How does an Orthodox family live in Hollywood
'02.12.2018'
Source: Matrony.ru
Two bright and open person. Modest and smiling, very sincere spouses who, during a conversation, look at each other so tenderly as if they were at the very beginning of their novel. Unbelievable: this is a famous Hollywood actor and his wife, whose marital experience is 17 years! Their three children, despite the heat, patiently wait nearby.
After the interview, the family went on a small motor ship to ride along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg, leaving behind memories of something unrealizable, distant, unfamiliar and outlandish. But attractive and joyful ...
Jonathan Jackson is an American actor, winner of five Emmy awards, tells for Matrony.ru. In the US, he became famous in 90-x, performing one of the roles in the TV series "Main Hospital". In our country, he is familiar to the viewer by the role of Avery Barkley in the TV series "Nashville" and by the roles in the films "Insomnia", "Dirty 2 Dances: Havana Nights" and "Immortal". And the actor has created a musical group E-Nation.
Jonathan 36 years. 17 is married to Elisa Vultagio, his partner in the main hospital series. After the wedding, Alice left her career. Spouses bring up three children.
In 2012, Jonathan converted to Orthodoxy. And after him - his whole family. This summer, the Jacksons made a pilgrimage tour to our country.
Many believe that a strong marriage betweenKters are impossible for a variety of reasons: temptations on the set, touring, rivalry ... How do you manage to safely keep your family hearth?
Jonathan: Our family is the mercy of the Lord. For us, marriage is a mystery ...
Alice: This sacrament is to become one. We have faith that teaches humility, forgiveness, mercy. The way we go together. And sacrifice. I am for him, he is for me. So our story is the opposite of most Hollywood marriages. People of art are most often individualists who care more about themselves and momentary things.
Jonathan: And this, of course, separates people.
Alice: There is another reason for frequent divorce - sexual promiscuity. You move from one relationship to another, and problems only grow. I know this because my own life was far from ideal.
How did you meet?
Alice: We have an amazing love story, like a miracle. I come from Canada, from a Catholic family. I had a wonderful childhood. At that time, I felt God in my heart. Parents divorced when I was 18. I was worried about their divorce, which pulled a series of problems ... The family collapsed. I lost the faith that supported me.
Then I got one of the main roles in the series “Main Hospital” and moved to Hollywood. I felt very lonely among my colleagues. The men behaved aggressively, the women were envious ... In general, the world was quite frightening for me. And so, on the set of the show, I met Jonathan. He was so kind, so nice, full of light and purity. Next to him, I felt safe.
A few months later, Jonathan received an Emmy Award for his role in our series. He received the award in New York and, what struck me then, from the stage thanked the parents and Christ. Hollywood actor! It sounded politically incorrect for the West ...
The theme of Christianity is complex for American society. Especially in Hollywood. And Jonathan shook me then. So talented, incredibly famous, he had the courage to be himself. He always remains himself. After that, I approached him and said that I appreciate his speech. And he invited me to visit, in the parental home, among some other actors. It was a place where friends gathered. There they played musical instruments, read excerpts from the Gospel, spent time together, prayed.
Jonathan: My brother and I and our parents led the home church. 15-20 actors and actresses visited us every weekend. For two and a half years, Alice came to us.
Alice: When I came, they read the Gospel. And that was my inner challenge. I did not want to hear what I heard ... I suffered a lot in life. When I left this house, I again felt the presence of God. She began to cry. And the next day I returned to Christ.
For two years I was in love with Jonathan. I was sure that nothing could happen between us, because he did not have the burden of the past that I had. And I wanted so much to change my life. I cried and asked God if Jonathan could not become my husband, spare me from this feeling.
Then one day he knocked on my door. He stood with a bouquet of flowers and asked to marry him. I was shocked - I loved him so much! I couldn’t immediately say “yes” because I couldn’t speak and ran to the kitchen to drink some water.
But he didn’t even know if I loved him! It was all very strange, but beautiful.
Jonathan, when did you realize that this was your man?
Jonathan: During the prayer. I prayed late at night and asked God if she was the only one. And I did not have time to finish the sentence in my mind, as I understood that yes.
I have seen her in our house for more than two years. I saw her change. I did not know her favorite color or second name, but I knew who she was in Christ. It was like a providence. And then we began a journey together in the fullness of the teachings of the Orthodox faith.
Do you have family crises? Maybe you have anti-crisis "pills"? Keywords, deeds, signs?
Jonathan: Everyone has crises. And everyone, I suppose, suffers - this is part of life in Christ. And our marriage was sent to us for salvation. This is what the modern world no longer teaches: the sacrament of marriage, in which the two become one, in which there is no place for individualism. After all, in marriage, one person helps another escape.
When we have difficulties with children, problems, we turn to the Virgin Mary and believe in her help. Prayer is the chief assistant in all crises.
Do you have a division into male and female responsibilities in the family? How do you share responsibility?
Alice: Over the years, much has changed. At the very beginning I was perhaps most responsible for the children. But at the same time, Jonathan helped a lot. When he is at home, he is very attentive to children and always substitutes for me.
My acting career started very early, in 17 years. But now my main joy is to be with my family, with my children and my husband. It gives my soul peace. This is what I love.
And in everything that Jonathan does, I absolutely support him and don’t feel sad about my own career. Jonathan is a writer, singer, actor ... But he is one hundred percent husband and father!
Can you imagine that one day you will be filmed again?
Alice: Yes!
Jonathan: We hope so!
Jonathan, will you sit with the kids at this time?
Jonathan: Of course! I would really like that!
Alice: He is my support. We always say to each other: “If something bothers you, if you want something, do it!”
Jonathan: But raising children is the main thing for us. When we meet our end, we will think little about achievements. We will remember our spouses and children. Alice and I so often saw people who, in pursuit of a career, broke up a family, left children. But there, before infinity, completely different things will be important. Therefore, for us in the first place is our family and children. Everything else - be as it will be.
What would you say to your daughter before the wedding?
Alice: I would say about humility. It is so important in family life. You must have mercy and forgive each other imperfections. If you both love God, everything will be fine with marriage.
Jonathan: Most of my advice will sound, of course, long before the wedding. As a father, I would dream of seeing the purity of the soul, the love of God and humility in the daughter's wife. It would be nice if this was a person who has asceticism and self-control. And patience.
Do you have a common family dream?
Jonathan: Yes. It was a dream trip to Russia! And she, thank God, came true.
Alice: We read the letters of the last Russian Tsar Nikolai to his wife Alexandra. And I think every family should read these letters. To learn to hear each other and see how to relate to each other.
