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I chose this name because it is used specifically for giving alms. Some people even think it's a word with negative connotations and shouldn't be used. Others pronounce it wrongly, not understanding what it represents. The word bogdaproste is of Slavic origin and is made up of three words that I will write in Latin letters, as they were pronounced: "Bog davai prastiti" meaning "God grant you His mercy" just as you showed mercy to the one in need. This is the context of the Saturday in which are commemorated all those departed before Christmas’s fasting period.
St. Nicholas and St. Prophet Elijah Parish has been struggling for a few years to extend the moment of remembrance, from the simple remembrance with a coliva and wine at the church, followed by the remembrance of the those departed and the meal with the friends ... as usual, to the remembrance consisting in extending the hand to the poor, and by this before God. Bogdaproste, meaning God to have mercy on you as you had mercy for the poor, is not only the meal between friends, sometimes at the restaurant, having nothing to do with the poor. We have a history of past years, with the coliva left by the church or the surrounding area, with people unhappy that their preparations were not completely consumed, with the fridges of the church full of useless packages! Now, however, we are able to commemorate those who fell asleep, to set up a meal for all the volunteers present and at the same time to put together over 750 packages with soup, steak with rice and potatoes, fruits, cakes, juices, spoon and serving fork.
This year our youth prepared messages of encouragement and comfort, a prayer to the Lord for the best, for those who received the packages: "Homeless" thinking, on the one hand, to humanize our message and to raise awareness among our youth about the people in need, and on the other hand, thinking that, by the will of the God, some will feel moved and motivated to try to change something in their state or to seek help for it.
The distribution of the packages took place in four sections: the people from the social housing 60 packages, the people from the tent camps on the outskirts of Coquitlam 100 packages, the people in placement and treatment on Hastings 40 packages, and the rest, to the street people from Hastings & Gore St. Above all, new blankets, gloves, hats and stockings were also brought, as well as the gift of PB&G on fresh bread, browned in the oven! (It is pronounced “pibiendgei”). Don't know what PB&G is? Our children can tell you: it is the simple peanut butter sandwich and jam with fresh and slightly toasted bread! It seems to be everyone's favorite!
Those who participated in shared the messages of thanksgiving, the hugs, but also the concerns for the large number of people, many young people, affected by drugs and other problems.
Bogdapostoste to all who have donated, volunteered, put a message or a good thought in this work. May God bestow His mercy upon all the works made from the bottom of the soul for the help and comfort of those in need.
From Vancouver,
Rev. Father Corneliu Iulian Dragomir
