In Memory of Ruth and Tom Walker To Save the Monastery

Founders, Monastery of the Holy Martyrs and Orthodox Workers

From the time I was 13, my mother, Ruth Walker, and my father, Tom Walker, prepared me to serve God as a priest. They taught me that the first duty of every priest, pastor, and church is simple and sacred: to feed folks. They made sure I learned not only how to pray, but how to cook.

Early on Christmas morning, my beloved mother departed this life at the age of 104, joining my father in Heaven. I do not grieve, for I know they are still with me, walking beside me and guiding the work to which they devoted their lives. My best friend said it best:

“Your mother’s teaching legacy is inexorably linked to your mission to help the poor and downtrodden. May her words be a spark carried in the hearts of those who knew her—and those inspired by her—to carry on the mission of helping those too often ignored by society. May she rest in peace.”

My parents helped build the Monastery of the Holy Martyrs and Orthodox Workers—a ministry grounded in truth and strong Orthodox faith, serving all people, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or what they believe. Their faith was never exclusive, never conditional. They believed that every person who came to our door was sent by Christ Himself.

Today, they continue to guide me—to reach out more, to love more, to welcome everyone, and to never close the door to anyone in need.

When I was ordained thirty years ago, my mother told me she had prayed since I was thirteen for me to become the priest that Christ wanted and needed. I have no doubt that her final prayer on Christmas morning was for that same purpose—and that now she is asking Christ to challenge me more deeply in His service.

The Mission They Helped Build Must Continue

Our monastery serves the disenfranchised and marginalized, the homeless and near homeless, the poorest of the poor. We reach out to the unseen, the unheard, and the unwanted—though as my parents often reminded me, none are unseen, unheard, or unwanted by Christ.

But today, our monastery itself is in need. Severe leaks in the monastery’s roof have made our great room unusable and closed —the very room that once served the homeless as a day shelter and the elderly as a place of fellowship and warmth; and now one of the pantry's food storage rooms has a severe leak.

Roofing repairs are estimated at $18,000–$24,000.
Funds will also go toward repairing water damage, repainting, and reopening our great room for those we serve, the elderly and homeless, day room. Water in the food storage rooms will be repaired. Whatever remains will go toward what my mother always said was our first and only job: to feed folks.

How You Can Honor Ruth and Tom Walker

Your gift—large or small—honors two lives of unwavering faith and love. It continues their mission to serve Christ in the poor, the sick, the hungry, and the forgotten.

In their memory, I ask you to pray and, if you are able, to give. Every act of generosity is a prayer made visible.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
— Matthew 25:35

May Ruth and Tom’s memory be eternal, and may their legacy live on in every meal served, every person welcomed, and every hand extended in love.

In Christ, a thankful son,

Father Theodosius

Monastery of the Holy Martyrs - Syriac Orthodox

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