Deacon John Stuart is in hospital recovering from a  stroke. Following  several recent incidents in which he lost his balance and fell over, he was diagnosed as having a blood clot on the part of his brain which controls balance. He has been undergoing tests and treatment and is now recovering in hospital and, happily,  making good progress.  Abba Seraphim has not only sent him good wishes for a full and complete recovery but asked  for prayers for him and his family. Deacon John, who is 63, exercises a ministry as a hospital chaplain in Exeter. He was ordained a full deacon in Exeter by Abba Seraphim in February 2001.