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.
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn, You are in our prayers and we thank God for you! We have been so very blessed through worship in the Antiochian Orthodox church here, St. Ignatius in Franklin, TN. When we were looking for a church home to raise our children, we heard about your journey to Orthodoxy. Thank you! Thank you for following God’s will and being so very loving and encouraging to your fellow travelers!!! God bless you and strengthen you both! With love and prayers, Margie and Mark Naftel
While our hearts are saddened by Fr. Peter’s struggle, they will always be filled by the joy he brought into our home and the lives he touched in our community. We pray that the promised peace from our labors be granted him and that the source of that peace be lavished on his family at this time.
Terry & Karen Swehla
Dear Fr. Peter and Family:
Father bless! I’m very sad to learn of Fr. Peter’s illness but rejoice in the hope that our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ gives us. I’m also writing to thank Fr. Peter for a letter he wrote to me around 1990 in response to questions I had about Orthodoxy. Fr. Peter’s visit to St. Mary Orthodox Church in Cambridge, MA, his writings, and his personal witness planted seeds in my heart and, after a long journey, my wife and I and our three children were received into the Orthodox Church by Chrismation on the evening of Pascha, 2003, at the Protection of the Theotokos parish in Falls Church, VA. We thank God for your love for Him and His Church and pray that, by His mercy and through the prayers of the holy Theotokos and all the Saints, you will be strengthened in every way.
Yours in Christ,
Jonathan Jacobson
Dear Fr. Peter & Kh. Marilyn & all the Gilchrists (in Bloomington and beyond) –
It came as a total shock when I recently learned from a very dear friend (who is also my Godmother) that you were in the hospital and that the cancer – which had frightened all of us so long ago – had reappeared. I then was told about this site from our Midwest Antiochian Women’s President, and have been pondering over what I could write that hasn’t been posted already. Simply stated, I am just one of the thousands of Antiochian Women and a fellow Orthodox Christian who are praying for you.
Our first encounter was when I heard you speak many years ago at one of my first Antiochian Archdiocese Conventions. I was then privileged to attend a retreat at St. Andrew’s in nearby Lexington, KY a few years after that (I still have the cassette tapes (!) of your presentation). Then, just last night, when our Orthodox Studies class at St. Michael’s in Louisville, KY watched the film of your story – and that of our now-Orthodox brothers and sisters from the EOC – it took my breath away, and I had to put “pen to paper” (or rather “keyboard to computer screen”).
ALL the people you have touched over the years – in small ways and large ways – like ripples in a pond that go on and on (the numerous posts on this site are a magnificent testament to that!). I can’t even begin to fathom the Antiochian Archdiocese – and Orthodox Christianity in America – if you and your beautiful family – and all the faithful who were searching for the first Church – the Church of Christ – hadn’t witnessed the arms that stretched out to welcome you into the Faith.
Now, may the arms of our Savior, the Great Healer of All, along with His Holy and Pure Mother, embrace you, comfort you, and bless you and all those near and dear to you, and may He greet you with the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant …” (Matthew 25:21).
Your sister in Christ,
Dianne O’Regan
Louisville, KY
Father Peter, your book, “Journey to Orthodoxy” was one of the first works I read when I was seriously considering the Ancient Faith, and though we’ve never met, I wanted to thank you (I have friends who entered into the Church through the EOC and who know you). It was a long road for me (I am stubborn and self-willed in all the wrong ways, it seems), but your book, and your journey, were truly crucial in my journey (which has now brought my wife and children into the Church as well!)
Our prayers are with you, Father. Please remember this beyond-unworthy servant in your prayers, when you have come into your well-deserved rest, Father, Bless.
Dearest Father Peter,
Please know that you are in our highest thoughts and prayers. You continue to be an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your dedication to the truth that led so many others into the Truth. well done! You have ran the race well and have help so many others to run it as also – many who could not have ran it on their own. You are truly my hero Fr. Peter, mine and countless others. Your a true hero of the Faith once delivered to the saints. I am forever indebted to you along with many others whom you have helped into the Household of Faith with the kindest words I believe I have ever heard – “Welcome home”. May you, in our God’s timing, hear those same words from the lips of our Almighty Lord, God and Savior – Jesus Christ, along with our Mother and Queen, the Blessed Theotokos and all the Saints in light. We love you Fr. Peter – pray for us all, assured of our prayers for you. You will always be the real “Man in Black” to me.
An unworthy son in the most Holy Faith,
Fr. John Denny – Hot Springs AR
Dear Father Peter and Marilyn:
We are so sad to hear of your illness, and you are in our prayers daily. Father Peter, you were the one who got us started so well, even though you insisted later you had no idea what you were doing! We’ll never forget. God bless you. God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
love in Christ,
Father Bill and all of us at St Nicholas, Cedarburg
Dear Father Peter and Family,
May our merciful Lord strengthen you at this difficult time. You have the loving support of so many in our prayers and our memory of your amazing lifetime. I will continue to remember you in prayer and to thank God for sending you to us. Your love and devotion fortified us as we all serve to glorify our Lord.
