John Maitland Moir, 1924 - 2013
At Edinburgh University, the flag flew at half-mast in honour of Father John Maitland Moir, the Orthodox Chaplain to the university. His life had elements of the popularised, practical and unconventional Christianity of C.S. Lewis, to which he added layers of spirituality and asceticism.
Strong faith: John Maitland Moir gave all his money to charity.
He was born on June 18, 1924 in the village of Currie in Scotland and his parents - the local doctor and patrician mother - were the crucible for the religiousness of their only child. Probably it was a frail physique that also led him to intellectual interests. He studied classics at Edinburgh then Oxford, followed by theology at Cuddesdon Theological College. He taught classics at Cargilfield Boarding School in Perthshire.
He was ordained a deacon in the Scottish Episcopalian Church in 1952 and a priest the following year. His first appointment was as curate in Broughty Ferry, Scotland. He served at the Edinburgh parish of St Barnabas, chaplain to the Bishop of Moray and canon of St Andrew's Cathedral in Inverness. Always the fervent patriot, he once earned an episcopal reprimand for wearing a kilt beneath his cassock.
Over time, he became disenchanted with the Scottish Episcopalian Church, deciding it was moving away from the original Christian tradition.
His interest in the Eastern Orthodox faith developed during a period of study at the Halki Theological Academy in 1950-51.
After what must have been a difficult spiritual struggle, Maitland Moir accepted the Orthodox faith at the Monastery of Simonopetra on Mount Athos in 1981. Returning to Britain, he resumed his calling as a minister and served faithfully for some 30 years, first in Coventry and then returning to Scotland.
Maitland Moir was sparing in his diet and ate only one meal a day.
During the strict Orthodox Lent, an exasperated cook remarked: ''Father there's a limit to the number of ways you can cook lentils''. He ministered to the poor. He sheltered the homeless, often in his own house. He inherited considerable wealth but died penniless, through his charity to those in need.
Maitland Moir established the Chapel of St Andrew in Edinburgh, first in his living room with some 20 worshippers. This flock grew and in 2003 he sold his house to buy a former school building but this also became too small. Funds to expand further were insufficient.
On his deathbed, Maitland Moir gave thanks to God that his dream was fulfilled. An anonymous benefactor had come forward to complete the purchase of a £350,000 building for the community.
In a world where genuine eccentricity or commitment is scarce, Maitland Moir leaves a legacy of dedication. He is survived by a diverse parish (English, Scottish, Greek, Russian, and others) under the care of archimandrites Raphael Pavouris and Avraamy Neyman.
James Athanasou