Hello,
I am a catechumen with a VERY small OCA military community, and I, along with my wife and children, will be Christmated before Christmas liturgy. My priest has devoted so much time to us, and is one of the coolest guys I know (my wife and I wait all week just for liturgy). I'm not a gift guy; I don't like getting them, and I (normally) don't like giving them, etc... I'm terrible at it. However, I really want to honor my Priest and Matushka and our congregate for all the personal time they've devoted to us.
My question is; what can I get my priest that will be meaningful to an Orthodox clergy? I know so little about him because all we ever talk about is faith, which makes gift-giving difficult here. I've thought about just having my wife ask him what Matushka would appreciate as a gift, and myself asking Matushka what he would appreciate. Even that is difficult because he is paid well and does not want for much. Ideas?
Also, is it even appropriate for the catechumen to give gifts to the families in the congregate?
Thank you in advance.
Warm regards,
Michael of SN