With love in Christ,
Mary Dibs
May our Lord and Saviour Jesus, His mother our blessed virgin Mary and all the saints be with you in this difficult time. I pray our Lord hears the many prayers of His faithful and heals you Father Peter.
Dear Fr. Peter,
I spoke on the phone with you two weeks ago and as always just the sound of your voice was encouraging. I have been privileged to serve with you in God’s army as a younger lieutenant for many years. Just knowing you were up the line somewhere else, fighting the good fight, many times comforted me and emboldened me to carry on in my own struggles. It is hard now for my mind now to accept that you are leaving this life. Except for the knowledge that your prayers for us will continue even on the other side, I would surely feel despair. I pray your remaining time is peaceful and filled with faith in God. – With sincere love and immense respect, Fr. Marc Dunaway
wonderful words, Fr. Marc… thank you.
Dearest Fr Peter and Marilyn,
My prayers are with you and your family.
Reading the many letters to you posted here has enlivened my deepest gratitude for being put in your midst some 40 years ago and to have the treasured memories whiched have no small part in shaping my life.
I thank you for your love, prayers, faithfulness, friendship, parenting, helps, gifts and ministering to me throughout the years.
I beg your forgiveness for the times I’ve failed and disappointed you.
I pray your pain will be eased Fr Peter and the heart pain of your loved ones suffering with you.
I look forward to being with you again and rejoicing in the ineffable light and joy of our Lord and Savior.
Love, Jan
Dear Fr Peter and Kh Marilyn,
Please be assured of our continuing prayers for you and yours. May you be strengthened by a peace that passes all understanding in this time of trial.
Kerry, Sheri, Lucy, Brigid and Xenia
Dear Marilyn and Father Peter, Tom and I are very grateful to Penny B. for letting us know about this website. You have been in our constant prayers. We are so grateful for all that your friendship has meant to us all of these years. What wonderful and varied memories we have, like meeting on the street in NYC, and riding around in your marvelous convertible, but also good talks, and always the example you both have been. We send you our love always. Lovelace and Tom
Father and Khouria, God knows all that you have done for us, through your prayers and example and willingness to help. I am so thankful that you were with us through my recovery from the accident; for every ride to church, for every hug, and for your support as we embarked on the great journey of marriage – we feel like we have shared so much with you both. The beautiful marriage prayer you gave us hangs above our bed. We think of you each time we join together in prayer and thank God for your love and kindness toward us and for the great example you have been to us. Please remember us, unworthy as we are, in your prayers. We entreat your blessing.
We love you.
Kissing your right hand,
Marie Euphrosyne and Ryan David Carder
May the Lord guide you and grant you endurance through this time, Father Peter! You have been an inspiration to me, teaching me to take the gem of the Orthodox Faith seriously, and for that, I know you have yet another wreath to be bestowed on you in Paradise. You’ve been a witness to the grace of the Lord for myself, and for my girlfriend, who was newly enrolled into the Catechumenate this past Saunday. Thank you Father Peter, and continue to fight the good fight with the Peace of the HolySpirit!
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/472475_10150775021909804_946548278_o.jpg
Those of us from the new mission in Jackson, TN (which Fr. Peter helped start just before his retirement) are all very grateful for Fr. Peter’s writing and work for the Church. Thank you, Father Peter, for how you have helped change my life and community. We are praying for you and your family. Please continue to pray for us.
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn, It’s always so special to have together time as a family and I pray that the Holy Spirit surrounds and fills you, your children and grands during this time of sharing, laughing, crying and loving. A friend of ours once made an observation that just as dropping a stone into a pond or lake causes ripples to spread outward, each person’s life affects multiple people in known or unknown ways. Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn: You’ve been Boulders of our Lord in the lives of uncounted many. Your ripples will continue for eternity! May His comfort, peace and grace be yours in abundance.
Dear Father Peter and Kh. Marilyn and family —
We are heartsick to learn of your ill health. We first met you in the early 80’s at Ss. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL as you were seeking a path to Orthodoxy for your 2,000 Evangelical Orthodox members. We have continued to love you and to follow you for about 30 years — and enjoyed your love and leadership in the Antiochian Orthodox Church for most of that time. Today we kneel in prayer for your health and for the well being of your entire family. God bless you.
Chris and Lesa Potos
My Love, Thoughts & Prayers are with Fr. Peter and the entire Family!!!
May God Be With All of You!!!
With All My Love,
Chuckie Shahadey
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
St. Ignatius Misson Boca Raton, FL
ChuckieShahadey@aol.com
Fr. Peter & Marilyn,
The Welzig family is so grateful to our man-loving God for you and your whole family. Words can not express our love for you and your work for Christ in His Vineyard called America. I will never forget the times we spent together and the hospitality you showed my wife and I during the establishment of St. John the Theologian in San Juan Capistrano. Although you are in our prayers, it is my sense that we need your prayers. May your love for God be rewarded with a constant stream of His Energy so that you are consumed by His Love for you and refreshed by Living Water. Hold tightly to the hand of our loving lady, the Theotokos, as she leads you to her Holy Son.
Much Love,
Fr.. Andrew & Kh. Ann
Laura, Andrew, Peter, and Stephanie