The servant of God Fr. Peter E. Gillquist departed this life at 9:20 p.m. on July 1, 2012, surrounded by family. He has finished the race. Memory eternal!
July 7, 2012
Last evening ended three days of services culminating in Fr. Peter’s burial at All Saints Orthodox Cemetery in Bloomington, IN. His Grace Bp. Anthony, who presided at the funeral service, delivered an inspiring, engaging and memorable eulogy. Fr. Gordon Walker preached a truly evangelistic homily at the preceding Divine Liturgy. The Audio for both, as well as Fr. Jon Braun’s tribute, can be found at Ancient Faith Radio (http://ancientfaith.com/specials/fr._peter_gillquist_memorial). Below you will see the tri-fold sunbeams caught on film by one of the faithful at the funeral service.
We will post more photos as they become available.
We are moved by your outpouring of love. Thank you for your kind words and sincere prayers!
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In lieu of flowers it is requested that memorial donations be made payable to All Saints Church (6004 So. Fairfax Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401). Funds will be split between the building funds of All Saints Church, Bloomington, Indiana, and St. Athanasius Church, Santa Barbara, California — Fr. Peter’s two “home parishes.”
Schedule of Services for Fr. Peter E. Gillquist – July 4-6, 2012
Wednesday, July 4
6:00 p.m. Public Visitation at All Saints in Bloomington
7:00 p.m. Trisagion Service
*All Night Vigil to Follow* (Reading of the Psalter)
Thursday, July 5
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy in Bloomington (Followed by transport to Carmel, IN)
5:00 p.m. Public Visitation at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (3500 W 106th St. Carmel, IN)
7:00 p.m. Trisagion Service
*All Night Vigil to Follow* (Reading of the Psalter)
Friday, July 6
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (His Grace Bishop Anthony Presiding)
11:00 a.m. Funeral Service followed by Mercy Meal at Holy Trinity GOC
3:30 p.m. Burial Service at All Saints Cemetery in Bloomington
Accommodations near Holy Trinity Church, Indianapolis/Carmel
The following hotels currently have rooms available for Thursday night, July 5.
Jamieson Inn
10201 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46280
(317) 816-1616
Mention “$69 funeral rate”
Courtyard Marriott
10290 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46290
(317) 571-1110
Mention “Fr. Peter Gillquist” to get special $79 rate
Embassy Suites Indianapolis – North
3912 Vincennes Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 872-7700
$119 king room
$139 two queen beds
Drury Hotel
9310 N. Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 876-9777
$87 for King or double
June 10, 2012
In 1999, Fr. Peter E. Gillquist (retired and attached to All Saints) was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. Miraculously, he survived through the grace of God, the prayers of the saints, and the care of physicians. His prayer was to be given more time to assist in starting more mission churches, and to grow old with his wife, Khouria Marilyn.
Now, 13 years later, he has again been diagnosed with melanoma — only now stage 4. We are awaiting further word on a prognosis and possible treatment options. Scroll down to see any updates posted on this page. God bless you.
***For Immediate Release***
June 14, 2012…
The Very Rev. Fr. Peter E. Gillquist has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma. Fr. Peter survived a diagnosis of stage 3 melanoma in 1999 and another bout in 2010. He, Kh. Marilyn, and family await test results to determine treatment options in the management of this aggressive cancer.
The Gillquists request your prayers as they continue a lifelong journey of faith in the Great Physician, remembering that our communal prayer is for the healing of soul and body, and in the Lord’s time, a Christian ending to life, that is painless, blameless and peaceful.
Fr. Peter retired from 25 years of service to the Antiochian Archdiocese as Director of the Department of Missions and Evangelism in January. He is attached to All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bloomington, Indiana, where his son, Fr. Peter Jon, serves as pastor.
June 19, 2012
Fr. Peter is in the hospital tonight with a fever. His physician felt it would be the best place for him to receive care as the doctors search for a possible infection causing this elevated temperature. Thank you for your continued prayers.
