When Rassophore Monk Mark Murianka was tonsured into the Small Schema, he was given the name of Luke, after the Apostle and Evangellist Luke, with the hope that he would emulate his new saint writing icons.  The future Bishop Luke did paint icons.  However, as time went on, he had less and less time to devote to this, but he did fulfill other attributes of his saint up until this date by being a successor of the apostles, evangelizing countless new converts to Orthodoxy, by being a healer of souls and educating his flock, specifically monastics and seminarians at the Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary.

October 31 (n.s.) is Vladyka’s Name’s Day.  As usual, he served the divine liturgy early in the morning together with the monastery and seminary clergy.  This year, a special blessing was the arrival of the myrrh-streaming Icon of Hawaii, brought here by its guardian, Priest Nektarios, for the pilgrimage to the monastery in memory of the martyred Brother Jose.  

Vladyka treated all to a special lunch, which was followed by a reception in the Pilgrim Dining Hall.  In the name of the brotherhood, Archimandrite Theophylact greeting Vladyka, wishing him God’s strength to continue in his labors for the monastery, seminary, and the Church at large.  During the reception, Fr. Theophylact presented Vladyka with a new staff from the brotherhood.  The seminarians also presented Vladyka with gifts, and the seminary dean, Dr. Nicolas Schidlowsky, greeted Vladyka in the name of the Seminary, even reciting a beautiful Russian poem in his honor.

May the Lord continue to grant our dear Vladyka with the strength and wisdom, with which he has guided the monastery and seminary for the benefit of all..  

Typical of Vladyka were his words at the conclusion of the reception, when he exhorted all to dedicate ourselves to our salvation.