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!
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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.
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
May Father Peter’s memory be eternal.
May Father Peter’s memory be eternal.
Abbot Tryphon
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
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
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
Memory eternal. I, too, appreciated Laurie’s comment a great deal. Love to Marilyn and the whole family.
Tearfully,
Jillian
“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!
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
MEMORY ETERNAL+
Love to all…Mother Galina
Thanks Laurie for you words too! Will keep you all in our prayers.
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 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
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.
“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
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.
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 his memory be eternal. He has served, and will continue to serve, as an inspiration to so many.
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
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!