View source for Schema-Hierodeacon Theophanes (Constantine)


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'''Schema-Hierodeacon Theophanes (Constantine) (1949-2016)'''


Theophanes may be spelt Theophan, Theofan, Feofan.  


Seraphim William Constantine was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], in 1949.  He was one of 4 brothers.  

As a child, he attended school in Edmonton, and he graduated from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strathcona_High_School Strathcona Composite High School] in 1965. 

==Education ; employment==

Seraphim then attended [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed_College Reed College] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Oregon Portland], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon Oregon] from 1966 to 1970, where he received a B.A. in Mathematics. 

From 1973-1977, he attended [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McGill_University McGill University] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal] part-time while working full-time, and he received a Graduate Diploma in Public [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accountant Accounting]. 

In 1978, Seraphim qualified as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartered_accountant Chartered Accountant] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec Province of Québec], from where he later enrolled in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Institute_of_Chartered_Accountants Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants]. 

In the period 1972-1982, he acquired 10 years of full-time work experience, first as a computer programmer and systems analyst, and then as an articling student-in-accounts for the Chartered Accountancy designation, and then as a computer auditor for a major oil company. 

In 1982-1983 Seraphim attended the London Graduate School of Business Studies ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Business_School London Business School]) of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_London University of London] in the [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom United Kingdom], where he read for the M.Sc. (Applied) in Economics (M.B.A.). 

==Mount Athos, 1983==

At the end of the first year of the 2-year programme, with the counsel and encouragement of his confessor Seraphim took a leave of absence from the university in order to go to [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos] to test his vocation.  He then spent 6 months in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thessaloniki Thessaloniki], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece Greece], in intensive lessons in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Greek Modern Greek] language.  

In January of 1984, Seraphim formally entered the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simonopetra Monastery of Simonopetra] (Simonos Petra) on Mount Athos as a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Novice novice].  He remained on the Holy Mountain until 2004.  

==Monastic tonsure, 1990==

In 1990, Seraphim William Constantine was [https://orthochristian.com/101607.html tonsured] to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monk monk] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monastic_Ranks Great Schema] with the name Theophanes by [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Aimilianos_(Vafeidis) Abbot Aimilianos (Vapheides)] of [http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/Monastery/Simonos%20Petras.html Simonopetra Monastery].  

Prior to his tonsure, he had withdrawn from all accounting organisations and designations.  

'''Monastic service'''

The Monk Theophanes (Constantine) was enrolled in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lavra Monastery of the Great Lavra], Mount Athos, and he lived in the [http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/Skete/Kavsokalivia.html Skete of Kavsokalyvia], a dependency of the Great Lavra, from 2004-2013. 

==Return to Canada, 2014==

In 2014, after having spent 30 years on the Holy Mountain, the Monk Theophanes (Constantine) returned to Edmonton, Alberta, where he attended the [[Edmonton AB Saint Barbara Russo Orthodox Cathedral Church 1900 |Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Barbara]].  

He has written a work, “[http://timiosprodromos4.blogspot.ca/2006/01/description-of-work.html Psychological Basis of Mental Prayer in the Heart]”. 

A new work, “Introduction to the Jesus Prayer”, is currently under consideration for publication, and there are other writings being likewise prepared for publication. 

In the spring of 2016, Father Theophanes (Constantine) led an Alberta [http://www.orthodoxcalgary.ca/mensretreat Men’s Retreat], entitled : “[https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Road-Repentance-Theophanes-Constantine/dp/198834204X The Way of Repentance]”.  This was so well-received that he was asked to return in 2017.  He, himself, saw to the formatting of his retreat material into book form, and it was then published.  Some prototypes were made available to those who participated in the retreat.  

==Diaconal ordination, 2016==

In July, 2016, the Great Schemamonk Theophanes (Constantine) was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate] at Saint Barbara’s Cathedral by [[Bishop Job (Smakouz) |Bishop Job (Smakouz)]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashira Kashira], Bishop of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada]. 