June 20, 2012
Fr. Peter is still in the hospital. During tests early this morning to determine the cause of his fever, it was discovered that his cancer is moving even more quickly than anticipated, and has spread to some of his vital organs. Fr. Peter’s children are travelling now to be with him and Kh. Marilyn. Your prayers for their safe travel, and for Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn’s continued peace during this time of illness are appreciated.
June 22, 2012
Our family shared a special time in the hospital room with Fr. Peter this morning, reading aloud your kind words of encouragement which have been posted on this site. Thank you for your continued prayerful support.
June 24, 2012
Fr. Peter is still in the hospital, surrounded by his wife, children, and a grandchild who is carrying his first great-grandchild. More family will be en route to Bloomington throughout the week.
We discovered today that reading your posts is not only encouraging to Fr. Peter, but also a helpful diversion from his physical pain.
As will happen, it seems there is some mis-information being circulated on the internet regarding Fr. Peter’s condition. Please always refer to this site for up-to-date and accurate information from those at his bedside.
June 25, 2012
We have been anticipating test results regarding possible treatment options, and today we received news that no cancer treatment would be of positive effect in Fr. Peter’s case. Therefore, the emphasis of his care is on pain management and prayer, so we are working on both. Fr. Peter, Kh. Marilyn, and their children are strengthened through your prayers.
June 27. 2012
Fr. Peter is sleeping more and more each day. He will be transferred to a hospice facility this afternoon, where his family will continue to participate in his care and comfort management, together with a 24-hour nursing staff. Your continued prayers for a peaceful journey are appreciated more than you know.
June 29, 2012 – The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Blessed feast day, dad. Fr. Peter has been in a hospice facility since Wednesday afternoon. When our family first heard about a hospice house, we were unsure what to expect. What we have found has been a blessing beyond what we can express: a large living room with couches and a kitchenette, a smaller, intimate sitting room, a chapel, a sizible outdoor deck, and eight large bedrooms, most of which look out into the woods. Currently, only half of the rooms are occupied by patients. At the foot of Fr. Peter’s bed is a four foot wooden shelf, which holds icons of Christ, the Theotokos, St. Peter the Apostle, St. Nectarios, and many of the holy unmercinaries. Vigil lamps burn around the clock, and at least one family member is with Fr. Peter at all times.
Presently, Fr. Peter sleeps most of the day. When he is awake, he asks for prayer. The family gathers to pray and sing, and he sings with us. These are the things we will remember all our lives.
The prayers you offer and the words you post here are such a source of encouragement to all of us. Thank you for your love and support as we continue this journey together.
July 1, 2012 – Saints Cosmos and Damian
These are holy days. God is so merciful, loving, and compassionate.
After the Liturgy of Ss. Peter and Paul Thursday night, Fr. Peter asked for prayer at the Hospice House. Fr. Peter Jon arrived around 10 p.m. and asked, “Dad, would you like to receive communion tonight or tomorrow?” Fr. Peter stated clearly that he would like communion right away, so we began to pray and sing. Although it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to speak in complete sentences, Fr. Peter recited all the prayers by heart and sang perfect harmony with the communion hymns. Then he went to sleep. That is the last food he has consumed — the Bread of Life, and thr Fountain of Immortality.
Fr. Peter didn’t awaken again until the following evening at 9:00 p.m. (Friday), when the wheels of Fr. Gordon Walker’s car hit the driveway. Fr. Gordon had driven six hours to be with his friend of 50 years in his time of need. They talked a while, smiled a lot, and then Fr. Peter went back to sleep following evening prayers.
The following morning (Saturday), we all gathered in Fr. Peter’s room for morning prayers, as he slept. Around 3:00 p.m., Fr. Peter awoke and asked if Fr. Gordon would hear his confession, which he did. Then a call was placed to Fr. Jon Braun, and the three old friends shared a few minutes together, talking about heaven. Then Fr. Peter fell asleep again.
