An Account from Priest Alexander Goncharov, Rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God ‘The Healer’ and the Hospital Church of the Icon of the Mother of God ‘Pantanassa’ in Vitebsk, Belarus.
The Ministry’s Context: Fourteen years ago, the church in the Vitebsk Oncological Hospital was opened to serve the suffering. Every Saturday and on all Feast Days, a Liturgy and a Moleben service are celebrated before the beloved Icon of the Mother of God, ‘Pantanassa’ (Queen of All), where the sick pray fervently for healing. Father Alexander’s parishioners have formed a dedicated Sisterhood which actively aids the sick. They provide food and clothing, and, most importantly, offer conversation to those who are lonely. These conversations often lead to the profound Mysteries of the Church—many people in the hospital ask for Baptism, Confession, or Holy Communion. Father Alexander and the Sisters of Mercy visit every ward of the Oncology Center weekly, striving to ease the heavy burdens of the patients. He believes that this spiritual support is the most crucial preparation of all.
Story One: The Holy Encounter
There was one such memorable occasion. We entered a men’s ward and found an elderly man sitting there, a peasant from a remote village where there was no church. It soon became clear that he had never once in his life received the Holy Mysteries of Confession or Holy Communion. He had never even been inside a church. I celebrated both Sacraments for him.
A week later, the Sisters of Mercy came to the ward and announced:
“Who here would like to receive Confession and Holy Communion?”
The men recoiled:
“Absolutely not!”
“Why?”
“Because the last time you came, the old man agreed, and two days later, he died!”
For them, it was a moment of fear; for me, it was a profound sign of God’s wondrous timing and boundless mercy. The old man was 96 years old. It was as if he was waiting for us. Moreover, he was quite strong and not critically ill. The Sisters spoke with him during their rounds and then called me. I believe the Lord, in His divine Providence, ordained his presence in this very institution precisely for this final, Holy Encounter.
Such moments are not isolated occurrences—sometimes, the timing for bringing a patient Holy Communion is measured not in days, but in minutes. I recall a critically ill patient, nearing the final stage, dependent on narcotic pain medication. Suddenly, she asked me to come and receive her confession and give her Holy Communion. A Sister of Mercy accompanied me. As I gathered everything for the Eucharist, the duty nurse intervened, saying: “You have five, perhaps six minutes. After that, she will fall asleep and may not wake up.”
To give a patient Holy Communion, I must read the Initial Prayers, the Creed, and three Prayers before Holy Communion. I began the Initial Prayers, skipped the Creed due to the urgency, and managed to read the first prayer before I saw her eyes beginning to close. Understanding the action must be immediate, I quickly administered Holy Communion and gave her the Cross to kiss—and she fell into a deep sleep. The Sister and I were overwhelmed by a state of ineffable joy, recognizing that we had succeeded in time. Tragically, this patient never woke up. And yet, for me, this was a true miracle.
Story Two: Parallel Work in the ICU
In the Urology building, there were two wards for the critically ill. The Sisters of Mercy came in, saying: “Let’s get Baptized.” One woman was willing; the second was hesitant. Nevertheless, they both agreed. I arrived and began the Holy Mystery. Suddenly, one of them took a turn for the worse. The doctor was called, assistance was given, an IV was set up—a commotion all around. But what was I to do? I had to complete what I had started. And so, we began to act simultaneously: on one side, the doctor was treating her; on the other, I was performing the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
I Baptized them both and promised to return the next day with Holy Communion. When I arrived, both women had risen from their beds and were smiling, though only yesterday their condition had been critical. Furthermore, the woman who had initially not wanted to be Baptized fundamentally changed her attitude towards the Church and became a constant parishioner. We often find ourselves in these parallel situations: the physician conducts their resuscitation, and I conduct mine. He heals the body, and I, by God’s grace, minister to the soul, preparing it for Eternity.
Story Three: Baptism and the Disappearing Tumor
A young man, nineteen years old, came to the church and asked for Baptism because a tumor had been discovered in his brain. This happened just before the Feast of the Theophany (the Baptism of the Lord).
I said to him, and in hindsight, I believe these were not my own words, but God speaking through me:
“Let us do this: I will Baptize you today, and on the Feast of Theophany, there will be a Liturgy, and you shall receive Holy Communion then.”
He insisted: “But Father, don’t you understand? I am scheduled for surgery right away!”
I replied, with a conviction that came from outside myself: “Listen to me carefully: I will Baptize you today, and on Wednesday, you will come to the service to receive Holy Communion.”
The next day, on the eve of Theophany, he rushed back to the church and cried: “A Miracle!” After his Baptism, they performed a control tomography of his brain before sending him to surgery—and the scan was perfectly clear! The tumor was gone. He came to the service and received Holy Communion as promised.
We have many such cases. Throughout all my years of ministry in the hospital, I clearly sense that God’s assistance is constantly with me, and His grace is always ready for those who call upon Him, even at the very last moment.
Translated by the Catalogue of Good Deeds
Source: https://foma.ru/svyashhennik-iz-onkodispansera-4-istorii-na-grani-smerti.html
Thanks be to the Lord Jesus Christ.