St. Simeon Skete, Taylorsville Kentucky USA

With St. Simeon, the God receiver, as our patron, the skete seeks to practice the ideals found in our Rule, The Thousand Day Nazareth. In simplicity and poverty, the skete embraces the struggle of inner life through the practice of the Prayer Rope.

See our website at www.nazarethhouseap.org

Donations should be addressed to: Nazareth House Apostolate, 185 Captains Cove Drive, Taylorsville, Kentucky 40071.

Important Notice: All writings, posts, graphics & photographs in this blog are the copyrighted property of (unless otherwise indicated) Nazareth House Media, a division of Nazareth House Apostolate and cannot be copied, printed or used without written permission from NHA Media, Taylorsville, KY.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Left to Die

This blog post has been written by James Bombolia Mansaray: Kabala, Sierra Leone

It has been a while since I last heard someone saying to an old sick folk that you’ll soon be sent to the village to die. Seraphim’s best friend in Sierra Leone, Pa Barrie was sent to Kindia Village in neighboring Guinea by his family not to die,  but since he had become old they wanted his wisdom to return to the village where he could spend his last days in prayer. Many times, it is the custom when someone begins to get old and cranky, the family sends them away so the village will be their last resort before they drops the body. Mama Vicki and I always tease Seraphim that we will soon send him to the village!

Now here is a sad story of a young man I met as I went to villages this week, giving out rice to the hungry and needy. 


Baimba is about my age or maybe I am a little older than him.  He has been suffering from an illness that even a doctor can't explain.  All he complains about is persistent fever, pain everywhere and an unstoppable stomach ache. Young as he is Baimba is, he was sent to this village for they think he won’t make it and will soon die.

 My good people, how many of us can comprehend that such is happening? How many of us really care? Do people deserve this? Today I met Baima but there are many out there suffering the same fate. If helped, I believe Baimba wont die. 


Worst of it all, this young man was sent to a village empty handed to be welcomed by a hungry poor mother with nothing to start the day with, no food, no provisions. Luckily I brought them rice but it will soon finish.

Through you, I am able to dig out these sad cases deep in the bush, in hidden quiet little villages - finding people who have never had any help.  Thank you so much for all you've done and please keep it in your heart to continue and invite others to share in this good work.  People do matter and they deserve a chance.  Give to NHA.  Thank you. - James


Donations can be sent to NHA via our website: www.nazarethhouseap.org  or by sending a check to 

Nazareth House Apostolate,
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071

Donations for Uniforms For Christmas: can be given as above or through this Link: