart although I haven’t seen you since September 1991, when you spoke at the Missions and Evangelism Conference I attended at Antiochian Village. The joy you brought me has remained with me ever since. The Lord has truly graced you with great love and power to proclaim His Word and bring His Presence to people through His Church. May His grace now be sufficient for you and your family during this time! Jesus Christ is victorious!
Dear Peter and Mare Bear,
!
Wow, I Just read about you and am praying already!!!!! I went through this with Jay and now am going through another bout with Nils! He has been diagnosed with something similar to Parkinson’s Disease called Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsey. He is getting weaker all the time and doesn’t think he will live much longer (I haven’t heard from the Lord on that though).
We will continue to keep you all before God’s throne of grace, and trust that ALL is working together for good, as He promises! I love you both very much! BLESSINGS! In His incredible love and care….Sandy
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Lord Have Mercy! We will pray that our heavenly physician will grant you complete healing.
Sincerely,
Doug & Janice Fadel
Father Peter and Marilyn,
The prayer power of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is with you both!
In the Bonds,
Fred
Blessings to dear Fr. Peter and the Gillquist family!
You have been held up before the throne of The Most High. I don’t know you Fr. Peter, but that in no way diminishes the bond we have in Christ. Be blessed Fr. Peter.
Our prayers are with you and your family, dear Fr. Peter. I was at Penn State when you visited and told us of your first diagnosis. It’s hard to believe that was a whole thirteen years ago! Our whole Lancaster community will be praying for you.
+Fr. Hector Firoglanis.
Our prayers are with you and your whole family. May God be with you!
Fr. Jim and Peggy
Dear Fr. Peter,
My own dear father has just gone through a year of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation in the treatment of cancer of the bowel. It was hard – as a personal war – but now, trusting God, he looks forward to many more years of blessed health. He kept an icon of St. Nectarios with him at all times and attributes his healing to the prayers of that blessed saint…and the 24/7 care of my mother…
May the Lord our God bless you and your family with health and peace,
Ann
Father Peter,
As a convert to the Orthodox Church I owe my coming into to the church directly to your efforts. I don’t know any converts who can say anything different.
God Bless you and your family.
I will continue to pray for you daily.
Father Peter, bless!
Your encouragement from 1993 on for the establishment of a mission in Quincy Illinois has blessed my life, and the lives of all those in the St Raphael mission community. Having survived a bout with lymphoma myself )in 2009), you and your family have my most heartfelt prayers to God for His blessing in your lives and for His will to be done. May God grant you many, many years!
Kevin Nikolai Payne
St Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Mission (OCA)
Quincy, IL
I join with all the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon in praying for you and Marilyn. May our wonderful Lord sustain and comfort you at this trying time. God bless you.
We are praying for you and your family during this trying time…
Our prayers are with you as you an your family await the results of the tests. May God continue to bless you in all that you say and do. Love you both very much.
Dear Father Peter and Khouriya Marilyn
We wish we could be standing next to you in body, but we are in prayer. We kiss your right hand, Fr. Peter, and ask your prayers for us.
Fr Josiah, Kh. Catherine and the Trenham Family
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
May God keep under the shelter of His wings! Be assured of our prayers for all of you.
Fr. Polycarp, Kh. Lisa, Reader Daniel, Joshua, Jillian, Subdeacon Stephen and Monica
Dearly beloved Fr. Peter and Khouria Marilyn,
I pray for and trust Our Lord for a miracle. May Fr. Peter be blessed with a speedy and complete recovery.
In Christ,
Teresa
Fr. Peter and Marilyn :
You are as always in our thoughts and prayers, and now even more, much love from our family to yours.
Rouba, as always, has the sense and grace to speak first. Your love and Christian witness have meant so much to our family. It would take so many words were I to start. You are very much in our prayers.
Dear Father Peter,
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers for complete healing of soul and body. I just sent your name out for prayer to over 90 prayer partners, including monastics and priests. God bless you for the wonderful work you have accomplished in our Lord’s Vineyard!
With much love,
Damon and Carol
God be with you Fr. Peter. You and your family are in our prayers and thoughts during this time. May Christ, our true physician, watch over you now and in the days to come.
In Christ,
Fr. Thomas Zain
Vicar-General
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Fr. Peter, Sue and I are praying for you. Fr. Hans
Dear Peter and Marilyn,
You have both been so dear to me for the last 60 years or so, and have meant so much in my life. You have lived such a wonderful, God-directed life together and have been blessed with such a beautiful family. I know that God is with you now just as He has been all these years. My thoughts and prayers are with you every day. My children send you their love and support, too.
With much love to you both,
Carolyn
Dearest in Christ, Fr Peter and Marilyn:
Matushka joins me in praying for you both, as does our family and parish. May God continue to bless and keep you, giving you a good issue out of all your sufferings for His glory.
Fr John
Dear Fr. Peter,
We pray for you and your family that the Physician of our Soul and Body will give you healing and comfort. Your life in missions and your countless publications about life in the Orthodox faith have touched the lives of so many. May God continue to give you strength now and forever!
Fr. Peter and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your kindness,warmth, and support for our family, and your joyous spirit is a blessing for all who know you. May God support, and help you, and may His compassionate Grace heal you.
We send hugs from afar.
Diana and Craig
Dear Fr. Peter. You are, and always have been an inspiration to me and to so many others…and are a model of faithful obedience and service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We love you and are praying for you and your family as they travel to be with you. Please remember us in your prayers as well, that God will keep us strong and consistently consistent in our faith and daily struggle. Your son, Fr. Jim King Jr.
My dear brother Peter, My life has been so enriched by knowing you and all that you have been to our beloved Church. You have made history for us and we will forever be grateful. You not only stand tall amoung us, you inspire all of us to “rise, and expand and seek God unemcumbered.” Take courageous and continue to “fight the good fight”. My love and prayers are with you co-celebrant of the Holy Altar.
Your Brother in Christ,
Fr. George Rados
Often think about your trip to the Orthodox Chaplain’s Retreat in Germany, and the impact that your ministry has had for the Orthodox Church. I remember you in the Officer’s Club, the tour of Bonn and the wineland, as well as the Ice Cream Sunday and the German Coke-a-Cola glasses. You and Marilyn are in our prayers and love, May our Lord strength you and heal you that you may a complete and speedy recovery.
Fr. Nick
Dear Fr. Peter and Khouria Marilyn,
We will pray for you and your family in earnest! When we first met you and heard you speak, you inspired us with your joy in the Lord and with your strong faith. We join with many others in thanking God for your ministry, in sickness and in health! May the love, encouragement and life-giving faith that you have shared with us all, return to you a hundred-fold!
Dear Fr.Peter
Words cannot express our gratitude to Holy God for allowing us to hear about the Holy Orthodox Church from your writings and personal conversations. Our sincerest prayers are that the Holy Spirit will be your comfort and peace in these difficult days and if in The Holy Will of God that you will be healed, that your health will be restored.
Don and Karen West, Portland, OR
Dear Fr. Peter and Khouriya, You are always in our hearts and prayers.
With respect in Christ our only hope and healer,
Dear Fr. Peter, you and your beloved family are always in our prayers and thoughts. We commemorate you at the Prothesis and pray God grant you grace and peace. We will be praying for you this weekend at the Diocese of New England Parish Life Conference.
Please be assured of my prayers and those of our whole Indianapolis community in for Father Peter and all his family. We are at your disposal to help in any way you can use us. You have been a teacher and an inspiration. God bless you, easing your pain and giving you quality time with your family.
Be assured of our prayers and the prayers of our community of St. Timothy in Lompoc. We pray for God’s Mercy for dear Father Peter, Kh. Marilyn and all your family at this time.
My Dear Brother Peter,
It is with a sense of very deep sorrow that you are leaving us. For so many years you have meant so much to my family and I. Yet in your trial we are reminded that “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” Knowing that this life is but a gateway to an infinitely deeper and more fulfilling one. One in which by God’s Grace we will all be reunited – forevermore. My wife Kh. Martha (Bonnie) and I as well as our children and their families (the Sommers and the Currys) are praying for you and your loved ones – for mercy, love and courage.
My very dear brother and friend, farewell.
Dearest Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Wrapping you in the arms of the Mother of God and keeping you in constant prayer for peace and courage as you journey through this valley. God is with you! Glory to God forever and for His perfect will. Love, Carla
Dearest Father Peter and Kr Marilyn,
We are praying that God will ease your pain and grant you healing. Your faith and leadership has been such an inspiration to us and so many people in the Orthodox Church around the world. We want you to know that we are so grateful for your love and friendship over the last 40 years. May Christ, the Great Healer and Physician, watch over you and your family.
Sending all our love,
Dn. Howard and Gail
Fr. Peter and Marilyn,
We love you and hold you in our thoughts and prayers. Your love and faith have always been an inspiration to us.
Elijah and Amanda
Dear Fr. Peter and Khouria Marilyn,
May God grant you and your family peace, and may he richly reward you for your service in His Church. We thank you and keep you in our prayers,
The Dooleys
Father Peter,
I want to tell you that I am thankful I know you. I appreciate all the labors you have undertaken to help us discover and remain in the correct faith of Orthodoxy. I ask your forgiveness for any disrespectful or idle words I have ever directed toward you. Pray for us here in this life and if you should go to the next life before us – as a true leader – pray for us there in the place you have so earnestly desired for youself and everyone you’ve known. This is motivating me to pray for other people again – I will make a prayer list tonight and you’ll be on it.
Father Bless,
John Casey Shannon
Also one of the first memories I have from my childhood was crossing the street from the Wallace’s home in Isla Vista and visiting you. Your home was always a place of comfort and peace – I pray that it is always this way wherever your home may be.
Beloved of God Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Your leadership, love, prayers, and support have meant so much to us these
last 30 years. You now have the love and prayers of so many who love you.
May our Lord have mercy on you and give you and your precious family His peace.
Dn. Tim and Deb
Dear Peter & Marilyn,
Your friendship has been so precious and spiritually meaningful to
us for the past 50+ years! We will be praying for our Lord’s grace,
presence & peace to be with you both, and with your wonderful family.
With our love and prayers,
Ken & Jo
Fr. Peter, Our first visit to the Evangelical Orthodox Church was on a Sunday you were visiting the small EOC flock in Seattle in the Summer of 1981. As we heard you share your “stories from the road” of how the Holy Spirit was opening the hearts and minds of others to seek the fullness of God’s Kingdom, we both knew that we had found the Church community we were looking for. Six years later, we were blessed to have you concelebrate the Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan PHILIP as he received us into the Holy Orthodox Faith. With heartfelt appreciation we thank you for how you have taught us, guided us, and touched us through your pastoral visits, your books, and your words. We pray for you and your family at this time. With love always, Protodeacon Philip & Dna. Cindy Jenson (St. Paul Orthodox Church, Brier WA)
I hope you get my message of love and that someone will give you a big squeeze for me…my prayer is for peace for the whole wonderful Gillquist family – and if you will Fr. Peter -please lift us all up before the Lord when you meet Him. “Threaten me with Heaven, that’s all they can do.” (Vince Gill) I love you, Junee
Dear Fr. Peter and Marilyn,
We love you and pray that God will grant you the peace that passes understanding. Thank you for who you are and all you’ve done for us, especially your prayers for Jesse. Your presence in our lives has been a divine gift.
In Christ,
Craig, Jenny, Jared, Gabe, Jesse, and Lucy
Father I am praying for you.
We pay to our Lord and the Panagia …to heal, comfort , guide and fortify Father Peter and and his family…….for now and the ages to come
Our dear Father Peter and beloved Kh. Marilyn, you are in our hearts and in our constant prayer. What joy having you as part of our parish in Bloomington in recent times. Before that you were words on the pages of your writings. We have been blessed by both. Deacon and Marcia
I have asked St. Thekla to remember you in her prayers. We are loving you and praying for you from Santa Barbara. May you all have His comfort at such a difficult time.
Dearest Fr. Peter,
Lo those many years ago you met with an amazing group of men on the little island (San Juan Island) where I grew up and where I read your book. (I’d like to know where that cabin is:-)). What beautiful, delicious fruit you have borne for all of us to taste. Fruit from heaven itself . We are praying that our loving and merciful God, with all His Saints and His most Holy and Blessed Mother grant you and your family good strength and courage and peace beyond measure. We love you and thank God for you. We are praying and ask you to remember all of us as well.
In Christ,
Juliana and all the Cutshall family
Hello Father Peter:
We have never met, but your testimony and ministry from your book and the ministry of your friend Father Basil (Caldaroni) have changed my life. My God’s peace and blessing be upon you.
Dear Father Peter,
Your book was the first Orthodox literature I ever read, and it helped to introduce me to the Orthodox faith I now love. From that point I was to improve not only my walk with God, but also the theology and practice of Elijah House Ministries, which I help to lead. Thank you so much for being a part of that! I pray that you rest in God’s arms, and that no disease will determine the time of your going to be with our loving Father. Let it be only in His timing.
In Him,
Mark Sandford.
Dear Fr Peter:
Your kindest and first words to me were at St John the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Beaver Falls in front of the sanctuary. You said to me: “There is room for you too.” You were very welcoming as your life and ministry have been. I am grateful always for your faithfulness. Pat and I will be crowned tomorrow (June 23) and ordination to the deaconate will follow in the coming months.
We pray for all of you daily. God be with us all
Ron and Pat Moslener
Dearest Father Peter,
As a new catechumen in the Orthodox church, I would like to thank you for your years of dedication and for your willingness to be used by the Holy Spirit in sharing not only the Gospel, but in sharing your journey to Orthodoxy. Your story has really helped my husband and me in our discovery of the One Holy and Apostolic Church. We are the parents of 6 children, and we have been protestants now for over 20 years. Lord willing, we will be baptized into the church and our marriage will be crowned after the Fast of the Dormition. Our lives have been so enriched by the vast treasure to be found in Orthodoxy and you, kind and faithful sir, have been a key element in us finding our footing on this new soil. We are continually keeping you and your dear dear family in our prayers. May your every hour be filled with the presence and the knowledge of our ever loving Holy Trinity.
To God be the Glory in all things,
Julie Paine
Marysville, WA
Dearest Fr. Peter,
You and your family will always be so dear to me and my prayers are with you. You have always been a shining light for so many people. I cherish all of the memories from the many years I’ve known you and am so thankful to have been blessed with that honor. God Bless you and your family! -Mary
May the Holy Angels surround you and your family; may they guide you before God’s throne according to His mercy. The peace and presence of God be with you always. +Metropolitan Nicholas
The Church in Ireland is praying for you.
I have only yesterday, before the news of this illness reached me, used you as an example to a young man in our parish.
Please keep us also in your holy prayers.
Love
Fr Irenaeus
Fr. Peter and family,
You have been a God send in my journey to the Orthodox Faith. Your words of encouragement and love have always touched my heart, especially the speeches you gave at St. Peter’s 25 anniversary celebration. Know that you and your family will always be in my prayers and may the Lord our God bless you and your family.
Father Peter, Marilyn and family,
Walking with you and praying for you, as we journey together toward our eternal home.
With deep love and multiplied kind thoughts,
Father Duane
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
I am Orthodox today because the two of you allowed my wife, Lamia, her aunt, Odette, and I to join you for lunch back in 1995. You had just returned from Syria and, I’m sure, were jet lagged and exhausted. Still, you and khouriya opened your doors to us. By the end of that day I knew I would become Orthodox. Today my wife and I and our children serve our God because of your kindness. Your actions are echoing through the generations of our family.
As we left your home all those years ago, you scribbled a few words in an OSB and gave it to us as a gift. I’ll repeat here the verse you inscribed in the front:
“You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11
You and your family and your loved ones are in our prayers day and night.
In Christ,
Jason and Lamia
We love you, Father Peter and Marilyn. You have been dear to us forever and your ministry has made an imprint on our souls. Through every hour of the days ahead, may God grant your every need with tenderness and mercy. May He sustain all of you — Father Peter, Marilyn, Greg, Wendy, Ginger, Terri, Heidi, and Fr. Peter Jon, and all your families.
We continually pray for healing of body and soul.
With great love,
Timmy and Sue
“Remember me O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom” These words, only recorded for us by Luke, have found their way deep into the consciousness of the Holy Church. We pray especially that God would ‘remember’ those we love, those He loves….. and we pray they remember us. You noted Phil. 1:27 to me once. Now O encourage you with vss.28-29. And with all those who send their love let us remember one another.
Dear to God, Fr. Peter,
As you are nearing the finish line, may God strengthen you to bravely finish the race and may He bestow upon you an imperishable crown of victory! May God give you and your family a great amount of peace and comfort during this difficult, yet joyous time.
Our prayers and our love are with you and your family.
Rick and Christi Yadron
It is with sadness and expectant hope in the resurrection that I hear of your present health concerns. Please know that you will always be one of my personal ‘Fathers in Orthodoxy’ dating back to the EOC days and the wonderful learning and growing retreats of which you were a part for all of us here in Indianapolis. I thank God for you and your sacrificial life and how your family shared you with all of us who needed you. Your books are on my book shelf and cause me to say a prayer for you each time I notice them. God bless you and know your service to God has been effective beyond your ability to know.
Craig Madsen – Indianapolis – St. George
Dearest Fr. Peter,
As a cradle Orthodox, I feel necessary to say that it was a great honor for us that you joined our faith. Your life can be identified as a format of dedication of the true servant of God. With your natural kindness, you showed the way to the Truth to many thousands of souls through your services, sermons, personal meetings, books, interviews, etc. Your accomplishments became an integral part of accomplishments of Orthodoxy in North America. Incredible increases of conversions came from your apostolic efforts. It looks that St. Apostle Peter found you, an individual with the same name for continuation of his own mission.
As for the case of the cradle Orthodox, your indicated to us the amazing extent of richness and wisdom of our faith. Thank you very much for all your extraordinary work. God appreciates that and so does the Church.
May our Redeemer grant strength to you. May St. Nectarios, the great helper in a case of oncological problems, provide his support to you and all your wonderful family in this time.
In Christ,
Vladimir
Dear Fr Peter and Marilyn, The hymn “Great is The Faithfulness” keeps coming to mind and I send it as a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Great is Thy faithfulness…morning by morning new mercies I see…all I have needed Thy hand has provided…great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me. And “Who is so great a God as our God.” Our hearts and prayers are with you. Love Pat
Dearest Father Peter, Marilyn, and all of the Gilquist family,
Our prayers and thoughts have been with you continually, as we are asking God for His mercy and will during what must be a terribly painful, yet maybe bittersweet time. You all have not left our hearts, minds, and prayers for a moment since we heard the news. We LOVE you all, and you know Father Peter, you so have always reminded me of my own amazing dad. You will be great friends one day, I am sure:). We adore you ALL and are hugging you from afar, and praying that you are all surrounded by the peace, love, comfort, grace, and mercy of our Great and most Merciful God.
ALL Our Love,
Mitch and Trenna Berry
Fr Peter and Marilyn,
For as long as I can remember, you have been a part of my life! From the baptizing of Jesse Taylor to the blessed marriage of Tyler and Taylor. You have been an exemplary model of faith and Christianity. I’m so thankful that you have been a part of my life and my journey and that of my family. I’m so thankful that you have shared your words of wisdom and prayer and love with me in our many many conversations. I continue to pray for Fr Peter’s healing and for his comfort and patience and peace for the entire family.
We love you!
Jami
Dear Fr. Peter and Marilyn,
You have played such a special role in Chris and my life, particularly as we came into the Church at St. Athanasius. We are h
We are hopeful for Fr. Peter’s recovery and want you to know that our thoughts, prayers and love are with you. We are so very grateful for both of you and the grace and kindness you’ve always modeled for us.
Sending much love and many prayers.
Our love and prayers for your family now, and always. Thank you for the love you’ve constantly shown us, and for your role in God’s directing us to the Church.
Thank you for your many sacrifices in spreading the Orthodox faith. We have been given a fullness of life because of your sacrifices. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. In Christ’s love,
Mary and Rdr John
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
My humble prayers for Fr. Peter and all your family. You have been an inspiration to me and to our entire Archdiocese. I will never forget your encouragement and advice as we started a new mission in Riverside, California – now the beautiful and vibrant church of St. Andrew the First-Called. I remember the day you came to speak to us at the Cal Baptist University and as you spoke we felt a strong earthquake. I always quote what you said at that moment, “this is what happens when Orthodox people get together. We shake the earth.” We love and appreciate you. Lucy Hanna and family.
My dear friend, Father Peter:
Please be assured of my prayers and my love — and of all the clergy and faithful of my Diocese. All of us are grateful for your journey to Holy Orthodoxy and
for all your labors in leading thousands of others to follow in your footsteps.
May our loving and merciful Lord bless and keep you in His loving care always!
With love and prayers
for you and your family,
+ M I C H A E L
Bishop of New York and New Jersey
Orthodox Church in America
I remember meeting Fr. Peter and Marilyn at the home of Terry and Karen Swehla in Modesto, California a few years ago. At the time I had the privilege of interviewing Fr. Peter on a radio program I hosted. I will always remember his humor, his gentleness, his love for our Lord, and his great desire to evangelize the lost. My prayers are with him and Marilyn.
Fr. Peter, Marilyn and Family
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Thank-you so much for your leadership over the years in helping so many of us find the Holy Orthodox Church. My prayer is that you will be richly rewarded. From the St. Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church family in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, whom you have ministered to richly many times, love and prayers. Fr. Bernard and Presbytera Linda Funk
In July of 2009, Father Wayne asked you to give the blessing before Father Jon spoke about a topic I can no longer remember. It was a very difficult time. As you were giving the blessing, you broke down in tears, making me keenly aware of how much you loved us; ALL of us. I will never forget that moment or how you gently squeezed my shoulder as I passed by. – Please know you are in my unworthy prayers.
Dear to Christ, Father Peter,
Thank you for showing the love of Christ for the 35 years our family has known you. You and Marilyn were so gracious to open up your home for a “home church” in Isla Vista, CA and also the tireless hours you spent on the road spreading the gospel.
Several years ago, Lisa and I had the honor to pick you up at your motel to take you down to church to speak. To this day, I remember stepping into your motel room and feeling like I had walked into church with your icons placed throughout your room and particularly on your dresser which was transformed into an altar.
Thank you for always backing up your authored books by your own life thinking of the book the Physical Side of Being Spiritual that day long ago where a lowly Best Western motel room was transformed into the temple of the Living God.
May the peace of Christ continue to surround you, Marilyn and your beloved children.
The unworthy deacon richard
Dear Fr. Peter, Marilyn and Family:
In 1963, at Arrowhead Springs Hotel, I sat in an evening meeting and after hearing “Pete Gillquist” and “Jon Braun” speak, I said to myself, “That’s who I want to be when I grow up!” 33 years later, having written a letter to Consiliar Press about our journey to Orthodoxy, “Fr. Peter Gillquist” called me and our life was forever changed. Today I am an Archpriest in the Holy Orthodox Church. God answered the prayer of that twenty-year-old UCLA student. Stories like this, certainly different in their details, about the significant place Fr. Peter has had in the lives of people, introducing them to “the faith once and for all delivered to the saints” are virtually innumerable. But in each of them Fr. Peter stands a true example of what it means to be a Christian.
Since we just recently heard of your present diagnosis, our hearts join with yours and our prayers ascend in your behalf. You and your family have meant and will always mean a great deal to us. How can we ever thank you for the role you have played in bringing us home to the Church where “death has been destroyed by death” and has become a doorway to our eternal home, “precious in the sight of the Lord.” We love you, praying for you and yours fervently.
Yours in Christ, Fr. Joseph and Kh. Robin Corrigan
Fr. Peter, we fondly remember the first time we met back when we were in Ukiah, late 1970′s, and just beginning to learn about Orthodoxy and the start of our journey. Your faithfulness and commitment to us then, and ever since, has been a remarkable example of Christian love and leadership,and we will forever be grateful for all that you have done for us, and for our kids, in all you have done. Our prayers are with you and the entire family constantly now for God’s grace,mercy, and comfort.
With love, Dn. Rick and Nancy Billings
We love you, Fr. Peter! Our prayers for your comfort go out to you.
You are medicine for me when I am sick.
You are my strength when I need help.
You are life itself when I fear death.
You are the way when I long for heaven.
You are light when all is dark.
You are my food when I need nourishment! Amen.
– Ambrose of Milan (340-397)
Fr. Peter,
Please be assured of the continued prayers of St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Chagrin Falls. OH at this time. To have the love and comfort of your family around you at this time is a great blessing!
-Fr. Matthew Thurman
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn & family,
We are loving you and praying for you from afar. Fr. Peter, we’ve only met you a few times, but your books, your writings & your influence have guided us on our Orthodox journey. We will never be the same. Thank you for your pioneering efforts & for blazing a trail that many have followed. We trust you to our Lord’s loving care, mercy, stength, peace, and perfect will. Our Lord is only good!
Ron and Judy
Dear Father Peter and Marilyn,
Frederica and our whole parish join me in praying to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that He may receive Fr Peter into His merciful arms so that in His Divine Presence Father Peter may Him give thanks and praise with the Holy Mother of God, St Peter the Apostle and all the Saints throughout eternity. And we ourselves give thanks from our hearts for the great gift to the Church and to us personally that Father Peter has been in so many, many ways. We are thankful because Father himself, more than any other single person, paved the way for us to become Orthodox and form a mission parish. Countless times I would answer the telephone in the early days of our parish and hear Father’s genuinely caring voice: “How ya’ doin’?” The Pastor’s Pastor was there to help! Further, we are thankful for Father Peter and Marilyn’s personal friendship and loving concern for us and our family, and for the many ways (too many to count!) that they have together shone us the love of Christ Himself. Glory to God for all things!
Fr Gregory Mathewes-Green
Dear Father Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
You and your family have meant so much to so many – from those you inspired directly or from afar, you have been a tall pillar of hope and love, a shining example of a Christian disciple. You and your family are beloved in our family, and we are praying for you deeply from the heart. May God grant you peace and comfort and the grace that only He can give.
We love you, Father Peter !
Constantine and Mandy Nasr
Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn:
God bless you. Kh. Nancy and I are saddened but prayerful. We have such good memories of time together, whether it was talking about Church growth and evangelism or Johny Cash.
I remember many of the sermons you preached at St. John’s in Eagle River, I am stealing one tomorrow on Mephibosheth.
I have such a burning memory of the first time I read “Becoming Orthodox” and how it changed my life. I was a PCA pastor and called you on the phone. I was surprised to actually speak with you.
Your guidance at that crucial time was so important. I like thousands of others became Orthodox in part after reading your works or hearing you speak.
I marveled at listening to you at the House of Studies at AV. Teaching from the Bible like a Baptist. I learned so much.
I/we will always be thankful to you for your faithfulness, your compassion, your zeal for Jesus Christ.
We are honored that we had you in our home a few times and cherish the memories.
There are so many things I would like to say to you both. Our prayers are with you. You are on my diskos. God visit and heal His servant.
God bless you both.
We send our prayers to you and your family.
Fr. Peter,
Your book, “Becoming Orthodox” helped lead me into the Orthodox Church! I met you in 1994 in Columbia, SC. You were gracious and spent a good amount of time talking to me and answering my questions about the church. Shortly thereafter we started a mission which is now St. Barnabas Church in Lexington, SC, where Fr. Gregory Rogers is now the pastor. You visited us again a few years ago and I reminded you of our first meeting. I mentioned that I read “Becoming Orthodox” for three years (many times over of course) before converting. With your quick wit, you said I must be a slow reader! Thank you for your writings, visits and all the hard work you have done to help spread the Orthodox Faith! Our prayers are certainly with you and all your family!
Beloved Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn, and family,
You are all in our prayers each time we pray throughout the day. We pray that the Lord will extend His healing touch to you Fr. Peter, and take away all of your Cancer, and also for you not to be in pain. We both love you, Kh Marilyn, and your entire family so very much. You are all very special people. Marvin ithanks you for all the blessings you have prayed over him. We hope to come to see you in the hosp. Marvin is still in great pain in both hips. None of the medications are helping. May God Bless us all.
Love In Christ,
Marvin & Alice
Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn, and family,
Our love and prayers are with you. May the Lord extend His healing touch and remove all of your Cancer, and also help you not to be in pain. You all are very special to us, we love you so much. May God Bless you all.
Love In Christ,
Marvin & Alice
Two things loom large …
1) The wife and I had been married 6 years when we converted to Orthodoxy — marital effort, hospital tests … nothing. So much so that Amy took St Elizabeth as her patron, thinking she was barren. Fr Peter, very confidently, said: “Oh! You want a baby? Well, there’s a prayer for that.” And, following Liturgy in Asheville NC, he said the prayer over us. We did what was expected … three weeks later we were expecting. God is (always) good; thank you, Fr Peter, for your faith and prayer.
2) Eighteen years (and 3 kids) later, having attended my first Missions and Evangelism Conference in 1993, I got to “share the stage” with Fr Peter for the Conference in Dallas this past January. Should the Lord allow healing, we’ll do it again. If the Lord has other plans, well … there’s a prayer for that. In the meantime, of your charity:
Pray on, Fr Peter, pray on.
– Fr Joseph Huneycutt
Keeping you and the family in our thoughts and prayers. Glad you can be surrounded by them through this, and please know that in spirit and prayer you are surrounded by all of us who have had the priveledge of having you in our lives. Lord Have Mercy
Dear Fr. Peter,
An icon of St. Nektarios – just like the one I sent to my father last year- is on its way to you from Greece. May it be a help to you in your fight against those cancerous cells – just as the one my father cherished was to him.
Blessings and love to your whole family,
Ann
Gillquist family-
Much love and many prayers from your Eagle River family.
Six years ago, our then 16 yr old son Thomas, had been diagnosed with stage 3B Hodgkins Lymphoma. Nothing could prepare us for news of this magnitude, especially THIS mom.
We all felt the comfort of many prayers for our family during those six months of treatment in Seattle. Each day also had it’s own roller-coaster of emotions to contend with.
Thomas just celebrated his 23rd birthday in May and a few days later he walked for hours, mostly alone he said, throughout the night, ( in the land of the midnight sun- mixed with light rain ), around a track for the local Relay for Life, cancer fundraiser. He said the longer he walked, the more energized he felt. He had nothing but time in the wee hours to contemplait his own experiences .
My hope for your family is to experience the comfort of love from friends who love you and are most appreciative of your family’s service and sacrifices for the past 40 + years.
Always,
Laurie Snider
Mom, Dad.. remember Laurie is our Peter Jon’s godmother. ;o)
Dear Fr. Gilchrist,
May God grant you the peace and joy that surpasses a human understanding during this great trial in you life. I thank God for sparing your life since 1999 and I pray that His Grace and Mercy be made manifest to you and those closest to you. I pray that that the physicians and ancillary staff make all the right decisions for your treatment.
God’s blessings to you and your family and friends.
Yours In Christ,
Rocco (St. George Cathedral, Pgh, Pa.)
We are praying for you and for your family in this time of illness. You have touched the lives of so many; my God be your comfort at this time and always!
Love in Christ,
Joe and Suzy Hadeed
Blessing Father, and to you dear wife,
May God comfort you and give you peace. I love you and am thankful for all your good works.
Forgive me,
Sr Thekla
Lord Have Mercy. Praying for you Fr. Peter and your family.
In Christ,
Steven
Fr. Peter and Family,
I just found about Fr. Peter’s condition from someone at church this morning. I know that many converts have you to thank for their conversion to Orthodoxy. However, I want to make you aware that I, a “cradle Orthodox” parishioner, have you to thank for leading me back to the faith. When I strayed away, I found your writings comforting and real, and as a result I returned to where I belong. I will have you and your family in my prayers for comfort and healing during this difficult time.
God Bless,
Ann
Your book “Becoming Orthodox” is what prompted my family to convert in the late 80′s. So sorry to hear about your melanoma. Praying for God’s Will for you and your family.
(St. Ignatius, Franklin, TN)
Fr. Peter and Khouria Marilyn,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes for a quick and complete recovery.
Dear Fr. Peter,
Know that the Finchum family has you and your family in our prayers. Words cannot say what you and your family have done for us and many others. I cannot put into words the gratitude and admiration that we have for you. When I came back to the Orthodox Church after being gone for many years, it was you who said, “Welcome home” to me. This meant more than you may have realized. I will carry that in my heart always and never forget it. God is with you and we will cherish you always. “In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul. ~ Psalm 138:3″
We are remembering you all in our prayers during this difficult time. We are so grateful for all the Lord has done for us through Fr. Peter’s work. May the Lord Jesus give you grace to carry this cross!
Dear Fr. Peter & Khouria Marilyn,
Our Prayers and love are with you and your family. Your Impact on Orthodoxy in America is everlasting. May our merciful God give you and those around you healing and courage.
Fr Peter, Marilyn, and family,
Our hearts ache for all of you. You are very dear to us. Father Peter, I tell every and anybody who will listen that I “blame” you to a great degree for my conversion to Orthodoxy…something for which I am eternally grateful.
Love, Prayers, & Gratitude,
(Craig &) Cindy George
Fr. Peter;
Just when I thought there was no church in world with the truth, by Gods’ grace I became an Orthodox christian by marriage; what a double blessing a wonderful husband and the one truth faith! I appreciated your book so much “Becoming Orthodox” as I felt it was my journey too. I pray for you and your family that you be granted peace, strength and Gods’ grace as you prepare to meet the Lord face to face.
Yours in Christ
deb
Dear Fr. Peter,
You have inspired and influenced my life more than you can imagine. I am deeply saddened by your suffering. Last night I heard Bishop Kallistos Ware speak about the Jesus Prayer at St. Mark Coptic in Virginia. I asked him afterwards to sign his book for me, and I asked him to include his favorite Bible verse. What he wrote is my prayer for you and Marilyn, Fr. Peter Jon and his wife and kids, and all your wonder-full family — “‘Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (cross) Metropolitan Kallistos” Thank you from the bottom of my heart for changing my life and leading me towards the truth. Always remember Jesus and Mary are your best friends!
Christ friends,
Pastor David
Prayers are being sent up for you, Fr. Peter, and your entire family. You led us to Orthodoxy and then enriched our experience. We thank God for your work throughout the years.
Beloved Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn, and family,
Our lives have been enriched by knowing you all. Dn. Lucien fondly remembers Fr. Peter’s talks at the Village for the St. Stephen’s course. I’ve had the joy of hearing some of Fr. Peter’s talks downloaded from Ancient Faith Radio. We will always remember you for your tender heart and wise and loving words.
Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and all your family are in our constant prayers.
Special thanks to Fr. Peter Jon for maintaining this website.
With love, Fr. Dn. Lucien, Deaconessa Miriam, Zack, Marina, and Gabriel
Fr. Peter and family,
Our love and prayers are with you all at this time. We pray that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will grant peace to you and your family in this difficult hour. You are truly a blessing to so many people and a wonderful priest in our holy church. May God bless you and your family.
Dan and Ashley Kevorkian and Family
Fr Peter E., forgive me, a sinner.
I love you and your family more than you will ever know. If it were possible, I would gladly take your pain and bear your illness so that you would not have to endure this recent setback. Unworthy as I am, I’m sending up prayers to our holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies. May HE grant you release from pain and restoration to health and vigor.
I am currently reading the book, Saint Nektarios, The Saint of our Century. I think I understand now why you have such a fondness for him. “Holy Saint Nektarios, pray to God for Fr Peter!! Glory to God!
Please feel better quickly. You are sorely missed.
Yours in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior
~Shirley
“Now we see through a mirror darkly, then we shall see Him face to face!”
What a glorious promise! Praying for comfort for you and your family! You are greatly loved!
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
It was with great sadness that we heard about the return of your cancer. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers. Thank you so much for the loving encouragement to have been to us. Your warm embrace and your loving words of greeting and encouragement throughout the years have touched us in a way that we can never express, but please know that through your love, we have experienced the love of Christ. As I remember back to the tIme I spent in your home as a teen, I am so grateful for the genuine love and affection you shared so freely. The joy and enthusiasm with which you serve our God has given us an example to follow in our own lives. Thank you so much for all of your sacrifice in helping to lead us to the Orthodox faith, to a place of green pastures and still waters, where we can see our children’s children and know the joy of our Lord. Thank you Fr. Peter and Marilyn for the wonderful family you have raised, for the example you have set, and for the encouragement you have given to us along the way.
We love you.
Dn. Joseph & Denise Ray & Family
Father,
I’ll never forget the words we exchanged when you came to Jackson. I still remember the prayer you said for me when i was ill, it meant the world to me. Your kind words have forever changed me. We are fervently praying for you and your family. It was an absolute pleasure getting to know you. You will always be remembered in my thoughts and in my heart.
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Physician of souls and bodies, who became man and suffered death on the Cross for our salvation, and through Your tender love and compassion did heal all manner of sickness and affliction, visit Your servant and faithful priest, Peter, O Lord in his present suffering, and grant him Your abundance of grace and strength to bear this sickness with which he is afflicted, with Christian patience and submission to Your will, trusting in Your loving kindness and tender mercy. With trust in You and deep love for him, we fervently pray for his good account before Your mercy seat.
On my return flight from Dallas last night, I sat next to a S. Baptist preacher. We discussed matters of faith, not surprisingly, church & family. When he asked where I was traveling next, I said “Bloomington” & explained how much we want to be with you. He said “That’s the way families should be.” I responded with an “amen!” and proceeded to offer a brief rendition of your life from Campus Crusades forward. “Big man, big hug, big smile, big voice for the Lord, a soldier’s soldier”, I said. He wants to read your book. You see, the love you’ve spread and the lives you’ve touched will pay dividends forever. “Well done good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your lord.” — St. Mathew 25:21.
Fr. Peter,
Your brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for you here in St. Louis, MO.
Fr. Steven Salaris
Oh Fr. Peter, we were so sad to hear of your illness this morning. We love you and Marilyn and are praying for you. May God grant you His peace.
Much love,
Shelly and John
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
You have both been such a joy and inspiration to my family. It was wonderful to see you both at St. Peter a few weeks ago. I have so many fond memories – you staying at our house when I was a small child; you coming to Jackson in the early to mid eighties as we grew closer and closer to Orthodoxy, teaching us about the Body of Christ as we prepared to join the Church; driving you around Arkansas to visit mission churches 13 years ago; seeing you at OCMC and OCF board meetings – too many memories to count.
This recent news came as somewhat of a shock, and I am so thankful to have gotten to see you both in Jackson recently. Lauri was very touched by your talks and her conversations with you both. Your illness has weighed heavy on both of our hearts.
We continue to pray for you and your family as you draw closer and closer to the Kingdom of God that you have spent your life preaching about. Please pray for us as well.
With great love in Christ,
Jordan
Phil. 4:6-7
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
You both have always been a joy and inspiration to my family. It was wonderful seeing you a few weeks ago in Jackson. It brought back many memories of you coming to our church throughout the years, encouraging us in the Faith. Your zeal and love for God were a great source of inspiration to me as I worked in various ministries of the Church.
You continue to be an inspiration for my family and me today as we seek the Kingdom of God that you have spent your life proclaiming. Lauri was very touched by her conversations with you and Marilyn at St. Peter. Your family remains in our prayers. Please pray for us as well.
With great love in Christ,
Jordan, Lauri, and Lucas Henderson
Phil. 4:6-7
Fr. Peter and Marilyn and family,
Dale and I are deeply saddened by the news of your illness and are in fervent prayer for God’s peace and the uplifting of your spirits. We love you so very much and are so thankful to God for both of you in our lives. Your love and life has changed our lives and we will be forever grateful. Thank you and God’s love and mercy be with you all during this time.
Fr. Peter, and family, All the students at the Antiochian House of Studies in the past years have been blessed by your teachings and presence. So many from all jurisdictions are praying for you and your family. You are and bring a gift from God to so many. You have changed our lives. Our prayers are with you. Lord have mercy.
Fr. Peter, We are thinking and praying for you and your beautiful family continually. You have blessed us so deeply and in so many ways through your ministry and through the beautiful legacy of your children and Grandchildren. We love you all and will continue to pray.
Fr. Peter, Khouria Marilyn and family,
Father bless!
We add our unworthy prayers for the Will of the Holy Trinity to be done and for you to continue in faith and peace. Please know of our gratitude to God and to you for your pastoral ministry in general and, specifically, your sharing of your pilgimage to Holy Orthodoxy. Your happiness is infectious and your story so instructive regarding our relations with non-Orthodox. Much love to you all.
Glory to God for all things.
Fr. Peter, Marilyn and Family,
My heart is so heavy….words can’t even express the sadness I feel. You have constantly been in my thoughts and prayers and I will continue!
You have. Een such a source of comfort for Cameron and I. You have been there for me through some of my toughest times. It feels like just yesterday that you came to our home after I miscarried the twins (Michael and Gabriel). You told us to not dispare and to make room for God’s ultimate plan. You prayed for us and blessed us. You prayed that we may have a successful pregnancy and an easy time conceiving. 1 month to the day, we found out I was pregnant with our precious Noah Seraphim Kevin. I truly believe that your prayers and God’s infinite grace gave us our Noah. What an I spiration you’ve been to so many. Thank you for your love, generosity, patience, wisdom and the legacy of your beautiful family! We love you and are praying for your healing and God’s abundant grace.
Erin
My prayers are with you. May God bless you. Stephen Gidus
My dear Father Peter,
I have such fond memories of you in my earlier years, as Grandpa Geegee to some of my best friends and as that tall, smiley priest whose laugh was contagious. Your fruitful life has been a testimony to your beautiful soul and your constant desire to pull others closer to God. I have been so blessed by your witness for Christ’s constant love and undying grace. Thank you for your faithfulness to the Body. And thank you for your smile.
May the Lord preserve the serenity of your countenance and may you and your family rest comforted in His embrace! How many lives you all have touched! Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Dear Fr. Peter, Marilyn and Family,
On behalf of my wife, Marsha, our family and our entire Parish of St. Catherine, I offer my deep love in Christ and prayers for you all. Fr. Peter, you are such an ispiration to so many of us, a brother in Christ and “in the bonds”, a mentor and a true friend. May our Good Lord be with, bless, strengthen and comfort you, through the prayers of His Blessed Mother the Theotokos and all of the saints. Please keep us in your prayers now and forever as you are in ours.
Your Bother in Christ,
Fr. Lou Christopulos
Fr. Peter, we are praying for you and your family.
Julie and George Karrip
Fr. Peter and Marilyn,
By an extension of God’s love for all of us and through you, your family has felt like an extension of our own. We have been blessed in so many ways by your family over the years. We will continue to keep all of you in our prayers for God’s mercy and peace. Rest well in the arms of guardian angels.
With love,
Dn. John and Becki and family
Our prayers are with you Fr Peter! You have been a great guide and inspiration these past 30 years. I feel blessed to have know you and your wonderful family.
Love in Christ, Scot, Yumi, and Sophia Larsen
St. Barnabas Orthodox Church
Father Peter, you have been an inspiration and a light to me and to the All Saints Chicago parish for many years–since the days of the AOC, even going back to the Chicago Call. Your wholehearted embrace of the Orthodox faith led the way for many of us converts through the years. I am so grateful to have met you and heard you speak on a number of occasions, and I pray that God will raise up many more faithful servants like yourself. God bless you!
With my prayers,
John Thompson
Waynesburg, PA
Thank you John Thompson for inviting us to All Saints in Chicago where we first learned about Orthodoxy, and for becoming our sponsor. Father Peter, your influence spreads and encourages all of us who have converted. Lord have mercy and grant you peace and love as you are surrounded by people who love you and are praying for you.
Angela Herman
I want to thank you, Fr. Peter Jon, for maintaining this website for your father and family. This has been not only a way for his dear friends to send their love and gratitude to him but also to tell people like me who never knew the extent of his influence on so many people. He is certainly a life-changer!
Peter Jon, you have certainly surpassed my expectations of you when I taught you in 5th and 6th grade at I.V. School. So much of what you have become is due to the influence and help from your father and from your mother Marilyn, who was my very important partner and aide in my classroom for all those years.
My heart is heavy, my eyes are tearing, but I know all of your family has come together to help your dad during this time. God bless you all and give you peace.
My heart goes out to the Gillquist family which includes the many, many Orthodox Christians who look to Fr. Peter as one does a father. Thank you for your part in pointing me down the path of Orthodoxy.
My heart and prayers go out for Fr. Peter and his family. I don’t know how to imagine my life in the church without the Gillquist family as a pillar of our community. Teaching, leading, just living the example of a christian family running the race. I pray for healing and comfort, but I know the Fr. Peter has peace no matter the earthly outcome.
Father,
You are in my prayers. I don’t if you remember me but I was the cathechumen you met 3 years ago this coming Christmas in the narthex of St. Barnabas where you Deacon Tom said that I was really excited because I had just picked (or been picked!) my patron saint. Tom told you that even though it was the beginning of December I was really excited already about Chrysmation when you said, “Oh, I guess they haven’t told you about the circumcision ceremony.”
We all laughed so hard…well, except inside I was wonder!
)
Please know that you are in my prayers and I love you.
Father, may God keep you and your family in His care, give you the grace to get through this difficult time and bring you closer to Him; may the Lord Jesus Christ shine through you and the Holy Spirit shower you with inner strength. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. (Mother of God Mission, NJ)
Father,
You are in my prayers. I don’t if you remember me but I was the cathechumen you met 3 years ago this coming Christmas in the narthex of St. Barnabas where you Deacon Tom said that I was really excited because I had just picked (or been picked!) my patron saint. Tom told you that even though it was the beginning of December I was really excited already about Chrysmation when you said, “Oh, I guess they haven’t told you about the circumcision ceremony.”
We all laughed so hard…well, except inside I was wonder!
)
Please know that you and your entire family are in my prayers and I love you all.
In Christ,
Bob Pace
Fr Peter, Marilyn, and all the Gillquist family,
Growing up within the St Athanasius community, I initially did not comprehend just how much you and a few others (including my grandfathers) did to bring so many to the Faith, but as I got older I was able to appreciate what you did in pushing (or pulling) my family to Orthodoxy. It hasn’t ended yet either; in fact, it continues, now with my wife and her mother, and our one year old son. They are part of your ripple effect too. I’ve spent a lot of time with you at church and in your home over the years, but I don’t believe I ever said thank you for this. It should go without saying that you are in our prayers, but please know that we are grateful for you and all you have done. May God bless you and your family.
Love,
Jobie, Erin, and Michael Braun
Dear Fr. Peter,
You know how special you are to us both. Our love and prayers are with you and your family daily. God has truly blessed you and your ministry. The fruit impacts all, now and in the future. I have treasured our work together and your friendship and warm hospitality. May God continue to bless you always.
With deep love and respect,
Charles and Marilee Ajalat
Father Peter,
Thanks to your leadership, guidance and vision, the doors to St. Nicholas Church in Shreveport, Louisiana were opened to the faithful 18 years ago. We are blessed to have the opportunity to grow in our faith and worship our Lord at St. Nicholas. We will forever be grateful to you and your never ending faith.
May God continue to watch over you and your family during this time of need.
Fr. Peter,
I brazenly called you after reading your book, Becoming Orthodox, and we talked for almost an hour about my conversion. At the end, you asked me to keep in touch. I wish I had. Be assured of my prayers for you and your family.
Fr. Peter,
Our deep prayers, gratitude, and love for you. Your works have borne so much fruit. May our Lord’s peace be yours.
In Christ,
Douglas George Cramer and the team of the Archdiocese Dept. of Internet Ministry
Dear Fr. Peter, Khouriya, and Family,
I pray our Lord and Savior is with you granting you comfort, compassion, and most of all strength during this time.
After hearing about Fr. Peter’s condition yesterday I only can say I was deeply saddened and still can not believe it. Fr. Peter, I was fortunate to have known you since my childhood growing up in the ministry. You have helped true believers see the Light throughout your ministry which is a blessing just like Jesus commanded. I pray that our Lord brings you comfort and strength to a speedy recovery.
We love you and words can not express it enough.
May you overcome this challenge knowing the grace of God is truly by your side. You and your family is in our prayers.
God bless,
Phil Nasr
Dear Father Peter and Marilyn:
What a gift it has been to have you in our lives, both while you were here in Santa Barbara, and even now, while you’re in Indiana, soaking up the beauties of the mid-west. Please know that you are in our prayers, and that we are directing as many good and happy and smile-filled thoughts in your direction.
You have served Christ so faithfully all these years and I know that you are serving him even now–maybe even more so as you encounter pain and suffering and struggle. May God give you peace!!!
It was such a comfort this past weekend–as I was in Seattle with Andrew, since he’ll be at SPU this next fall–to hear your name on the list of those being prayed for –right there at Saint Paul’s in Lynwood, Washington. A connection of community, a community that you have helped build and that stands strong this day, and that benefits so many.
All our love,
jane G Meyer
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Our hearts ached when we heard about the return of the cancer. You have been such a wonderful blessing to all of us up here in Eagle River. We so looked forward to your visits and were always encouraged and uplifted by your words. It was indeed a special blessing to have you both with us when Kh Barbara passed away. It is so much easier to bear heavy burdens when we are surrounded by friends.
May God bless you and keep you and your family during this time and always.
Love to you all,
Dwight & Deborah Stallman & family
Vicki and I are praying for you Fr. Peter. We love you and will be thinking of you. From Nashville to Memphis and back to Nashville you have always been such a blessing to us. Your stories and your heart for God are always an inspiration for us to follow Him.
Wayne and Vicki Parr
Fr Peter,
The parish community of St Michael the Archangel in Louisville is lifting you up in prayers. Tonight we will be sharing your story in our Orthodox Studies class to inquirers, catechumans, and other faithful and showing the “Welcome Home” video. You are still preaching and leading people home. Thank you, father.
Fr Peter,
Grace to you, your wife and family and Peace from God the Father, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His All Holy and Life-Creating Spirit. I pray for you all in my prayers daily, thanking God for you and the influence you have has had on my life and my conversion to the Holy Orthodox Church, and my growing in my faith. And not only me, but eventually my whole family, and countless others whose names we do not know this side of Heaven.
Your Spirit exudes the love and affection of Christ, and the peace of the Holy Spirit. I will never forget your encouragement and guidance when I was a part of establishing a mission parish in here in Lee’s Summit, and eventually saw it fall apart. You were a vessel of mercy in those confusing days. I agree with you, there will be a parish here some day. Please pray to that end.
I pray that the Great Physician of both soul and body is with you, and that His healing mercy and deep peace that surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart, soul, mind and body. I pray this for your wife, children and all who love you as well. Please remember me and my family in your prayers both in this life, and in the next.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according the power that works in us, to Him be Glory, in the Church, by Christ Jesus, unto all generations forever and ever. Amen
In XC,
Matthew Dorning
Fr. Peter…I met you at St. George Antiochian Church in Indy in Nov/Dec 2010 and was greatly impacted by your words and kindness. I had been previously impacted and challenged by your book Becoming Orthodox, as I found myself, as an evangelical, on a path towards Orthodoxy since 2009. Shortly after I met you, at the age of 47, I was diagnosed with stage I colon cancer and from Day 1 of my journey it was to me a blessing from God, a sort of “cup of Christ” I was given to draw me even closer to God. God has healed me and providentially allowed me to stay on this side of eternity a bit longer, but I was ready to come home, too. Since being declared cancer-free a year ago, I have struggled to know His will…His leading. After hearing of your journey intersecting with cancer again, you have to know my heart beats in unison with yours, as you take these final earthly steps towards our God and King. I immediately went and listened to your entire interview on AFR (Dec ’11) with your wife and son and realized that though I have been Orthodox in spirit these past three years, I must become fully Orthodox. And, if God wills, maybe I one day will be that “young buck” that you spoke of. God’s mercy and peace be with you, as you prepare to step into His presence. I thank God for your blessed life!
prayerfully……………Steven Baney, Fishers, IN
Stephanie just mentioned the situation, and so I wanted to wish you a speedy recovery.
Dear Fr. Peter,
I can’t express what an incredible role you have played in my life. I have so greatly appreciated my conversations with you over the years. I greatly appreciate your constant love and support for me and my endeavors. I have always looked up to you with the greatest respected and hoped that I could be more like you.
I remember at Tyler and Taylor’s wedding you sharing the story of you and Kh. Marilyn going to a talk on marriage as a young couple. You said the presenter, said that the ideal ending for a marriage is to stand at the judgement day with your wife, and children and say to the Lord, “We’re all here present and accounted for”. I couldn’t help but think that there was no better person to share this than you Fr. Peter.
Thank you for our conversations, for your advice and words. I remember at Palm Springs for the national convention, having a room full of people after the oratorical contest, but looking down and seeing you in the audience and hoping that I would get just a minute to talk with you. It turned out to be one of the greatest half an hour of my life.
Thank you Fr. Peter for all you have done. You, Kh. Marilyn and the entire family are in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Joel Schaefer
Dear Father Peter,
I know you don’t know me, but as many others have expressed so beautifully – you have very greatly effected my life. I am new to Orthodoxy and I have been studying for almost a year, hoping to be baptised very soon! Your writings were some of the earliest of my readings and you have encouraged me to persevere in the faith even when receiving hostile reactions from friends and family.
I used to live in Michigan and one of our favorite winter activities was cross country skiing. It was most difficult to be the leader of the pack, because “breaking trail” through new snow was arduois and tiring. It took a strong, focued, determined individual whose intent was to make it easier and more enjoyable for the rest of. That’s you, Father Peter – a “trail blazer”!
My hope for the rest of my journey is to bring as many others with me as I possibly can. Your commitment to missions is what spurs me forward in that endeavor and again, I will always be so very grateful for God’s mercy on my soul through the outreach efforts of your ministry.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have great but tender mercy on the soul of Father Peter.
Father Peter,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time. May God always be with you and watch over you. God bless.
Dear Father Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Both of you and your entire family have been in my prayers and thoughts so very much.
You have both been such a source of inspiration and example on so many levels for me. I remember childhood days coming to your home and finding it filled with joy, laughter and most of all, Christ’s love. The way that you chose to completely give yourselves to God and His path was and always will be so evident-the Lord truly shines through both of you. Thank you for that. He shines through your family, and through the trail you have blazed, thus far.
Father Peter, I have a very fond memory of you playing “Pie in the Sky” at a church gathering in the courtyard we lived in on Sueno Road in Isla Vista in the 1980′s. You were on a stage with your banjo. Always smiling…loving.
Thank you for your kindness and for your steadfast resolve to serve the Lord…and for heeding His call to both you and your entire family in their sacrifices, to help take our church family and so many others to Orthodoxy. What a blessing words cannot describe.
May our Blessed Mother envelope you all in her comfort and peace, may God’s mercy, love and grace shelter and surround you and may He bless you with comfort.
We love you very, very much,
Jill Machado and family- Bruce, Kayla, Emily, Faith Joy and Tabitha Grace (due in Oct.)
Father, bless!
Fr. Peter, I had the privilege of meeting you back in the early seventies at the Montana Christian Ashram where you were the Bible teacher or Evangelist for the week. I was a young teenager, who, having grown up in an eclectically Evangelical/Pentecostal/Holiness household, found his faith revived and renewed by charismatic renewal among Roman Catholics and mainstream Protestants, along with the “Jesus Revolution”. At the time, I was especially encouraged and informed by “Love is Now” and “Let’s Quit Fighting about the Holy Spirit”.
Imagine my astonishment when, years later, as an Anglican seminary student in the 1980′s, I discovered your role as a founder of the Evangelical Orthodox Church, followed by your entry, along with most of the EOC, into the Antiochian Archdiocese. It is amazing to me to see how so many people who were in similar places to me back in the early seventies have found their way into the Orthodox Church, one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the Convergence Movement, traditional Anglicanism, or, like me, an Independent Orthodox/Catholic Church related to one of these traditions. Your books concerning your own journey, and that of others into the Orthodox Church, have had, and are having, an ever-increasingly ripple effect.
One of my long time friends, the daughter of a United Methodist minister who served for a time in my hometown in NE Montana (a bastion of Scandinavian Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism that I fondly call “Lake Wobegon”), has remained Evangelical, but also remembers you fondly from that Ashram so long ago.
You and your family have long been in my prayers and will remain so as well as all your colleagues and fellow faithful in the AOCA. By the grace of the Most Blessed Trinity, your life and ministry have been a wonderful blessing to me and to many, both in and outside the Orthodox Church.
Forgive me, a sinner.
Fr. Gregory Ned Blevins, Ecumenical and Social Concerns Representative
Antiochian Catholic Church in America, Kodak TN
The ACCA is an Independent non-chalcedonian Indo-Syriac jurisdiction.
Our prayers are with Fr. Peter and his family. Thank you so much for all you’ve done to bring Christ’s Church to America. I pray that Christ and His Holy Mother will comfort you and your loved ones during this trial.
I do not know Fr.Peter in anyway, but heard this news from a facebook friend.
My prayers to all of you, friends family and loved ones in His time of need.
From the sound of it He did many great and wonderful things, may the Lord return that back ten fold!
Dear Fr.Peter,
Your works were central in our conversions to Orthodoxy. God has blessed so many through you and your passionate love for the flock of His Son, Our Lord. We were so glad to get to meet and talk to you while we were attending St.Athanasius in Goleta. May He pour out His Holy Spirit and bring you comfort and peace during this time. You are always on our minds and in our hearts and prayers.
Love, the Ebert Family
Father Peter and Family
May the Lord give you the strength to make this Holy transition together-as a loving immediate family. Your extended family, which is beyond specific Orthodox Christian groupings, which has been strengthened by your work and example, is praying for you. You are in God’s hands. The members and board of Orthodox Christian Laity are praying for you.
George Matsoukas
Fr. Peter,
You and your writings have been a blessing in my life. Our family is praying for you and for your family.
Dear Fr. Peter,
We greet you with a holy kiss.
Please know that you, Kh. Marilyn, and all of your dear family are in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that our merciful Lord will grant all of you peace, comfort, and strength and that all things would be according to His holy will. You have been a great blessing to thousands of people, Fr. Peter. Your ministry is glorious to behold and your life is an example to us all. What a lasting legacy you will leave, not only with your dear wife and children, but within the Holy Orthodox Church in North America, and more specifically within our God-protected Antiochian Archdiocese.
Be assured of our fervent and constant prayers for you and your family, Fr. Peter.
With much love in our saving Lord,
Fr. Michael Tassos, Fr. Jon Fate, and all of the faithful at St. Luke’s in Garden Grove, CA
Fr. Peter
You are always in our prayers. May God give you and your family the strength and comfort that only He can give.
With much love and prayers
All of St John the Evangelist
I so remember the encouragement and inspiriation when I heard Peter speak at a camp in Montana so many, many years ago. May you and your family feel the prayers of all the saints on your behalf. may you find comfort, strength and healing in the coming days…and may you all never loose sight of God!
“May the road rise gentle before you. May the rain fall soft upon your field! And , until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His Hand.”
And you will recall part of another prayer, I am sure:
Christ be with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me…
Christ where I lie, Christ where i sit,
Christ where I arise……
May your salvation, O LOrd
be ever with us.”
There is nothing more I can add to this, except my own heartfelt good wishes for you.
Eleanore
Dear Fr. Peter,
Your book was a stepping stone to our beloved and holy Orthodox faith. And yet it is the loving hospitality you extend to all, your devotion to your wife and family, and your expansive heart and soul, that are the living testament! We thank God for your life and pray earnestly that you and Kh. Marilyn will experience “the peace from above” at this time.
Dearest Fr. Peter,
You have touched our entire family so very deeply. We love our Orthodox faith and it is because of you and your beautiful books that we have this very special faith. We have so enjoyed sharing stories about our similar roots from the Midwest with you and Marilyn. Your presence at Chris and Katie’s wedding in Santa Barbara will never be forgotten.
Thank you for the legacy you have made through so many years to Campus Crusade and Orthodoxy. You have touched more lives than you will ever know.
We pray for you, Marilyn and the family for comfort, peace and trust in Him.
We love you very much,
Bill & Beth Evans
Dear Father Peter,
I hope and I pray that you may become well again. God Bless +
Fr. Peter, we only met a few times, but every interaction was always full of grace. Thank you for the time you gave me, and thank you for your apostolic work for Christ. In many ways, because of what you’ve said and written, I became an Orthodox Christian.
Thanks be to God for His great gifts given through you and your faith.
Fr. Peter,
As you probably know, Fr. Jonah of the Taiwan mission successfully had BECOMING ORTHODOX translated into Chinese and published it here. I will be sharing it soon with some Chinese Protestants. So you can see that your efforts and ministry have been a blessing to many, perhaps even farther and wider than you can imagine. I will continue to pray that God will bless you with many more years to be such a blessing.
In Christ,
Timothy Beach
Taichung, Taiwan
Dear Fr. Peter,
I write to you today to share not only as a Christian Orthodox, but also as an alumni brother of the greatest collegiate fraternity (that of which you have been our most favorite spiritual advisor for many years as well as an alumni brother), that all of our Sigma Alpha Epsilon brotherhood are praying for your recovery, your healing and mostly your wisdom in this difficult time. I enjoyed our brief and entertaining conversations over the years. You truly have given so much to so many organizations, first and foremost spreading the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST. You are an inspiration to us all and I believe that you will overcome this as you have in the past.
Phi Alpha
Douglas Hamatie
Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you Father Peter for all the blessed work you have done to His Glory!
Love in Christ,
Fr. Stephen, Kh. Joy, and Aidan Herney
Fr. Peter,
“Yesterday I was buried with You, O Christ. Today I arise with You …”
The above words from the Paschal Canon have been running through my head as I read the wonderful notes from the numerous people who have been touched by your deeds and words. I hope and pray they (the canon and the kind words) will bring your family peace and comfort in this difficult time.
I am immensely thankful that you have been part of my family’s life. I looked forward to your visits to Eagle River because I loved hearing you preach. I looked forward to the House of Studies because I loved hearing you teach. I am grateful for your encouragement after my ordination (I promise to keep being loud enough for everyone to hear). Most of all I am thankful for your faithfulness. I am a member of the second generation. The generation who was brought into the holy Orthodox Church because of the hard work, determination, and faithfulness of our parents. You and your EOC brothers are shining examples of what can be accomplished when one chooses to seek and follow the will of God. The faith of my parents has become my own. You led my parents to the Church, they (and you) have led me, by the grace of God my children will follow.
Thank you.
Dn. John (Joshua) Rogers & family
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Please be assured that the faithful of St. Raphael Church in Iowa City are praying for the Lord’s comfort and peace and strength for you during this difficult time.
Father, speaking for myself, your story of journeying into the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as told in your book “Becoming Orthodox” was very helpful in allowing me to see that American Protestants could find a home in the Orthodox Church. You opened my eyes and helped me to see that my love for Jesus could be enhanced and deepened by coming into a relationship with His Church.
Speaking for my flock in Iowa City, we will forever be grateful for your hard work on our behalf to help us raise the funds necessary to buy our church building. You are considered one of the founders of our community, and you will be happy to hear that we just learned we are no longer a mission, but now a full parish.
And my son Josiah and I will never forget that ride with you from Wisconsin to Iowa, on snowy roads, at night. He got pretty sick, but we soldiered on, and you even offered (with a smile on your face) to drive so that I could tend to him.
Thank you for the example of faithfulness you have modelled for us. Thank you for your witness for Christ to so many thousands over the years. I love you, my family loves you, and the people of St. Raphael Church love you.
In Christ,
Fr. Ignatius Valentine
Amen, Fr. Ignatius.
