My mother Ruth Walker raised me since I was 13 years old to be a priest. So did my father Tom Walker. They had very clear ideas about what all priests and pastors and all churches must do, what their first job is... To feed folks! So both made sure I knew how to cook.

Early Christmas morning my mother departed and is now in Heaven with my father who reposed several years ago. I am sure they had Christmas dinner together.

I do not grieve because I know they are still with me, and with this monastery and the mission, they gave her. My best friend said it best, I believe.

"I’m sorry for your loss. 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 or people inspired by her to carry on the mission of helping those who are too often ignored by society. May she rest in peace. "

My father and mother helped build the Monastery of the Holy Martyrs and Orthodox workers on basic, true, and strong Orthodox Christian faith. They raised me in that faith that serves all no matter who they are, where they are from, or what they believe.

So now, I know they walk with me as does Christ, whispering in my ear, guiding and telling me to reach out to more, love more, always welcome strangers, and never close the door to anyone. When I was ordained 30 years ago, my mother told me that since I was 13 she prayed to the Blessed Mother that she raise the priest that Christ wanted and that Christ needed. I am certain that prayer was the last word on her lips on Christmas morning. She was always telling me that I was close but needed to work at i, so she was still praying for that. Now, I do not doubt that she is encouraging Christ to push me harder and further and to challenge me more. And I know I will hear my father and mother telling me that I can do it.

The Monastery of the Holy Martyrs and Orthodox Workers serves the disenfranchised and marginalized, the homeless and the near homeless, the poorest of the poor, the unseen, the unheard, and the unwanted. But my parents many times told me that none are unseen, unheard or unwanted by Christ. He brings them to the doors of the monastery every day and leads us to them on the streets where they live.

They made sure that I unceasingly prayed for:

Our homeless neighbor, our gay neighbor,
Our Hungry Neighbor,
Our Harlot Neighbor,
Our Muslim neighbor,
Our black neighbor,
Our Latino neighbor,
Our Jewish neighbor,
Our addicted neighbor,
Our Christian neighbor,
Our Atheist neighbor,
Our Abused Neighbor,
Our Abandoned Neighbor,
And for the revolutionaries who are fighting for their lives and their dignity and for their bread and their peace.

I always pray that God gives them hope grace mercy and strength in their struggle.

Each of you is invited to donate in their memory because of their strong unwavering faith in God and devotion to serving Him and raising their son to serve Him also.

What will the funds be used for? First, the mortgage will be paid off. The monastery's roof leaks, leaks very badly and causes damage to areas of the inside. Funds will be used to reroof the monasteries. Funds will also be used to repair areas damaged by the very bad leak. Today we are unable to guests because of the damage caused by the leak. funds will also be used to paint just everywhere. And whatever funds are not used for these, they will be used for what my mother says is our first and only job... feed folks.

Several donors helped start this monastery. Some with financial donations, others with their hands, and many with their prayers. My parents were among the largest. My father made is strong and correct opinion regarding the remolding. Some folks might think his ideas minor, but ask anyone with trouble with stairs what it means to have handrails on both sides. And while we worked at getting ready to open, and after also, my mother made sure we were fed. And after every service, there was always at least her awesome vegetable soup, and many times a full meal. This was not the first time they helped. Their hearts, hands, and prayers were also there when I served at St. Anthny of Kiev Ukrainian Orthodox Monastery. And always my mother reminded me and others that while our job was to pray long and pray hard, that our first job was to feed folks.

May their memory always be eternal!

Monastery of the Holy Martyrs - Syriac Orthodox

Orthodox Workers

Ruth and Tom Walker Memorial Fund

By Orthodox Worker / Monastery of the Holy Martyrs

Ruth and Tom Walker Memorial Fund

May their memories always be eternal!