‘God bless you all’
Church and community members say goodbye to Patriarch Vincent and Isabel Waterman
Like so many in the pews of St. Philip’s African Orthodox Church on Sunday, Pam Parris was feeling a mix of emotions as Patriarch Vincent Waterman led the congregation in prayer one final time.
“It’s very emotional. We’re happy for father to continue his life and have a well-earned rest but yet we’ll miss hearing his voice and coming to church on Sunday and listening to him and his wonderful homilies,” she said. “And Lady (Isabel) Waterman, we’ll miss her wonderful smile, her good cooking and her all-around friendship.”
Waterman and his wife Isabel first came to serve at St. Philip’s African Orthodox Church in 1983 following the death of Isabel’s father, George Francis, who was the longest-serving rector at St. Philip’s. Now, 33 years later, the two are moving to Halifax to be closer to family in retirement.
Parris said the Francis and Waterman families have seen the church through many years and many difficult times.
“They’ll not be forgotten,” she said. “They are the mainstay of this church, they are the roots of this church.” Given those deep roots, Sunday’s service brought back a lot of memories for Isabel.
“It was a mix of emotions,” she said. “I’m sad but I’m glad to go to be with our grandchildren in Halifax and be with our family. For this stage of our life I want to be around family.”
Isabel’s sister Mayann Francis, the former lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, was among those in attendance Sunday and said she felt a sense of closure at the service as it marked the end of an era for her family.
“My father was here for so many years and my brotherin-law was here for so many years and now basically there isn’t anybody else in the family that’s going to be here in the pulpit,” she said, noting that while it is sad the African Orthodox Church will always be at the foundation of her family’s faith.
Isabel’s brother Karl (Howard) Francis-Williams said he is proud that his sister and brother-in-law were able to build on his father’s legacy.
“I’m so happy that they kept this (church) going because I don’t know what would have happened if they didn’t do it, so I’m so blessed to have them. I love them and they’ve just done a wonderful job, not just for the church, but the community,” he said.
In his final address to the congregation, the 91-yearold Waterman shared a few memories and thanked those who supported him throughout his time at the church, including his family.
“Thank you and God bless you all,” he said in conclusion.
Sisters Carol Ann Marsman and Leota Marsman, both of Whitney Pier, were among those who attended Sunday’s service to wish Waterman well.
“He’s a strong member of this community and we just came out to show our support. He did good for this community and hopefully he’ll be blessed when he moves on,” said Carol Ann.
“I think he’s fantastic,” added Leota. “Any time I ever came down and he’d be sitting on his step, I’d always go over and say hello and ask him to lay blessings on me and we’d talk for a little bit. He’s a fine man and he’s done so much for this community.”
St. Philip’s in Whitney Pier is Canada’s only African Orthodox Church. Last year, Waterman was elevated to Patriarch Vincent the 1st of the African Orthodox Church — the highest honour bestowed by the church.