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and all of your family,
God bless you in this most difficult time. I remember my family meeting you at St. Athanasius in Goleta just 6 months after you joined the Orthodox Church. It was our first visit to the former AEOM parishes, and you were so kind and welcoming to us. We were on vacation, and you had no idea who we were, but you both invited us to your home for Sunday dinner, where we spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know you both. That was 1987, and we didn’t meet again until the Convention in L.A. in 2001. I knew you had been sick, and I wanted to talk to you. When I reminded you of our visit, you remembered us, and that was so special after all the many people and encounters you had over the years. Please know that all of you are in our prayers for God’s loving mercy, peace and comfort in the days ahead. Thank you for all you have done for so many people.
Father Gillquist,
Your story of discovering “the ancient Orthodox faith” greatly impacted my life in 1994! Thank you for that great gift! I am calling on the “Name” of the Lord Jesus” to work His good, loving and wise will in your life!
Sending my love & prayers for you & your family,
Chuck (Timothy) Wretling
Denver, Colorado
Most blessed Fr. Peter,
There is no person more charitable than you. You are pure love. Agape love. You and your loving family are such a blessing to all. Thank you for teaching us how to be closer to God.
Kissing your right hand,
Veranica
Phi Alpha. Brother! Thank you for spending time with me…
Love Bob
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear Father Peter,
Thank you for helping to bring me, my family, and our ministry, The King’s Jubilee, home into the Holy Orthodox Church.
May God continue to bless you with grace and peace and wisdom as you continue your journey. Your Minnesota sense of humor should serve you well in these trying times.
Peace,
Cranford Joseph Coulter
Dear Fr. Peter and Family,
Jesus said, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mk 11:23,24) Medicine is not an exact science – doctors are the first to admit that.
Jesus also said, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (Jn 10:10) All of the lovely comments above and so many wonderful thoughts and prayers that are focused on you these days from around the world proves that just such a life is yours. An abundant life, a victorious life, a blessed life – dear Fr. Peter it is yours now and always. Thank you for all your wonderful work that has touched, edified, directed and taught so many lives from around the world, including mine!
In Christ,
Ann
(Melanie)
Dear Abouna, I remember like it was yesterday when we began praying for you back in 1999. You had just visited our parish in Mesquite, and blessed us greatly. You so inspired our parishioners, we had steady growth for years. When you visited Denver I will never forget you asking me to drive you over to the Denver Seminary. Un-announced we walked on campus and you stopped in the bookstore and a few offices, then we settled into the library, where students and faculty started coming to visit you. For hours you shared the Orthodox faith, and I knew I was in the presence of a giant. You would have thought they had an audience with the pope. Not just there, but everywhere I have served you have come to my aid. How can I ever thank you? How can I thank your Khouriya and children for sharing you with us? For years and years you have zig zagged across the country to churches large and small sharing the vision of the ancient faith, encouraging us to dream big. I thank our gracious God for allowing me to know you, and to have been in your presence so many times. Be assured of my prayers, and the prayers of Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Tyler, Texas.
With my deepest love and respect…………….Fr. Michael Hull
Dear Fr. Peter,
God be with you and all of your family. You are where we all will be one day, perhaps even at the finish line of the good race you have run. Only God knows. But have no fear! He knows what you need, He knows what you face and is sufficient to grant you in your weakness all that you need. Much love from all of us in Cambridge. Our prayers are with you. Please remember in yours.
Fr. Antony Hughes
My wife and I are two among many thousands, I’m sure, whose road to conversion to Orthodoxy was influenced by your work, Father Peter. We send our love and our prayers to you and your family.
Greetings to you in Christ our True God, dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn–Laborers in the Gospel of our Lord and Lovers of Him whose will it is that all be saved,
Fr. Peter, I love you very much and will always remember you as my dear father in Christ. Thank you for taking our Lord Jesus at His word all of these years and for having the courage to be honest–with yourself, our church, and all those the Lord has placed in your path. Many of us came to know of your journey and marvel at the obvious work of the Holy Spirit. Your life, even now, is an emblem of HOPE… We will ALWAYS remember your fervent desire that all come to know our Lord Jesus Christ, personally, and be saved through His Holy Church. Thank you for sharing your life with me…Thank you for sharing your life with our Holy Orthodox Church…Thank you for sharing your life with all of us…I will always give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ every time I think of you–you are a true Father to me in the Lord.
For you and for all—Christ is Risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing LIFE!
I love you, Father Peter and Khourieh Marylin very, very much…and I am praying for and standing with you during this difficult time, chanting Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! El Messieh Qam!!!– for you.
Poli agape tou Christou (Very much love in Christ),
Christina Theope Stavros
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan
(616) 307-3328 (if you would like to hear the chanting in person…IC XC NIKA!!!)
Dear Brother in Christ and Friend,
Our community and our Diocese are so very thankful for not only your preaching and leadership, but bringing such an edifying and enlivening presence to the Orthodox Church in this country…indeed throughout the world. You have been an inspiration to myself and many of our brothers & sisters. We treasure the friendship & collaboration of our sons – Fr. Peter John and Deacon Kevin Smith. Please be assured of our prayers and love…always!! God bless you.
In Christ,
Fr. Peter and Mother Terri Smith
Continuing to send love from SB, and prayers for this time to be “painless, blameless, and peaceful”. My heart is breaking with its love for you. Much love, Melissa
Father Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Our prayers are with you and your family. You have had a special place in our hearts all these years, for helping us to map out a route home to the Orthodox Church, 21 years ago. Many thanks for your encouragement along the way, for your amazing witness to our Lord and His Church, in the highways and hedges. May our good God fill you with His peace, wholeness and blessing.
In Christ, Fr. Isaiah and Kh. Beth Gillette, and the faithful at Fort Riley, KS
Dear Father, You are in my prayers. Lord have mercy!
Dear Fr. Peter – My wife and I joined the staff of Campus Crusade close to the time that you left staff to begin your adventure into Orthodoxy. I enjoyed hearing you speak at the University of Florida when I lived in Gainesville, FL. You and your book on Orthodoxy played an important role in leading me to eventually be ordained as a priest in the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers ….
Fr. Dean Schultz+
Fr. Peter, Marilyn and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. One day at a time, Fr. Peter! We have been blessed to have you in our lives and we thank God each day that he brought you “home” to us all those years ago. That you will triumph over this latest obstacle, is our very sincere prayer. May God be with you and all those you love!
Fr. Joe and Diane
Fr. Peter,
I was blessed to have met you at the Antiochian House of Studies in August 2005. Your journey to Orthodoxy was truly inspirational to me as I began my own journey to the diaconate. I remember you took time out to speak with me and answer my questions as you made me feel special with your kind words and loving embrace. My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Well done good and faithful servant! God Bless You!
Sub-Deacon Christos Hatzopoulos
Dear Fr. Peter and Marilyn,
I don’t think I have really ever conveyed the treamendous influence that both you and Marylin have had on our parish, marriage and family. With a deep sense of gratitude we thank you for your blessings, prayers, wisdom, freindship, leadership, belief, encouragement, guidance, direction, counseling, support, ever bright personality, and yes, your booming joy and laughter.
We are fervently praying for all of you and your family.
Love,
Bill and Josie
Dear Fr. Peter,
May God grant you and your family strength and comfort. For nearly 20 years now you have given strength and blessings to me and my family, as you helped to plant the first seeds that brought Kh. Melissa and I into the Orthodox Church in Cambridge. And then you so kindly and generously came to help us start a mission (now church!) in College Station, and it was such a blessing that you came to spend an evening in our home.
Please be assured that you all remain in our prayers, and those of the faithful of the St. Silouan Church, that God will bless, strengthen and comfort you always.
Fr. Gregory Gibson
Dear Fr. Peter, Marilyn and the whole, Gillquist clan,
The prayers of our parish and family are with you all. I don’t have to tell you that the Good Shepherd that you all serve so well is with you. God only knows the extent that your service to Him is a blessing to so many, and that is as it should be. Please know how much Vicky and I appreciate the witness of your lives, your marriage, and especially your much-appreciated encouragement of our own ministry. Please keep us in your prayers as you are in ours.
With much love in Christ,
Fr. Michael and Vicky Nasser and Family
I am praying for you Fr. Gillquist. We had the pleasure of meeting you at our little mission church in Waterloo Ontario Canada a couple of years ago – Fr Christopher R-B is our spiritual father. My husband Richard has met you a few times, in fact and enjoyed stories you told him about Johnny Cash. I will always remember sitting downstairs with you, talking about Christian marriage. Your love and appreciation for your wife was so evident and beautiful – a real encouragement! You said “it just gets better” in regards to marriage. I’ve never had a more encouraging word about marriage, as it clearly came from your heart and your real experience. Thank you for all you have done for the Orthodox in North America. I am a fairly new convert and hearing your story (I listened to one of your lectures on a podcast) about how the Evangelical Orthodox Church came about and was then brought into Orthodoxy had a tremendous impact on me. It was one more evidence that Orthodoxy is the true Church and Christ is drawing us all to it! I am sending my love, appreciation and prayers to you, dear Father.
We pray without ceasing. We ask the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to heal you and give you a deep calm. Words fail us. We love you.
Cathy and Alex
All Saints
Father bless!
I’m writing this note on behalf of my husband as well as myself. You are all in our prayers. May God grant all of you peace and alleviate the physical suffering.
[I do hope I was not one of the ones circulating misinformation. A few days ago I copy/pasted Fr. James Bernstein's email onto my blog and asked for prayers. I will add this link to that post.]
Mat. Anna
Fr. Peter & Marilyn,
The Welzig family is so grateful to our man-loving God for you and your whole family. Words can not express our love for you and your work for Christ in His Vineyard called America. I will never forget the times we spent together and the hospitality you showed my wife and I during the establishment of St. John the Theologian in San Juan Capistrano. Although you are in our prayers, it is my sense that we need your prayers. May your love for God be rewarded with a constant stream of His Energy so that you are consumed by His Love for you and refreshed by Living Water. Hold tightly to the hand of our loving lady, the Theotokos, as she leads you to her Holy Son.
Much Love,
Fr.. Andrew & Kh. Ann
Laura, Andrew, Peter, and Stephanie
My Love, Thoughts & Prayers are with Fr. Peter and the entire Family!!!
May God Be With All of You!!!
With All My Love,
Chuckie Shahadey
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
St. Ignatius Misson Boca Raton, FL
ChuckieShahadey@aol.com
Dear Father Peter and Kh. Marilyn and family —
We are heartsick to learn of your ill health. We first met you in the early 80′s at Ss. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL as you were seeking a path to Orthodoxy for your 2,000 Evangelical Orthodox members. We have continued to love you and to follow you for about 30 years — and enjoyed your love and leadership in the Antiochian Orthodox Church for most of that time. Today we kneel in prayer for your health and for the well being of your entire family. God bless you.
Chris and Lesa Potos
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn, It’s always so special to have together time as a family and I pray that the Holy Spirit surrounds and fills you, your children and grands during this time of sharing, laughing, crying and loving. A friend of ours once made an observation that just as dropping a stone into a pond or lake causes ripples to spread outward, each person’s life affects multiple people in known or unknown ways. Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn: You’ve been Boulders of our Lord in the lives of uncounted many. Your ripples will continue for eternity! May His comfort, peace and grace be yours in abundance.
Those of us from the new mission in Jackson, TN (which Fr. Peter helped start just before his retirement) are all very grateful for Fr. Peter’s writing and work for the Church. Thank you, Father Peter, for how you have helped change my life and community. We are praying for you and your family. Please continue to pray for us.
May the Lord guide you and grant you endurance through this time, Father Peter! You have been an inspiration to me, teaching me to take the gem of the Orthodox Faith seriously, and for that, I know you have yet another wreath to be bestowed on you in Paradise. You’ve been a witness to the grace of the Lord for myself, and for my girlfriend, who was newly enrolled into the Catechumenate this past Saunday. Thank you Father Peter, and continue to fight the good fight with the Peace of the HolySpirit!
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/472475_10150775021909804_946548278_o.jpg
Father and Khouria, God knows all that you have done for us, through your prayers and example and willingness to help. I am so thankful that you were with us through my recovery from the accident; for every ride to church, for every hug, and for your support as we embarked on the great journey of marriage – we feel like we have shared so much with you both. The beautiful marriage prayer you gave us hangs above our bed. We think of you each time we join together in prayer and thank God for your love and kindness toward us and for the great example you have been to us. Please remember us, unworthy as we are, in your prayers. We entreat your blessing.
We love you.
Kissing your right hand,
Marie Euphrosyne and Ryan David Carder
Dear Marilyn and Father Peter, Tom and I are very grateful to Penny B. for letting us know about this website. You have been in our constant prayers. We are so grateful for all that your friendship has meant to us all of these years. What wonderful and varied memories we have, like meeting on the street in NYC, and riding around in your marvelous convertible, but also good talks, and always the example you both have been. We send you our love always. Lovelace and Tom
Dear Fr Peter and Kh Marilyn,
Please be assured of our continuing prayers for you and yours. May you be strengthened by a peace that passes all understanding in this time of trial.
Kerry, Sheri, Lucy, Brigid and Xenia
Dearest Fr Peter and Marilyn,
My prayers are with you and your family.
Reading the many letters to you posted here has enlivened my deepest gratitude for being put in your midst some 40 years ago and to have the treasured memories whiched have no small part in shaping my life.
I thank you for your love, prayers, faithfulness, friendship, parenting, helps, gifts and ministering to me throughout the years.
I beg your forgiveness for the times I’ve failed and disappointed you.
I pray your pain will be eased Fr Peter and the heart pain of your loved ones suffering with you.
I look forward to being with you again and rejoicing in the ineffable light and joy of our Lord and Savior.
Love, Jan
Dear Fr. Peter,
I spoke on the phone with you two weeks ago and as always just the sound of your voice was encouraging. I have been privileged to serve with you in God’s army as a younger lieutenant for many years. Just knowing you were up the line somewhere else, fighting the good fight, many times comforted me and emboldened me to carry on in my own struggles. It is hard now for my mind now to accept that you are leaving this life. Except for the knowledge that your prayers for us will continue even on the other side, I would surely feel despair. I pray your remaining time is peaceful and filled with faith in God. – With sincere love and immense respect, Fr. Marc Dunaway
wonderful words, Fr. Marc… thank you.
May our Lord and Saviour Jesus, His mother our blessed virgin Mary and all the saints be with you in this difficult time. I pray our Lord hears the many prayers of His faithful and heals you Father Peter.
Dear Father Peter and Family,
May our merciful Lord strengthen you at this difficult time. You have the loving support of so many in our prayers and our memory of your amazing lifetime. I will continue to remember you in prayer and to thank God for sending you to us. Your love and devotion fortified us as we all serve to glorify our Lord.
With love in Christ,
Mary Dibs
Dear Father Peter and Marilyn:
We are so sad to hear of your illness, and you are in our prayers daily. Father Peter, you were the one who got us started so well, even though you insisted later you had no idea what you were doing! We’ll never forget. God bless you. God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
love in Christ,
Father Bill and all of us at St Nicholas, Cedarburg
Dearest Father Peter,
Please know that you are in our highest thoughts and prayers. You continue to be an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your dedication to the truth that led so many others into the Truth. well done! You have ran the race well and have help so many others to run it as also – many who could not have ran it on their own. You are truly my hero Fr. Peter, mine and countless others. Your a true hero of the Faith once delivered to the saints. I am forever indebted to you along with many others whom you have helped into the Household of Faith with the kindest words I believe I have ever heard – “Welcome home”. May you, in our God’s timing, hear those same words from the lips of our Almighty Lord, God and Savior – Jesus Christ, along with our Mother and Queen, the Blessed Theotokos and all the Saints in light. We love you Fr. Peter – pray for us all, assured of our prayers for you. You will always be the real “Man in Black” to me.
An unworthy son in the most Holy Faith,
Fr. John Denny – Hot Springs AR
Father Peter, your book, “Journey to Orthodoxy” was one of the first works I read when I was seriously considering the Ancient Faith, and though we’ve never met, I wanted to thank you (I have friends who entered into the Church through the EOC and who know you). It was a long road for me (I am stubborn and self-willed in all the wrong ways, it seems), but your book, and your journey, were truly crucial in my journey (which has now brought my wife and children into the Church as well!)
Our prayers are with you, Father. Please remember this beyond-unworthy servant in your prayers, when you have come into your well-deserved rest, Father, Bless.
Dear Fr. Peter & Kh. Marilyn & all the Gilchrists (in Bloomington and beyond) –
It came as a total shock when I recently learned from a very dear friend (who is also my Godmother) that you were in the hospital and that the cancer – which had frightened all of us so long ago – had reappeared. I then was told about this site from our Midwest Antiochian Women’s President, and have been pondering over what I could write that hasn’t been posted already. Simply stated, I am just one of the thousands of Antiochian Women and a fellow Orthodox Christian who are praying for you.
Our first encounter was when I heard you speak many years ago at one of my first Antiochian Archdiocese Conventions. I was then privileged to attend a retreat at St. Andrew’s in nearby Lexington, KY a few years after that (I still have the cassette tapes (!) of your presentation). Then, just last night, when our Orthodox Studies class at St. Michael’s in Louisville, KY watched the film of your story – and that of our now-Orthodox brothers and sisters from the EOC – it took my breath away, and I had to put “pen to paper” (or rather “keyboard to computer screen”).
ALL the people you have touched over the years – in small ways and large ways – like ripples in a pond that go on and on (the numerous posts on this site are a magnificent testament to that!). I can’t even begin to fathom the Antiochian Archdiocese – and Orthodox Christianity in America – if you and your beautiful family – and all the faithful who were searching for the first Church – the Church of Christ – hadn’t witnessed the arms that stretched out to welcome you into the Faith.
Now, may the arms of our Savior, the Great Healer of All, along with His Holy and Pure Mother, embrace you, comfort you, and bless you and all those near and dear to you, and may He greet you with the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant …” (Matthew 25:21).
Your sister in Christ,
Dianne O’Regan
Louisville, KY
Dear Fr. Peter and Family:
Father bless! I’m very sad to learn of Fr. Peter’s illness but rejoice in the hope that our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ gives us. I’m also writing to thank Fr. Peter for a letter he wrote to me around 1990 in response to questions I had about Orthodoxy. Fr. Peter’s visit to St. Mary Orthodox Church in Cambridge, MA, his writings, and his personal witness planted seeds in my heart and, after a long journey, my wife and I and our three children were received into the Orthodox Church by Chrismation on the evening of Pascha, 2003, at the Protection of the Theotokos parish in Falls Church, VA. We thank God for your love for Him and His Church and pray that, by His mercy and through the prayers of the holy Theotokos and all the Saints, you will be strengthened in every way.
Yours in Christ,
Jonathan Jacobson
While our hearts are saddened by Fr. Peter’s struggle, they will always be filled by the joy he brought into our home and the lives he touched in our community. We pray that the promised peace from our labors be granted him and that the source of that peace be lavished on his family at this time.
Terry & Karen Swehla
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn, You are in our prayers and we thank God for you! We have been so very blessed through worship in the Antiochian Orthodox church here, St. Ignatius in Franklin, TN. When we were looking for a church home to raise our children, we heard about your journey to Orthodoxy. Thank you! Thank you for following God’s will and being so very loving and encouraging to your fellow travelers!!! God bless you and strengthen you both! With love and prayers, Margie and Mark Naftel
Fr. Peter Senior, Fr. Peter Jon and family.
Bless! We had no knowledge of the illness until we saw a posting this evening on FB. Like the tardy workers in the vineyard, we nuns at St. Xenia Monastic Community now add our small prayers to blanket of prayer that surrounds you. God’s peace!
In Christ,
unworthy nun Katherine
Hi Father Peter it’s Travis Shannon calling from Morgan Stanley with a stock tip. Buy defense stocks: Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman. High dividend yields and low price to earnings ratios. The reason I recommend these companies is because they are a lot like you in many regards but mostly because you are a fighter and you have always delivered huge dividends to all those around you. The Lord has blessed you and your family for many years and I will always remember the twinkle in your eyes and your incredible voice. We love you! See you soon. The Shannons
Fr. Peter,
Thank you so much for coming to St. Peter’s 25th Anniversy Celebration! It was a great encouragment to old and young, new comers and old timers alike. We also thank God for your ministry over all these years. By far, the one book that has had the most impact on our lives for both Sharon and myself is Love is Now. Like many others, we have been praying for you often especially over these last few years, and will continue to do so. Please pray for us all, now and in the future.
Fr. James and Sharon
Dear Fr. Peter,
I am sorry to hear about your illness. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your labours in His service count a great deal before Christ. Get well soon.
Issa Zoghbi
Dear Fr. Peter,
I remember the “olden days” of joining the EOC with all the faithful of Holy Orthodox Church, Ben Lomond, CA, after we had moved into the present site of Sts. Peter & Paul and suddenly found ourselves without a pastor. It was before we were chrismated into the Antiochian church. I remember meeting you and discovering that we both had back problems. Years later here at St. John’s in Eagle River, when I saw you for the first time since marrying Joe Dunham and moving here, you greeted me with “How’s your back?” I was happy to report that all was well and amazed that you would remember after so many years.
I am saddened to hear that the cancer returned and it is taking you from us. My prayers are with you, your beloved Kr. Marilyn, and all your family. Please pray for me when you come into the joyful light of Christ and all the saints. I am still on the path, feel unworthy but grateful to be sojourning with my Joseph and the faithful at St. John’s.
Yours In Christ,
Tisha
Dear Father Peter and Khouria Marilyn, Fr. Peter Jon and family: I am praying with you, with the prayers of St. Nektarios and our Holy Mother. May she cover you with her mantle and comfort you and keep you. So much love! Kelly
Father Peter,
You came to Maranatha North in Eagle River, Alaska in 1974 and taught us how to sing with Spirit. We are eternally grateful for your visit, your work and your memory with us. We are also very grateful for your son and my very close friend, Greg. You and your family are in our prayers!
In Christ,
Joe Dunham
Fr. Peter,
( Sarcastic humor alert )
Too bad nobody likes you.
Isn’t it absolutely AMAZING from reading this site how many lives have been changed by you and how you and Marilyn have touched so many people all over the lower 48 and Alaska ?
The first time I ever saw you was in Indpls in 1978 at a large convention with the E.O.C. and a very large group of parishoners from the midwest. You and your family had driven up from TN in a large brown vehicle. I had gone back home to Indy to visit my family for a month after spending a
year in Eagle River, AK living @ the big house. ( Indy had been my home for 10 yrs )
I have now been here in AK 35 years and remember how excited we all were when you would come up here to teach. I remember you talking about mutual respect between spouses with the husband being a king and for him to think of his wife as a queen. ( Or in my case, a ” domestic goddess “) The other important comment you had made was how Swedish women made the best coffee ! Ya sure youbetcha.
As you know I do have another connection to your family as well. My adorable godson, Peter Jon. Love him ! He has become my little buddy over the past ten years.
I am still amazed he wants to sit next to me during liturgy at his age. Your son Greg tells him to call me ” Grandma ” instead of godmama.
Isn’t he a hoot.
We all think about you and your family often. Prayers are said for your comfort, especially now.
Much love always,
Laurie Snider
My prayers are with you Fr. Peter and kh Marilyn, Fr. Peter Jon and your entire family.
I pray for a full recovery
Dearest Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
Although I already wrote you through Greg, but I’m again thinking of and praying for you all. I am comforted by a passage of St. Nikolai Velimirovich and hope it comforts you, too:
“…there is a hidden, imperishable treasure which every heir of that blessedness carries within himself. He carries it wrapped in perishable fabric. It is a tiny, flickering flame of love for the Lord God. This little flame of love does not die out with the death of physical fabric, but lives and glows. Heroic souls heroically protect it, lest shifting winds extinguish it in the course of the journey. With this flame of love righteous souls are deemed worthy to come out before the face of the living God, clothed in a resurrected heavenly body. This is the price. For this tiny gift to God, lovers of God will receive as gifts in return the kingdom, sonship, and eternal life. In a word – Paradise. ”
Thank you for loving God, loving each other and loving all of us. –
Dear Father Peter, Kh. Marilyn and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please know that we love you and thank you for all you have done for
our Archdiocese. May God grant you comfort and peace.
Sinerely, Don and Lillian Meena and Family
I am so overcome with sorrow that I don’t know what to say.
I only heard you in person once – when you came to tell us about the completed Orthdodox Study Bible. I have given so many away.
My husband (not Orthodox) read your book Becoming Orthodox, and while he hasn’t converted, when we took a trip to Alaska the one place he really wanted to see was Eagle River.
You have touched out lives. I am so grateful. I pray that God will bless you as He has blessed us through you. And that you and your family will experience the peace that passes all understanding.
The lampada in front of the icon of the Theotokos in our home prayer corner is burning for you and your family. May it symbolise the eternal light into which she guides us by her intercessions. If you get to heaven before I do, please pray for me. And if I get there before you do, I’ll pray for you, Father!
Father Peter
Thank you for your ministry and being you. You were so instrumental in my journey, in dn. Alex’s journey, and so many people here in State College. My daughter was drinking some water in the “Church Brew Works” glass from Pittsburgh you gave Alex the other day and it made me smile thinking of you. We love you. -Jen Cadman
The lampada iin front of the icon of the Theotokos in our home prayer corner is burning for you and your family Father. May her prayers lead you into the eternal light and life of Jesus.
Dearest Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and the whole Gilguist clan!
Bless me Fr. Peter!
May God continue to give you strength to bear witness to His Glory, mercy and Love! We are all praying for you here at the monastery every day! And will continue to walk with you in prayer as you have always been with us in your prayers too! On a personal note…I will always cherish the encouragement and joy you have always shared with me and hope somehow I can pass that on to others. God Bless us all…..Love in Christ, Mother Galina
Dear Father Peter and Marilyn, Tom and I are so grateful to Penny B. for letting us know about this website. You are all in our constant prayers, with much love, and happy and grateful memories…from rides in your wonderful convertible and meeting on the street in NYC, to the gift of your friendship in many ways through the years. I hope this note gets through to you, as I’m not sure I’m doing it right.Much love, Lovelace and Tom
Dear Father Peter,
We want you to know that we are always thinking of you. You are a gracious, hospitable, kind and loving priest, man, and father. We have learned so much from your teachings over the years and are holding you close in prayer. We appreciate your and Marilyn’s gracious hospitality and thank you for welcoming us and our family so genuinely into yours. You are always in our heart. God bless you!
Love,
Barbara and Lloyd
Dear Fr. Peter—
I have only this morning learned of your cancer’s return (someone just posted a link on our listserv at St. Mark OCA in Bethesda). I am yet another whose life you so profoundly influenced through both your writings and talks, which I was privileged to attend in the DC area. My journey to Orthodoxy was much aided by your book “Becoming Orthodox.” As a cradle Catholic who had spent years in the Protestant world, I was especially helped by your chapter on Mary, the Mother of God (and our mother). Thank you for your fidelity to Christ and for your labors in His vineyard—I am indebted to you!
I, too, am battling Stage IV cancer (breast), and I am most calmed and lifted when the Holy Spirit brings to mind this verse from I Corinthians: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Cor. 2:9). And Isaiah 41:10 is a strong second in terms of keeping my heart fixed on our Lord. I’m sure you have it committed to memory, but because God’s words never return to Him void, I will type them out: “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
You HAVE fought the good fight, you HAVE finished the race…my prayers are with you and your family as you make this journey toward beholding the face of God. May the Holy Spirit comfort you and yours at every step of the way, and may He show you how very fruitful your life has been in Christ!
With love in Him,
Cathy Tatusko
Dear Fr Peter,
Thank you for all that you have done for the Orthodox community. You and your wife Marilyn have been a blessing in my life. I will pray for you every day.
With love in Christ,
Rachel
Dear Fr. Peter,
We met you long ago, in Washington, DC, when you were in the midst of making your way to the Orthodox Church. Your journey, and that of so many with you, has always been an inspiration to us. We have given copies of Becoming Orthodox to many seekers, and know that it has blessed many. We thank God for your ministry. May the peace of our Lord be with you and your family as you face this journey, in the firm knowledge of His grace, mercy, and salvation.
Love,
Von and Patricia
Fr. Peter, Marilyn, family and all who love you,
Be assured of our continued prayer for healing, strength and peace. This is offered up both by us, and by the entire St. Ananias Orthodox Church family in Evansville. As this mission is one among the many that you helped plant, it can truly be said that yours is an apostolic work, for “your voice has gone forth like a trumpet”; and many have been blessed thereby.
Fr. Daniel, Kh. Carole Hackney and family
Offering prayers for peace and comfort for a priest who has touched and changed so many lives, and for all those who love and care for him.
To my dearest Father Peter,
Would that I might comfort you as you once comforted me when I needed it most. My heart is with you and I thank you for the rich and spirit-filled dynamic you brought with you into our Holy Orthodox Church. You will always be – for evermore – a vital part of the history of Orthodoxy in this land.
My love and prayers are with you and your blessed family always.
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Your journey into Holy Orthodoxy helped to guide our own. We are eternally grateful for your tremendous witness to the power of God and the His Church. We do, indeed, thank God with every remembrance of you. We look for the life of the world to come with you.
Jeff & Elizabeth Miller
Dear to God, Fr. Peter,
For almost 40 years our lives have been intertwined, most of that from a distance. We have been blessed more than we can express by your determination and joy in the journey to the Kingdom of God. We owe you more than we could ever return. May the God of All Mercy give you peace, comfort, and the Bosom of Abraham!
Dear Father Peter,
Your own journey and your book have been very inspirational to me during my own continuing journey to Orthodoxy. And I have been blessed to worship alongside you and your family during my many visits to All Saints in Bloomington. I am praying for you and your family.
With love in our Lord Jesus Christ,
John Walsh
Fr. Peter,
In the Fall of 1975 while visiting the un-named and random flock of Gordon Walker, you preached on “Bloom where you are Planted”. A sermon, a challenge, to stop bouncing from group to group – to lay down some roots and begin to produce fruit in the Kingdom of God. That sermon changed my life and lead ultimately to the One Holy Catholic and Orthodox Church. Had it not been for you, Fr. Gordon and the others who stepped out in faith those many years ago there is no telling where or what shape I would be in today.
May God grant you His Peace,
Dn. Edward
A beautiful post, Catherine.
Sorry for the misspelling, Cathryn.
My father, who departed this life in April of this year, told me he converted because of hearing you speak here in Shreveport, Father Peter. You are also a huge reason for the starting of our mission and the rekindling of a fire in the hearts of this and many other cradle Orthodox Christians. You will always be an important part of our Archdiocese and Orthodoxy in America in general, as well as remembered in daily prayers by many, many faithful. Our prayers are for God’s mercy for you and your family and for peace and the grace to endure what trials lie ahead. We love you and will be keeping you in our hearts, minds and prayers…..
May the Lord continue to bless, save and protect you and your family during this time of suffering. Thank you for your continuing great work and prayers for our Holy Orthodox Church.
Galina
Wishing in this time of need God’s Grace and most choicest blessings for His servant Fr. Peter! “By their fruit you will recognize them,” said the Lord, and by your fruit you are known! Fr. Peter, we had the blessing (mine, of course) to spend some brief time talking following an OCF meeting in Jacksonville in early 2011, I believe. I had the great blessing of shooting the breeze with you for just over an hour at the Jacksonville airport as we awaited the departure of our respective flights. I got to share with you how a “cradle” began to be truly convinced about the authenticity of his faith at the age of sixteen, by a “convert” who wrote an amazing, personal memoir of a real journey to Orthodox Christianity, and how much it began to steer me towards truth and the reception of it in my future life. I pray that the Lord grant you peace and salvation, and for the blessing to see you in-person again, if the Lord will judge me worthy, since I am rather certain, through knowledge of your fruit, that He has already found you worthy! Praying always for your health, happiness and salvation, I remain…
Your Servant in Christ,
Fr. Michael J. Ellis
OCF Great Lakes Regional Chaplain
Priest – Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Mansfield, OH
There is nothing we could say that has not already been said and been said better than we might. We are able to say “We have found the true faith” because, by God’s grace, we followed godly men and their families. The first time I was in a room with the Gilquist family, and every time since, I have been humbled by the honor. Thank you.
