My name is Jacob Gorny, and I am Romanos' eldest son. I am afraid I have an awful bit of news to share with all of you.
Last Thursday, when I returned from my business trip in San Antonio, I returned to my dad's house to find he had taken a mid-morning nap and never awoke.
I am sure you understand the shock that our family is experiencing - he was in great physical and spiritual health, and having lost his wife and my mother on July 8, 2016, his passing into sleep has been a tremendous tragedy for his four sons.
While I'm sure many of you cannot attend his funeral, I wanted to share the announcement with you:
My brother John Gorny, who is serving as executor for my dad's estate, has included a donation link for those who are willing and able to do so.
Every contributor (whether via his blogs, facebook, etc.) will receive a printed copy of my father's writing that I am personally going to edit and prepare from the source materials I have been able to recover from his archives. I would expect this to be available in Summer 2017 (he had a lot of writing).
Again, I am truly sorry to have to share this news with all of you. He was a very dear man to me throughout the years - he had many great plans and things he hoped to do in his life - but the Lord designates a time and season for all things. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Yet that which is true is permanent, that which is false can never be permanent. Sky and earth may pass away, but the word of the Lord endures forever, and the promise of resurrection and ascension is ahead of all of us waiting to be experienced.
It is my prayer that you will take five minutes of silence on November 4th - wherever you may be - and direct your attention/meditation to the memory you have of this man, and offer a prayer to the Lord on his behalf. May he pray for all of us here in this plane of existence. May he enjoy reunion with his wife Anastasia in the ascended life. May his memory be eternal. Amen
Such sad news.
ReplyDeleteI started following this blog after hearing Romanos give a talk about the icons at a Greek Festival maybe 7 or 8 years ago. I guess I would be considered an Evangelical Protestant (if labels must be applied), but I thought it was one of the best sermons I ever heard. It was a tour through the whole Bible and I saw things in a new light which I much appreciated.
Peace to you and the rest of your family.
I never met your father, but knew him a bit through his writings. May his memory be eternal.
ReplyDeleteGod Rest His Soul!
ReplyDeleteI have been a reader of his blog for some years now and this is the first time I venture into writing. Only to say that I deeply mourn his sudden and unexpected departure.His writings, thoughts and insights into Orthodox faith have accompanied and strengthen my journey.His talent for writing has multiplied by all means and helped many of us, his readers,nourish the quest of our souls.
Rest assured that his memory will be treasured and I shall be in prayer on November 4.
May his memory be eternal!
Ana
Dear Jacob,
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your father's blog for some years, and have greatly appreciated his thoughts. I'm so sorry for your family's loss, and will pray for the soul of the Lord's servant Romanos.
I hope you will leave the blog "live". There is so much good here.
Thanking God-
Dana Ames
Ukiah CA
Thank you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDelete