We announce that Leonid Barsukov reposed in the Lord Sunday September 16 at approximately 10:40 PM, an hour after receiving the Holy Mysteries.

Leonid was born in Russia and came to the United States when he as a boy, about 20 years ago. In the past several years he had undergone two operations to remove a brain tumor. His illness had been diagnosed just a few months after his marriage to Ekaterina Suleymanova. 

Leonid began attending Holy Ascension Church in the fall of last year. He wanted very much to be an Orthodox Christian and to participate in the Holy Sacraments. God heard newly-departed Leonid's prayer and he was Baptized on Holy and Great Saturday, 2018, which also happened to be the Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos (March 25/April 7th). 

Since June of this year, Leonid suffered greatly, his health slowly declining. He has a large extended family with his wife, parents, siblings, cousins and in-laws. Through them, he received diligent care, and moral and prayerful support around the clock 24/7 during the months of his illness. He was visited by two priests regularly and was vouchsafed to receive Holy Communion about twice a week. He had also received the Sacrament of Unction.

By profession Leonid Barsukov was known to be an exceptional computer programmer. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a zest for life. In the last months and days of his earthly life, Leonid exhibited meekness and gentleness submitting to the will of God. He was like a guileless lamb, being cleansed by patience. Our heart goes out to his wife Ekaterina, his god-father Alexander, his parents, many brothers and sisters and his in-laws. 

Though it is very painful to have lost Leonid, whose earthly sojourn has ended at the age of 31, there is an abiding peace that has come by faith and grace. Newly-departed Leonid was vouchsafed by God to receive the Holy Mysteries an hour before his repose. The Holy Church consoled his soul and the hearts of his family members as prayers were read at his bedside before and just after his departure from this life. "Where your treasure is, there will be your heart is also" (Gospel of St. Matthew). Looking upon the details of his end, we can perceive the departed one's state of heart: the heart of one who truly reposed with the faith and hope of Resurrection.

Memory Eternal!

Funeral Schedule:
Thursday September 20: Panykhida at 5:00 PM, vigil at 6:00 PM
Friday September 21: Liturgy at 9:00 AM (Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos), Funeral at 12:00 noon, burial at Sylvan Cemetery (address:  7401 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA 95610).

If anyone would like to help off-set the funeral costs, please, follow the link here.