Bishop Sipovich new file

43 7. The House of Mary The tiny rectory of St Casimir’s church could not accommodate with comfort more than two persons. The Lithuanian Marian Fathers, if they wanted to expand, needed a bigger house. A suitable property was found towards the end of 1947, a beautiful spacious house called "Belvedere" in the London suburb of North Finchley, built towards the end of the 19th century,with a large garden. It was decided from the beginning that there would be a place in the new house for Father Sipovich and for a Byzantine rite chapel. Most probably this was done at the insistence of Buchys who had his own plans. The formalities were completed in April 1948. The two Lithuanian priests for reasons of their pastoral duties had to remain near the church of Saint Casimir. Thus it was Father Sipovich alone who moved to the newly acquired property. We find the following entry in his diary under 8 May 1948: "I am spending my first night in the newly acquired house ‘Belvedere’, Holden Avenue, London N.12. My only wish is that the house should be filled with holy men!" We may wonder whether he suspected that the house, which had been renamed "Marian House" in honour of Mary, the Mother of God, would become known among Belarusians and their friends throughout the world as the permanent seat of the Belarusian Catholic Mission of the Byzantine rite. The first concern of Father Sipovich was to fit out the chapel. A large bright room on the ground floor was chosen, with windows facing south. It was decided from the beginning that the chapel, which was dedicated to the Apostles Peter and Paul, should be in the best traditions of the Byzantine rite. All this, however, was in the future. On Sunday 16 May 1948, – Pentecost Sunday according to the Gregorian calendar, – the chapel, for the first time full of the faithful, had a very modest look. But there was a spirit of joy and gratitude among Belarusians who at last had their own place of worship. Most of Father Sipovich’s life had been spent in a community. Now for the first time he was left alone in a big house. Well, not exactly alone: a friend gave him a cockerel. It was a most appropriate gift, seeing that Father Sipovich had a particular devotion to Saint Peter. Unfortunately some neighbours objected to the bird’s crowing at night. Also for the first time in his life Father Sipovich had to try his culinary skills with various results, as when he tried to fry an egg on the plate instead of a frying pan... But the solitary life did not last long. By the end of May a Belarusian student came to live in Marian House. Some time later he was joined by two others, and in July came the first official candidate for the Marian Congregation. In the autumn of 1948 the Association of Belarusians bought its own house which became the centre of national and social activities. Marian House remained the religious and to a great extent cultural centre. The Sunday and feastday liturgies were well attended, and there was a small but good church choir. Usually people remained after liturgy, especially in the summer, enjoying good weather in the garden, and a game of volleyball, in which Father Sipovich liked to join. He had the ability to get on with young people. But whatever he did, he always remained a priest first of all, trying to help others to take seriously their Christian vocation. Of particular value were the retreats, organised by Father Sipovich usually in Lent, and open to all – Catholic and Orthodox alike. For many participants who grew up during the war in an atmosphere far removed from religious influence, this was a new and profound experience.