At a time when the light of true Christianity has been all but extinguished by the spirit of the world, how rare it is to encounter a torch-bearer, someone able to guide the faithful through the encroaching dark- ness, And how great that darkness seems when death unexpectedly blows out the torch. So it was with Fr, Vladimir Evsukoff whose tragic death two years ago at the age of 37 left his many parishioners of the Holy Protection Cathedral in Melbourne profoundly shaken. And not only his parishioners but also a great number of others, for he was a torch-bearer whose burning love for Christ had inspired and encouraged many on the path of salvation,

As a simple lay priest Fr. Vladimir did not perform any outstanding ascetic feats, nor was he a brilliant theologian, Rather, it is his example of a life of self-sacrifice for Christ which qualifies him to be called a spiritual hero of our time, Among the young, pampered generations it is very unusual to find such self-sacrifice, even though this is required of all Christians, For this reason the memory of Fr. Vladimir deserves to be kept alive and the example of his life set “on a candle stand,” so that even after death, his torch may continue to burn and inspire others with love for Christ.

        Fr. Vladimir spoke little about his life. Growing up in Europe during the war years, he had a difficult childhood and was spared the misfortune of being spoiled, His mother left him when he was still young and he was raised almost as an orphan by his grandparents. It was only in the ’50’ s that he saw his father for the first time in Australia. His grandfather was a reader in the church and his grandmother was very pious. It was from them that he received the spark of a spiritual life which, over the years, steadily grew into a burning flame.

        His fondest memories were of his seminary years (1961-1966)in Jordanville. There his heart was at home, and Holy Trinity Monastery remained a spiritual home for him for the rest of his life. He entered whole-heartedly into the seminary life with an enthusiasm tempered by sobriety. He was a great admirer of Archbishop Averky of blessed memory, whose sermons made a deep impression on him.

Upon graduating from the seminary, he made a pilgrimage to Mt. Athos and the Holy Land. Returning to Australia, he met his future Matushka. Within two years after they were married, he was ordained to the priesthood and assigned to the parish “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Geelong. There he served until 1976 when he was transferred to the Holy Protection Cathedral in Melbourne. Both in Geelong and Melbourne, Fr. Vladimir inspired many to draw closer to Church. So many of the Russian emigres in both cities had become luke-warm in their faith; likewise many of their children understood little Russian and were Orthodox by birth rather than by conviction. Through contact with Fr. Vladimir their love for the Church was re- kindled. The younger generations were especially attracted to Fr. Vladimir who was always concerned for the Orthodox instruction of youth–concern that their faith be meaningful and active and that their church attendance be not mere habit for the sake of ritual, but a gateway to communion with the living God. Every other week Fr. Vladimir held a Bible-study in English which regularly drew as many as 20 to 30 young people, For most of the participants, it was the first time they had heard the basic teachings of the Orthodox faith explained in a language they could easily understand. It is no wonder so many of them began to take an active part in the church and to lead a conscious spiritual life.

     In his love for Christ and His Church, Fr. Vladimir was an ardent missionary. He purchased a small printing press which turned out, among other things, “Protection Leaflets” similar to church leaflets so widespread in Holy Russia; they explained the meaning of various Church feasts, points of Orthodox doctrine and information on Church life. Fr. Vladimir dedicated the work of the press to St. Xenia, Fool-for-Christ, whom he greatly venerated. Under his direction the leaflets and other spiritual books were translated into English and spread among Australians, not a few of whom became Orthodox.

    During the church services, Fr. Vladimir became entirely engrossed in the prayers and his fervent spirit and enthusiasm were warmly communicated to his flock whom he exhorted to be attentive. He would not allow the reading of the Gospel to begin until there was absolute silence in the church. Fr. Vladimir attempted to make the church as conducive to prayer and as spiritually uplifting as possible. He bought many new icons and regilded the church vessels as well as replacing worn vestments and church coverings. The outward adornment of the church however, was always secondary; its main purpose was to aid the inner adornment of the heart.

    Warm and loving, with a ready smile, Fr. Vladimir was also strict concerning matters of the faith. He did not hesitate to upbraid parishioners for being late to service or’ being lax in keeping the fasts. He was very strict with himself and never missed a single service. His Matushka remembers that once during Great Lent Fr. Vladimir fell very ill –from weakness he had to hold onto the walls as he walked around his room, In spite of this, he went to church to serve the Presanctified and did not break the fast even to drink some water.

      Fr. Vladimir was one of those rare, tireless workers in Christ’s vineyard. His activities touched upon all aspects of church life. He was at once a sower scattering seeds far and wide, a fisherman continually letting down and drawing up his nets. His self-sacrificing activity was apparent in the many things he did which were, one might say, “Beyond the call of duty”: Almost every Saturday during Great Lent, for example, after the church service, Fr. Vladimir would make for his parishioners a huge pot of “monastic” borsch–Jordanville style. On Pascha he and Matushka Barbara would invite all those who worked for the church to their home to break the fast. Afterwards Fr. Vladimir would drive home those who needed rides–to all parts of Melbourne. He would then return to the church and clean it up in preparation for the evening service, All this after having just finished a long fast with its long services and having eaten nothing during the whole of Passion Week.

      Fr. Vladimir was also active in founding the Australian branch of Orthodox Action, whose purpose is to help persecuted Orthodox behind the Iron Curtain. He felt a strong tie to the suffering brethren in Christ and tried to communicate this to others.

      The above gives by no means a complete picture of Fr. Vladimir’s life. It is enough

however, to see that when the heart is turned to Christ and when there is a willingness to sacrifice oneself, it is possible even as a lay priest of a large city parish to maintain a high 1evel of spiritual life oneself and to draw others to the same ideal. Various letters written by Fr. Vladimir’s spiritual children after his death testify that he indeed succeeded in igniting hearts. One such letter reads in part: “There was that deep spiritual bond which I underestimated, which I felt towards the priest who received me into the Church, confessed me, guided and instructed me, and showed such pastoral concern for the new member of his flock …. He was a real rock to me. Above all, he inspired me with his strength, his fervor, his zeal, his single-minded dedication, and his love of God.”

     It is, of course, a great tragedy that Fr. Vladimir’s life was cut short just as it seemed to be in full bloom. Nothing, however, happens without God’s allowance. So many people were spiritually dependent upon Fr. Vladimir, so many looked to him for guidance and inspiration. Perhaps now it is time for them to take Fr. Vladimir’s life as an example and become themselves torchbearers who, having been ignited by Fr. Vladimir, are now ready to spread the light to others.

     One of Fr. Vladimir’s spiritual children has written: “Fr. Vladimir was a very hardworking and enthusiastic priest, and a very zealous advocate of the Holy Orthodox Faith …. If ever a man was a great lover of Christ and guided by the Holy and Life-giving Spirit, Fr. Vladimir was such a man.”

     May Orthodox Christians everywhere be inspired and motivated by Fr. Vladimir’s example, inspired to be independent Christian workers, torch-bearers of genuine Orthodox Christianity in an age of darkness.