while reading...

Last night, while reading "Royal Monastic - Princess Ileana of Romania", I came across this and wanted to share; feeling that it is befitting for me (for all of us):

"She should finish and leave - there's so much to be done, but something holds her in place, and she shifts her gaze to the icon of the Lord Himself - His eyes as compassionate and sorrowful as always.

As she stands, she feels a pressure around her - not physical, exactly, but what it is she can't say. It holds her gently in place, saying the things she cannot say for herself.

As she gazes at the icon of the Lord, she realizes that this is the Church - the prayers of the faithful, of the monastics who stand for hours and days before their icons. They are saying for her the words she cannot think, expressing the feelings she cannot feel, keeping her standing, keeping her heart open, empty and waiting. She nods, not content, exactly, and not feeling anything more than she has since the night her family left Romania, but not ready yet to leave the corner and God's and the Church's embrace. If she cannot pray, then she will let the Church pray for her, until the words come back."

I do not compare my previous trivial struggles to Mother Alexandra's where she had to cater to the Nazi communist takeover in her beloved home, to only be exiled with her family (6 children in tow) into an unfamiliar land. Even more so, that she faced many cruelties by her brother, who turned on her out of jealousy and pride. While he ruled as King, he thought it best for her to leave Romania because of "political reasons" and then she was not allowed to enter back into Romania to be with her most beloved mother upon her deathbed or even a year later for her memorial.

The list of Mother's struggles are endless where in this beautifully written book by Bev. Cooke pulls you right into the Princess's life, as if you are right beside her the whole time. During her life, she remained a beacon of strength and courage in the darkest of days. Her love for all mankind was enormous risking her own life along with her family's, yet she continued, she endured through her pain both physically and spiritually, by holding onto the prayers of the Church and her love for (her)Romania.

The Holy Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, which she founded, has become one of our favorite places to take refuge from the business of life. This peace is found within the beautiful grounds, the quaint guest house (where she actually rested her own head), the breathtaking chapel adorned with glorious icons, and especially with Mother Christophora and the whole sisterhood, they are our dearest of friends. It is a blessing, indeed!

Princess Ileana is among us...Holy Mother Alexandra pray unto God for us!