Ukrainian Community Press Releases
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Ukrainian Community Press Releases |
The Miraculous Saving of Vladika Lazar Puhalo,
By Our Lord Jesus Christ Through His Wonderworking
Saint Nicholas "Who Saves The Innocent From Death"
(From His Kontakion)Vladika Varlaam's Account of the accident that nearly killed Vladika Lazar on 28 April, 1999.
On 28 April (15 April, Church Calendar) 1999, on a clear, sunny afternoon, Vladika Lazar asked me to help him in painting the upper wall and soffit of the konak, the building which houses Synaxis Press, Vladika Lazar's cell and some work rooms as well as Fr Moses' cell. A few minutes after the painting began, the scaffolding collapsed and Vladika Lazar was hurled down at least 30 feet into a ravine while I, standing nearby, could only watch in horror. I heard Vladika Lazar cry out, "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God," and then saw his head strike the steel beam of the scaffold. As he was being flung down, striking parts of the scaffold a number of times, Vladika Lazar cried out loudly, "St Nicholas, help me," then landed in a crumpled heap amidst blackberry brambles and rocks.
Vladika Varlaam crawled down as quickly as he could where he found Vladika Lazar trying to raise himself while repeating, "Hospital - quick." Somehow, with my help, Vladika got into the van, and we sped down the highway and through Mission to the hospital. When I had to stop at a traffic signal, I turned check on Vladika. He turned his blood-covered head slightly toward me and reached over and pulled on the emergency blinkers, which I had forgotten to do. In the Emergency Room, Vladika Lazar was immediately surrounded by doctors and nurses who tried to assess the damage. Since he had been bleeding profusely and was entirely covered in blood, this made it nearly impossible. It was clear that the damage was beyond the means of the local hospital, so the resident physician decided that Vladika Lazar had to be transferred from the Mission Hospital to the Abbotsford Hospital because of the seriousness of the injuries. All the medical staff at both hospitals were amazed that Vladika's neck had not been broken. The imprint of the metal scaffold bar clearly showed on his throat and the side of his neck. As the bruising developed, this imprint became even clearer.
Even before Vladika Lazar was sped to the larger hospital, I had begun telephoning and asking people to fervently pray for Vladika Lazar. Father Moses immediately began to serve Moleben's to Saint Nicholas every hour at the monastery, asking him to intercede with Jesus Christ our God, to deliver Vladika Lazar from death.
It was clear to everyone that Vladika was in great pain and in a critical condition. Nevertheless, in both emergency rooms, Vladika Lazar continually showed his concern for others and his sense of humour literally astonished everyone, as several of them later commented.
And O, the wonder of it all! Saint Nicholas was a speedy intercessor. As Vladika Lazar was taken into Emergency in the second hospital, the foremost plastic surgeon in British Columbia, who had been visiting a friend in the hospital, just happened to drop in to the Emergency Unit, and was immediately brought to Vladika's bedside. His direct answer was that there was some hope but much danger as well and that action had to be taken immediately. He was not on call, but he asked to take the case. By the following morning, the CAT scan showed that were was no brain damage and no breaks in the spine, neck or skull. His left arm had been broken, and there were numerous lacerations and deep gouges in the skin. The main injury was to the face. The upper jaw, nose and the whole area around them were smashed and the facial bones were crushed. The swelling, bleeding and discolouration were so intense, that no one could have ever recognized Vladika Lazar. In fact, his face scarcely looked human. One can imagine the fright, the fear, the shock that resulted from this and as torrents of tears were shed in compassion. Hope was being crowded out by despair. Yet, Vladika Lazar, suffering in agonizing pain, tried to utter comfort to others. He commented on the long hours the nurses had to work, worried about getting so much blood all over everything and was concerned that I had to drive home alone on wet pavement, so late at night. Later, he said, "While falling, I did not mind the thought of dying, but I wondered how poor old Vladika Varlaam would be able to manage!"
Morphine was soon administered and continued on an IV drip during the next several days of Vladika's stay in the hospital. The following morning, the specialists decided to operate on Vladika that same day rather than waiting for the bleeding and swelling to subside. Since Vladika could no longer speak, he tried to write simple messages with his injured right hand. By evening, he had been moved to a recovery room after his operation and could actually whisper a few words. By Friday he was able to sit up, then take a few steps. On Saturday he could sip half a teaspoon of water at a time and walk a little more. By Sunday, he could drink some liquids, still only from a teaspoon, and speak a little more clearly. That day, his doctors told him that he might even be released the following day.
Indeed, on Monday, 3 May, he was released before noon and he walked out of the hospital himself. Vladika has been able to walk very short distances since May 3rd, but must be moved in a wheel chair over longer distances or if he will be up for a prolonged period. His full recovery will take more time, and he has countless visits ahead, to various specialists. Orthodontic surgery will commence in about two weeks.
The nursing staff of the hospital fell in love with Vladika Lazar. So many of them commented to visitors that they had never had a more kind and considerate patient. His marvellous sense of humour and concern for other people's feeling, mixed with his own humble and self-effacing manner won everyone's heart. In the midst of his great pain and uncertain condition, there was a certain radiance about Vladika that all those of us who know him closely and personally have seen for years.
Now, what is to be said in the following is of utmost importance, distinguishing this episode from ordinary ones. Right from the beginning, the nursing staff began making certain comments, then the various technicians and finally, in their cautious deliberations, the doctors and specialists. Their remarks were almost identical - "Who was looking after him?" "What powers above were interceding?" "This man must be truly blessed from on high" and so forth. But, it was the doctors and all the specialists who, without exception, said that they could not explain this whole incident. By examining the wounds, bruises, etc, and evaluating the nature of the fall, they said that Vladika Lazar's neck should have broken instantly, leading to sudden death, or permanent paralysis at best, and his skull should have crushed inward, and his entire trachea destroyed. Yet, none of that happened. Instead of weeks or even months of hospitalization, Vladika Lazar walked out of the hospital on the fifth day. And, each one of the specialists came to the same conclusion, simply stating that it had to be a miracle, since they could find no other explanation.
Was it a miracle? We have no other words or concepts to explain it ourselves, but it does not surprise us to hear of a miracle. Within minutes of hearing about the accident, word spread throughout the parish, to California, and from there to the rest of the continent, to Mount Athos, to Greece, to Romania and many, many other places. There seem to have been thousands of prayers being offered for the health of Vladika Lazar. By Friday, Vladika Varlaam asked the people to offer prayers of thanksgiving to our Saviour for delivering Vladika Lazar from death.
As well, Vladika gave his blessing for the building of a chapel as thanksgiving for his recovery. Because Vladika had called on St Nicholas as he was falling, and Father Moses serves daily Molebens to Saint Nicholas, who is our constant intercessor and speedy helper, the chapel will be built in honour of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, "who saves the innocent from death" (as the Kontakion tells us).
Much more can be said about Vladika's actual physical condition, his pain and suffering, the flood of telephone calls, faxes, e-mails, the rivers of tears shed, first in sorrow and distress, later in joy. Let it suffice for the reader to know that the operation of the Holy Spirit was felt in all of this. Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, through His Most-pure and Ever-virgin mother, the Theotokos, His Wonderworker Saint Nicholas and all the saints and angelic hosts, has shown great mercy on all of us sinners. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!
Rt Rev Varlaam, Bishop of Vancouver.
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