Church Events

The first of our Church's missionaries for 2004 has returned safely to us from Alaska with the following photo report. In her own words, Miss Tatiana Lapchuk describes the photos which she took while on her mission:

"I was fortunate enough to be able to venture to Kodiak and Spruce Island, Alaska this summer, where I was involved in a mission trip with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). The task for our team this summer involved various construction projects, including the reconstruction of a platform outside the Chapel of SS. Sergius and Herman of Valaam (icon below left) on Spruce Island, which was built nearly 100 years ago on the site where the Blessed Saint Herman of Alaska (icon below right) was buried. As many as 400 pilgrims travel to this chapel every year, primarily on August 9th, the day on which St. Herman of Alaska is commemorated. The new platform was a necessity for the chapel, as the chapel is quite small, and cannot accommodate the many faithful who visit."

"Our team of 10 members was blessed to work under the spiritual and construction leadership of Fr. Mikel Bock, of St. Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage, Alaska, in addition to the two monks who live and pray at St. Michael's Skete, the monastery on Spruce Island, Father Andrew and Father Martyrius. Our work progressed quickly and within 5 days of the beginning of our efforts, the platform was completed, giving us time to enjoy the scenery of Spruce Island. The island is beautifully majestic - we were even blessed with a rainless week - clear, sunny skies graced the scenic mountains and Pacific Ocean. During our stay, we celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Chapel of SS. Sergius and Herman with Father Andrew and Father Martyrius, as well as two nuns from St. Nilis Island, Mother Nina and Mother Nela. Our return to Kodiak was bittersweet, though we were welcomed with open arms by the community at Holy Resurrection Cathedral and Saint Herman's Seminary."

"Dan of Eagle River, Alaska, and Nick of Los Angeles, California, level the beams on the second day of work on the platform (photo upper left). Father Mikel of Saint Innocent Cathedral, Anchorage, and Annie of Los Angeles, California, hammer nails into the joists of the platform (photo upper right)."

"Anastasia of Phoenix, Arizona, washes her muddy clothes in the creek after a long day of work (photo above left). On their way to Liturgy Sunday morning, Father Andrew and Father Martyrius checked the fishing net they cast in Marmot Bay a few days before. In their net, they found the 45 pound King Salmon depicted here, which we enjoyed for dinner that evening and the next evening as well (photo above right). Dan reads the Hours before Sunday morning Liturgy in the Chapel of SS. Sergius and Herman of Valaam as I prepare the music for the service (photo below)."

"Father Martyrius gives some of the ladies a boat ride to Saint Nilis Island (above left), just next to Spruce Island, where the women's monastery is located. We stayed with the nuns for a day and a night, and helped them with some projects around the monastery. Father Martyrius stands at the deck of Saint Michael's Skete and shows his vegetable garden below (above right)."You may click on the photos above left and below right to view enlargements.

"Mother Nina, Abbess of Saint Nilis Monastery, shows the women how to make a prayer rope (photo above left). At around midnight, Mother Nina and Mother Nela take us women to the overlook on Saint Nilis Island, where we witnessed scenic views of Marmot Bay, Kodiak Island, and some puffins, birds common to Alaska, identifiable by their orange beaks and black and white bodies (photo above right)."

"Beneath the Chapel of SS. Sergius and Herman of Alaska is the burial site of Saint Herman of Alaska (photo below). He was buried by the natives of Spruce Island who loved him dearly. His body remained at this site until 1970, when his relics were transported by helicopter to Kodiak Island. His reliquary rests in the Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection, and is opened up each year for the faithful who come for the pilgrimage to Kodiak and Spruce Island. Photo above right shows the cover of the reliquary of Saint Herman in Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Kodiak, Alaska."

"This picture (above) shows me as I drink from the holy Spring of Saint Herman, located on Spruce Island. God revealed this sacred spring to Father Herman. The water is untainted and holy. Many pray in front of the icons at the spring and drink from it to cure ailments."

"The entire group is depicted here (photo above) within the Chapel of SS. Sergius and Herman on the last evening we spent on Spruce Island. This is a picture (below) of the completed deck, including the stairs. The deck is 24 by 36 feet in size and consists of approximately 250 2x6 cedar planks."You may click on the photos above and below to view enlargements.

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