Jason Epperson: This message is left on behalf of Odette Nassar, who was unable to access the internet herself:
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
You are precious to me. Thank you for all you have done for Christ’s Church. God will surely remember you in His Kingdom.
In Christ,
Odette Nassar
Dearest Father Peter,
We have been praying for all of you continually and are dearly hoping that the prayers of the Church are bringing each of you peace, hope, and sustaining grace in this sacred season. I love you so much, and you have not left my mind and heart for a second. I have always though that you and my sweet dad would be the best of friends one day:)….you remind me SO much of him, including your devotion to God and to loving people. Please know that both Mitch and I are wrapping you ALL in prayerful hugs daily and you all mean so very much to us.
How beautiful that your first great grandson will be blessed to have both your name and my precious father’s…..what a wonderful inheritance you have given to him:)!!! I look SO forward to the joyful reunion in the near future. I hope that’s alright for me to say.
May the God of all Love, and Comfort, give you Peace.
ALL our love,
Mitch and Trenna Berry
it was so wonderful seeing Mary with her little baby belly!!!!! Peter is such a great name…. ;o)
Dear Father Peter and Family:
From our visits to your home and parish in Santa Barbara to the many caring journeys you made to us in San Clemente–in person and by your writing gift–your life and witness inspired (and continues to inspire) countless souls in deeper devotion to Jesus Christ as he is so so brilliantly illuminated and magnified in the church’s Tradition. Your humor and warmth, your way of explaining our shared Faith in a way any person could easily grasp, your midwestern common sense and humanity that cherished persons over things or ideas, inspired (and inspires) us as Christ followers. Your courage, tenacity, concern for truth, laughter and firm leadership has gifted so many with a reconnection to the worship and sacred life of the ancient Christian way–far beyond the now robust conversion movement to Eastern Orthodoxy of which you were a trailblazer. That legacy, and the ongoing work of your family, is deeply appreciated by this parish priest. I could not do what I do every day without your example. We pray to our common Lord that he will deliver you from this scourge for we are confident that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus. Be encouraged, dear Father Peter, and be comforted all of you who care for this modern saint.
Blessings to you all,
Kenneth Tanner+
Pastor
Church of the Holy Redeemer
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Dear Fr Peter,
We continue to pray for you and all of your family at this difficult time. We are so glad that we got to see you and Kh Marilyn recently. As one who helped lead us into Orthodoxy, starting over 40 years ago, you will always remain very dear to our hearts.
With much love,
Dn James and Corinne Elliott
Fr. Peter,
Please be assured that our prayers are with you, Marilyn and all of your family throughout this time.
So many shared good times come to mind: several of your visits to Charleston, side trips for R & R away from the symposiums, sharing a reprise with many wrapped leaves once carried by Sir Walter Raleigh to England, and too many others to count.
I apologize and ask for your forgiveness for my snoring during our sharing of a room at symposiums (that’s me, Fr. Olof, and not Kh. Eva. God forbid that people think you were sharing a room with her)
God bless you for all that you accomplished in His service! Our love and friendship is eternal!
All of our love,
Fr. Olof & Kh. Eva Scott
GOD BLESS YOU, FR. PETER. You and your family are in my prayers.
Bryan Hartman
Hondo, TX
Dear Fr. Peter,
Without you, I would not be Orthodox today. I love you dearly. Gail and I are praying continuously that the Lord would grant you grace, mercy, and peace. You have touched so many with your ministry. I am so very, very grateful.
WIth love and great affection,
Dn. Michael and Sh. Gail Hyatt
Father Peter,
I can still see you eating that torta in Salinas, wondering where a guy could get a decent carwash in this town. I remember visiting your home in Goleta and meeting your wonderful family. I feel all caught up because I just listened to your interview of last December on Ancient Faith Radio. I know you love to feel the love of the Church and must feel her arms wrapped tight around you now. Know that you made a difference.
Thomas Shaw
Lord have mercy on your faithful servant Father Peter. Multiply his comfort and peace according to the many blessings he has provided in his life and ministry, according to the forbearance he showed to me in my conversion, and his love for his Savior Christ.
Patty Joanna, on the Feast Day of St. Joanna
Dear brother in Christ!
Glory to God in all things!
We continue to pray for you and your family.
Please pray for us.
Thank you, in Christ,
Father Boniface and Kh. Joyce
I am shocked to hear this – I am just learning now about it. I haven’t met Father Peter, but like so many others, his book “Becoming Orthodox” was crucial in bringing me to the Orthodox church. So much so that I’ve donated it to local libraries and have extra copies in case I meet people who would be interested in it! My prayers are with Father Peter. A good Orthodox friend of mine is a 3 time survivor of cancer, one of which was melanoma…and now has pancreatic cancer. What is amazing is that it is very clear to see that through all of the many tremendous ups and downs she has had in life, she has now been granted the peace of the Lord in her soul. I hope this peace increases by the minute for Father Peter and his entire family. I just want him to know how much he has done for so many people – now and to come – by bringing them back home to the body of Christ.
Dearest Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Your friendship and support over all of these years has been one of the greatest blessings in our lives. We are so thankful to you for serving us so unselfishly and sacrificially during the recent 25th anniversary celebration of St. Peter’s. We will treasure that time with you for the rest of our lives. We love you and pray for you continually. Thank you for all that you have done for us. We will look forward to when we see you again, by God’s mercy, in the Eternal Kingdom. Your courage and pursuit of that in faith has been a great example for us all. God be with you.
Dearest Father Peter, Marilyn and Gillquist family,
We are holding your family up in our prayers both day and night. We pray that God will give you strength, faith and peace as you face the days ahead. We are also praying that Father Peter will be free of pain as he is surrounded by all those who love him on this earth and by the heavenly hosts that will take him to Glory.
Father Peter’s life as a husband, father, evangelist, missionary, and author has been an inspiration and role model to us and to countless other Christians throughout the country. We love you dearly and cherish the wonderful years that we have had together here in Santa Barbara.
May God bless you, and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you and grant you His peace.
With all of our love,
Dn.Howard and Gail
Fr. Peter,
Our love goes out to you and Marilyn in this difficult time. I hope that you can hear this and understand. There have been so many years we have known each other and worked, at times, side by side. I can still remember the events at the student union at the University of Calif., Santa Barbara. You and Fr. Jack with me there announcing the gospel to a crowd of 70′s student rebels. I remember that I was scared to death trying to get an introduction out of my mouth to let you speak. Then there was the rise of the Campus Crusade movement on campus, and then the darker time with Edwards. But, the Holy Spirit was with you guys and we emerged from that dark time with your leadership. What an incredible era that was.
And, what an incredible continuing journey those events sparked. Over 40 years of searching to find and join the historic church. It has been my pleasure to have known you and to have worked with you over these many years. I still have a copy of the New Testament you gave to me, with your signature and blessing inside, after I blessed your home once in Isla Vista.
On the one hand I am pleased that you are with your son, but on the other hand I wish that we could have shared in your time and been there to comfort you and Marilyn. But, having family close is by far the better option.
I also will never forget you and your marvelous family and the role that I have had the blessing to perform with respect to a few of your children.
God bless you, Fr. Peter. God bless you beyond your, and our, wildest imagination. You deserve it.
Steve & Joan Thomas
Dear Fr. Peter and Marilyn,
Our hearts are so full of love for you both! You have had a tremendouse impact on thousands and thousands of lives!! I have such fond memories of eating dinner at your home as a college student in the early ’80′s. I loved your family and adored Marilyn. She is amazing which I’m sure your whole family will agree! I thank God for both of you and the many sacrifices you and your family have made for the sake of His Church. We love you more than we can express!
In His Infinite Love,
Jeff & Karji Dunkle
Nashville, TN
Dear Father Peter and family,
Please know that my and my family’s prayers are with you. You have been such a powerful influence in our lives in many ways. From listening to you speak up in Syracuse, NY in the late ’90′s, then again at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA, to reading Becoming Orthodox, subscribing to AGAIN (awesome publication!!) for 3 years until it was discontinued
, to your son, Fr. Peter Jon’s CD’s, and the list goes on with the permanent mark you have left in our lives. I have learned so much from your “convert wisdom” that as a “cradle Orthodox” I would have probably NEVER have gleaned otherwise.
Rest assured that God has used you for the spiritual development and good of MULTITUDES of people. Most of us can only dream of being so instrumental in the conversion of SO many souls into salvation….WOW!
May Christ, our God and His Holy mother, the Theotokos care for and protect you and keep you at peace into eternity.
Please keep us in your prayers….they are so powerful.
With MUCH love and gratitude,
Kathy Kendrat and family
Prayers for Fr. Peter, a man who has impacted many. Thanks for setting up this update page.
Dear Fr. Peter,
Oh how I love to hear you speak! I remember at the College Conference oh-so-many years ago how I knew there was no way I was going to miss your session! Your conviction and passion for the word of God has touch me so many times. Thank you for being a beacon in my spiritual journey. Thank you especially for your prayers for Jason and our family. I now offer my prayers for you and yours – God’s peace and love to you all.
Chelsea Klatt Beazley
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn:
You are constantly in our prayers. Words cannot express our love and gratefulness for you. Your love, example and encouragement have and always will guide us. Fr. Peter, you are one of the foundation stones of Saint Ignatius. May God give you peace. We love you.
with love and prayers from topeka, kansas. you came and showed us the way and our lives and families have been ever changed because of it. may God wrap you and your family in His loving arms as you journey home. thank you fr. peter…we love you and are ever so grateful for your sacrifices as a fisher of men!
Dear Abouna Peter,
I was, am honored to know you since I came to the States. You are a “treasure” to our Orthodox Church. May God keep you under his protection. We keep you in our prayers.
your brother in our Lord’s field,
Fr. Elie Estephan
Fr. Peter:
Our prayers are with you that our Lord may give you healing, and you come and see us here in Waco, Texas and see St. Andrews mission, your prayers and courage strengthen our faith.
We love you and your family so dearly.
Rouba
Father Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Father Bless. Our prayers are with you and your family. You have had a special place in our hearts all these years, for helping us to map out a route home to the Orthodox Church. God bless you in this most difficult time. We (The Autrey Family, Dale, Judy, Shane, Jared, and Jon) have so many great memories with you and your family that you have shared with us, we are so thankful and for ever in your debt. I thank you for your faithfulness and commitment to our family and our journey to Orthodoxy. You are and your family are in our prayers. May God have mercy on you and grant you strength and healing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Dear Fr. Peter,
We thank our loving God for your life, ministry and your love for the Truth, the Orthodox Church, your family and your flock and the lost. We know that you will continue your work in God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
love and prayers in Christ,
Photini and Theophilus
Dearest Fr. Peter Sr., Kh. Marilyn, Fr. Peter, Kh. Kristina and all the Gilquist family,
Christ is in our midst! He is and always shall be! We are sending you big hugs and many prayers to all of you! Aboona, we love you very much and ask that Sts. Peter and Paul carry you and strengthen you during this very sacred time in your life. You have been a loving inspiration to us, as you have been to many others! From our family to yours and from the faithful of St. George Cathedral in Pittsburgh, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”-1 Timothy 6:12
Dearest Gillquist family,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Fr. Peter, you have been a part of my life for many, many years. I remember decorating a old coffee can in Alaska to collect money to bring you and “Dick Ballew” up for a visit. Even though there have been many memories along the way, that one sticks with me as well as your “Budweiser” song – “When you say Lord Jesus, you’ve said it all!”. You have not only touched, but profoundly changed many lives, mine included.
Kh. Luanne
Dear Fr. Peter,
You don’t know me, but I thank you for the many years of service and love you have given to the Church. You are well-loved, and so many of us are praying for you and for your family. Thank you so much for your faithful service. May God bless you and your family.
With love in Christ,
Elissa
Dear Father Peter, I pray that God will take your pain away, and grant you serenity. That he will continue to bless your wife, your family, and that he will be with them always, as you will be……..you are an angel for the people God bless you>
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Father, bless.
It was such an incredible joy and blessing to see you in Madison, MS in May for St. Peter’s 25th anniversary celebration! We are so grateful for that opportunity to see you and have you meet our son, Peter. One of Kh. Maria’s favorite memories is seeing Fr. Peter at OCMC meetings and benefitting from his wisdom, experience and love. Your presence always made her day! Thank you for being the encouragement and inspiration that you are. We are also inspired by your deep love for and commitment to eachother (and the Lord) as a couple and have kept you as an example for our own marriage. May the Lord provide you with an overabundance of love, comfort and peace at this time. We are praying for you and your family.
With love and thanks,
Fr. Daniel, Kh. Maria & Peter Basil Bethancourt
Dear Fr. Peter and the entire Gillquist family,
My love and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. God’s love is shining down upon you. Thank you for all you have done for all of us in Christ’s church. My life was touched by you although you didn’t know it. I thank you and may God bless you and keep you.
Connie Monica Austin
Dear Marilyn and family, How far wide Fr Peter’s influence has reached. As he used to say, re my love for him, “I have my assurance”. Never at a loss for words. Surely, you have assurance that my love is still there not only for him but all of you. He often told that upon meeting me for the first time , “It was love at firdt sight”. And so it was and thankfully remains..
Buddy
Dear Father Peter,
You have been like a father to me. I have so many fond memories of being in your home which was always a safe, loving place. You were always so kind to me even when Heidi and I were getting into trouble. You have been such an amazing example of an Orthodox Christian, father and husband. When I think of you I have such great respect and admiration and only good thoughts come to my mind. You are truly a wonderful and holy man. I am praying for God’s peace for you and your family as you take this journey home.
I love you.
Courtney
Dearest Fr. Peter,
I thank God for the blessing of your family in my life. It seems that from a small child, yours was my second home. You have remained in my life as an example of charity and love but most importantly as one who loves our Lord Jesus Christ. You and your family are always in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your family with me.
Fr. David Sommer
Dear Fr. Peter,
My husband, Brent, & I were saddened to hear of the latest turn in your health. Please know that our family is praying for you and your family. While sharing the news with my family, I realized that my 10-year-old twin boys, who are cradle Orthodox & baptized at St. Ignatius in Franklin, weren’t familiar with your story and the journey of the EOC. I was blessed to share it with them. When I got to the part about Metropolitan PHILIP saying “Welcome home”, I choked up with tears. When my boys asked me why, I explained that we probably wouldn’t be Orthodox today if it hadn’t been for your efforts and this blessed event. I explained that 2000 evangelical Christians became Orthodox directly because of your journey, but since then probably 200,000 (probably many more), including our family, have become Orthodox because of you and your ministry. Thank you for faithfulness to God. May He continue to bless your journey.
We pray for strength for Fr. Peter and his entire family who have done so much for so many. You have touched so many lives and we are grateful to have had you in Ventura County during our ministry here. We have loved your many works but one of my favorites has been Becoming Orthodox. We were both born into Orthodoxy but that book remains one of the most relevant to my life. We pray that our Heavenly Father will embrace you and care for you as you have embraced and cared for so many in your flock throughout the years.
Our Love,
Presbytera Christie and family
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and the entire God-loved Gillquist family,
What a blessing it has been tonight to read through all of the lovely and sincere messages to you here! It has been a beautiful walk through the years of my life, seeing messages from so many who share my love for all of you: those who grew up with me as a child, those who helped raise me while they were on their own spiritual journeys, my parents, my aunt and uncle, my godbrothers and godsisters, those whom I have met in the adult years of my life through other Orthodox circles in various parts of the U.S., those whom I knew from other circles in Memphis, clergy who have nurtured me over the years, and many others.
Only God knows the profound effect that you have had on so many people and on our beloved Orthodox Church. Today as I endeavor to raise my own four boys to love Christ and His Holy Church, as my husband and I work to help build a mission in the American Heartland, as I devote hours to Orthodox translation work, I know that I owe a debt of gratitude to you all for the ways in which you have helped lead me, my family, and many others to know God’s truth and love.
While thinking tonight about your role in my life, I was reminded of so many precious moments, but perhaps most significant is a special experience I had about sixteen years ago while living in St. Petersburg, Russia. I have devoted many years of my life to the study of Russian language partly because I so deeply love the people of that culture. In 1996, I was living in Russia and trying hard to soak in the spiritual wisdom of pious clergy, laypeople and monastics I met there. One day, I was delighted to be having a lengthy conversation with a very humble and pious priest who has since become quite dear to me. While I tried to talk to him about the spiritual life, he began asking me questions and discovered that I knew you from my childhood. In pure joy, he immediately began to interrogate me about your ministry and work in the United States. I was so surprised and touched at the way in which our cultures and life experiences were intertwining. I was begging to learn from the rich legacy of Russian piety, while at the same time he was begging to learn from my own experience with the conversion of Americans to Orthodoxy. I was humbled by that moment. Since then, he has asked about you again and again. I know that he has prayed for you over the years.
Last week I was trying to explain to a group of fellow parishioners how your family has been important in the spiritual life of my family. All I could say was this: “My earliest memories of prayer involve the Gillquist family.” Thank you all for being a part of my spiritual upbringing both directly and indirectly.
May God grant you all His peace and warm comfort. You are in my prayers.
Erin Mashburn Moulton
Father Peter,
The definition of the word inspire is as follows: To exert an invigorate influence upon a person; animate; stir. Although it is just the beginning of our journey to Orthodoxy, we are inspired by your courage in the faith. Thank you for inspiring us to find our spiritual family.
I can not remember who said this but this quote stuck with me. “Nothing worthwhile in this life can be achieved without struggle and suffering will always lead to Christ if it is understood in light of the cross.”
Our hearts are with you and your family as we continue to pray for strength, comfort, and peace.
Chris, Rachel, and the boys
Dear Father, Khouria, and family….
prayers for your consolation and easing of pain……may you hear the words “well done good and faithful servant…”
love in Christ
Kirsti and family
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and Family,
On behalf of the Antiochian Women North American Board, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Fr. Peter, you have been a pillar in our Archdiocese, bringing so many of the faithful to Orthodoxy. We are eternally grateful for your tireless efforts and for all of your good works. May God Bless you, Kh. Marilyn and your family, granting you all strength as you go through this difficult time. May Our Almighty God, the Physician of our Souls and Body, heal and strengthen you and grant you peace and comfort in the days to come.
In Christ,
Violet Robbat, President
Antiochian Women North American Board
Amen Violet!!
Dearest Fr. Peter, Marilyn, and family.
My love and deepest regards go out to you at this time. Fr. Peter, you are a precious human being who has been able to convey your vision to others with a pure heart. I have particularly fond memories of reading The Physical Side of Being Spiritual, which holds an extremely important message for our culture.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Jillian
Dear Fr. Peter,
Father Bless! You and your dear family are on my mind constantly in prayer and memory.
I have read many of the postings and I know exactly how they feel. It’s hard to put in to words what you have meant to me and all of us on our journey to Orthodoxy.
I first met you in a couples home in Huntington Beach in the late 70′s. You were wearing a straw hat and had just moved to California with your family. Our little home church was joining you Fr. Jon, Fr. Gordon along with Fr. Richard and Fr. Jack, of blessed memory on the journey to Orthodoxy.
I just remember being so excited about what we were embarking on. It is the grace of God that I became a part of this movement and I thank God for the faith and dedication that you and Frs. Jon, Jack, Gordon and Richard devoted your life to.
Because of your efforts I have this wonderful life and am blessed to have deep friendships with part of your family.
You will always be in my heart and prayers.
In Christ,
Bonnie
Godfather Peter, Marilyn, and Family,
Our Godfather, dear Marilyn, and beloved family. We love you! Oh heavenly Father Abba, we praise You, honor You, thank You, glorify You, and love You. Please forgive us and have mercy on us all in Jesus Name we pray. We ask you to touch Peter, fill him with your Precious Holy Spirit, and keep him and all of his loved ones together forever in heaven knowing and loving each other in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!
As it is written: “We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18).
We Christians going to the clouds and joining our loved ones so WE will meet the Lord in the air to be with HIM FOREVER!
Thank YOU our loving Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We are eternally grateful. Jesus, we trust in You forever. Ave Maria, Mother of God.
We love you Rev. Fr. Peter, Marilyn, Rev. Fr. Peter Jon (my brother <), Kristina, and family.
In Jesus Christ Forever,
Servants of God Thomas, Amy, and Loving Family +
From our first meeting in 74, to the hearth in Eagle River Big House, to the many teachings and encouraging homilies, it was always obvious that you were a great man of God. Enthusiasm and love just leapt from you. You led us on the path to Orthodoxy and we were more than blessed to follow you. Along with Father Harold in Alaska, you strengthened us in faith and understanding. With great sorrow for all who knew you, you will be sorely missed. But also with great joy, life’s greatest mystery will soon be revealed as Christ Himself welcomes you to His presence, good and faithful servant. God willing, we’ll see you soon. One last request please Father. Greet our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and intercede for us. You and your family remain in our prayers. Forgive me.
I read “Becoming Orthodox” in the spring of 1991, and converted to Orthodoxy later that year.
Thank you, Fr. Peter.
You are in my prayers.
Upon coming home from being with you I found my house a wreck..and not just from my poor housekeeping skills……. lots of construction going on. Our internet disconnected.. along with our phone line which is connected. I finally sneaked away to McDonald’s for a diet coke and to get access to their wifi. I have skimmed through these posts and read a few…… boy do I feel honored to be part of this family. It is true… part of the reason I fell in love with Greg is his admiration for his mother and father, such a shining example of love in Christ. Like Ginger said… I ADORE THIS FAMILY. I love you all so much and miss you greatly right now. I wish I could be there holding your hand some more… giving you more hugs….. and just being with you….. I am ….. very grateful to be part of such a wonderful family. Time to scoot off and get back to the family. – Jennifer
Dear Fr. Peter, his precious wife, Marilyn, and his children,
Many many prayers for peace, love, comfort and acceptance of His will…
May God hold you all in the loving warmth of his hand.
In Christ,
Ann
As I have scanned through all of the prayers and kind words left here by others, Psalm 23 comes to mind. This was my Oma’s (Helen Peters) favorite and always encouraging to me in hard times. Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn, you have touched the lives of so many people. I have fond memories from childhood in Isla Vista and adulthood in Eagle River of hearing you speak, Fr. Peter, and being awed and inspired by you and, as a kid maybe a bit intimidated. May the Lord give you and your family peace during this time. My prayers are with you all.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” ~Psalm 23
Dearest Father,
Glory to Jesus Christ! May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through the prayers of His all-holy Mother, have mercy upon, bless, and keep you and your beautiful family. You have been such a blessing to the Church and, especially, to all of us here in America. We are praying for you, father; please pray for us!
In Christ,
+Paul
Fr. Peter, Kh Marilyn & family,
Continued prayers and love for all. You are constantly on our minds, and in our hearts. God Bless.
Love In Christ,
Marvin & Alice
Fr. Peter… my husband, 2 daughters, and I began researching the Orthodox Church in 2000 and were Chrismated in 2001. We were living in New Orleans at the time and a lady from Eagle River, Alaska, who I met online, sent me your book: Becoming Orthodox. It was instrumental in our decision to join the Church.
We are praying for you and your family.
Joanne Luebke
St. Nicholas Church, Grand Rapids, MI
This is to Kh. Marilyn, Fr. Peter Jon and the rest of the Gilquist clan. (hi Jennifer)
We are with you in prayers and in my heart too. I walked a similar scenerio
with my own Mother several years ago. Please please….take care of yourselves at this time…and be gentle with each other as you each will have different memories and emotions and it is crucial to be extra kind. We will continue to walk Fr. Peter to the gates with you too….love and prayers…Mother Galina
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh Marilyn–with the feast of Sts Peter and Paul at hand, I think of the verse from 1st Peter: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Together, this is what you have done with the hours and days of your lives, with your beautiful family (especially Fr. Peter Jon, whose faithful witness takes my breath away), with your love for each other and everyone around you. I grieve so much that you are being called away from us, Father. Reading your book, “Becoming Orthodox,” played such a huge part in my own conversion–I read it over and over–and I marvel that God blessed me with coming to know you both, to pray, study, and worship with you, graced by your faith, by the way faith, hope, and love emanate from both of you. In the midst of my sorrow and the sorrow of all who know and love you, I still see so clearly that you are moving from light to light, being welcomed home yet again. God bless you both for manifesting, in yourselves, “the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Love in the One who has trampled down death by death–Barb
Dear Fr. Peter,
I first read Becoming Orthodox in the spiritual mecca of Bloomington Indiana while a grad student at IU. My first Orthodox liturgy was at All Saints back when it was a mission parish. I was the pianist at Evangelical Community Church at the time. I’m now the head chanter at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lincoln NE and thank God daily for the journey. Your book was the beginning of that journey. My prayers are with you and your family.
Paul Barnes
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
It is with great sadness that I am reading this update, but I also know that our loving Father in heaven is in control of each of our lives. May the God of peace give you His peace and strength during these difficult days. You were both so instrumental in our becoming Orthodox, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will never forget our visits: good food, walks on the beach, and long talks. Thank you for your love and care for us and our family over the years. You and your whole family are and will continue to be in our prayers.
Love and prayers,
Barb and Chris
Dear Fr. Peter and family,
Thanks to “Becoming Orthodox”, and by the grace of God, my family was led into the Holy Orthodox Church on February 12, 2011. I have never met you in person, but just wanted to say how grateful I am that you allowed the Lord to lead you so courageously into the journey that you have now led so many others into as well. Be strengthened and encouraged today. God is at your rear guard. He is beside you, and goes before you! He dwells within you! May He give you peace and joy as you step into this next journey. Thanks be to God!
With great love and admiration,
Christa Conrad
Christ the King Orthodox Mission Station
Be assured of our continual thoughts and prayers — and of those of all of us at St. Peter’s. Your attending our church’s 25th Anniversary Celebration last month was more special than you can possibly know. We have lots of great memories of you in Memphis, Grand Junction and even back to your visit to Ole Miss MANY years ago. May our good God grant his mercies in abundance to you and all of your wonderful family.
Dear Father Peter & Marilyn,
Nine years ago (August 20, 2003), I lost my father, the Rev. Kenneth Hamrick, to this same hideous disease. But the days leading up to his falling asleep were among some the most holy moments we have ever experienced. I can only pray for the same peace and sanctifying grace for you and your family as you journey through the days ahead.
It was only last August at Antiochian Village during House of Studies that I was able to eat lunch with you and Marilyn to discuss my idea of writing my master’s thesis on “Orthodox Preaching as the Oral Icon of Christ.” Your encouragement will certainly bear fruit as I will begin my research and writing this fall. I want you to know that I will be dedicating my work to you.
You both have helped to lead the way for us former evangelicals who were searching for the true Church, and it is largely as a result of your courage and witness over the past quarter century that many thousands of others have followed. We will only know the full scope of your influence on the other side of eternity.
I give thanks to our Lord for all that you have done in this life–for your faithfulness and devotion, and for the abundant ways that you have help to enflesh the Gospel through your own life and witness.
I (and the people of St. John the Baptist Mission) commit to praying for you and your family.
In Christ,
Father James Hamrick (the retired cop)
St. John the Baptist Mission
Lewistown, MD
Fr. Peter,
You are in our prayers. Thank you for serving our Lord faithfully. You have been an inspiration to so many.
In Christ,
The Burdette family
Fr. Peter and Family,
I was so sad to hear the news of your illness, and it is with sadness that I read these updates. What a challenging time this must be for your family. And yet, what a sacred time, as well…entering eternity. Isn’t this what we live our lives for? But it is with sadness that we share in this journey, watching such a dear man and faithful servant say goodbye. It has been a joy to know you and have you in my life. I wish I could say that in person. Just last week I was thinking about you as I ran across a pink slip from my work days, with a phone message from you from early 2003. It said, “TO: Kimmie; FROM: Fr. Peter; MESSAGE: I was just wondering if you had any new jewelry on your 4th finger around the holidays.” It brought such a smile to my face as I remembered your joy and encouragement in that season of my life, when Dan and I were “falling in love.” I could still see the twinkle in your eye that came with the message. It brought a smile to my face, all these years later. We just celebrated our 9th anniversary, by the way, and our 2 lovely children so enjoy reading the beautiful books you and Kh. Marilyn gave them many years ago.
Thank you for your encouragement, support and example over the years. You and your wife and your family have had quite an influence on so many lives, and it has been a joy to share even a small bit of this journey with you.
Please be assured of our prayers and thoughts. May you and your family know God’s peace that passes all understanding. May you be covered by His wing, and may you know what a blessing you all have been and continue to be. Know that you are surrounded and loved.
“…and praised and glorified be the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of ages, AMEN.”
With love and prayers,
Kimberly (“Kimmie”) Finger Crawford for the Crawford Family
Just last week I pulled out an old photo of “Mare bear” and Fa. Peter on the porch swing at Pauper’s Alley with a ? 12mo. old Heidi between them. How good is God for all the years, all the memories, all the time? Your precious lives are imprinted, for eternity, across my heart. Thank God, in His great mercy and love, we can always be together. I love you.
Fr. Peter, thanks to you we are emboldened to keep reaching out to build up the Church of Tomorrow. May I use a quote from one of our conversations? Your kindnesses and encouragement have been worth more than gold, and your prayers sustain us.
You can be sure of my prayers for you. Please pray for us also.
What a blessing to read of the bond of love we all have for you, Fr. Peter and Marilyn and because of you, for one another. It brings to mind David’s song of ascent (Ps. 133) “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” … To share the acts of the ministers of the Lord Jesus- to be of one accord, having the same love. “It is like precious oil poured on our heads….for there the Lord bestows His blessing” . Thank you for the life you chose to live for God. May your powerful presence will be remembered eternally.
Fr. Nicholas and Jan
Dear Fr. Peter,
When we attended the banquet following the OCF board meeting in Jacksonville a couple of years ago, Jordan insisted that I meet you. Once I met you, it was easy to see why he loves and respects you so. Recently, when I heard you speak in Jackson I was challenged and encouraged by your messages. I was especially challenged by how positive and gracious you are. I feel honored to have shared a meal with you and your wife. We remember you all in our prayers.
With love,
Lauri Deniakos Henderson
Lord have mercy on Fr. Peter and his family. My family became Orthodox this past Pascha, and we are so grateful for Fr. Peter and all those who have come before us and shed more light on the journey. Thanks be to God for His unfailing love and for the faithful who trust in that love.
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
During these past days of praying for healing and God’s mercy, many memories of you come flooding in. Homilies, church family nights of hearing your music, and of course your wonderful family that I have been blessed to know. I just can not put into words how much we love you! All I can say is Thank you!
Stan and Donna
Thank you Fr. Peter for helping me to find Orthodoxy and Christ’s one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I perhaps wouldn’t have been chrismated this year without you.
With much love in Christ from Madrid Spain,
Eric Halverson
Father, bless.
Yours was the first book I read on my journey to Becoming Orthodox. I thank God for you.
Dearest Fr. Peter & family, blessings to you! I was just made aware of this website and wanted to jot a quick note to ya’ll… Know of course that you are all in our prayers here in Ellensburg, Wa. at the Prophet Elijah Mission! I am grateful to God that I have been privileged to have labored in the Kingdom with you these past almost 40 years. It has been a rich history together, and will continue to be, by the Grace and Mercy of God! Your love of Missionary work has always been an inspiration to me, and as I labor now here in Ellensburg, and also on the campus of CWU, I remember fondly your friendliness & forthrightness to one and all, but most especially your fearless love of our Master Christ! May the Physician of all give you great strength and comfort, and know that my heart is filled with love and affection for you and your whole family! With much love in our Master Christ, and many prayers, Fr. Paul+
Dearest Gillquist Family….
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to you all for the sacrifices and time and love that your whole family showed to so many others in the ministry that Fr. Peter was involved in. God gifted you with fortitude, humor, and hospitality and blessed all of us. Thank you for being willing vessels of God’s grace for us.
Good strength as you continue with this blessed and difficult part of your journey together. Our prayers are with you. We will ask for Victor’s intercessions for you.
Much love in Christ,
Michael & Maria Smith
Dearest Fr.Peter
I am thinking of you daily,and wanted you to know how much I love you.You have touched so many lives with yours,and have been a blessing to my family.I will continue to pray for God’s will in your life and please give my love to Marilyn.
With much fondness,Chris Haskin Sommer
Beloved Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
I first “met” you through the pages of a little book titled, “Love Is Now”, while spending several months of work and study at Grace Haven. In your beautifully articulate and down to earth style you helped reintroduce our Lord to me, which changed my life.
Then, as young newlyweds, while Dn. Richard attended St. Athanasius Academy, we had the good fortune of being placed in your home church. What a privilege it was to meet in your home weekly, to learn the meaning of Godliness in marriage and family, by observing you and Marilyn and your precious family, walking out the Gospel.
Most importantly, I am forever grateful for your part in leading us home, to our beloved, Holy Orthodox Church. Where would we be without your steadfast efforts to lead us home to her? I remember, on the glorious day of our Chrismation, here at St. Ignatius, I had the most profound feeling, that I had just washed up on shore, after having been lost at sea for all of my life. Home at last, with the rock solid foundation of the Church under me. This too, changed my life and I am so grateful for your hand in that.
Beloved Kh. Marilyn and Precious Family,
Thank you for the countless sacrifices you made as you made this journey with Fr. Peter. Thank you for sharing him with us, and for allowing him to Father so many. we are deeply indebted to you as well.
You will all remain in our prayers.
With great love,
Dn. Richard and Sh. Lisa Jones
You hopefully know the extent of your reach for the kingdom of God. Our prayers are with you. You showed me, and my family, Christ, and for that we will be ever grateful and thankful to God. I will be ordained a priest on August 6. I would greatly cherish your prayers – rest assured of our prayers for you.
Dn. Marty Watt
St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary
St. Paul Orthodox Church, Dayton, Ohio
St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Church, Memphis, Tennessee
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and Family,
Our family was blessed and privileged to be in attendance when Fr. Peter celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah in 1989. We offer prayers for comfort and thanksgiving for Fr. Peter’s life and dedication to the Holy Orthodox Faith.
In Christ,
Rebecca and Mike
Our thoughts and prayers up here at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Fort Wayne are with you. May the Lord have mercy!
Dear Fr. Peter,
All Saints Church has been a lifeline during my month-long stay in Bloomington – and even this is such a small part of the great legacy the Lord has built through you and your family! “Becoming Orthodox” was influential to both myself and my husband on our own journey to the church. I only wish we could have told you in person how indebted we are to you for sharing your story.
Gratefully yours,
Sarah (and Keith) Parker
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and Family,
It is overwhelming to read all of these beautiful messages to you at this difficult time. May it be a great joy to all of you to know how many lives you have touched and will continue to do so by your example and writings.
We were members of St. Stephen the Protomartyr Orthodox Church in NJ when your precious daughter-in-law, Kristina was a little girl. Through her wonderful family, we have come to know you and admire you so much.
Currently we attend St. Michael the Archangel in Louisville, KY, where Fr. Alexis Kouri and our parish family remember you in prayer.
May all of the countless prayers to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holy Mother, the Saints and the Holy Angels give you and yours peace and comfort at this time.
With Love in Christ,
Jennie and Richard
Fr Peter, I first met you shortly after you were received into Orthodoxy. You were so new that you didn’t know what to do when I asked you for your blessing. The search you led for the original Church, and the mass conversions which resulted, will forever be a milestone in the history of Orthodoxy on this continent. your example, yours preaching, and your books have helped lead many back to the Orthodox Church.
Dear Father Peter,
I never heard you speak or read your writings without being encouraged and inspired. Thank you for living a life of obedience to Him and for being such a blessing to the Orthodox Church.
Love and prayers,
Fran Presley
Texarkana, Texas
Dear Father Peter & Family,
Of course I pray for your healing and comfort and at the same time I want to thank you for always being so kind to me and setting such a positive example in drawing me nearer to Christ.
Peace and Love to you,
Craig Shallanberger
Fr. Peter,
Thank you for going ahead of us, for being a pioneer for many of us in the Evangelical world who would never have thought of becoming Orthodox. I will remember your friendship and your concern for the people of Hawaii.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Robert Irenaeus
Father Peter and Marilyn–
I barely know you, and yet I feel as though I know you very well. Your willingness to share yourselves has touched my family. I see you and Marilyn sitting in Liturgy–you in your straight chair with Christian beside you. When he would get a little too “jiggly” you would reach over and squeeze his shoulder along with a stern (?) look. Priceless.
Thank you for what you have done for all of us–Martha Dooley
Dear Father Peter!
Wishing you a blessed name day on this feast of Sts. Peter and Paul!
Love always,
Stephanie Theodora
Dear Father Peter,
Many, many years ago, in gratitude for your journey into & faithful presence within Christ’s holy Church, I painted an icon for you of our Savior. Every time our paths crossed you reminded me of that gift strategically placed within your home. Today I want to express the same gratitude & wish that accompanied this gift, that you continue to become in likeness the image of Christ. Foremost as his priest and whole man, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and continue to remember us before Our Father in heaven. “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. ‘Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’”
With love & remembrance,
John Lickwar
Fr. Peter and Family,
I had the wonderful opportunity of spending a day with you in Alexandria, VA some twenty years ago. You had invited a group of protestant and other pastors interested in exploring the Orthodox faith and I was one of those who attended. I am a pastor in Baltimore, MD and while not an Orthodox convert, so much of what you opened my eyes to that day and through your writing and correspondence has aided in my own spiritual formation. Our prayers are with you for God’s comfort and healing, whether in this world or that more perfect healing in the world to come.
God Bless,
Pastor Jeff Tomlinson
Church of God at Dundalk
Baltimore, Maryland
Dear Fr. Peter and family,
Blessed name day! You were remembered in the Divine Liturgy this morning, and continually in our hearts and prayers.
With love in Christ,
Fr. David Wey
Dear Father Peter,
Happy Name Day! I just lit a candle for you…many blessings!
Ann
Dear Fr. Peter,
Given your technophobia, I’ve resisted the temptation to add a comment here. Without me with you, who would print out all these messages for you? 8>) But I’m told that your ever-faithful wife and family are there reading to you, so I figured, what the hey.
Thank God for the great blessing you have been to me these past 26 years…..26 years this month, in fact. Especially thank you for the Church you invited me to join at Bridgeman’s ice cream parlor (no, not a frozen dessert cult), the theological school you encouraged me to attend in Santa Barbara (after 23 years, I’m kind of thinking it wasn’t such a bad move), and for the ministry you called me to perform at Ming Dynasty (no, not as the Kung Pao Preacher). You’ve been the key influence at arguably the three most critical decision points in my life. No wonder I’ve thought of you as more than just a priest and boss, but a father.
I’ve still got more life-changing decisions coming up, and since I seem to have a pretty good track record with you, I’d kind of like to have you around for those. I know you are looking forward to cashing in on that “retirement plan that’s out of this world”, and you’ve earned it many times over, but I for one believe there is much left here that you could accomplish, and we still sure could use your help. If it be His will, may the Lord heal you and restore you to full health and vigor. May it be, in keeping with the central goal of your life, to the glory of God.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be merciful to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace…
…and may He stretch forth His healing hand upon you. To the glory of God the Father.
Love,
Lange
Having read through many of the posts one realizes how difficult it is to say thank you and good bye. Words truly lack in the depth of our appreciation for all that you have done, dear and faithful servant. You were such a strong testimony to me during the Campus Crusade days along with now Fr. Jon and Fr. Richard of blessed memory. Who knew that I would be so fortunate to continue following in your footsteps. You have been a great example of doing the will of God and using your amazing gifts. Your booming voice and encouragement will be missed but your works will live on in the myriad lives you have touched. Our prayers are for you and your family that God may be glorified and you may all have great strength during this journey. Tom and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Until we meet again.
Love, Maye
Maye…. are you referring to Fr. Jon Braun? he is still with us. ;o)
Dear Father Peter,
Please know that you and all your family are in my prayers and those of my parish, that through the intercession of the Theotokos, Joy of All Who Sorrow, your pain and burdens may be lightened.
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
I am driving up with God’s grace and protection this afternoon and evening to be with you. My heart is heavy for you. May God grant Fr. Peter strength and relief from pain and a joyous entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Gordon and Kh. Mary Sue
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
Like so many who have posted above, we are offering prayers on your behalf and asking God, who never fails us, to reach His strong right arm out with comfort and joy for you. Truly, your ministry has been a ministry of love.
In our Risen Lord,
Fr. Gregory and Mka. Alexandra Safchuk
Dear Fr. Peter,
St. Vincent of Lerins says that all the Christian life is readying for death; thank you for teaching us throughout your life, but also in this your time of intense preparation. Your work spreading the Gospel will continue to bear fruit long after you have gone to your rest. Pray for our family as we pray for you.
Love in Christ,
Lucas, Stacey, Theodore and Genevieve Christensen
We all will miss you but, we will surely meet again. Pray for us when your in His presents and we will pray for you as well.
Even though I have never met Fr. Peter, he was very instrumental in my conversion to Orthodoxy in 1995. I bought many of his teaching tapes, books, and booklets on Orthodoxy back in the 1990s.. I remember his little booklet entitled Finishing the Race, which seems very appropriate now. Fr. Peter can echo what the Apostle Paul stated when he said, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race.” Fr. Peter will always have a very special place in my heart and in my prayers. I will most definitely pray for Fr. Peter at this time, as well as his family. You have been blessed to have a wonderful man of God in your family!
May the Lord God comfort you and protect you in these trying times! Fr Peter was worthy of his name; may the holy Apostle Peter embrace him in God’s time. May all of us who have come to know and love Fr Peter be reminded to uphold him in our prayers!
Father Peter,
You and your entire family are in my prayers and in the prayers of our
parish. My friend and brother in the faith, Father Daniel of Evansville, IN told me of your struggles and current condition. Thank you for being an encouragement to us, and the faithful of the Church of our Lord and Savior.
Jesus Christ IS the Victor over sin, death, and the grave. His grace is
truly sufficient, for you and your family and us all, as we walk in faith towards
the light and joy of heaven.
Truly, He grants us His resurrection victory by His word of promise- through
the power of the Holy Spirit. Father Peter, may the power and presence and peace of the Lord Jesus be with you and your loved ones at this time!
In the love of our Thrice Holy God,
Rev. Christopher Cole
Redeemer Lutheran Church and School
Pensacola, FL
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NKJV) “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn, and Family,
Please take comfort in knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ is with you always as are our prayers that He give you and your family strength and peace of soul at this time. Your friendship and guidance have meant a great deal to us, and we, and many others who have met you here in Cedar Rapids, IA, think of you fondly. You have touched so many lives and we are forever grateful to our most gracious Lord for giving us the opportunity to know you and learn from you. May God bless you. your family, and all those whom you have touched and brought to the faith.
With love in Christ,
Fr. Elias and Kh. Irene Khouri
May the Lord keep you in His divine grace. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Fr. Peter & Mainilyn,
We are praying for you all. We have always been thankful for you and praying for you and will never stop praying for you. There have been many god-sends like you folks sent into our lives. Fr. Peter, you rank way up there with us. You are one of the very best friends we ever had in all the years of our Christian struggle and pilgrimage. I can never forget how you personally sought me out as a friend and blessed us both with your love clear back from 1967 at Blue Jay with Fr. Jon & Maryellen. You were and are one of the best encouragements I ever had in what time we ever had together. Thank you so much. Love and prayers for you and yours always. Harvey & Linda Gish
God bless you, Fr. Peter. My wife and I have pleasant memories from meeting you at O’Hare in the late 80s and folding you into our tiny two-door stick-shift late-70s Toyota Corolla
You were such a good sport, and so kind to us.
Thank you for your prayers.
Dear Father Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
It has been a great blessing for us to become acquanited with you over the last few years and an honor to welcome you in our home. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices you made to go before us and make a path for us to follow to the Orthodox Church. Thank you for your friendship. Our prayers are with you and your family. May God give us the grace to follow in your footsteps and be found faithful.
Tom & Sylvia Singleton
Fr. Peter, how awesome it is to read these posts. How fortunate are we who were blessed to be taught by you. Lives were changed – and will continue to be changed -because of your powerful witness. Thank you. May God bless and comfort you and your family.
Maryalice Cook
Father and Family,
My wife and I are inquirers with Orthodox Church. The seed was planted in me several years ago after I read Becoming Orthodox. We have joined so many churches over the years. We think we have found our home in an Orthodox Church in Greensburg, PA. Our prayers are with you and your family. I know from my experience not to place hope in individuals, but I truly believe God placed your book in our lives. Thank you so much for your life in the Orthodox Church.
Father Peter and Marilyn,
Blessed Feast of Saints PETER and Paul! As I think of Father Peter going home to Jesus, I picture him playing a guitar and singing, “Jesus, I hear you’ve got a big house, where I can have a room of my own….” And I picture you baptizing Father Basil outdoors in the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Jackson, Mississippi on a chilly March day back in the 1970s. I remember arguing with you over silly things like collars and cassocks. And I remember the joy of serving (briefly) with you on the board of AGAIN Magazine in its early years. Father Basil remembers meeting you at Jack and Kelly Oates’ house in Oxford (Mississippi) in 1969 and listening to you talk about looking for the first century church. Little did he know that just a few years later we would join you in that journey. Thank you for your labors in helping the churches in Jackson and Memphis find our home in Orthodoxy. Father Basil loved seeing you and Marilyn in Jackson a few weeks ago for St. Peter’s 25th anniversary. Please ask Jesus to save a room for us. We love you.
Father Basil and Susan Cushman
St. John, Memphis
An eager, hopeful, heavy bright sadness. Heartbreak that is the natural consequence of an enormous, shared human love in this fallen world. The urge to curl fingers over the horizon, pry it back, and pin it beneath this great champion. What great admiration and gratitute we all share for this precious man of God and the queen of his life.
On the great Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, and as we look toward the Feast of the Synaxis of the Apostles tomorrow, let us continue to pray “in one accord” for mercy, peace, health, salvation, pardon and forgiveness of sins for Fr. Peter Edward, that he will be found blameless before the Judgement Seat of our Merciful Lord, and that he will, even now, be granted a foretaste of the Paradise that awaits all those who surrender fully to the call of Christ Jesus on their lives.
The infectious humor, witty encouragement, emboldened preaching, accessible narratives, expert advice, and tremendous spirit of affection and generosity we hold so dear in our memories of time spent with this enlisted soldier are trumped by his unapologetic devotion to speaking the Truth that is Christ with the Love that is Christ. This is a legacy we are each compelled to honor in imitation of God’s priest who has already lived, and will soon live most fully, in obedience to the One Who loved us and gave Himself for us.
May Christ our True God, through the intercessions of His Most Holy Mother and all the saints, especially the Holy Apostles whose memories we celebrate today, receive into His Kingdom the soul of His servant, the Archpriest Peter Edward, in a place where there is no sorrow or sighing, but Life Everlasting.
Thank God that “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” May we pick up intercessory steam and pray like an army, brothers and sisters.
Yours in the very Destroyer of the Grave,
Kh. Kristina Gillquist
Love this Kh. K!!!!
For over 40 years we have listened to your words of spiritual direction and encouragement. We started on reel to reel tapes then cassettes and finally moved on to the internet. Best of all were those in person. The echo of those talks continues to reverberate direction and encouragement in our minds and hearts. Thank you for your time and energy given to build the churches we so often take for granted. Your sacrifices were deep and affected all of your family. We thank God for the Grace he has given you through all of this. Your entire life and that of your faithful family has been a living example of the race God gives us to run. Our prayers go out to God that your frequent encouragement to persevere until God gives the “second wind” will be yours as you crest the last hill and see the face of the One waiting at the finish line for you.
Love in our Risen Lord
Dn James and Corinne Elliott
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
On this Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, we have such a mixed experience of joy and pain. We rejoice in the Holy Apostles faith and perserverence and success in spite of such testing and torment. We are so blessed by the embrace of our Holy Mother Church of Antioch yet sorrow in her present and upcoming passion in Syria and beyond. We are so thankful for all you two have shared and given us, leading so many of us to the true Faith and the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, yet even if it means following in the footsteps of our Lord and His Apostles in picking up your cross and following Him. We grieve for your current passion and pray for your family that they can be the comfort to you at this time like the Virgin Mary, St. John and the Holy Women Disciples of the Lord, who could not take Jesus off the Cross, but could offer their comforting presence in the midst of all His pain. We pray for all God’s Mercy and Grace for you and your family at this time. We so miss the wonderful times spent in the basement apartment at your home in Goleta, and sharing your wonderful steaks and adding our “two-buck chuck” to the menu! Kh. Marilyn’s soup is still our favorite and shared with all. We love you and are so thankful for the mercy and grace and privilage of having been able to share in your teaching, your hospitality and your very persons. We love you both so much and love all of your family.
You are a great testimony of your faith in action, that has transcended from you through your children in your family right down to your amazing faithful, devout and active Orthodox grandchildren. That in my book is the greatest witness of success. All our continued love and prayers. Christ is Risen! Blessed Feast!
Fr. John, Kh. Christina, Anastasia and Elizabeth Reimann
Fr. John – I cannot tell you how much your words strengthened me, my sister, and my mom during Dad’s last two days on this earth, as we kept vigil at his bedside. Love to your family – WENDY
Father Peter,
I met you in the late 1970s when you would visit Nashville, TN and I always looked forward to your visits. Later, I would even see you at Thomas Nelson where I did some part-time work and became acquainted with Wendy, your secretary. Since hearing the news of your illness over a week ago, you and your family have been in my prayers many times each day. I am very grateful to Fr. Peter Jon for this website so all of us who love you know what’s going on. It has been such a blessing to read through the comments and see that you have touched so many lives, along with mine. Since reading Father Gordon’s comment that he was on his way to be with you, I have prayed for his safe arrival. If Father Jon Braun is there with you and Father Gordon Walker, that’s a glimpse of heaven in my mind since you are three of the godliest men I’ve ever known. I will continue to pray for you, Kh. Marilyn and your entire family.
Love,
Bertie
St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church
Franklin, TN
May celebrating & following The Apostles’ way of life today be continued strength to you on the journey through this life in continued witness of His Goodness, Life & Light–way past the sufferings & sorrows, struggles & challenges, and beyond what you could not yourself physically reach.
We stand with you & your family, lighting lights and praying The Lord’s comfort and peace be yours always. This is a gift you deliver repeatedly through your indelible presence, loving & constant big embrace, and all of the encouraging words yet silently repeated when most needed. Asking your continued prayers for us, and your blessing, always
~Margo
You all are in my thoughts and prayers each and every day. Fr. Peter has been such and enrichment in my life and such a blessing to Jennifer Gillquist, my daughter and wife of Greg Gillquist. Fr. Peter is “light”.
Lovingly, Astrid “Teri”
Fr. Peter Jon and Kh. Kristina and Kh Marilyn….
We are with you in prayer when Fr. Peter wakes up…..!
Grace and love….Mother Galina
Father Peter and Marilyn,
We are praying for you and your family. We’ve enjoyed your visits and joy of life. The Catechism classes you and Father Peter Jon taught were eagerly anticipated highlights of last winter. By degrees and somewhat to our surprise we too are “Becoming Orthodox.” Your work continues.
Dan, Jennifer, Ava and Tristan Rigsby
Beloved Fr. Peter,
You led us in Alaska from guitars to the Divine Liturgy. We cannot thank you enough for leading us to Orthodoxy with the support of Kh. Marilyn. You and all your family are in our unworthy prayers. May the Lord give you His mercy and encouragement. But keep leading us! We want to be together in the Heavenly Mansions!
Dear Fr. Peter and family,
All of the Tillman family is praying for you. We bless God for you and the many kindnesses you have shown us.
Dear Fr. Peter and Family,
We just learned of Father Peter’s condition today. HIs book, The Physical Side of Being Spiritual was an important stage in our journey into the Orthodox Church. I’ve often wished I had met and thanked him in person. But as we pray for him today, we’ll make a point of offering up thanksgiving to God for that early book and for all the subsequent books, pamphlets, and other forms of evangelistic service that led so many to the full light of Christ’s truth in Orthodoxy. I trust that it is a comfort to you, his family members–and to him–that you must get a lot of notes like this. In a very real sense, Fr. Peter will be able to say to our Lord, “Here am I and the children God gave me.”
May the peace of Christ be on all of you, and especially you, Fr. Peter.
Brian and Sue McDonald
My prayers are with you, Fr. Peter and family. I had the honor of learning from you as a student in the House of Studies, and when you came to the mission parish of St Luke the Evangelist in Solon, OH. Peace.
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn, and Gillquist family,
I wanted to take the time to say how much Fr. Peter has meant to me and to St. Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church in Madison, MS over the years. I am so incredibly grateful for his faithful service to the Orthodox Church and for assisting us in our journey to Orthodoxy and our love for Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am deeply touched that he and Kh. Marilyn made the journey to Madison, MS in early May to join us in the 25th anniversary celebration…especially in light of what has transpired since then. I will always treasure those memories.
I know what it is like to watch a dear loved one ailing in health and to feel torn with conflicting emotions. It is so incredibly difficult in such serious circumstances to let go and to trust that the Lord knows what’s best for us far better than we do, and that He will give us what we need when we need it. It’s difficult to feel torn between praying for Fr. Peter’s release from suffering and, at the same time, our desire to have him with us still. God’s timing and ways are sometimes mysterious to us, but everything happens for a reason and some good comes out of every situation – no matter how tough it may seem to be at the present moment. He will not give us more than we can handle, and He will give us the strength and courage to cope with whatever situations may arise.
Y’all are in our thoughts and prayers!
Much Love,
Joanna Meadows Davis
Dearest Fr. Peter, Marilyn, and all of your dear family members — We are humbled beyond words that you are permitting us to be a part of your final journey together. We are blessed to be able to check in several times a day and view the loving comments sent by so many. How we would love to be by your side, joining in the singng and prayers.
As our minds reflect on our past together and how you were part of our life-changing journey that began nearly 40 years ago, we also remember the sweetness of the days when I would receive dictation from you, Fr. Peter, while you were still in Nashville — before we really even met. It made me feel a part of your ministry. Then, after you moved to Isla Vista — right across the street from us, it was such a joy to have you drop by in the evening to see if Pat was watching a game on TV, that the 2 of you could enjoy together (even if you were cheering on opposite teams).
Our children were in and out of your house with great frequency — especially Lesley (Sr. Ephraimia) with Heidi and then Terri taking Joe under her loving care for several years. Oh, the sweetness of those memories.
Words fail us in conveying our love and deep, deep appreciation of your life and ministry — and continuing through the lives of your children, and their generosity in sharing these final days of your blessed life with all of us.
May the True Peace that passes all human understanding surround you all in these hallowed moments, and we ask once again for your continued prayers on our behalf before the Great Judge, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
We remain grateful to you all. Lovingly, Pat & Linda
When I was a child I was always proud (got me, I’ve sinned) because I knew and had access to the “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”. Fr. Jack Sparks, Fr. Richard Ballew, Fr. Harold Dunaway, Fr. Jon Braun, and Fr. Peter Gillquist are superheroes. It’s that simple. Fr. Jon is my grandfather so just trust me…I know. But should you doubt it, just look at the stature of Fr. Peter. Think back to any homily he’s ever given and you’ll not be able to show me one that lacks otherworldly wisdom and clarity. His booming voice carrying words to you with such force you almost brace for impact, yet they actually embrace you with a paternal gentility.
This group of men turned away from a path that surely led to wealth and power in the mainstream evangelical circuit so they could instead pick a fight with the leaders of the best-kept-secret in Christianity: The Orthodox Church. Relentlessly they searched. They learned new languages just to crack the code. Eventually they tracked it down and turned a lukewarm welcome into a movement. An Orthodox Church brought out of the shadows for thousands upon thousands of people, even a ragtag group in Isla Vista. A group from backgrounds so diverse that only a universal truth, ethos, and religion could bond them for generations. That is a superhuman feat of awesome awesomeness.
It’s hard to live up to standards set by superheroes. I know I’ll never measure up. But there are others who have taken the flame that Fr. Peter and his League of Extraordinary Gentlemen have lit and they carry it on. And now, generations later (but in time to witness while on this earth!) the fire they lit those many years ago now burns brighter than ever, and continues to grow ever stronger as their message consumes the hearts and minds of so many whom it reaches.
Thank you, Fr. Peter. For providing me direction in eveything from not playing with matches (I’m really glad Fr. Peter Jr. and I didn’t burn down your house that day) to spiritual guidance. It will be a great sorrow to not have you here with us, most of all for your family, but soon the mysteries will be revealed to you. Then you can watch over us in a different way, and it won’t be long before we’re all together again in the next life.
You brought more happiness and peace to this world than a thousand men, it is fitting that you are in a peaceful and comforting place surrounded by family and with all those you’ve touched praying for you. My final wish is for a painless passing, and for God to provide strength to your family in this difficult phase in our path through life.
With all of our love,
Joshua, Dayli, Kalix, Gage, and Zennia Braun
Beautiful message…I was not blessed to meet Fr. Peter in this life, but he is dear to me in my heart for leading me into Orthodoxy through his example and books that he wrote. Your post was a sweet blessing to me.
Thank you, Beth Anne
Thank you for your beautiful comments. We will miss Fr. Peter. Whenever I had an opportunity to hear him speak, I took it. I had the great honor and privilege of meeting both Fr. Peter and and Fr. Gordon. Throughout the years they have taught us all so much and led us into a deeper communion with our Lord and His Church.
Now I will think of Fr. Peter, Fr. Gordon, Fr. Jack Sparks, Fr. Richard Ballew, Fr. Harold Dunaway, and Fr. Jon Braun as the real League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, for so they were. May Father Peter’s memory be eternal!
In my hasty post I neglected to includ Fr. Gordon Walker in The League. I beg his pardon!
My family and I are in prayer for Father Peter, to whom we owe more than we can count or understand.
The Lord bless him and his family in this difficult hour.
Fr. Peter,
My words are so inadequate. All I can utter is “thank you.” Your writings and witness helped enter me into the Orthodox faith. By God’s mercy and grace, may the Peace which flows from the Life-Giving Holy Trinity continue to pour out upon you. Keeping you and your family in my feeble prayers.
Father Peter,
Your book, “Becoming Orthodox,” was instrumental in bringing me into the Orthodox faith, starting in 1997. I have met you several times at St. Paul in Brier, Washington, and when you spoke in Snohomish. I’ve also had the pleasure of chatting with your son, Peter Jon, about music several times before he entered the priesthood.
You are in our prayers. Thank you for your dedicated ministry which has impacted thousands of people.
God be with you on your journey.
Fr. Peter, my prayers are with you and your family. I was part of the 2,000 from the EOC that joined the Orthodox Church in 1986. I am now in the Atlanta area going to St. Elias. I am reading your manual “Bringing America to Orthodoxy” because I am involved in starting an Orthodox mission. I’m sure it will help us a lot. I Thank you God for your wisdom and all you have done to promote Evangelism in the Orthodox church. God bless and comfort you.
We’re praying out here in Alpine, Texas, for Fr. Peter. We’re an OCA mission and your witness is definitely part of the Journey to Orthodoxy for many of us!
Almost anybody who is Orthodox in America today, whether a convert, revert, or cradle owes a debt of gratitude to Fr. Peter Gillquist. Memory Eternal.
Fr. John Filipovich
Beloved Fr. Peter, I am so sorry we have lost touch over the years; learning of your illness grieves me deeply. You have been an integral part of my spiritual journey, and have brought many blessings to a multitude of people, especially myself and my family. I get a warm heart remembering our journey from the early days in Grand Junction, TN into Orthodoxy. Thank you for being such an influential part of my life! I thank God for you and your friendship. Grace and Peace, Dale Autrey
Thank you, Father Peter for traveling to Madison, MS in May, for the insiring message you delivered there at St Peter’s, and for signing my Orthodox Study Bible. Being new to Orthodoxy, I know enough about the history of Orthodoxy in America to know that your leadership in the 70′s and 80′s has greaty influenced the growth of the Church. And I thank God for your life.
Paula Sartor
Dear Fr. Peter
You continue to work. I have never been very vigilent in my prayers. Since I have found this site I am reminded to say my prayers twice a day. Thank you Fr. Peter for your love of God, and your witness. May St. Peter welcome you with open arms. May the Holy Spirit keep your family safe in his arms as they go through this time of stress. God Bless.
Praying for you and your family, Father Peter.
Several years ago you spoke in our parish in Eugene, Oregon. We were disillusioned protestants checking out Orthodoxy, and my husband asked a question after your talk. Later you inquired as to who we were and said you’d like to come talk with us. You sat in our home and answered many of our questions, sharing your love and life with us for a few hours. Today we have been Orthodox for over four years. Thank you for seeking us out that day!
So glad you are surrounded by your family, the angels, and the saints. May God grant you peace and rest.
Elias (Erik) and Rebeca
Dear Godmother and Father Peter,
I am praying for you. The love between you two is such an example for me! I love you both! May God comfort you and keep you in the palm of his right hand.
Love,
Anastasia Trenham
Dearest Fr Peter, Kh Marilyn and family,
We are praying for your peaceful journey, knowing you are leading the way for us as you have for so many years. We remember the encouraging homilies and teachings where you used analogies of sports, teamwork and coaching. Not being sports fans ourselves, the references didn’t always reach us, but we knew for sure we wanted to be on YOUR team, following Christ. Thank you for your big, warm loving presence in our lives. May our heavenly Father comfort us all as and keep our eyes on the narrow path.
Loving prayers for all your wonderful family,
Harold and Barbara
Fr. Peter and family,
The weekend you and Kh. Marilyn moved to Bloomington, I remember seeing you at coffee hour and thinking, “Oh, wow! That’s the ‘Becoming Orthodox’ guy! But there’s no way he’d be interested in talking with me…” I am pleased to say how wrong I was. So wrong, in fact, that either that week or the next you made time to join the table of the Career/Newly Weds and really get to know us. Your interest was that we use our gifts and talents to serve Christ and His Church. I have continued to be blessed these three years by the hospitality that you and Kh. Marilyn so freely offer in addition to your prayers.
It is a blessing to read some of the above comments and get a sense of the wonderful life God has given you. May these last days be filled with “the Peace that passes all understanding.” Whenever you are called Home, I will greatly miss you and the loving guidance you give to our All Saints community. Until that time, it is an honor to pray for you and your family.
In Christ’s Love,
Laura
Dearest Father Peter, Kh Marilyn and family,
We have come to our computer daily wanting to write to you. We have found ourselves at a loss for words. Our hearts ache that you are sick. We pray for a miracle and yet the miracle for us was when your family moved to Bloomington. You have been such a wonderful model for us and our children-loving and gracious and a true father figure to us all. We love you and will continue to pray.
Praise God in all his wisdom!
The Alexander family
As I’ve been thinking about you all, a hymn keeps running through my mind. It’s not an Orthodox hymn, but I imagine it will be familiar. Our payers and thought are with your family.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story; this is my song: Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story; this is my song: Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight:
Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
This is my story; this is my song: Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story; this is my song: Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest:
Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in his love.
This is my story; this is my song: Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story; this is my song: Praising my Savior all the day long.
Father Peter,
You have done well. I carry your writings in our bookstore and they are purchased frequently. You have taught thousands much about our Holy Orthodox Church. May our Lord Jesus Christ grant you strength and peace through your faith!
