Father Paul made an enormous contribution at St. Vladimir's Seminary as Dean of Students and Lecturer on Practical Liturgics (if I recall the title of the class properly). He mediated many quirks of personality amongst students and helped each to grow spiritually toward Christ. I can't recall anyone who came away from a talk with Fr. Paul feeling the poorer for it. His personality was that of a builder who chooses each stone such that the structure goes up securely and to last a lifetime. He and other professors invited the students to their homes for meals with their families. This gesture helped ameliorate the loneliness some felt being far from home.
Equally important was his life of service at the altar. It was so obvious that he simply loved to serve. Some clergy remain distant from the other servers at the altar, but he always had a smile or a knowing glance ready. Errors were not the subject of shame, but of learning - and learning the "why" behind the actions. His sermons were always spot-on, leading one to reflect inwardly and seek humility.
For his enormous height, he had an unusual gracefulness in all of his motions. Unlike so many of us, he maintained a lean and healthy posture, exercising with hand weights as he walked the campus.
They used to call him "the Elvis Presley of the Orthodox Church" for his similar hair style and melodious voice. At our talent show, he would sing quite a few of "the King's" tunes. Of course, you knew that he knew who was the real King. If imitation is one of the highest forms of praise, then I'm not ashamed to write that I would imitate him, his voice and mannerisms, for the benefit of my classmates when we were just fooling around. He may have known it, but it was hard to tell as he always had a certain twinkle in his eye. A good Dean of Students knows what the people are doing.
Fr. Paul was the celebrant at my own brother's wedding. It was the last time I saw him and is how I will warmly remember him. May his memory be eternal.
