Protodeacon Wilhelm and Agnes Friesen

Protodeacon Wilhelm Friesen (1944-2011)

and

Matushka Agnes Friesen

Early life

Wilhelm Friesen was born into a Mennonite family in Fraser Lake, British Columbia, on 9 April 1944.

Marriage

He was married to Matushka Agnes (Aggie) (née Phillipy) and they had 3 children : Mary, Gabriel, and Anna. Besides this, there is a very large extended family, all interconnected around the world in Christian formation and love. Archpriest Daniel Guenther of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is a part of this large network.

Education

Wilhelm graduated from Millar Bible School in Pambrun, Saskatchewan. He began his Orthodox service at Saint Vincent's Orthodox Church in Saskatoon, in the Antiochian Archdiocese.

Diaconal ordination

It was Bishop Antoun (Khouri) who ordained him to the Holy Diaconate.

Diaconal service

Transfer to the Archdiocese of Canada, 2004

In 2004, Deacon Wilhelm was received into the Archdiocese of Canada, and he was assigned to Holy Resurrection Sobor in Saskatoon, where he served faithfully.

In 2005, Deacon Wilhelm was elevated to the dignity of protodeacon.

Holy Resurrection Sobor

He was the first amongst the deacons serving at the sobor, and the senior deacon of the Province of Saskatchewan. As such, he was a steady resource and support for the other clergy serving at the sobor, and in the province.

Protodeacon Wilhelm was usually and affectionately called "Willy" by many. A truly loving husband and father, he was a good example of how a Christian lives.

Protodeacon Willy worked mostly in construction and maintenance-work before retirement, and he was always a "regular person". Of course, this means that he was always a "what you see is what you get" person, with no presenting of pretence. His hobbies were connected with his formation : reading, wood-work, repairing, and also photography. He certainly had to suffer with leukemia, and his family co-suffered with him. Along with his family, he always kept his heart focussed on the Lord.

Protodeacon Wilhelm serving

Protodeacon Willy never complained about his suffering, but bore it gracefully. As a result, he was always a steady sign of hope and confidence in the Lord. He was always ready to joke, to make quick, humorous responses, and to see the good in those around him, to see the Lord in those around him. A steady, peaceful man, it was always good to be in his presence, because one could feel this peace and this steadiness, and have them refreshed in one's own heart.

Protodeacon Wilhelm

Because of weakness, Protodeacon Willy was not able to be present in the Temple for some time near the end of his life ; but he did make it to Paschal services at the sobor. Although he could not serve, he was sitting just outside the iconostas, as near as possible to the Holy Table, and he was behaving as usual as "big brother" to the other deacons, and the others serving there.

Repose, 2011

Protodeacon Wilhelm Friesen fell asleep in the Lord in the afternoon of Wednesday, 11 May, 2011, in Saskatoon, rather suddenly, the result of an embolism, which was a complication of the leukemia from which he suffered for some years. He was at the time in the midst of another treatment.

Protodeacon Wilhelm reposed during the week of the Holy Myrrh-bearers (the Third Week of Pascha).

On Sunday, 15 May, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., a Panikhida (memorial service) was offered for Protodeacon Wilhelm at Holy Resurrection Sobor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

On Monday, 16 May, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Deacon were offered at Holy Resurrection Sobor.

The order of service for the funeral of a deacon is the same as that for the Burial of a Lay-person, but the deacon is dressed fully in his vestments ; he is interred with a censer in his hand, and he is treated as clergy. It is not known why there is not a specific service for deacons ; however, the deacon serves as a public example of service.

After the funeral services at the sobor, Protodeacon Wilhelm Friesen was interred at the Hillcrest Cemetery of Saskatoon. The funeral arrangements were in the care of David Schurr.

Grave-marker

Reflections

The Grace of the Holy Spirit was active in this man, who lived as a deacon should live — serving others, caring for others as Christ did.

It is usually understood by Orthodox Christians that to be called Home during the Paschal Season is a sign of special blessing for the one who is called Home then, and therefore an extra source of hope for those who remain behind.