In Christ,
Jerry Takis
Nativity of the Virgin Mary GOC
Plymouth, MI
Dearast Fr Peter,
All these letters to you and your family are so dear. Your example of living the Christain faith will live on forever in our lives. I wish we could be there to hold your hand and say thank you. At St A recently we watched the video Coming Home and it brought tears to my eyes….you all including Fr Jack and Fr Richard of blessed memory had such faith. Thank you for your example of great faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Your are truly going home now and our love and prayers are with you and your family daily. May peace and love be with you as our dear Lord calls you home now with Fr Richard and Fr Jack. In His Abiding Love, Janni
Greetings Father Peter,
My Augie and I came to visit you last Friday evening. It was a treat to see your Augie and my Augie get together…dog and bird (who would have thought??). They seemed to get along just fine! I’m sorry you were sleeping at the time, but I was just so glad to see you and to visit with Marilyn and other members of your great family.
Standing with you and your family, you have the power of the fraternity and of the macaws together with the divine power of the Lord. I have said this before, but want to say it again — I can’t tell you how much you have helped me, personally and with and through me as we have had to come to the aid of many undergraduates that needed help in various ways. The power and wisdom you thankfully possess is incredible.
They power of prayers continue to come your way…
In the Bonds,
Fred
I recently read your book and it has been very helpful for me on my journey as I am considering / encountering Orthodoxy. I have been in communication with Fr. Frisby in Northwest Indiana and he recommended your book to me along with some others. Thank you for writing your story and for living a life unto the glory of God. My prayers are with you and your family.
Father Peter,
As so many have already stated, you have touched our lives profoundly. Your Spirit-filled words helped lead us home to the Orthodox Faith, and I am confident that I would not be a Christian today if not for your work, and the testimony of your love & life. Our fervent prayers are with you and your family.
With love in Christ,
Matt + Erin Wells
Dear Fr. Peter & Marilyn,
Praying and thinking of you both and your entire family. God bless and strengthen you all.
In Christ,
Jean Sam
We met you many years ago ,at Holy Reserection Orthodox Church in Jackson,Ms.during your early journey and again at St George Antiochian Orthodox Church ,Vicksburg,MS .and have followed your journey . May your journey ahead be peaceful and lead the way for us. Vivian and I are in our 80′s and not well please pray for us and hope we meet again. Rest in Peace . We pray for God to lay is healing hand on you so we may have you with us longer.
Father Peter and family, you are all in my prayers. As with many other converts to Orthodoxy, my journey began with Father Peter. He was visiting here in Canada and a coworker invited me to come hear him speak. The joy and whole-heartedness of his faith was so overwhelming, but welcoming and encouraging. I then proceeded to devour his book, “Becoming Orthodox,” and many others, and found a home in the Orthodox Church. If it wasn’t for my trip to hear him speak, I may never have made the friends I made, who then introduced me to my future husband.
It gives me such joy to raise our daughter in the Orthodox church and I think of my journey to Orthodoxy often, which always includes Father Peter.
Prayers of peace to you, Father Peter.
Dear Fr Peter and family,
I recall the first time we met, Bill Apple, Bob Purefoy and (then) Peter. It was at my home on Paupers Alley. Little did I know the tremendous pleasure that was to follow. You stepped into the midst of a beehive the Charasmatic fever we had. For me that passed in a couple of years. I was always amazed at your tolerence for that and for your leadership, Marilyn doing her part with women’s Bible study and piano at school.
You became my spiritual father at fifteen years my junior and I appreciate all you have done for the many lives you have touched.
You often said “It was love at first sight”, and so it was with me. Our tennis matches, our times exchanged with your family, hauling wood with Trouble sitting in my lap!!. Four year old Terri pushing a lawn mower down to Mrs, Taylor’s house to ask me if I could start it for her and being chief baby sitter for Hiedi. Wendy, was a fairy princess to me; Ginger always on stage HOLLYWOOD! Greg needing a few more bumps than he got; Hiedi a pretty toddler and PJ who was gone to CA at a young age. He was such a fine considerate boy when we visited you in CA.
Thanks for all the lives you have touched and for leading us into OHCAC.
You and each member of your family are treasured in my heart.
Love, Buddy
Dear Buddy,
Seeing your note reminds me of the hospitality you and your dear wife offered Linda and I so we could build our relationship with Fr. Peter and others in the peace of Grand Junction. You too changed our lives.
Fr. Peter, we love you and are praying for you. Christ is with you and in you, now and ever and unto ages of ages. This, we know.
We pray for your loving family as well.
We and many we know have benefitted so much from your work. We have been blessed to read your writing, meet and hear you, and speak with you, and hear you on AFR as well. It was so good of you to come to speak to and inspire us, last year, during Great Lent, at St. Raph’s mission parish in Chantilly. We love you so much.
May the Lord strengthen your family, and grant you healing, and unending joy in Him.
Fr. Peter and family,
At the beginning of my inquiry into the Orthodox Christian faith, I had the thought, “If he’s the director of missions and evangelism for the church, then perhaps he will be the person to advise me on what I should do.” I wrote him a letter introducing myself and telling him my situation. He replied with a note of introduction putting me in touch with a local priest who was a longtime friend of his. The fact that he took me seriously and was willing to give me counsel is a very big part of why I am Orthodox now. Three years later we finally got to meet, and it wasn’t long after that he moved here.
It has been such a blessing to have all of you in our lives. Fr. Peter, you and yours are in my prayers as you are called home, I pray that your transition be peaceful and painless, and I ask that the Barretts continue to be in your prayers as you join your voice to the choirs of the heavenly liturgy. Thank you so much for your witness and your love.
In Christ,
Richard Barrett
(we have typed this for Kh. Sylvia Ballew, as she doesn’t have internet, and we print up updates for her)
Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
I have been very blessed & encouraged as the Gillquist family is drawing us all to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. Love & prayers, Kh. Sylvia Ballew & family
Father Peter,
I just moved here to Bloomington and to All Saints, so I don’t think you and I have met. But from day one, my husband and I have felt the tremendous love in this community you have helped to build. Later, I was struck by your incredible courage on the day you announced to the parish that your illness had returned. I listened to you and saw the reaction of this wonderful church family and thought, “Here in this place is the kingdom of God.” It was a moment I will never forget; it taught me much about what it means to be a Christian in these times. In the face of evil, we must have courage. In tribulation, strength. In adversity, faithfulness. In all situations, love.
Thank you for the incredible work you have done for Christ’s kingdom. We are praying for you and your family every moment we can.
In the love of God our Father,
-Elyse (and Bryce) Buffenbarger
Dearest Father Peter,
We continue to pray for you and your family.
Much love,
The Piszczek family
Fr Peter, Kh Marilyn and Family,
Many prayers were offered up at this werkend’s Diocese of Toledo PLC in Chicago.
We love ypu with the love of the Lord.
An unworthy Priest
Fr Daniel Hackney
Father Peter,
You were the MOST inspirational force in my spiritual upbringing. As a kid, you made church and the spiritual life very real to me. You emphasized the church as being the Kingdom of God on earth and you always sat in the back- as if you were the greeter into the Kingdom. I only expect the same from you in the eternal one.
See you then,
Michael Easbey
Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
Please know that you are all in the prayers of the women of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast.
Fr. Peter, you have served Christ and His Body with faith and love. Thank you for teaching us all to share Christ with those who do not know Him. May you hear the beautiful words, “Welcome Home,” sung as you finish the race.
Love in Christ,
Dorothy Tampary, representing the Antiochian Women of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast
Finish the race! Amen! Amen! Amen! I remember well Fr. Peter preaching on that theme and it has stayed with me over all these years! Thank you, Fr. Peter, for helping us on our journey into Orthodoxy! Pray for us from Heaven! You have been in our daily prayers at Holy Trinity, Santa Fe, and will continue to be.
With much love in Christ our God,
Fr. John Bethancourt
Dear Father Peter,
My heart is saddened for your sickness, and I pray God’s peace upon you and especially upon Kh. Marilyn as she holds your hand. I’m thankful to have met you, both back then, at the house of Father Gordon many years ago, almost 40 years.
“What a Wonderful Life” you showed us to live! Indeed it has been after you are “IN” the Church. Looking inside you do not understand, looking out, you cannot explain, but BEING IN is another world. I’m constantly amazed of what I learn daily.
Deacon Edward heard those words “Bloom Where You’re Planted” and resonated well in his heart and in mine also. You took that phrase from some author and applied it to ourselves in that time. It makes sense still as not to be nomads.
I’m growing! Every time I attend Great Vespers, I feel green leaves growing around me, The Divine Service is filling my heart with the Living Waters of Life, the midweek Vespers keeps me fertilized constantly, knowing that the teaching and example of all who follow Christ keeps me grounded.
Thank you for your faithfulness and energy of Joy!
Coming from another country and finding the Pearl of Great Price in middle Tennessee is a miracle of miracles, with your teaching in my heart I thank all of the Extraordinary Men who showed me how to live In the Church.
With God’s Grace I will continue to serve in His Church,
Much love and remembrance, Sh. Myrna
Dearest Gillquist family,
Our prayers and tears are with you all this evening.
MUCH love,
the Sokolov Family
Dear Fr. Peter and family,
Our prayers are with you all. Fr. Peter, thank you for sharing your life and faith with my husband, Gary. He sought the true Faith because of your encouragement so now, you share in his ministry at Penn State. God be with you and your family.
Love and prayers,
Karen Cattell
Fr. Peter Jon & Family,
Prayers are with you and especially with Fr. Peter. I count him as a dear friend and I thank God for the blessing of knowing him.
+fr.andrew
Abouna Peter.
The online community of the Byzantine Forum, Eastern & Oriental Catholics and Orthodox, as well as Latins and Protestants with a profound love of the East, have closely followed your journey as you prepare to serve at the Holy Table of Heaven. You are and will remain in our prayers, both that the Lord Who is All-Merciful and the Lover of Mankind, leads you to a place where there is neither weeping nor sighing, but only life everlasting, and that the Holy Theotokos envelop Khouria Marilyn and all of your family in her Mantle of Protection.
Dear Father Peter,
We read watched you in a video and later read your book. God led us joyfully into the Orthodox Church as a family 2 years ago at St George Orthodox Church Portland OR. Thank you for paving a way for us all to come into the fullness of the faith. Our prayers and love are with you and your family.
In love,
The Buckley Family
Portland OR
Dear Gillquist Family,
Although I know it must be difficult, thank you so much for sharing these intimate moments with all of us. In a way, it could possibly be helping you to commit these experiences to the written word. But, nevertheless, allowing all of us to be a part of Fr. Peter’s last days is a very big blessing for those of us, who cannot be with him and you. He and all of you are in our prayers for our merciful Lord to help and comfort.
With so much love,
Damon and Carol Halkias
(Who first met you when you were “Bishop” Peter and had come to visit Bishop Maximos in Pittsburgh)
I’ve known Father Peter since our Campus Crusade days, beginning in 1964. He’s one of the best men I’ve ever known, and I’m proud to have been his friend—Jack Watts
Dear Fr. Peter and Pres. Marilyn,
We are very thankful to God for the blessing of our friendship and the influence you have had in our lives. Your love for God has inspired us in our own journey. We have been influenced by how you have allowed God to use you for His Kingdom and for His glory. Thank you for being faithful servants of the Almighty God. We are with you through prayer in these hard yet beautiful days. We pray for a Christian ending of your life Fr. Peter painless, blameless and peaceful. It is a great blessing to accompany a loved one to the gates of heaven. Thank you to your family who are blessing us by allowing us to be part of this journey through this network.
Fr. Peter we love you very much! You will be dearly missed.
With love in Christ,
Nathan and Gabriela Hoppe
Fr. Peter, Marilyn and Family
My prayers as well as the whole church are with you. Thank you for setting the example for all of us to follow. You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race. You will remain in my heart and prayers forever. Thank you Marilyn for sharing all of this. With great Love Duane
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you have been encouraged by all the responses and shared memories and we are pleased to be able to tell you that we also have our wonderful, personal memories of him. His ministry has been and will continue to be far-reaching. May light perpetual shine on you all.
Our prayers are with your entire family as the candle burns on our home altar for you all. May Fr. Peter’s final journey be peaceful. We love you so much and are so thankful to Fr. Peter Jon for allowing all of us to be a part of this journey through the parish website!
With bright sadness,
Jill Mary and family
Dear Fr. Peter,
” I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.” Philipians 1:3.
Dear Fr. Peter and Family,
I hope you know how much we all love you. It’s no exageration to say that would probably never have found the Ancient Faith if not for you and your work for the Kingdom.
Diane just reminded me of the late night Trivial Pursuit competitions we had with my mother and you, back in the days when Holy Resurrection was in worshipping in Gary, Indiana. My mother left these Shadowlands back in May of 2010. I freely admit that I’m much too wordly and ignorant to know what actually “happens” in Paradise… but if there are any Trivial Pursuit games going on, I’d bet my mother has saved a spot for you on her team. Okay… I know, I know. Trivial Pursuit boardgames are about as trivial as it gets, when compared to timeless, endless worship of our Holy God. But I just couldn’t help but wonder.
I want you to know that the late night talks I shared with you, Fr. Gordan, Fr. Weldon, Fr. Richard, Fr. Jon and Fr. Jack… sustained me these many years. The early 80′s almost feels like yesterday as I sit back and ponder.
Well… as usual, I’m babbling. I really don’t know what to say other than you’ve been a hero and a friend and a light in the darkness.
I regret so deeply that Diane and I, along with Allison (who loved bouncing on your knee and singing) Michelle and Seth (who called one night from Alaska to tell me he just “met this guy who knew Johnny Cash”) and my five grandchildren never made the short drive down to Bloomington to worship with you, Fr. Peter Jon, and your wonderful family. We talked about it… but never pulled the trigger. From now on, I’m going to do my best to act more, and talk less. Now THERE’S a challenge.
Please pray for all of us and know that Holy Resurrection will be praying for you.
This last part may seem silly. I have no idea if you can even actually listen to music, but here is a link to Allison (or Ali, as you always called her) singing a silly little cover song, which she sang for Michelle’s wedding reception, years ago. And after that is an AMAZING recording of a dear friend of our family singing a CeCe Winans song, called Alibaster Box. I think you’ll find meaning in both.
http://www.mitchbright.com/music/thewayiam.mp3
http://www.mitchbright.com/music/alibaster-box.mp3
In Jesus Christ our Risen Lord,
Mitch, a sinner
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church – Hobart, Indiana
What a journey. What a witness, now as much as ever. May our most merciful Lord continue to bless you all at this time. Fr. Peter, your ministry for the Church will not cease. We know you will pray for us all before the throne of Christ our God!
I love Fr. Peter for being an enthusiastic saint in service of our Lord. From the first time I met him at Chicago’s Lawson YMCA when he was explaining to us college kids how to tell people about Christ, to his speaking at retreats at the University of Iowa, to our time together at Thomas Nelson, to walking along the Pacific Ocean, to the last time I talked to him — about friends, about family, about worship, and about the Lord. Marilyn, Lois and I will be praying for you and your family. May God bless you.
Dear Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn and family,
“‘In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’” (John 16:33) This is my favorite Bible verse, and I firmly believe that it applies to this situation.
I have been told by my parents, Fr. John and Kh. Christina Reimann, that I met you when I was a little girl. Though those memories are difficult to recall, I do remember seeing Father Gillquist’s famous name on so many books and hearing Mom and Dad talk about him so many times. Being an aspiring author, this is a great inspiration to me knowing that Father is a very prolific writer.
The currently 471 thoughts and prayers for Father Peter say in short–yet heartfelt–sentences all that I could not in three paragraphs. However, I can still say this much: knowing that Father Peter Gillquist will finish the race–and claim his gold medal in the process–makes my heart rejoice and turns the bitter tears falling onto my keyboard into happy ones. Father, please pray for me, a sinner, in the Heavenly Kingdom, as you are, indeed, our Olympic champion. Please know that we will cheer for you until the end.
Much love,
Anastasia Reimann
Oh, my gosh. I refreshed the page, and I was greeted with “Memory Eternal.” Wow. God bless his family and strengthen them in this time of sorrow. He will be greatly missed.
May his Memory Be Eternal
What an inspirational life. He has inspired so many and taught how us to live, and after reading the post from the last few days he continues to teach a lesson in how to end the earthly part of life with humility in the grace and mercy of Christ.
May Father Peter’s memory be eternal. With the saints give rest, O Lord, to the Soul of your departed servant, the Archpriest Peter, where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting. As much as he will be missed on this earth, he will be welcomed by the angels and saints in heaven.
May God grant Kh. Marilyn and all the Gillquist family strength to endure this great loss.
Lucy Hanna and family
To the Entire Gillquist Family,
Please except my deepest Sympathies for a Great & Wonderful Man.
He will surely be missed by all.
Please know that you are in my Thoughts & Prayers at this very sad time!!!
May His Memory Be Eternal!!!
With All My Love,
Chuckie Shahadey
May the Lord remember his faithful servant, Father Peter E. Gillquist, in His Kingdom always! He was faithful in following with humility Him Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life no matter where that led and no matter what the cost, even when it meant standing before the community time after time to say “we were wrong about what the New Testament Church believed.” Elaine and I together with all our community of St. George, Indianapolis, also pray that the Good Comforter will console all his family and all of us, his spiritual children and friends. In His love,
Fr. Nabil
Dearest Gillquists,
Please be assured of our prayers for your family, and for the repose of the soul of His faithful servant, Fr. Peter.
May his soul dwell with the righteous! We love you all so very much!
Fr. Philip and Kathryn Rogers
Memory Eternal to our beloved Fr. Peter. To quote the Hoppe’s ” It is a great blessing to accompany a loved one to the gates of heaven.” Thank you for letting us be a part of this blessed time.
Bonnie Carver
May his memory be eternal!! With the saints give rest.
May his memory be Eternal. Our love and prayers go out to all of the Gillquist family.
We love him so very much and know he now dwells with the Heavenly Hosts.
All our love,
The entire Shannon Family
Deacon Howard, Gail, Travis, Judson, Courtney, Jesse and Casey.
Memory Eternal Fr. Peter!
Thank you for everything.
MEMORY ETERNAL! May Fr. Peter rest with the saints.
May our beloved Fr. Peter’s memory be eternal. What a gift he has been to our family and our church community.
Our love and prayers are with all of the Gillquist family. May God bless you with His peace during this time.
With much love,
Verne, Joanne, Timothy, Shawnna, Mary and Garrett Gish
Dear Gillquist Family,
We are so sad that Fr. Peter is gone from us. But he is in Heaven, with God whom he served so faithfully his whole life.
Our prayers for comfort and mercy for all of you. We love you all.
Dn. Charlie and Lorraine Lehman
May his memory be eternal.
Praying for all of the family at this time.
In Christ,
Steven
May his memory be eternal. We in Canada are praying for the family.
All of us converts owe a huge debt to Fr. Peter, for his willingness to plumb the depths of Orthodox Christianity with integrity, steadfastness and love. We will never, never forget your influence in our journey of faith, Fr. Peter! Pray for us, as we pray for you! Memory Eternal!
He is a pure inspiration and example of a true Christian ending to this life. Thank you for sharing this experience. His life will continue to help me through this world.
May the Lord be with you, his family, during this time of bright mourning.
May his Memory be Eternal.
Memory Eternal! You and he are in our prayers.
I only met Fr. Peter once or twice but you all know what a big man he was and he touched many of us anonymously. What a heritage! (from a graduate of St. Athanasius Academy, privileged to learn under +Fr. Jack and +Fr. Richard.)
Good strength to you all.
Eternal be his memory….I was saddened to here about the falling asleep of Fr Peter, but comforted in the knowledge that he has run race that was set before him and has departed this life to be with those faithful who proclaimed the resurrection of Christ from the dead..
Fr. Peter’s book “Becoming Orthodox” was an inspiration for me and was one of the keys in my life that helped me unlock the faith I was born into, and for so long resisted…my tears and prayers are with the family…
Peter Papamanolis
Brisbane Australia
May his Memory be eternal! Our thoughts are with Kh Marylin and the Gillquist family.
With the saints give rest, O Lord, to the Soul of your departed servant, the Archpriest Peter, where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting!
MEMORY ETERNAL!
My dear Kh Marilyn, and all the clan,
I would like to share with you these words from St Ephraim the Syrian, which has brought me the most comfort over the years:
“Like a farmer who sees his fruits well ripened and prudently hastens to gather them that they might not be the least bit spoiled, so dost Thou also, O Savior, gather Thy chosen ones who have labored righteously.”
Memory eternal, Fr Peter.
With love,
Kh. Miriam
I am eternally grateful for Fr. Peter. It was because of his courageous leadership that I was able to become a part of the Orthodox Church in 1987, along with the other members of the EOC. With great joy, I have watched Fr. Peter run the race. I will never forget his glorious voice, raised in praise of our God or the exhortations he gave us. Fr. Peter was a true shepherd. He will be greatly missed. Memory eternal.
I never met Fr. Peter, but his impact on my life has been immeasurable…especially through “Becoming Orthodox”, though I was born into an Orthodox family. That is why I wish I had thanked him when I first heard a few weeks ago that he was ill…and I never did, feeling horrible. May his memory be eternal, and may our Lord reward him handsomely for all of what he did on this earth to explain to others the Truth. May his prayers be with us, Amen.
Me too Marilyn, born Orthodox, but his book Becoming Orthodox was one of the first that I read where I felt a true connection to being American and being Orthodox. Many have thanked him for this book.
Dearest Family,
I haven’t seen Father since you left Jackson. However, he was always such a positive influence on the lives of everyone who knew him. Now, he rests in the arms of the Saviour in Heaven. May God bless and keep you during your time of grief and remember we are praying for you.
With the Love of the Lord,
Cricket
Fr. Peter,
I will always cherish the memories of our families singing together. I smile at the thought of you now singing with the saints and angels! Memory Eternal.
Mare Bear
Grandma, may I just say you certainly have a remarkable attitude and I am thankful that your and Gee-Gee’s prayers will always help me to have a loving mindset too whenever I run into challenges in life.
Grandma, I love you.
I can’t wait to see you later this week
Love, Jonny
May his memory be eternal!
Fr. Peter, pray for us!
My condolences to the family and friends. May God give your family strength to endure this great loss.
Grant, o Lord, eternal rest unto Your departed servant Father Peter and make his memory to be eternal!
Sanja Cvetanovic
Toronto
may your find joyful memories in your tears of sorrow.
Thy priesthood, may the Lord God remember in His heavenly kingdom, always now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen!
Into the Eternal Light of God!
Peace to your family and friends.
Marilyn & family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight. I loved Fr. Peter and I’m so sad he’s gone.
May his memory be eternal.
Love,
Bertie DeWane
In an article dated December 27, 2011, from Ancient Faith Radio, an interview by John Maddex about the retirement of Fr. Peter Gillquist as Chairman of the Dept. of Missions and Evangelism for the Antiochian Archdiocese -
John Maddex to Fr. Peter Gillquist: “As you’ve stepped down, how do you want your legacy to be remembered ?”
Fr. Peter : ” To be honest, it’s a sinner saved by grace. One of the stern warnings of Scripture is “do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” We’re never overcomers retired. We are overcomers until the day we meet God.”
Laurie Snider- St. John Cathedral – Eagle River, Alaska
Memory eternal! Pray for us, Father!
He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of heaven. He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him. For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word. With His shoulders will He overshadow thee, and under His wings shalt thou have hope. With a shield will His truth encompass thee; thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, Nor for the thing that walketh in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but unto thee shall it not come nigh. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and thou shalt see the reward of sinners. For Thou, O Lord, art my hope. Thou madest the Most High thy refuge; No evils shall come nigh thee, and no scourge shall draw nigh unto thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. On their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Upon the asp and basilisk shalt thou tread, and thou shalt trample upon the lion and dragon. For he hath set his hope on Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him because he hath known My name. He shall cry unto Me, and I will hearken unto him. I am with him in affliction, and I will rescue him and glorify him. With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him My salvation.
Fr Peter has fought the good fight. He has finished the race. He now stands face to face with Christ his Savior. He now receives his crown.
Memory Eternal, good friend and mentor, Memory Eternal.
Fr John Reeves, family and parish
Eternal be his memory. We give thanks to the Lord for a life of faith and love. The author of Coming Home has now come face to face with the Author of Life Who welcomes him home to life eternal. As a fellow traveller on the Way to the Ancient Faith, I was blessed by Fr Peter and his friends as they manoeuvred their way through valleys, over mountains and crevices, and across stormy seas; never losing sight of that blessed hope until they made it into those tranquil waters where God dwells among men.
With prayers for Fr Peter and all those who grieve; may God grant you tears of joy.
Darren May on behalf of St Ignatius Antiochian Mission, Canberra Australia
Gee-Gee,
God rest your soul for eternity in the heavenly lofts!
You taught me so much and I’ll miss hearing your deep-bass singing voice, playing Scrabble and eating steak dinners with you–you always liked them cooked rare (at most)…maybe I’ll be man enough to eat mine that way one day too!
I’m glad we got to talk one last time recently.
You’re in my heart forever,
Love,
Jonny
p.s. I promise I’ll be there for grandma whenever she needs.
I love you, Johnny. Hope to see you soon.
May the angels receive him into paradise. Strength for Marilyn and the family.
Fr. Michael Keiser
Memory eternal Fr. Peter! Our prayers and love to the family. We lost our greatest missionary of all time! Fr. Peter will be remembered as a great missionary and leader in the Orthodox Church! What an honor to have known Him!
Dear Family,
It is a JOY to be in God’s Body, we sorrow, cry, laugh, fast, feast together as well as pray together in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
May his Memory be Eternal!
Let us Be with God, as He always is with US!
- Dcn. Edward, Myrna, Henry, and Stephen Martin
Dearest Marilyn, thinking loving thoughts of you today and the way you sat at my mother’s side and wept with me at her funeral. May the God of all comfort be with you as with all your blessed family. Many in New York City have fond memories and great thankfulness because of Fr. Peter’s faithfulness and yours. You have been in our prayers since we heard of Father’s illness. May you know the warmth of continuing prayer and of the great cloud of witnesses lovingly surrounding you today. Much love from Dana, Sue, Jonathan, Sohee, and baby Clara Talley
May his memory be eternal. He has served, and will continue to serve, as an inspiration to so many.
I am sad, yet I am gladdened, because I know he is now with the risen Lord. Pray to Christ and his Holy Mother for me, Fr. Peter.
Michael Strelka, Choir Dir.
Holy Resurrection O.C., Palatine, IL
May Fr. Peter’s memory be eternal, and may the Lord grant him rest with all His Saints in His Heavenly Kingdom, that Kingdom of which Fr. Peter so often preached and for which he also longed. We are grateful to God for Fr. Peter’s faithfulness to the Lord, to His Holy Church, to his family, and to all with whom he came in contact. Those of us who are converts to Holy Orthodoxy owe him a great debt of thankfulness. May we show that by living as Fr. Peter taught us to live, in humble obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, to our Heavenly Father, and to the Holy good and life-creating Spirit. May the Lord also grant comfort, peace, and joy to the entire Gillquist family, and especially Kh. Marilyn, even during this time of sadness and grief. Thank God that He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, and so we believe that although he is dead to this world, Fr. Peter is truly alive in Christ with the Church Triumphant with whom we of the Church Militant still hold communion and fellowship, looking forward to the day when we shall meet again in the presence of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who is our Resurrection, our Life, and our Eternal Joy.
“Christ est parmi nous !” (Christ is among us! – in French)
A big “Merci” to Fr. Peter. He influenced my life with his book “Becoming Orthodox”. I discovered it in the Spring of 1994 in a Christian library in Westmount, Quebec. It was the “déclic” that helped me, a Presbyterian, find the Truth, the “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”. I became a member of the Orthodox Church three years later. Today I am a member of The Sign of the Theotokos Church in Montréal where the widow and the daughter (married to our rector) of Fr. Alexander Schmemann are members. This great American Orthodox theologian was one of those Christians who influenced Fr. Gillquist on his path towards the true Church.
“Mémoire éternel !” (Memory Eternal!)
Luc L.
Canada
Dear Khouria Marilyn and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Blessed is the way in which thou shalt walk today; for a place of rest is prepared for thee.
May his memory be eternal.
Memory Eternal to our beloved Father Peter. We will love you, miss you and remember you always.
May you find peace in God’s loving embrace.
In Christ
The Nasr family
Memory Eternal Fr. Peter E.. Pray for us! May your memory be eternal and may your soul dwell where the just repose.
I can not thank you enough. You were truly a blessing to me as well as to many whose lives you’ve touched. Just as the saints and martyrs who have gone on before, you fought a good fight and finished the race. For me, your life will serve as a shining example on how to live, and sadly now, how to leave this earthly dwelling place. You will be remembered and sorely missed. Please pray for us sinners.
To Kh Marilyn and the Gillquist family, my tears and prayers are with you. I love you all.
Memory Eternal
~Shirley
MEMORY ETERNAL+
Love to all…Mother Galina
Thanks Laurie for you words too! Will keep you all in our prayers.
We miss you already, dear Father Peter. We will pray for you with much love these 40 days and thereafter entreat your holy prayers. Khouria, Father Peter Jon and family, we hold you in our hearts and prayers. We love you all dearly.
Ryan and Marie
“And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.”
Father Peter, your untiring labor of love is evident as the living stones you laid on Christ’s Church are speaking with the breath of life you gave them from the lips of Christ Jesus.
You have borne the calling of your patron well; may you ever dwell in a place of brightness, in a place of verdure, in a place of repose, from whence all pain, sorrow, and sighing, have fled away. Eternal Memory!
Memory eternal. I, too, appreciated Laurie’s comment a great deal. Love to Marilyn and the whole family.
Tearfully,
Jillian
With the saints give rest, O Lord, to the Soul of your departed servant, the Archpriest Peter, where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting!
Memory Eternal! May God grant him life everlasting and his family comfort and peace. I appreciated how he influenced the life of so many of us who seek to serve the Lord.
Thank you Charles, I love what you wrote. Greg Gillquist
Kh Marilyn and the Gillquist Family,
Thank you for sharing Father Peter with all of us. I for one, am certainly better for having met him.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Memory eternal
Father Peter,
You have now finished the race.
.
I found it hard to find any words to send you in your final days and hours. Your son encouraged us to do it because it blessed you and your family so to hear these words of encouragement and gratefulness to you. My words felt so small, so trite in the sea of all these good and great people so affected by you in life and so affected by the news of your soon passing.
.
So I tried that smallness on while reflecting on your face when I or any would speak with you. In my mind’s eye, my heart, I see from you no message of smallness to me or any that ever approached you.
.
Your son wrote a song long ago. Some of those words went, “I look at my hands, I see my father’s hands.” Well, when I look into your son’s eyes I see his fathers eyes. They are the same eyes. Eyes of compassion, patience, confidence in the directing that God gives, eyes of love, hope, caring deeply for that very one who is at that time speaking to him. Those eyes in him and in you pour out the love of Christ to the one before them, created in His image, however broken that one may be.
.
You have done well Father Peter, not only with all the works that you and your beloved Marilyn have done to further God’s kingdom in His church, but with the children that you nutured to carry on that work too. And not only the children who were born with the Gillquist name but also the innumerable others that you have nutured along the way, all over the country, the world.
.
Thankyou for spending your final days with us at All Saints and leaving us the precious gift of your beloved Marilyn in our midst and Father Peter Jon as our pastor. How incredibly specially blessed we are..
.
I will never forget that you permited me, no not permitted, but warmly welcomed me to share you last two Christmases with you. How specially blessed I am to have been so abundantly welcomed at your table for Father’s day, the last family feast of your abundant life. I don’t want to take that blessing lightly.
.
When I reflect on these things it makes me want to be a better man. It makes me all the more want to be the man I was created to be. Wasn’t you goal for all of us? To help us be the persons that our loving God and Saviour created us to be?
.
Please pray for us Father Peter. Your memory be eternal.
charles
Memory Eternal!
May Father Peter’s memory be eternal.
