Less than Six Degrees of Separation. I am continually amazed at how small the Orthodox world is, who knows who, who was Baptized by who, who is related to who. And, we’ve all played the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game (who has the same nose as Eddie, so I always think of him positively). But, I’ve been surprised by finding literary degrees of separation this year.

First, I read the second two of Elspeth Huxley’s Memoirs of growing up in Africa. When I was researching her after finishing the stories, I discovered that her cousin was Aldous Huxley. (On a total side note, my Goddaughter, who loaned me the books, mentioned that there was a BBC production of the books with Hayley Mills in it (and who doesn’t love Hayley Mills?) I put it on my library wish list and promptly forgot about it. Earlier this month, I got a call that I had (insert robot voice) “ONE item to pick up at the library”, and it was the videos, so I’ve been watching them the past week or so.)

Then, I read Katherine by Anya Seton, and discovered that she was Chaucer’s Sister-in-Law.

And, last week, I read an absolutely inspiring and delightful autobiography by Abbess Thaisia (photo credit), loaned to me by the lovely Dawn. The Abbess mentioned in it that her mother’s last name was Pushkin, and I wondered, and it was later confirmed that her grandfather was the poet Aleksandr Pushkin. I have always loved his writing, and she definitely inherited his gift, as evidenced in her writing and some poems included in the book.

Poem 11
The Sea of Life

Like Peter I am sinking, falling,
In the waves of life's tempestuous sea.
As he so to Thee I am calling,
Teacher, save me rescue me.

How powerful a single motion,
A word from Thee can calm the storm.
It's possible to tread the ocean,
The wind and thunder to transform.

Upon my heart's waves, I implore Thee,
With sacred feet do Thou now tread.
My heart will quiet down before Thee,
Taste the peace that Thou wilt shed.

Stretch out Your hand, my faith redouble,
And as to Peter, say, "Oh ye,
Of little faith, what is thy trouble?
Take manly courage come to Me."

~Abbess Thaisia, a 19th century Russian nun
(Link from this delightful blog, as the book is at home thanks Maureen!)

I am hoping the lovely Vara will have some links about Pushkin to add.