==Repose, 2016==

However, on 25 December, 2016, Great Schema-Hierodeacon Theophanes (Constantine) fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 67 years.  

Father Theophanes was survived by his brothers, John, Dr. Wallace and Leo.  He was also survived by his spiritual son, the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/johnston-priest-raphael Priest Raphael Johnston], and numerous brother clergy. 

A panikhida for him was served at the Park Memorial Chapel on Friday, 30 December, at 7:00 p.m.

The Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierodeacon were offered at Saint Barbara’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Edmonton  (10105-96 Street) on 31 December, at 10:00 a.m.  Bishop Job (Smakouz), Bishop of Kashira and of the Canadian Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada led the services, and he was assisted by the other clergy who were present.  

The interment took place afterwards in [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2487699 Saint Barbara’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral Cemetery at Nisku].  


[[File:Funeral_Father_Theophanes_(Constantine)_2.png]]  '''Funeral service'''



==Reflections==

At the funeral of Schema-Hierodeacon Theophanes (Constantine), [[Bishop Job (Smakouz)]] included the following in his words :

  We are gathered here today in order to respectfully and sincerely say goodbye to Fr. Theophanes, 
  born in Edmonton, whom with the blessing of his spiritual father [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Kallistos_(Ware)_of_Diokleia Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware)], 
  for more than 30 years, in great schema, laboured on Mt. Athos.  He returned to his birthplace 
  for healing and in the Altar of this cathedral found spiritual peace and was ordained to the 
  Holy Diaconate. [...]
  
  The last path of Fr. Theophanes towards God began on the morning of December 24th, when he left 
  his apartment/kelia towards the temple to serve God during Liturgy.  But he suddenly slipped and fell. 
  When he was taken to the hospital and no serious problem was found, he called Fr. Igor in the evening, 
  asking him to give me a message, that he would soon be serving again.  But God called him for continued 
  service in a better place, in Heaven ! It is of great happiness to die on the way to church or from church. 
  Now the soul of the newly departed Fr. Theophanes is released from the body, and has received real freedom 
  and joy in Christ in the Heavenly Homeland.

'''Writings :'''

“[https://timiosprodromos4.blogspot.com/2006/01/description-of-work.html The Psychological Basis of Mental Prayer in the Heart]”, 3 vols. (Mount Athos : Timeos Podromos, 2006).  ISBN-10: 9608893305 ; ISBN-13 : 978-9608893306.  

“The Spiritual Road of Repentance” (Mount Athos : Timios Podromos, 2016).  ISBN-10 : 198834204X ; ISBN-13 : 978-1988342047.       

“Introduction to the Jesus Prayer” (manuscript unpublished). 


==Reference :==

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/in-memoriam-fr-theophanes/ Patriarchal Parishes “In Memoriam : Father Theophanes”]


'''Additional information :'''

[http://www.parkmemorial.com/book-of-memories/2809228/Schemamonk-Father-Theophanes/service-details.php Funeral information and obituary]

[http://timiosprodromos4.blogspot.ca/2006/01/description-of-work.html “The Psychological Basis of Mental Prayer in the Heart”] 

[https://www.worldcat.org/title/psychological-basis-of-mental-prayer-in-the-heart/oclc/190763783 Father Theophanes (Constantine) : World Catalogue listing for “The Psychological Basis of Mental Prayer in the Heart”]

[https://edmontonjournal.remembering.ca/obituary/theophanes-schemamonk-1066085774 “Edmonton Journal” obituary]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos, Greece]   

[http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/Skete/Kavsokalivia.html Skete of Kavsokalivia, Mount Athos]

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Aimilianos_(Vafeidis) Archimandrite Aimilianos (Vafeidis)] 

[[Bishop Job (Smakouz)]]

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_in_Canada Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Russia]      

[[Edmonton AB Saint Barbara Russo Orthodox Cathedral Church 1900 |Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Barbara]]






[[Category:Clergy]] [[Category:Monastics]] [[Category:EP]] [[Category:MP]]