Abbot Tryphon
May Father Peter’s memory be eternal.
I just received the news on Facebook of Fr. Peter’s passing yesterday. Needless to say I was in shock. I had no idea that he was even ill. May his memory be eternal forever with Our Lord! My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire familly.. Being a Pk myself and losing my dad a little over two years ago , I understand. Our church has lost another great priest. He was an amazing man and will be missed by many. May God continue to give all of you the strength you need to get through this, until the day you will see him again. xoxox
With tears I say a loud Memory eternal! Memory eternal! May your memory Father Peter the faithful servant of God be eternal!
From my heart I ask the Lord Christ risen from the dead to comfort all Father Peter’s family +
Always yours in the Saviour,
Hieromonk Joshua +
The Hermitage of Saint George
Memory Eternal! I always remember the Missions and Evangelism conference in 2005 at which I attended as a protestant minister seeking Christ’s Church. Fr. Peter met with me and encouraged me. His words to trust Christ’s Church who gave me the Scriptures that teach me about Jesus in whom I already trust, still ring in my ears.
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I take comfort that I have a “friend” in heaven. Memory Eternal, Father Peter!
Memory Eternal! Thanks so much for the courage, the strength, the insight, persistence, faith and abiding love that brought so many of us into the Church… the incarnation of a faith fully alive and an example to so many! “Yes, we CAN do this.”
Thank you so much as well to the family for your love … the sort of love that feeds and frees a man to follow his heart, and so fed and freed so many others.
The official account of 2,000 has never begun to measure the full breadth of your reach! And by your prayers, by your words, and by your silence we have learned to pray. May you continue to lead us onward. Thanks be to God for your life and witness. Memory Eternal!
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μνημη αιωνια, Fr. Peter! I am grateful for our time serving together on the OCF board of directors. You and your family are in the prayers of Sarah and me and the parish of St. John in Memphis.
Memory Eternal to the saint of God, the Archpriest Peter,
Without you, there would be no St. Ananias Orthodox Church in Evansville. No Orthodox witness for over one hundred miles in every direction. You were a new Barnabas, a “son of encouragment”, to all who knew you. Dozens and dozens of missions founded by your servant leadership will remember you as a special messenger of glad tidings. It is only fitting that your last communion and departure from this life ocurred during this time of the apostles. For not only were you named for one of them, you lived a life of tireless travel in order that others may know Jesus, the light of the world. As the Prokeimenon for Sts. Peter & Paul says, “Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world”.
Sincere prayers for Kh. Marilyn, the family and all who mourn at this time. Pray for us Fr. Peter.
An unworthy Priest,
Fr. Daniel M. Hackney
Pastor,
Saint Ananias Orthodox MIssion
Evansville, Indiana
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Dear Marilyn and family:
May the God of all-comfort, comfort you and all who dearly loved Father Peter.
May Father Peter’s memory be eternal!
Father Duane
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Memory eternal! He will be missed.
Sheryl VanderWagen
President, Midwest Antiochian Women
St. George, Grand Rapids MI
Farewell Fr. Peter to your heavenly home. Despite his cancer and a surgery to remove it a few days before the conference, he decided to attend the first Coptic Orthodox Evangelism Conference in North America i n 1999. His lectures and his tears that accompanied his words when he had described his joy of entering the Orthodox Church had a great impact on all attendees. He came back four times as the key speaker of the Coptic Evangelism Conference. When I wrote him last year telling him about the objective of the conference that is to start “my college mission” as an avenue for evangelism, he excitedly wrote back a detailed five lectures outlines, offering himself as the presenter of these lectures. Knowing his health status, his secretary asked me to consider his old age and his needs to rest, recommending to give him one lecture or two only a day, each is one hour only. Surprisingly, he lectured continually for at least five hours with small breaks. He energized everyone with his evangelistic passion and deep simple message. He probably is the first priest from an Eastern Orthodox Church to speak in conferences in the Coptic Orthodox Church. I remembered when we had attended the conference together in Nashville, he also attended the Divine Liturgy. After the prayer he told me he had felt deep sorrow to not to participate in the Holy Communion because of the division among the churches. He will be missed. My condolences to his family, friends, and to his church.
Deacon Victor Beshir,
Coptic Orthodox Church.
Memory Eternal our beloved Archpriest Peter.
With much love and appreciation from me, my family and parishioners of St. Elias in Peoria, IL. Without you, there would not be St. Elias and I thank you for being the source of my becoming a priest.
May your memry be Eternal Fr. Peter and may your soul dwell where the just repose. Pray for us!
Our deepest Sympathy to you Kh Marilyn and of your Family.
Fr. Habib & Kh. Norma Ghantous & family and the Parishioners of;
St. Elias Antiochion Orthodox Christian Mission
Peoria, IL
Thank you Lord Jesus for the gift that you have bestowed upon us all through the life of Fr.Gilquist, Kh. Marilyn and their family. He now intercedes with the saints for those of us who remain here. His memory will be eternal for he labored in the love of God to bring people to the Truth. Father Bless!
Dear Kh. Marilyn and family,
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Fr. Peter. We will always remember how he preached the word of God with such passion. His book, Becoming Orthodox, is one we have given many times to those searching for the New Testament Church, and one we recommend to countless others. We know so many who have read that book and “became Orthodox.” We thank God for Fr. Peter’s gift of storytelling and for his love for Christ and His Holy Church. May his memory be eternal.
With love,
The King’s: Fr. Jim, Kh. Audrey, Zoe, Jimmy and Kyranna
May teh memory of this great preacher and defender of Orthodoxy be eternal! God bless you the family and friends upon your loss!
Memory Eternal, Beloved of God, Fr. Peter… and beloved of SO MANY on earth and in heaven! So many memories… so many blessings… so much gratitude. With love and prayers… for Fr. Peter, for Marilyn and for all our dear Gillquists! -Fr. Patrick, Vanessa & Anthony Kinder
Fr. Peter will be sorely missed. We wish you, his family, comfort and peace during this time.
May His Memory be eternal!
Father Peter,
Thank you for your prayers for us. I was so glad to be able to meet you this spring. You will continue to be a great help to us on our journeys, as we struggle to live out our mission like you have. May God grant you memory eternal!
Benjamin
Fr. Peter was very influential in bringing me into the Orthodox Church and bringing my wife back to the Church. We will always be thankful for having known Fr. Peter. May his memory be eternal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jim was given the opportunity to interview Fr. Peter when he visited Jackson, MS, over ten years ago. Because of Fr. Peter’s influence, my husband converted, and I reverted back to the never changing Orthodox faith. After we converted, we drove to Mobile, AL to hear him speak and to thank him. Most recently, when he came for the celebration at St. Peter’s, we were thankful to hear him speak and greet him. Wherever he went, Fr. Peter shared the Good News of Jesus Christ. Memory Eternal!
.
I was blessed to have known Peter and priviledged to call him brother in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He has left an indelible mark on our fraternity and I’m sure influenced many to be a better person.
Death may veil but cannot sever, love still lives and lives forever, strong and contstant as of yor. Phi Alpha Peter as you are welcomed into the everwidening mystic circle of the Chapter Eternal.
May His Memory Be Eternal!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gillquist family during this time. Fr. Peter touched our lives immensely and we will be eternally grateful to him & Marilyn for all of their support. He certainly made the most of the talents given him by Our Master!! Well done, good & faithful servant!!
In Christ,
Joel Swehla
You are all in my prayers as we grieve the loss of a very special servant of God and at the same time rejoice that he is no longer in pain and is celebrating with the saints that have gone before Him in the Presence of God! May his memory be eternal!
Memory eternal for Fr. Peter
Your book has helped me on my path to Orthodoxy
Gossopodi Pomiluj may you be in no pain and your family comforted
You and your family are in my prayers.
Memory eternal Fr. Peter
Gospodi pomiluj may you be in no pain and your family comforted
Your book has helped me on my path to Orthodoxy
In my prayers
Dearest Marilyn and kids, My heart is heavy for the loss of Peter on earth. However I am rejoicing in his new home with the Lord. He had fought the good fight and left a mark in the Christian world. I love you all so much and my prayers are you will all be comforted by our dear Lord Jesus! Love to you all, Di
Fr. Peter and family,
I had the pleasure of meeting Fr. Peter as a St. Stephens student, it was one of the highlights of my stay at the Antiochian Village. What an amazing man of God. May his memory be eternal!
Eternal Rest grant unto him oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him; may he rest in peace +. Here’s to a man who’s life, work, and passion inspired me in highschool…and still inspire me today. My tears and prayers are with the Gillquist family, their friends, and Fr. Peter
Our little Mission Church in Cape Girardeau, Mo was founded by Father Peter Gilquist in 2008 at my home, I have the honor of saying. He contacted Father Joseph of the Greek Orthodox Church in St. Louis and then Fr. Joseph contacted me since I lived in Cape and had known Fr. Joseph for many years thru my wife Amalia. He asked if I would be willing to meet with “Jim McCool” (now Fr. James) and aid him in finding a location suitable for the Mission.
I told Fr. Joseph I have had a home for sale sometime now and that it can be used until it’s sold or the bank takes it. I had it for sale almost 2 years from 2006-2008.
My wife was born in Greece and I had not yet become Orthodox. We had used the excuse of the Church being too far from us to attend regular, but we had been searching for something closer to no avail. Long story short, I opened my home to the Church and was a bit afraid to become too involved for fear that it might change me! Well it has and it’s all thanks to Father Peter who initiated it in the first place. Over the course of a few months, I began attending Services and after about 6 months the house was sold to a Evangelical Pastor who had saw the Holy Orthodox Bible on the Altar in our basement.
My family and I, months prior, had purchased tickets to Greece and when we returned I became a Catichuman. I dove head first into the Church and have not looked back. Now we are becoming established and are Blessed with Fr. Daniel Morton as our Parish Priest and Fr. James as one who serves regularly while enroute to another Mission in Jackson, TN. We are all so Thankful for Father Peter and his determination. Words cannot express the personal gratitude I feel for him and his aiding in the Salvation of my Eternal Soul and that of my wife and 2 girls Alexia and Nefeli. I look forward to seeing him again. Thank You Father, May Your Memory Be Eternal.
May his memory be eternal and may he dwell with the blessed! Our condolences to Kh. Marilyn and the entire Gillquist family. Thank you for sharing your husband and father and grandfather with us. He is a true saint. May our gracious and loving Lord comfort and encourage you at this time.
With love,
Bonnie Alexander
May Fr. Peter’s memory be eternal!
Blessings of comfort and sweet memories of the good times and of the holy ending to a holy life to Marilyn and all of your dear family.
He was such a blessing to so many. Thank God for such a man.
Fr. Paul Olson
Memory Eternal! My condolences to the entire family. I can still remember Fr. Peter playing his banjo several decades ago.
May God grant rest with the saints to his newly departed servant Archpriest Peter and may He make his Memory to be Eternal!!!!
The faithfull of Holy Assumption of St. Mary Ortyhodox Church, Pittsburgh PA offer to you, Fr. peter’s beloved family, our prayers and condolences.
If we ever wondered what “a Christian ending to our life” means, this is it. Thank you to the family for sharing these details about the last few weeks of Fr. Peter’s life, because he so effectively modeled how we should live. May his memory be eternal, and the Lord comfort you all.
Dear family of Father Peter,
I am saddened at Fathers passing and I am relieved that he is no longer suffering and in pain. I became Orthodox this past June 24th at St. Andrews Orthodox Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Fr.Peter had a huge impact on my life because of his courageous journey into Orthodoxy and his love for evangelism. I just wanted you all to know that his influence has brought me into the true faith. God bless you all as you work through your missing his presence on this earth. Memory Eternal.
Beth Anne
I am not a cryer but am shedding tears of sadness and joy for a man I never met. I am newly chrismated and my journey’s first step was reading Becoming Orthodox. I am thankful for Fr. Peter’s relentless pursuit of the truth in his own journey, paving the way for me and many many others.
God grant to the family comfort and peace. We will remember Fr. Peter in prayer always, and thank God for his life, one that touched, influenced, and blessed so many people. May his memory be eternal!
Many important things learned from Peter and Marilyn, 1965-68 in Evanston while a student at Northwestern U. Still have the weeding gift given to us by them, Dec. 1969, a brass chalice.Many prayers uttered here for Fr. Peter and Marilyn and the family and all those whose lives he touched. By the way…the story he told (often) in fraternity meetings and in “College Life” meetings (even if apocryphal) about the electric blankets in the SAE house is still very funny!
Dear Kh. Marilyn, Fr. Peter Jon, and all of Fr. Peter’s beloved family of children, grandchildren, and little great-grandchild, who in on her/his way,
Oh what a life, and what a death! Thanks be to God for the witness of his life and praise be to God for the example of his death!
An inspiration in his holy life and in his beautiful death, may his memory be eternal.
With gratitude and prayers,
Anna and David
Fr. Paul Olson said it so well. Fr. Peter WAS such a blessing to SO many. It was a joy to know him, and it’s a joy to know so many of you in his large, wonderful family. Our hearts and prayers are with all of you. We wish we could be there with you.
Memory eternal!!
May God Rest his soul and grant him delight in the heavenly kingdom. What a beautiful, perfect death he had. May his memory be eternal, and may all of your hearts be comforted, as God prepares you for residence also, in His heavenly kingdom. Amen!
To Khouria Marylin, Father Peter Jon and the whole Gillquist family:
With a heavy heart I receive the news of your dear husband, father, grandfather, and priest; yet also with the words of our Lord ringing in my ears, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I remember with what excitement and joy we greeted Fr. Peter at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1987 after your entry into Holy Orthodoxy. He has been an inspiration to many and has opened an important chapter for Orthodoxy in America that will always be remembered and will have repercussions or generations to come.
May our good God reward him for all his efforts in bringing others to the true Faith and grant him eternal rest in His glorious kingdom!
Father Michael, Khouria Makrina, and Simeon Shanbour
Dear Kh. Marilyn and Family,
I want to thank you from the depth of my heart for sharing these last few days and hours with us via these posts. It has been a blessing beyond measure and a hope that I can not describe. Our God is so very good to give us this example. May his memory be eternal and may you all feel the peace and love of God that surpasses understanding. Our prayers are with you. Dear Fr. Peter, pray to God for us sinners.
In Christ
Jennifer Juliana (for all the Cutshalls)
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(we typed this for Kh. Sylvia Ballew)
To Kh. Marilyn and family,,
You have our deepest symphathy and our prayers. May you continue to be comforted as you look to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Kh. Sylvia Ballew and Family
My deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of Fr Peter. His was a life well lived and he will always be remembered in the history of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.
What an amazing legacy he has left behind!
Memory eternal.
Matushka Margaret Scheidler, formerly from St Ignatius Antiochian Church, Franklin, TN
I never met Fr. Gillquest personally, but his book “Becoming Orthodox” was very influential in helping me make the decision to convert to the True Faith. May his memory be eternal.
May God bless the family. Thank you Fr. Peter for the kindness you showed me.
A lion has departed this life, and an era of American Orthodoxy is closing. The days of introduction are passing, and an era of deep conversion is opening. The ever-memorable arch priest Peter roared and many were awakened to the evangelical call to return to the holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I remember Fr Peter sitting in my living room in Boise, Idaho, back in September, 1996. “should we say the ‘m’ word?” he asked with a sparkle in his eye! We did, and our mission there got started.
May the Lord God remember the archpriest Peter in His kingdom, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. AMEN!
Our love , deepest sympathies and prayers go to Kh. Marilyn, the entire Gillquist family and friends of our beloved Fr. Peter. May God rest his soul and speed his journey accompanied by the Lord’s Holy Angels to a Mansion where there is no sorrowing or sighing but life everlasting. I know that Father Peter will continue to pray for us, unworthy servants of Christ Jesus.
Love in Christ,
James and Patricia Finchum
To Marilyn and the whole wonderful family Gillquist,
I was truly saddened to hear that your fr Peter has passed away.
I think of you all today! And I send you warm hugs and many thoughts (from Sweden).
I have so many wonderful and happy memories with all of you from my year as an exchange student in Goleta 1984. Thank you for your generosity, warmth and wonderful community! You welcomed me in your family and in your church and introduced me to a new, big world. I will keep those memories for the rest of my life.
Love to you all, Marie Stangel (Svennilson)
We send our sympathy and prayers to the Gillquist Family and friends.
Father Peter and I are brothers in the bonds of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. His ministry and service to our Fraternity is a blessing.
Father Peter, may you rest in peace and rise in glory!
Peace be with you all,
Ron and Ellen Doleac
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Dearest Marilyn and family,
Today seems a little less bright knowing that our beloved Fr. Peter has left us. I’m grateful that his suffering was not long and that you and family could be with him.
I have many memories of the two of you over these 20+ years that I’ve known you. But one that stands out is the week I stayed with you after my cancer surgery. I was in the downstairs apartment at the house by-the-sea and at night I could hear Fr. Peter and you singing favorite songs or hymns. Even though I was in great pain from the surgery, the songs would lift my spirits and some would even make me laugh.
Another precious memory are the hugs and words of encouragement from Fr. Peter as one cancer survivor to another. Whenever he was home from his trips, he would always come over to me at coffee hour and ask how I was doing. Being single and both of my parents deceased, having a great big ole bear hug from a “dad” was just the best!
I pray for you and your family for comfort and strength in the coming days as you prepare to make your final goodbyes. I wish I could be with you to say through our tears, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
Memory eternal!
Love in Christ our Savior,
Carla
Fr. Peter’s memory will be eternal. May his body rest in peace and his soul live forever. To an amazing man that touched the life of so many. It was an honor having known him. Our prayers and love to the family. May the grieving be filled with only happy memories of an incredible human and truly a saint.
Memory Eternal!
John Windsor
Evangelical Protestant Convert
Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church
West Saint Paul, Minnesota
Dearest Khouriyee Marilyn,
“THE LORD GAVE AND THE LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.”
In Father Peter Gillquist, the Lord gave the Church one of the greatest missionary saints of the ages. A remarkable preacher, an enlightened teacher, a gifted communicator, a concise and effective writer, a true and kind friend, an encourager of others, a devoted husband and father, a thoughtful friend, a lecturer with a delightful touch of humor, Fr. Peter had the spiritual gifts of a Great Church Father.
Kh Marilyn, Fr. Peter loved you with an amazing love that increased every day he was separated from you by his incessant travels to spread the gospel. His agape-love will lighten the lives forever of all who knew him.
We love you Kh Marilyn. Your love for Fr. Peter kept him upbeat in doing the Lord’s work all these years. May that divine comfort which passes all understanding be yours at this time of your joyful grief.
Dear Marilyn and Family:
Our prayers are with all of you and with Father Peter. May Christ grant all of you his great compassion and love during this time of your loss and may he grant Father Peter rest in the bosom of Abraham.
May his memory be eternal!
Fr. David and Luanne Barr
You will not know me but I am one who personally was awed by Fr. Peter and the Evangelical faithful who searched high and low for the True Faith and found Orthodoxy, the faith I had been born into. As Fr. Peter traveled around the country visiting parishes and helping to organize missions he would visit us in Western New York; not only Antiochian but other jurisdictions as well. His love of the church was felt by many and influenced many to join or rededicate themselves to the faith of our fathers. He will be sorely missed.. May his memory be eternal.
I met Fr. Gilquist over a decade ago at a national leadership school and had the privilege of calling him Brother. Your work in this life is finished so that your work in the next may begin. God bless you Fr. and my prayers and condolences to your family. It’s been an honor, sir.
Pledge we now the mystic token
That our bond remains unbroken,
Firm and lasting as before.
Death may veil, but cannot sever,
Love still lives and lives forever,
Strong and constant as of yore.
Yonder, in Phi Alpha’s dawning,
Highest hopes and holiest longing
Shall their full fruition find.
There, with perfect bonds fraternal,
‘Neath the All-seeing Eye Eternal,
Love our hearts shall closer bind.
May his MEMORY BE ETERNAL! Praying for comfort and healing of your hearts, Fr. Peter Jon, Kh. Kristina, Kh. Marilyn and all of your family. With love, Camille Waser
Fr. Peter’s book, Becoming Orthodox, was instrumental in my personal journey of faith, and it helped inspire my wife and me to become Orthodox. We were honored to have met him twice, once at Holy Cross and once at a Mission and Evangelism Conference in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Fr. Peter’s dynamic leadership and practical insight and inspiring enthusiasm for the Gospel of Jesus Christ were like springs of living water to us. He will be greatly missed. May his memory be eternal. Give rest, O God, to the soul of your servant.
yours in Christ,
Ed and Tena Blain
May God grant His servant, the Archpriest Peter, Eternal Rest in His Heavenly Mansions! May Father Peter’s Memory be Eternal! My prayers are with you, the Gillquist family, at this time. We will definitely commemorate Father Peter and the Gillquist family at Annunciation Parish in Santa Maria, California. May God Bless you and be with you all! May we see Father Peter again in Paradise! God Bless, from Peter Howe
I only got to talk to Father Peter maybe three times, when he came down to visit with us in Evansville at St. Ananias Orthodox Mission, but he was one of those people that stand out in my memory. I have met many a important person, and few stand out as well as the good father. He was a good man, a good Christian and a good priest and I am sure he was also a good husband/dad…and now I am sure that he is with Our Lord and is a good saint. God bless you Father Peter. Tim
Memory Eternal, Fr. Peter!! The entire Gillquist family will be in my prayers.
Bryan Hartman
Hondo, TX
in our heartfelt prayers. Lord, have mercy!
Fr. Wade Fahnestock+
Lakeland, FL
Father Peter, longtime Chaplain of our beloved fraternity, you have touched the lives of many Brothers. You have comforted many in our moment of need. You have counseled us as Brothers who share a common bond. Your wisdom and wit have been heard by many and forgotten by few. Your friendly nature and solid character will be remembered always.
I offer this prayer which you and others placed in “The Spiritual Heritage of Sigma Alpha Epsilon” while you were a member of the 2007-2009 Chaplain’s Council. It is a prayer I routinely offer when a Brother has departed and becomes a member of our Chapter Eternal.
“Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend the soul of our brother Father Peter, and ask You to grant him rest in the place of Your peace where all Your blessed followers repose and where the light of Your countenance shines forever. And we beseech You also to grant that our present lives may be godly, selfless and righteous, that we too may be made worthy to enter into Your heavenly kingdom with those we love but see no longer. For You are the resurrection and the life, and the resting place of Your departed servants, O Lord, and to You we ascribe glory: To the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”
May you rest in peace, and may be God be with you. Phi Alpha, my Brother!
Dear Marilyn and Family,
My prayers – and those of so many around the world – are with you these days. Your husband and father made such a wonderful impact on so many lives, including mine The Lord will surely look at him and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Much love and prayers,
Ann
(Heb 12:22,23)
Several years ago, I sent Peter a letter that thanked him for “Love Is Now” and the times we spent together in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Memphis, Tennessee in 1968-1969. In 1972, our paths diverged. But he has always had a dear place in my heart for the past 40 years.
Marilyn, thank you for your hospitality during the times Don Berge and I were holed up in the house behind your main house there in Memphis when I visited y’all.
I send to you and your family my condolences in your loss. I am very thankful to God that He let me spend some time with your husband in this life. It is a great comfort to know that Peter is now living where “Love Is Now” is the reality.
Very shortly after my wife was diagnosed with an islet cell (pancreatic) cancer in 1991, I came across—in an evangelical Christian bookstore of all places—Fr. Peter’s book, Becoming Orthodox. It looked intriguing, so I bought it. As I read chapter after chapter, I kept saying, “Oh!” …and ”Ohhhh!”…and ”Ohhhhhhhhhh!” This was the very first book I ever read about the Orthodox Church, and I strongly sensed right then that there would no turning back to my evangelical ways.
My wife passed away from the cancer in late 1999. Two weeks later, my daughter (only 10 years old) and I attended for the first time the Antiochian church of which we are members today. On the very next Sunday, Fr. Peter visited what was back then a very small mission. I introduced myself during coffee hour and thanked him for his book and how it started me on the journey to Orthodoxy. I told him about my wife dying from cancer a few weeks prior, at which point he told me about his being diagnosed with melanoma. I then introduced him to my daughter, and he said some kind words to her about her mother’s passing and then mentioned to her his new foe of cancer.
For three weeks during the summer of 2000, my daughter and I visited Turkey. We spent the last week in Istanbul. One day the two of us, who were not even Orthodox yet, were sitting in the office of the Ecumenical Patriarch, and I remember thinking to myself, “This is the place Peter Gillquist and some of the other EOC leaders came when they were first seeking entry into the Orthodox Church. I’m in the place that I read about in his book back almost ten years ago. This is almost surreal.” Actually, being there was surreal without thinking about Fr. Peter. The thought of the long history of this Patriarchate overwhelmed me.
Finally, on Holy Saturday 2001, my daughter and I were received into the Church. Two or three years later I e-mailed Fr. Peter about something—I can’t even remember now what it was. The result of that—again, I don’t know why—was his sending me a copy of A Faith Fulfilled: Why are Christians Across Great Britain Embracing Orthodoxy? by Fr. Michael Harper, a well-known convert from the Church of England. Fast forward to the summer of 2007. My daughter (by now 18) and I were vacationing in England. On our first Sunday in London, we decide to attend one of two Antiochian churches that I knew were in the city. It turns out that we went to the one pastored by Fr. Michael. I was delighted to learn that he was the priest when I went online to confirm the church’s address. Metropolitan Kallistos Ware just happened to be there that day, and he not only preached the homily, but also served communion. We met Fr. Michael and the Metropolitan during coffee hour and potluck. I told Fr. Michael about receiving his book from Fr. Peter. And, of course, I told him about my journey to Orthodoxy, and that it began with Fr. Peter’s book.
So, why am I writing such a long story? Well, to show at least three things:
1. Orthodoxy is indeed a small world, influenced in various ways by the hand of God. You never know who you’re going to meet.
2. Fr. Peter had a big, important influence in my life.
3. I will always be thankful for Fr. Peter’s life and indebted to him for his and his friends’ earnest search for the New Testament church.
In conclusion, I want to say that my story is unique. (By its very nature and circumstances it has to be.) However, in some ways mine is NOT unique. I think it is important to remind ourselves that there are hundreds, and likely thousands, of other similar stories about journeys to the ancient Christian faith that in one way or another were impacted by Fr. Peter’s own unique journey. I do not doubt his influence on people during his many years fulfilling his roles as an Orthodox priest, but I have to wonder: Where would many of us be today if he had never written Becoming Orthodox?
Fr. Peter, may the Lord bless you. May your memory be eternal. And I look forward to having another conversation with you someday—in the place you, at this very moment, are experiencing with great joy, awe, and humility.
May his memory be eternal
Condolences from St. George the Great Martyr Church in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Paul Bunyan Meets the Intractable East and the Mission is Ongoing.
The Orthodox Christian Laity Board OCL was blessed to have Father Peter Gillquist as an advisor for more than 12 years. From day one, when I met him, he was bigger than life. Physically he was tall, robust and exuberant in nature. He reminded me of Paul Bunyan. He energized our board when he attended meetings and was our featured speaker at open forums and programs. He truly transcended all the Orthodox Christian groupings that exist in America. The Holy Spirit, present everywhere, and fills all creation, brought Father Peter and his brothers and sisters to Orthodox Christianity in 1987 and Orthodox Christianity in the United States has been nourished and nurtured by his sense of mission and outreach and it will never be the same. His vision and love for Orthodox Christianity are recorded in his written works. His work with assisting in developing the Orthodox Study Bible Old and New Testament is monumental. He was dedicated to OCF because our college youth are our future. He was truly a missionary and evangelist. In the character of Father Peter the east truly met the west. No wonder the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the forces of Hellenism in Greece and in the Archdiocese and the Patriarchate in Istanbul were taken aback by his optimism, sense of mission, Christ centeredness and inquiring and open mind. But Orthodox Christianity transcends all these human elements and he found his way into Orthodoxy. His legacy is that if we remain Christ-centered and live within the sacramental life of the Apostolic Church we can move mountains. Father Peter believed that Orthodox Christianity is still the best kept secret in America and that it is our challenge to bring the Light of Christ through the Orthodox faith to our brothers and sisters in America. May His memory be Eternal. His work shall continue.
George Matsoukas, Executive Director Orthodox Christian Laity
Kh. Marilyn and family, thanks for sharing your Fr. Peter with us all. Memory Eternal!
Our family of seven is Orthodox today because of the work of the Holy Spirit in and through Fr. Peter, and the rest of the intrepid “evangelical orthodox”. Their desire to discover the one holy catholic and apostolic church and to commit to her when they found it…inspired our family to do the same thing. It was their act of faith and courage that gave us faith and courage as well. May we “converts” to the Orthodox Church not rest simply because we are “in” – but in the spirit of Fr. Peter – let us not rest until the entire world – especially our own country – knows the beauty and truth of Orthodoxy. Thank you Marilyn for sharing your husband with us and the Holy Church. Eternal rest grant unto Him Lord – and let your Light eternal shine upon him.
Thank You God for our beloved Father Peter who served You well with a big heart and a big smile. He will be greatly missed by me and so many who loved him.
Memory Eternal.
Much love and prayers for Kh. Marilyn, and family,
Jan McEver
Marilyn and family,
We thank God for the gift of the life of Fr. Peter, and for the tremendous contribution he has made to the Church and to the world, and we pray that the Comforter will come to you all and be with you at this very difficult time. Your faith has been a shining example to us and so many others, and we know that Fr. Peter now resides surrounded by eternal peace and Love. May God Bless you.
Love,
Diana and Craig
Although we did not know Fr. Peter and his family, we wish to express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt sorrow to his family on his passing into Eternal Life with our Lord. May his memory be eternal!
St. George AOC Church, Bridgeville, PA
As a young girl, the teaching of Peter Gillquist had great impact on my heart and framed my thinking about the love of Christ. I am sad to hear of his suffering but rejoice knowing he is home. Much love to his family during this time of sorrow. Thank you to this saint for his life of service.
May his Memory be Eternal!
Memory eternal, Father Peter!
Although a lifelong Orthodox Christian, an introduction to Father Peter and his book “Becoming Orthodox” sparked in me a new interest in my faith. I will always remember my theological conversations with him and the kindness and hospitality he and Marilyn showed me. Gospodi pomilui!
Memory eternal. What a blessing Father Peter has been to so many. My heartfelt condolences to Khouria Gilquest – this is a sad part of a journey for a widow without her best earthly friend. Father Peter will live on in your heart and the hearts of all of us. We praise God for sending him to our Archdiocese and for all his godly knowledge he shared. Love in the Risen Christ, Judy
Memory Eternal… Dear Brother, You were a tireless worker in vineyard and the fields ripe for harvest…Blessings and prayers to your family…Fr. Luke and Nancy
Dearest Khouria Marilyn and other members of the wonderful Gillquist family,
My most sincere condolences. Fr. Peter really deserved to be called the Saint of the modern time. Fr. Peter’s extraordinary dedication and his gigantic impact to the development of the Holy, Universal, and Apostolic Church brought his name to the list of the best contributors to Orthodox Christianity ever. He will be truly missed by so many people. Also, Fr. Peter earned a really special place in the Victorious Church.
Fr. Peter and all of you are in my unworthy prayers. May Fr. Peter’s memory be eternal and may God help you all.
In Christ,
Vladimir
Memory eternal!
Marilyn, my heart goes out to you and yours. I know that Peter is with the Lord and so very happy. I will never forget all the times I spent with you so many years ago and now I know how much the Lord used that to help me grow. All to His glory! Much love in HIM. Harriette
Fr. Peter’s book “Becoming Orthodox” had a great effect on my family and I, along with the prayers of St. John of San Francisco and Shanghi, we became Orthodox Christians. Fr. Peter’s life and words touched more people than he ever knew. Memory Eternal!
Rdr. Symeon Campbell
To Khr. Marilyn and family,
For awhile Fr. Peter and I were the only Scandinavians in the Archdiocese and we would kid each other about being “Norse-ski.” Now heaven has its token “Norse-ski “and I will greatly miss my fellow Norseman.
Fr. Peter was the second Orthodox clergyman that I met on my journey to the Church, and he remained one of the most influential. His sense of humor and his ability to explain things simply was a great blessing and help to many of us. Even though we only talked face to face rarely and for very short duration, I felt like I had known Fr. Peter all my life and that we were not only fellow clergy but good friends. His influence on those of us who have become Orthodox from the ranks of evangelical Protestantism was immense.
I thank God for Fr. Peter and will be praying for him and for his family until we meet again face to face in the Kingdom of God. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones!”
My sincere condolences to the family. Coming across the book “Becoming Orthodox” strengthened my faith by showing me that anyone who seeks our Lord Jesus Christ, wants to know the truth, and wants to follow It shall find Him. Being born into Orthodox faith and tradition I had been asking myself what was the chance for people in America to discover the truth and the book of Fr. Peter gave me some answers. May the memory of Fr. Peter be eternal.
To Khr. Marilyn & family,
I knew Peter while I was on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in Nacogdoches, TX from 1980-1988. Many thanks for Peter and his friends making my time there so meaningful & fulfilling. While we are saddened at his passing, we know that he has gone to be with his loving Lord. From reading some of the comments above, it sounds like he served his Lord with distinction. He has gone to his heavenly reward. Glad to hear that his mission was in the area of reaching people for Jesus Christ & planting churches to the glory of our Lord. He will certainly be missed. I was richer for having known him. May the family sense the very real presence of Christ during their time of grief. The good news is that we do not grieve as those without hope! May you sense His presence in real ways!…Bob & Cheryl Beaver
kh Marilyn, Fr. Peter Jon and family.
Please accept my prayers with you all in this time of sadness;
May his memory be Eternal!
I am truly deeply saddened at Fr. Peter’s passing. I have been on a journey towards Orthodoxy and Fr. Peter graciously spent so much of his time talking with me. My wife and I had the privilege of being at his last missions conference in Dallas earlier this year. I will cherish the wonderful breakfast we had. What a wonderful servant of the Lord!!! Our prayers are with the family. Memory Eternal!
Several years ago, while I was still debating becoming Orthodox, Fr. Peter called me at my home one afternoon and gently asked, “I understand you are considering becoming Orthodox. Is there anything I can do to help you with your decision?” The call was totally unexpected and I still don’t know who gave him my name, but the thought that someone who had so many burdens and responsibilities would take time to talk with a stranger overwhelmed me. Not too long after I was chrismated and later was blessed to meet Fr. Peter in person and have the opportunity to tell him how much that telephone call meant to me. Judging from the many others whose messages tell how Fr. Peter led them to Orthodoxy, I see I was not alone in being blessed by his faithfulness!
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones!”
I was very happy to meet Fr. Peter two years ago, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His book “Becoming Orthodox” gave me a lot of courage and straightened my faith.
The Lord That father Peter loved with all hist heart, That he preached all his life, call his servant to his kingdom.
I want to express my deepest sympathy to his family on his passing into Eternal Life with our Lord.
Memory eternal!
Fr. Constantin
Fr. Peter was the very first Orthodox Priest that my wife and I met with after we discovered Orthodoxy in 2005 . I was at that time a Calvinistic Baptist Pastor serving a Baptist Church near Ann Arbor, MI. Fr. Peter happened to have flown into MI for a weekend to attend a crowning ceremony at St James Antiochian Church in Williamston. His time in town was limited but he took the time to meet with my family. He treated my family (and me personally as then Baptist Pastor) with respect, kindness, and sincere love. We got to know him fairly well over the years and have many good memories, having gone to many conferences, conventions, and other events where he spoke; especially the many times we enjoyed with him at the Antiochian Village.
After we officially entered the Orthodox Church, Fr Peter would call me by phone on numerous occasions to see how my family’s journey in Orthodoxy was going. The last time he called me (he actually hunted me down because we had moved to WA State from Michigan) was last August 2011.
After I heard that his cancer had returned and his condition was serious, I was really hoping to have just one more phone call with him . . . as I would have treasured his advice for me in my present situation in life right now.
But, I am glad to have known not only a great Orthodox man who loved the Lord, but also a Servant who had a continual heart for evangelism all of his life.
I will especially miss his laugh. I pray I will be able to meet him again in Glory.
May the Lord bless his wife Marilyn, and the rest of the Gillquist family (and all of us who knew him) during this time of great loss.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Psa 116:15 (115:6 LXX)
AND NOW OUR BELOVED FR. PETER HAS FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD. TRULY THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL MANSION AWAITING HIM. WE PRAISE GOD FOR HAVING KNOWN FR. PETER AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS JOURNEY TO ORTHODOXY..TRULY, HE WAS A SPECIAL SERVANT OF THE LORD AND HEAVEN IS REJOICING.
Memory Eternal!
Dear Marilyn, Father Peter Jon and family,
Be assured of our prayers with many wonderful memories of all that we have shared and will always share as co-laborers of Christ’s vineyard. Our dear brother, your beloved husband and father has taken his place at the table of Christ’s heavenly banquet. May we who remain so honor his memory as we continue in that labor of love that was diligently taught by the good work of Father Peter. Blessed be the memory of our beloved Father Peter, worthy of blessedness and eternal memory!
Father Timothy Baclig, and the Parishioners of St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church; Van Nuys, California
I met Fr. Peter three times. The first time, I was a college freshman, and Fr. Peter was part of a Campus Crusade for Christ team. He tried to get me involved. I told him I loved the Bible studies, but it was not for me, because it did not emphasize the centrality of the Eucharist, every week! Thank goodness one can be a college freshman only once in this life!
The second time I met him, he was Bishop Peter, and keynote speaker for the Diocese of Newton National Convention in Birmingham Alabama in 1987. I was working the bookstore at the convention and he walked in, our eyes met, he broke out in that wonderful smile of his and said “I took what you said about the Eucharist pretty seriously you know.” I was absolutely astonished that he remembered me, much less that he remembered what I said.
The third time we met, he was Father Peter, a priest of the Holy Orthodox Church, and by then I was Orthodox nun. I will never forget the joy we shared to realize how our journeys had brought us together again, and he told me about Fr. Jon and Fr. Gordon becoming Orthodox priests also!
I did not know his melanoma had come back until I learned of his repose. My offer my prayers for him and all of his family. As I read the names of all the comments posted, I realize it is truly a roll call of the extended Orthodox family who have been privileged to meet and be influenced by him. I am still running a bookstore-an all Orthodox one-and yes, I have his books in there! Everytime I shelve a new copy I remember an extraordinary man with a wonderful smile and endless energy and love for God’s church and His people. Memory Eternal!
His amazing work has shown that careful, rigorous scholarship can recover and confirm historical truth; his life was an illustration of the relentless pursuit of Truth, regardless of where convenience would stray.
May Christ Our God welcome His faithful servant the Archpriest Peter into his Kingdom! My family is praying for Father and his own family. He had hoped to see the beautiful Orthodox chapel at the University of Connecticut, but ilness didn’t permit it. May he view the chapel and its works from heaven! Memory eternal!
Memory Eternal, good and faithful servant!
Kh Marilyn and family,
You have been and will continue to be in our prayers for peace and comfort as you prepare to sing Father Peter to rest during the next few days. What a changing of the guard it has been in recent months, from those who led the way for so many and who now intercede for us in God’s presence as we follow their path and example. What a blessing they have been to us all!
The Orthodox Church lost one of its 20th century apostles today and we are all saddened by it. May God Grant Fr. eternal rest – memory eternal. Fr. & Charlotte Wm. Conjelko
We were so sorry to hear of Fr. Peter’s passing. He was a wonderful, wonderful, man! His gregarious and loving personality was enjoyed at our home on several occasions during his travels for the SAE fraternity and for helping a new church in Princeton, NJ. We were so fond of him and he will live on in our memories and in the Wiik family as it grows. A contribution will be sent in in his memory where requested. Love to all.
Kh. Marilyn, I will forever remember Father’s polite but firm insistence that it would be better for him to drive his Lincoln than have another ride in my much smaller car when you visited us in Fort Wayne last year. I’m sure there’s nothing smaller than a Humvee in Heaven.
Gracious! Where would so many thousands of us be if he had not written that book?? I remember when I got “Becoming Orthodox” in the mail in 1989. I got it and another title in the mail that day from CBD; I started reading as soon as I got home from work and had finished it by the time I went to bed that same day, and my life has never been the same. Looking back, that one day was perhaps the most important one in my life. Thank, you Fr. Peter, good, faithful, and absolutely critical (to the people of North America) servant. Rest in the company of the saints!
Pdn Michael
Memory Eternal, Fr. Peter, honest minister and servant of Christ!!!
Our prayers are still one voice, our service is still the same deed, our liturgy is the constant pace…Christ, the Head of the whole Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox Church lead you all along the way to your spiritual riches and you are the man of His brave heros, for you has never been astray and your life, your fidelity and devotion are witness….No more to say but pray together now!!!!
The fire and the page, the hewed hairs and the swords,
The grains and the millstone, the whispers and the clatter –
God saves all that — especially the words
Of love and pity, as His only way to utter.
The harsh pulse pounds and the blood torrent whips,
The spade knocks evenly in them, by gentle muse begotten,
For life is so unique, they from the mortal lips
Sound more clear than from the divine wad-cotton.
Oh, the great soul, I’m bowing overseas
To you, who found them, and that, your smoldering portion,
Sleeping in the homeland, which, thanks to you, at least,
Obtained the gift of speech in the deaf-mute space ocean.
Joseph Brodsky
May Fr. Peter’s memory be eternal!
May God strengthen and bless you, Fr. Peter Jon, your mother Marilyn, and all your family.
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Dear Marilyn and Family, we are so grateful for the deep memories with you, from my wedding to Mary, and your flower girl
role in the service. And I remember first meeting Peter, and hearing of his efforts with Campus Crusade, which I still support with joy. And then the many visits to Santa Barbara, dinner with you and with your mother Olga,
and the transition to the Orthodox brand of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
As a former pastor said to me on my last visit and prayer with him, “So long Leigh. See you in heaven.” And we will, thanks be to God.
Dear Marilyn and family, Tom and I are catching the morning flight from Alaska to be with you as we all pray our beloved Fr Peter into the heavenly realm. Such memories we share with you, from my making your daughters’ wedding cakes, to Tom taking Fr. salmon fishing on the Kenai river, to bringing your friends Ross and Sue Barbour to our home for a special dinner, to all those great times when we were neighbors in Goleta. Most of all, we thank you all for your great witness to the love of God. What an extraordinary family you are! What wonderful wisdom and grace was given to Fr Peter, as he touched so many lives. May you all be comforted by the Paschal hymn “Christ is risen from the dead”. And may Fr. Peter’s memory be eternal. Love, JoAnn
Father Peter was one who influenced me as an evangelical to embrace Holy Orthodoxy.May his memory be eternal
Marilyn,
My family sends our condolences.
Edith Langlois
209 Walnut Bend Cv
Memphis TN 38018
901-753-8406
Fr. Peter,
Memory eternal! It’s been about ten years since you came and spoke to my OCF. I didn’t take any notes, but I still remember some of the things you said. You spoke from the heart, and your life is a great testimony to Orthodox Christians in America. With much love and gratitude…
Dear Marilyn and Family of Father Peter,
Our heartfelt sympathy at the passing of Father Peter.
Our thoughts are with you,
Ken and Anne on Sabado Tarde
I am so sorry to hear of Fr. Peter’s passing – I will remember him for his strength, his book, and kind words to me at the last convention in Chicago. May the Gilchrist family find peace in his great achievements and deep spirit with the Lord.
I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Fr. Peter this week. He was a man or endless enthusiasm and energy and I was honored to know him and to spend many hours with him during the 1980s. He cared deeply for his wife, Marilyn, and his children, and his love for them was constant and evident. He was a great leader, speaker and writer and his like is not often found. I pray for his family, asking that our Lord will keep his memory eternal. I know that today Fr. Peter is joining with the saints who worked so diligently with him to find the Orthodx faith, and who have passed on before.
With sadness and acceptance of God’s will, we bid farewell to this great man, priest, father, speaker, author, and leader. May his memory be eternal
Fr. Danial Doss
St. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church (OCA)
Burr Ridge, Illinois
Dear Khouria Marilyn and other family members:
You are in our prayers. Where would so many of us be if Fr. Peter had not taken the journey into the Church and then, through his powerful writing, speaking, and pastoral love, beaconed us to join him.
Beloved friends, We received the news with great sadness at our clergy-laity assembly. Memory Eternal! Our prayers are with you.
You will not remember me, but I first learned of your spiritual journey towards Orthodoxy almost at its very beginning; and then we followed along from the various places we lived (Scotland, Texas, Hong Kong). We were blessed to meet several times in different places over the years, before and after my Presvytera and I became Orthodox. I will always remember and cherish those times and our conversations, which inspired and challenged me. May our Lord continue the great blessing of Fr. Peter’s ministry through all in your family. In Christ, +Fr Brendan Pelphrey
Dear Marilyn & Family,
I pray that the peace and grace of the Holy Spirit would be with all of you in your time of loss. I grieve with you. Fr. Peter was something of a “second father” for me, after having lost my dear Dad thirty-five years ago. Being with Fr. Peter and working alongside him so often over the years has produced some of my most precious memories. I feel something of a void inside. But we all know that our dear Father rests in the bosom of our Risen Lord Jesus! Thanks be to God!
My dear Father Peter, by God’s grace, we will see you at the Resurrection!
Love,
Fr. Bill Caldaroni
I remember reading Fr. Peter’s book Let’s Stop Arguing About the Holy Spirit.when I was a student considering applying for staff of Campus Crusade. For some reason, the name of the author stuck with me. Nearly forty years later, I was looking at my newly-purchased Orthodox Study Bible (only the NT at that time) and saw his name as project director. My first thought was, “it can’t be the same man,” but it turned out it was indeed. Apparently we had followed somewhat similar paths.
Blessed Repose and Eternal Memory.
Vicnaja Pamjat.
Margaret
Dear Kh. Marilyn, Rev. Fr. Peter John and family
“With the saints give rest, O Lord, to the Soul of your departed servant, the Archpriest Peter, where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting!”
Economos Antony Gabriel, Rev. Fr. Michael Shaheen, Rev. Fr. Jean El-Murr and the community of St George, Montreal offer you with contrite hearts and mourning souls the deepest sympathies. Our words of condolences cannot redeem the great loss, but they convey our love, support and encouragement.
Archpriest Peter has touched and impressed the lives of many people with his zealous ministry of love and his faith. With this love and faith we carry on and exalt our prayers to the Merciful God to receive His servant Fr. Peter in His bosom and to grant you and the family strength, courage and blessings to endure these difficult moments that they may be transformed to a time of joy in the Resurrected Lord.
“Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death, and
to those in the tombs, He bestowed life.”
MEMORY ETERNAL.
Economos Antony Gabriel, Pastor Rev. Fr. Michael Shaheen, Assistant Pastor
Rev. Fr. Jean El-Murr, Assistant Pastor
It is no exaggeration to say that Fr. Peter added a unique chapter to the history of Orthodoxy in America. What is more significant to me, however, was the way he dealt with individuals — always with sincerity, support, sensitivity, and spiritual conviction. He so authentically combined the roles of visionary and pastor! He changed us all, and we are all the better for it.
May his memory be eternal, and may God’s consolation be with his family and with all who so keenly feel his loss.
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Fr. Peter and to all who will miss him greatly. I only knew Fr. Peter through his books, and he had a profound effect upon my life. His books became the catalyst for my exploration and entry into the Orthodox Faith. I will forever be grateful to him for his books and his evangelical zeal. He is truly an Apostle for the 21st century in America. I have no doubt that he is now hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Memory Eternal….
To Kh. Marilyn and the entire Gillquist Family:
Christ is Risen!
It is with great sorrow and sadness that we express our deepest sympathy to you and your family. With Fr. Peter’s passing, we lose a great priest and preacher. May the Lord bless his soul and accept him among the just.
- Fr. Ghattas Hajal, Dean & Pastor
- Fr. Michael Sakran, Assistant Pastor
St. Elias Cathedral, Ottawa, Ontario
I heard Father Peter tell the beautuful story of his journey to Orthodoxy so many times on AFR and his story hit the mark every time. What a teacher!
To all his loved ones, may the Lord strengthen you during these sad days.
Memory Eternal.
Mel Chrysostomou
Adelaide, Australia
May Father God grant his servant and my friend the Archpriest Peter eternal memory.
Marilyn, I am so sad for your loss and I pray that you and your wonderful family with feel the healing love of our Lord. We have shared so many incredible experiences together over the years from those first moments in Goleta where we smoked cigars and drank cheap beer in the back yard while discussing theology and the Orthodox Church. Step by step the will of the Almighty brought us into sacramental unity. And now, Father Peter has entered into the fullness of union with his Savior. After digesting the grief of loss, one of my first thoughts was that from the original group there aren’t many of us still here who rode the waves of discovery, but then I reconsidered and see that there are thousands of souls touched by Peter and the shared vision given from above.
May God bless you all.
Fr Ted and Karen Wojcik
To all family and friends,
May God grant you strength during the difficult time. Fr. Peter’s gift to the church through his writings and evangelism have been incredible. I know how his books have helped me, and also being able to meet him in person on a couple of occasions was a great honor for me. His contributions to Orthodoxy have helped and will continue to help so many to find there way to the One Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church. May his memory be eternal!
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Dear Presbytera Marilyn,
We just heard of Fr. Peter’s falling asleep in the Lord, may his memory be eternal and may God give him rest among His saints !
We still remember being welcomed by you and Fr. Peter when we arrived in Santa Barbara as students fifteen years ago. Thinking about your strong faith and Christian witness has always strengthened us in our faith and for this we remain forever grateful.
In Christ
Fr. Iosif and Cristina Bena
To the Gillquist Family,
The clergy and parishioners at St. Mary’s Basilica in Livonia, Michigan extend their heartfelt condolences and expression of sympathy on the passing of your dear husband, father and grandfather, Fr. Peter Gillquist.
Fr. Peter will be remembered for his work, his authorship and his love of the missions for many years to come.
So blessed is the way God has led him and blessed is the way God will leave, for all of you, wonderful memories.
May God have mercy on his soul and may his memory be eternal.
Fr. George and Nouhad Shalhoub
Fr. Jim and Audrey King
Deacon Issa Rizkallah
Deacon Dennis and Andria Bojrab
and the entire church community
20 years ago this month, on a Friday afternoon, I came upon a yard sale across the street from St. John Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River, Alaska. It was clear to me there was a community here, but I had no idea what it was. After questioning the woman there for about 15 minutes, she handed me Fr. Peter’s book, “Becoming Orthodox” and said, “Come and see.”
I shared that book with my husband, and we both DEVOURED it; and having read the book, attended St. John’s that Sunday on the feast of St. Paraskeva.
It is with such great, and humble joy I see the results of that book in my life: my husband and myself, our thirteen children and all twelve of our grandchildren (the youngest two are newborns, so will be baptized soon!) are Orthodox Christians.
Fr. Peter must be in awe as the Lord unfolds before him the impact he has had on people, their lives and families, and on the generations to come.
MEMORY ETERNAL, +Fr. Peter!
Forgive me – for this post! …. Laura Anna-Paraskeva Temple!!! Please send me an email. I lost yours!!! I miss you!
Thank you Fr. Peter for helping me across the bridge from Protestantism to Orthodoxy and for helping renew a vision for evangelism within Orthodox Christianity. Pray for us !
Memory Eternal!
Dear Fa. Peter, You prayed for us on earth, please pray for us in heaven. May God Grant you Eternal Rest! Well done,my good and faithful servant, is what I imagine your greeting being in the heaven-lies. Thank you for sharing your vision of what the church was supposed to be and Orthodox Spirituality! Welcome Home! May your family take comfort in knowing that you are praying for them from the heavens.
I am blessed by the memory of you visiting Indianapolis, EOC days, and staying in our home. Memory Eternal, Fa. Peter!
I read “Becoming Orthodox”… and Fr.Peter’s history was much like mine, Campus Crusade for Christ and Dallas Theological Seminary. Just after one year of struggling with Orthodoxy and what to do with it Fr. Peter came to my town to participate in a funeral as a National Fratenity Chaplin, and spoke at the Liturgy at the local Antiochian Church. I was introduced to him as “A Fan”, he signed my book, I gave him a lettter, and HE CALLED ME THE NEXT WEEK. He took time out of his busy schedule to give me a phone call and talk to me about my struggles in life and with Orthodoxy. A couple of years later I was Chrismated in the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church,
Thank you Fr. Peter for assisting in that journey,
MEMORY ETERNAL
Dean
Khouria & Family & all extended family,
Christ our Lord, grant rest to thy servant Peter among Thy Saints who have reposed in Thy peace, where there is no pain, sorrow, or suffering, but everlasting life, and bestow upon him the blessed eternal life which is from Thee, merciful Lord. Thou art the Resurrection and the Life, and to Thee I give glory, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Almighty God, we give Thee hearty thanks for the good examples of all those Thy servants, who having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labours. And we beseech Thee, that we with all those who are departed in the true faith of Thy Holy Name may be found acceptable in Thy sight; and receive that blessing, which Thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all who love and fear Thee, saying, Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant; Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight; through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessings and Special Memories,
A new student of Orthodoxy,
Wesley
Dearest Kyr Marilyn, Fr Peter and family,
Jesus said that we are to light our light shine before all men that they may see the glory of God … surley it was very clear that Christ’s light shine brightly in Fr Peter’s life. His love for God, Christ’s Holy Church, and his family was very visible in not only what he said but in his life. He lived his life IN and As the Church.
Fr Peter Jon, I know he was very proud of you and as one who has had you and your wife at our parish (doing a concert), I know why.
Kyr Marilyn, your were a good and faithful wife ,,,may God be with you in your gief ,,,, I know Fr Peter is in a better place but please still allow yourself to grieve ,,, you are in my prayers
Fr David Randolph
Kyr Betty Randolph
Eternal be the Memory of the Servant of God the Priest Peter!
The Orthodox Church here in the United States has truely lost a person who should be numbered withthe saints as an eual to the Apostles for his wonderous evangelical spirit in spreading “America’s best kept secret” the Orthodox Church in a manner that could be understood by many who had known nothing about Orthodoxy before. His books and lectures brought many to the Church who would have never found it without his special witness. His teachings also impacted the cradle Orthodox, many of whom returned to full communion after the basence of many years. We can Thank Our God in Heaven for the misitery of Father Peter and know that as he reposes in the bosom of the Lod, he will continue to pray for the Holy Orthodox Church before the throne of God.
May His Memory be Eternal!
I count myself blessed to have met Fr. Peter once when he came out to Seattle for a Lenten retreat. I’ll always remember that booming voice of his. I think God gave him that voice just for evangelism!
John Cox
Dear Marilyn and Gilquist family,
I know that I am one of hundreds, maybe thousands who were touched and blessed by Fr. Peter’s ministry. I read his book “Becoming Orthodox” in 2004 and was Chrismated into the Orthodox Church at Pascha 2005. Praying for comfort and peace from God as you grieve. may his memory be eternal!
In Christ,
Rex and Iris Houdyshel
Fr. Peter was a huge reason I am Orthodox today. His inspiring audio tapes, especially regarding his own journey to Orthodoxy were a huge inspiration for me. I was fortunate to meet him a couple years ago during my St. Stephen’s residency at the Antiochian village. God speed Fr Peter and may your memory be eternal!
Kh. Marilyn, Fr. Peter J., and family,
I extend my deepest condolences to all of you on the repose of Fr. Peter. Along with many others who have posted here, my dearly departed wife, Regina, and I were deeply influenced by Fr. Peter’s book Becoming Orthodox, and it was one of the most influential stories on our path into the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. May his memory be eternal!
Pray for us, Fr. Peter, Enlightener of Protestants!
Charles Demetrios
We have been in continuous prayer for all of you during these weeks. We remember Fr. Peter in our family prayers together and will again today during and after the Liturgy. I recall dinners at the Gillquist home during my journey to Orthodoxy. It was the book “Becoming Orthodox” that began my journey. Skip, now my husband, gave it to me during a time that I was searching for a deeper truth. And now, we are members of St. Gabriel in Angels Camp, CA as a direct result of the Missions and Evangelism efforts of Fr. Peter and the service of Fr. John Finley. We are grateful! We will miss Fr. Peter’s jovial laughter and faithful strength, even in the midst of pain. We pray that when our time comes to be reunited, we can turn our eyes and hearts to the heavens with such surety. May his memory be Eternal!
All our love and prayers during this time of grief,
Skip & Shannon Sharp
Dear Gillquist Family,
Thank you for reaching out to all of us through this website, and we are so sorry for your loss. It’s been so special to follow the recent events and especially to see the three sunbeams in the church at the funeral. Fr. Peter is a true gift from God and we will miss him very much. We will look forward to seeing the rest of you when Michelle is healthy enough to travel to Indy. God bless you all.
Love, PJ, Michelle, and George Boyle
Dear Marilyn and the entire Gilquist Family,
Our deepest sympathy is with you on the passing of our dear friend, Fr. Peter.
We remember the time he was in our home and eating Kibbee Knayee–he loved it. We’ll never forget his beautiful Christian personality no matter what health conditions he was in. He will be truly missed and his writings, his ability to convey God’s message of salvation, and his positive outlook on life will never be forgotten. He truly will be missed. Memory eternal and may God grant all of you the strength and comfort that you will need during this time. He and you will be remembered in our prayers.
With love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony and Family.
Father Peter greatly impacted my life with his Love is Now book.
I actually got his phone number a few months ago and wanted to talk to him regarding my journey toward Orthodoxy … curious his position on various matters, especially on certain areas that I still struggle with. For various reasons I never got a chance to call, and sad to hear of his falling asleep.
Still, thank you Most Holy Trinity for Father Peter’s life.
These are some comments that were left on my webpage, so I put them here also
1. from Fr. Andrew and Kh. Dannie Moore
“We were members of the EOC in 1979, and entered the Antiochian Archdiocese along with so many of our dear brothers and sisters. With a small house church in inner-city Atlanta, we depended on Fr. Peter, Fr. Gordon Walker and others to guide us to Orthodoxy. We have blessed memories of the visits Fr. Peter made during those early years. He would sit in our living room, with the guitar, and sing with us ,,.,. how we recall “The Baptism of Jessie Taylor” and once he sang, “Front Seat, Back Seat” by Dallas Holm … what joyous times as we all struggled to embrace the ancient Church and the faith of the Apostles. We shall ever be indebted to Fr Peter for his kindness, his humor and friendship in leading the way for our faithful at St. Stephen. May God grant his soul rest where the just repose. Memory Eternal.”
2. from Chris Stevenson
“Fr. Peter Gillquists book Becoming Orthodox was instrumental in me becoming Orthodox. His book was riveting and I could not put it down for any length of time. I loved it. Any time I saw him speak online I was listen and it always impacted me… I loved it. May His Memory be Eternal…. BRAVO JULU Fr. Peter…. BRAVO JULU!!!”
3. from Fr. JRaphael and Kh. JCatherine Garcia
“Our world loses a great mentor and Christian leader but gains a great advocate in heaven. THANK YOU Fr. PETER for the guidance you have led many. Our hearts ache but our spirits rejoice for the joy of your returning to the beauty of GOD’s Fullness of Being. With great love your memory will be eternal”
4. from John-Ambrose Cox
“I am a former Charismatic Protestant who was ordained in the Charismatic Episcopal Church who converted to Orthodoxy almost three years ago. I had first heard of Father Gillquist’s book Becoming Orthodox prior to my starting my time as a catechcumen in the Orthodox Church in America. During my time as a catechcumen, I read the book and found that I had gone through some of the same experience on my own journey to Orthodoxy. Father Gillquist became an inspiration and someone I could relate to. I often recommend his book to any evangelical or charismatic who is interested in learning more about the Orthodox Faith. Father Gillquist will be greatly missed; but I am sure that there will be many more of us who will have read his book on our way to Orthodoxy.”
5. from Marc Trolinger
“Fr. Peter was a big man with a big heart, and a great love for the Church. Although he will be missed by many, his prayers for those of us who remain in this life will be a great blessing.”
Fr. Peter was the first Orthodox priest I ever met, and his book Becoming Orthodox was the first book I ever read on the Orthodox Church. He came to my campus and introduced me to a Church I never heard about, though that time in my life I had been to 15 different churches, and like the Samaritan woman, the church I then was with was not really “my church”. Fr. Peter revealed to me my church, the Church of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Apostles, and not a day of life goes by that I don’t bless the memory of this great man and priest of God.
Memory Eternal! Mno Gaya Leto!
Honestly, words fail me at the moment to express my prayers for the Guillquist family. Thank you for sharing Fr. Peter with the rest of us. He spoke here once, to familiarize people with the Orthodox Church, when we were still an Antiochian Study Group.
May his memory be eternal!
the sinful and unworthy servant
Fr. Peter was (is) instrumental in my own “Journey to Orthodoxy,” which continues. My heart is a mix of heaviness and joy.
Dear Khouriyee Marilyn and family,
With great sadness and joy, I learned of the falling asleep of my dear friend, your beloved husband, Father Peter. While he is now rejoicing in the embrace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we are saddened by his absence, knowing we must continue the race without his encouragement, his warm smile, his bear hug, his kind words and strong support.
It was a privilege and honor to have known and worked with Fr. Peter. My fondest memory is of a time we both participated in a conference in Ethiopia.
One afternoon, during a rest period, I heard a lot of noise outside my second floor window. When I went out on the small balcony, there was Fr. Peter preaching the message of salvation to a crowd of eager Ethiopians, who had gathered to listen and converse with him.
May the Grace of our Lord bring comfort and peace to you and all the Gillquist family. May your memory be eternal dear brother in Christ!
In His love,
+Bishop Dimitrios Couchell
Thank you, dear brother in Christ, for you faithful witness to our Risen Lord through your years of following Him! Thank you for you love of all of God’s people and for His Holy Church. Thank you for your service to the entire Body of Christ. We miss you but rejoice that you are now with our Awesome God!
You helped us know that Love is Now, that we should celebrate and not fight about the Holy Spirit, and that we should embrace God’s entire People.
Memory Eternal, Fr. Peter!
We are eternally grateful for your work in establishing St. Ananias Orthodox Mission in Evansville, Indiana, our home Church.
Dear Kh. Marilyn and family,
Our deepest condolensces for the falling asleep of Fr. Peter. We will all miss him so deeply. He touched so many people’s lives. Of his many accomplishments, the Orthodox Study Bible certainly stands out as a ministry that will live forever. Without Fr. Peter, it would not have occurred.
May his memory be eternal. We know he will be praying for us.
John and Katherine Demakis
My heartfelt condolences on the passing of Dear Fr. Peter Gilquist. He was a breath of fresh air. I will miss him not being here to talk at the North Texas Orthodox Missions’ retreats in Dallas. He was always an inspiration and he will remain to be. Memory Eternal, Fr. Peter.
May the memory of Archpriest Peter E. Gilchrist be eternal, one of the first if not the very first leader of thirsty pioneering pilgrims from amongst the heterodox that sought and found the True Church in the 21st Century!
To family and friends I extend my deep condolensces. As my best friend (and fellow staffer on high school newspaper the Grist) I loved him deeply. And so very much appreciate his existence!. God has always loved Peter — as I do — and deeply bless his soul, his accomplishments and his memory!. -Richard
My English are not very good. I read all the above remarks and I felt blessed because I m an Orthodox Christian. I didn’t know father Peter. But I felt very sorry with his depth. He was a real servant for his people and for the Orthodoxy in USA. May God rest his soul! Eternal memory! Αιωνία σου η Μνήμη!
Panagiotis Zantes Greece.