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!
+++
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.
In July of 2009, Father Wayne asked you to give the blessing before Father Jon spoke about a topic I can no longer remember. It was a very difficult time. As you were giving the blessing, you broke down in tears, making me keenly aware of how much you loved us; ALL of us. I will never forget that moment or how you gently squeezed my shoulder as I passed by. – Please know you are in my unworthy prayers.
Fr. Peter, Marilyn and Family
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Thank-you so much for your leadership over the years in helping so many of us find the Holy Orthodox Church. My prayer is that you will be richly rewarded. From the St. Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church family in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, whom you have ministered to richly many times, love and prayers. Fr. Bernard and Presbytera Linda Funk
I remember meeting Fr. Peter and Marilyn at the home of Terry and Karen Swehla in Modesto, California a few years ago. At the time I had the privilege of interviewing Fr. Peter on a radio program I hosted. I will always remember his humor, his gentleness, his love for our Lord, and his great desire to evangelize the lost. My prayers are with him and Marilyn.
My dear friend, Father Peter:
Please be assured of my prayers and my love — and of all the clergy and faithful of my Diocese. All of us are grateful for your journey to Holy Orthodoxy and
for all your labors in leading thousands of others to follow in your footsteps.
May our loving and merciful Lord bless and keep you in His loving care always!
With love and prayers
for you and your family,
+ M I C H A E L
Bishop of New York and New Jersey
Orthodox Church in America
Dear Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
My humble prayers for Fr. Peter and all your family. You have been an inspiration to me and to our entire Archdiocese. I will never forget your encouragement and advice as we started a new mission in Riverside, California – now the beautiful and vibrant church of St. Andrew the First-Called. I remember the day you came to speak to us at the Cal Baptist University and as you spoke we felt a strong earthquake. I always quote what you said at that moment, “this is what happens when Orthodox people get together. We shake the earth.” We love and appreciate you. Lucy Hanna and family.
Thank you for your many sacrifices in spreading the Orthodox faith. We have been given a fullness of life because of your sacrifices. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. In Christ’s love,
Mary and Rdr John
Our love and prayers for your family now, and always. Thank you for the love you’ve constantly shown us, and for your role in God’s directing us to the Church.
Dear Fr. Peter and Marilyn,
You have played such a special role in Chris and my life, particularly as we came into the Church at St. Athanasius. We are h
We are hopeful for Fr. Peter’s recovery and want you to know that our thoughts, prayers and love are with you. We are so very grateful for both of you and the grace and kindness you’ve always modeled for us.
Sending much love and many prayers.
Fr Peter and Marilyn,
For as long as I can remember, you have been a part of my life! From the baptizing of Jesse Taylor to the blessed marriage of Tyler and Taylor. You have been an exemplary model of faith and Christianity. I’m so thankful that you have been a part of my life and my journey and that of my family. I’m so thankful that you have shared your words of wisdom and prayer and love with me in our many many conversations. I continue to pray for Fr Peter’s healing and for his comfort and patience and peace for the entire family.
We love you!
Jami
Dearest Father Peter, Marilyn, and all of the Gilquist family,
Our prayers and thoughts have been with you continually, as we are asking God for His mercy and will during what must be a terribly painful, yet maybe bittersweet time. You all have not left our hearts, minds, and prayers for a moment since we heard the news. We LOVE you all, and you know Father Peter, you so have always reminded me of my own amazing dad. You will be great friends one day, I am sure:). We adore you ALL and are hugging you from afar, and praying that you are all surrounded by the peace, love, comfort, grace, and mercy of our Great and most Merciful God.
ALL Our Love,
Mitch and Trenna Berry
Dear Fr Peter and Marilyn, The hymn “Great is The Faithfulness” keeps coming to mind and I send it as a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Great is Thy faithfulness…morning by morning new mercies I see…all I have needed Thy hand has provided…great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me. And “Who is so great a God as our God.” Our hearts and prayers are with you. Love Pat
Dearest Fr. Peter,
As a cradle Orthodox, I feel necessary to say that it was a great honor for us that you joined our faith. Your life can be identified as a format of dedication of the true servant of God. With your natural kindness, you showed the way to the Truth to many thousands of souls through your services, sermons, personal meetings, books, interviews, etc. Your accomplishments became an integral part of accomplishments of Orthodoxy in North America. Incredible increases of conversions came from your apostolic efforts. It looks that St. Apostle Peter found you, an individual with the same name for continuation of his own mission.
As for the case of the cradle Orthodox, your indicated to us the amazing extent of richness and wisdom of our faith. Thank you very much for all your extraordinary work. God appreciates that and so does the Church.
May our Redeemer grant strength to you. May St. Nectarios, the great helper in a case of oncological problems, provide his support to you and all your wonderful family in this time.
In Christ,
Vladimir
It is with sadness and expectant hope in the resurrection that I hear of your present health concerns. Please know that you will always be one of my personal ‘Fathers in Orthodoxy’ dating back to the EOC days and the wonderful learning and growing retreats of which you were a part for all of us here in Indianapolis. I thank God for you and your sacrificial life and how your family shared you with all of us who needed you. Your books are on my book shelf and cause me to say a prayer for you each time I notice them. God bless you and know your service to God has been effective beyond your ability to know.
Craig Madsen – Indianapolis – St. George
Dear to God, Fr. Peter,
As you are nearing the finish line, may God strengthen you to bravely finish the race and may He bestow upon you an imperishable crown of victory! May God give you and your family a great amount of peace and comfort during this difficult, yet joyous time.
Our prayers and our love are with you and your family.
Rick and Christi Yadron
“Remember me O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom” These words, only recorded for us by Luke, have found their way deep into the consciousness of the Holy Church. We pray especially that God would ‘remember’ those we love, those He loves….. and we pray they remember us. You noted Phil. 1:27 to me once. Now O encourage you with vss.28-29. And with all those who send their love let us remember one another.
We love you, Father Peter and Marilyn. You have been dear to us forever and your ministry has made an imprint on our souls. Through every hour of the days ahead, may God grant your every need with tenderness and mercy. May He sustain all of you — Father Peter, Marilyn, Greg, Wendy, Ginger, Terri, Heidi, and Fr. Peter Jon, and all your families.
We continually pray for healing of body and soul.
With great love,
Timmy and Sue
Fr. Peter and Kh. Marilyn,
I am Orthodox today because the two of you allowed my wife, Lamia, her aunt, Odette, and I to join you for lunch back in 1995. You had just returned from Syria and, I’m sure, were jet lagged and exhausted. Still, you and khouriya opened your doors to us. By the end of that day I knew I would become Orthodox. Today my wife and I and our children serve our God because of your kindness. Your actions are echoing through the generations of our family.
As we left your home all those years ago, you scribbled a few words in an OSB and gave it to us as a gift. I’ll repeat here the verse you inscribed in the front:
“You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11
You and your family and your loved ones are in our prayers day and night.
In Christ,
Jason and Lamia
Father Peter, Marilyn and family,
Walking with you and praying for you, as we journey together toward our eternal home.
With deep love and multiplied kind thoughts,
Father Duane
Fr. Peter and family,
You have been a God send in my journey to the Orthodox Faith. Your words of encouragement and love have always touched my heart, especially the speeches you gave at St. Peter’s 25 anniversary celebration. Know that you and your family will always be in my prayers and may the Lord our God bless you and your family.
The Church in Ireland is praying for you.
I have only yesterday, before the news of this illness reached me, used you as an example to a young man in our parish.
Please keep us also in your holy prayers.
Love
Fr Irenaeus