Since that time, his vitals have changed dramatically, and he appears to be making the final sprint for the finish line. “Finish the race” is what his family members whisper in his ear. We are gathered by his bedside in prayer, Scripture-reading, and song. Finish the race, dad. We love you so much.
July 1, 2012
The servant of God Fr. Peter E. Gillquist departed this life at 9:20 p.m. surrounded by family. He has finished the race. Memory eternal!
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!”
Funeral arrangements will post tomorrow morning.
Kh. Tamera and I are indebted to you forever for your assistance in our conversion and acceptance into the Orthodox Church. We are praying for you every day, and have been since coming into the church in 2007. May God have mercy on you and on us and grant you strength and healing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Fr. Philip Pelikan
Dear Fr. Peter.
We are thanking our Lord Jesus for your healing and for the gift of the precious love of Khouriyee Marilyn and a loving family that surrounds you. For He is truly our physician! May the minds, hands, and hearts of your medical team be guided by Him, who loves you and never leaves you. You have been such an inspiration to us in our life and we thank you from our hearts. With Love in our Lord, Cynthia & Richard Mosher.
Dear Fr Peter:
You were very influential in my life, and I am grateful for your kindness and encouragement. You will be in my prayers daily! May Grant you Peace and Joy forevermore!
Jim
Prayers for Fr. Peter and his family from all his friends here in Altoona.
Our prayers are with you at this time. God bless you with His Peace and Healing. Lord have mercy.
May your recovery be swift and complete. Lord have mercy!
Fr Peter & Kh Marilyn, and all your dear family,
Praying God’s strength and sustaining arms beneath you as you journey your respective paths in the coming days, months, years. Through everything, I am continually reminded that our God is always good–always. May we be granted grace to follow in His footsteps.
Fr. Peter & Khouriyee Marilyn …
God is with You! Please know that you, your Family and your Earthly Doctors, Nurses & Therapists are in our Prayers … from our Holy Altar at St. Mary Parish in Johnstown, PA and from within the Closet of our Hearts!
We Love You and ask for Your Prayers too!
+Fr. Don, Khouriyee Janet, Christopher & Stephen Shadid and
The Faithful of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Prayers arising!
Our love and prayers to Fr Peter, Marilyn and all the family for strength and God’s grace in this next chapter.
Keeping you in my prayers….and your family. God Bless.
Lord Have Mercy! Our thoughts and fervent prayers are with Fr. Peter and his family.
Lord have mercy! We are fervently praying for you! May God grant you a quick healing and bodily comfort in the midst of this!
Glory to God that “He works all things out for the good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
We love you Father Peter and Marilyn and thank God for you and your example of Christ’s love and heart to the world..
Doug, Cheryl, David, Carissa, Sean, Daniel and Ciara
We also truly thank you for all of your prayers for Daniel. We love you both.
Lord have mercy. Sending our LOVE and fervent prayers for our dear Fr. Peter from all the Schaefer Family. We love you all!
Dear Fr. Peter & Marilyn,
May God grant you both His healing grace & comfort at this time! We deeply love you both and will be praying!
Love in Christ, our Great Physician,
Fr. Bill
Indeed! The Tsoukalas family stands firm with you in prayer and healing. God’s Will be done…
May God be with you on your journey Fr. Peter.
There is no doubt that you have made a lasting impact on me that will forever shape the man that I am, the children that I raise and the fervor with which I approach this beautiful gift called life.
Thank you Fr. Peter,
Antony Caldaroni
Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
All our Love
The Robinsons
We pray that God’s grace will sustain Fr. Peter and all his family. His tireless and dynamic ministry has touched so many lives–undoubtedly the prayers of thousands of grateful souls are even now rising to the heavens on his behalf!
We love you now and always will. We pray for your health and for your family, for your comfort and strength when needed.
Please be assured of my love and prayers for Fr. Peter and Marilyn and the whole family.
May the Lord alleviate your pain and grant you healing. I was recently told I had renal cell carcinoma and while waiting for surgery I read a book that I highly recommend called Outsmart Your Cancer by Tanya Harter Pierce which offers many non-toxic remedies. After the tumor was removed from my kidney, and about 5 days after I was released from the hospital I was told it was benign. I was fortunate, thank the Lord, but I believe this book may be of benefit. In the meantime, you are in our prayers as both Barbara and myself have been blessed so many times by your words of life and wisdom. Blessings and recovery to you, Dn Richard and Barbara Schmidt
Dear Fr. Peter:
We thank God upon every remembrance of you. Thanks to your courage (to make the journey) and your literary gifts (to pen Becoming Orthodox) we were led into the Holy Orthodox Church. Please know that you and Marilyn are in our prayers. With much love in Christ, Fr. David & Kh. Debbie and the Faithful of St. Andrew in Arlington, WA
Fr. Peter was a great writer and editor and a kind man. Because of his article in Christianity Today, we moved from Arizona to Isla Vista to join the church. He was a living advertisement for Christianity. My prayers for Marilyn and the family.
My family and I will be forever grateful to Fr. Peter for his charity, tolerance, and stewardship. Thank you also for posting details about his last lap – what a testament to his grace and that of your family. Sending love and blessings always.
Dear Kh. Marilyn and family,
We wish to express our heartfelt sympathies. We are truly grateful for the priviledge of having known Fr. Peter. We have been immensely blessed by his godly influence.
May God continue to grant you His peace and comfort in the days ahead. Much love in Christ,
Dn. Basil and Joanne Vazquez
He is in Paradise, asleep in Christ, at rest and at the Resurrection we shall all be together in our final theosis as the Bride of Christ.
As saints, we are reminded by St. Paul, that all those who are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, death no longer has dominion over us and we shall resurrect!!!
Fr. Peter,
Rest well and look forward to seeing you soon.
ICXC NIKA!!!
Fr. Peter, Marilyn, and family,
Our love and prayers are with you always. May God’s grace, mercy, peace, and infinite love fill your hearts. “I thank God in my every remembrance of you.” Thank you for changing the course of our life, and leading us to the holy Orthodox Church. May God’s healing grace be with you.
Fr. Gregory and Pam Rogers
Thank you for sharing your Christian gifts with so many of us. I attended your missionary conferences and learned that the mission is in the here and now. God bless you and your family. The seeds you have planted will continue to bloom and flourish.
Dear Father,
May the blessings of our Lord and Savior be with you and your family.
May the wounds of our Lord Jesus be with you always to help you and cure you from all that causes you harm.
You have left an important imprint in my life with your missionary work all over the world to bring the church of God to its roots in Orthodoxy .
we always keep you and your family in our daily morning prayers together with our normal liturgical prayers.
In Christ
Dn Nazmi
St James Antiochian Orthodox Church in Placentia ,
Calif.
Father Peter,
Your contribution to our life is beyond measure. We thank God upon every remembrance of you for your courage and love for Christ that led to your journey and that of countless thousands of us to the blessings of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We pray for God’s rich blessing and mercy on you and your family.
In Christ,
Ken and Myrna Hull
My most sincere prayers and condolences during this time are extended for Fr. Peter and his family.
Father Peter Memory Eternal.
I and many have had the distinct priveledge of attending Fr. Peter’s seminars. He will be sorely missed.
20 years ago attended the pan-Orthodox conference on missions and evangelism in Santa Barbara organized by Fr. Gilquist and really got started as an orthodox christian at that time, thanks Fr. Gilquist
Know that our prayers are with Fr. Peter (senior). Whether the healing be physical or spiritual, God says “I am here, be at peace.” Always by his side telling him that all is well.
A prayer for Father Peter:
Glory to you, heavenly Father, for the sickness that I am afflicted with. My ilness has humbled me and reminded me of your laws. Let me keep your words always.
You hear me in my trouble, and so I will proclaim to the world your infite goodness. I will praise you forever.
When you finally call me home, I want to go in peace. I love you Lord and want to be in your holy presence forever. All I need now is Jesus. Amen.
Fr. Peter traveled to St. George Orthodox Church in Pharr, Texas once. My husband, I and my sister traveled from San Antonio to hear his talk and later decided to move here. He inspired us in our lives to live as Orthodox Christians in all things. I will miss his ministry. My prayers are with his family and loved ones.
Just as the Fathers lay down that perfect love knows no sin, so
I for my part declare that a perfect sense of death is free from fear…The remembrance of death, is like all other blessings, is a
Gift of God–He who has died to all things remembers death…
St. John Climacus
My prayers are sent heavenward for all of you. May our dear
Fr. Peter be free of pain and be at peace. The heavenly Hosts
are there in his room, not only to bring him comfort, but to
comfort all you, as well.
We remember Fr. Peter so fondly back in the EOC days when we were members of Fr. Mel Gimmaka’s fledgling Church. He would visit us often with encouragement and good teaching. He was a wonderful, faithful servant of our Orthodox faith. It is such a blessing to me and my family to know he is with our Lord and Savior praying on our behalf. Memory Eternal, Fr. Peter. You will be missed!
May his memory be eternal! We are going to miss him very much. We would like to convey our deepest condolences to his remaining family members.
Memory Eternal! May you find rest and comfort in the light of our Lord, Father Peter. Thank you for all that you have done for the Orthodox Church, here in America, for your books, your lecturees, your prayers and all of your efforts. Thank you. You will be missed.
Fr. Peter flew across the country to be with us at our chrismation, though we were strangers. He was a good shepherd who continually added new lambs to the flock. May his memory be eternal!
Fr. Peter was a great influence on all of us who left the Episcopal church to become part of Orthodoxy-The one true faith. Memory Eternal!
Father Gillquist’s books meant a lot to me, far away in Sweden. I thank God for him. Pastor Åke Eldberg, Church of Sweden
May his memory be eternal. I am a founding member of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Lubbock, TX. We started as a mission church in the 1970’s. We are now a viable parish with a full time priest. It is due to the vigilance and help of people like Father Peter that our little parish exists. May he now enjoy the fruits of his labor in the presence of our Savior.
I have been telling my children about Fr Peter’s life and have been also telling them of his repose as a great example of how a Christian life can be victorious even in dying. I went in to my daughter’s room to let her know when Fr Peter had passed. She said “So did he finish the race daddy?” I told her “Yes. Yes he did finish the race, and that’s why this is also a great thing. Finishing the race is a wonderful thing for a Christian.” Thank you Fr Peter for being a great example for me and my family even at the end of your Earthly life.
I remember Fr. Peter probably before I was a teenager. He was a colleague of my father’s and an important ally in the cause for domestic and foreign Orthodox missions. His presence was always one of an energetic man with one primary impulse driving him daily: preaching Christ for the salvation of all. This inclusive approach to the Gospel lead Fr. Peter, among other places, to Romania to counter the influx of sectarian proselytes, South Texas to share his faith with recent converts, and Penn State to engage young minds in a rabidly secular environment. When an Orthodox encyclopedia is written and edited about the later part of the 20th cent. in the United States, it will not be surprising at all to find Fr. Peter’s contributions to the life of the Church described as “significant,” “substantial,” and “a major turning point in the demographic composition of Orthodox communities in North America and the perception of being Orthodox both by members of the Church as well as those residing outside its parochial boundaries.” I pray that the evangelical example Fr. Peter gave us will only grow as he is now our heavenly intercessor cheering on our efforts as we continue the race which he has completed. By the prayers of the departed servant of God, the Archpriest Peter, may a double portion of his spirit be sent down upon us so that we may go forth unto all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nicholas Reeves
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary