In Pictures

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On July 11, 2005, the Church of Ss. Sergius and Herman of Valaam was consecrated by His Grace Bishop NIKOLAI and special guest His Beatitude Metropolitan THEODOSIUS. The Church on Spruce Island had never before been consecrated. Bishop NIKOLAI felt, since the Church has been renewed, it should be consecrated. This also reasserts his conviction that monastic life must grow to flourish on the island as St. Herman predicted.

Sunday Evening

His Grace Bishop NIKOLAI and His Beatitude Metropolitan THEODOSIUS are greeted at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak

Vigil Sunday evening for Ss. Sergius and Herman of Valaam

Litya

The Hierarchs come out for the Poliely

Sunset over the Seminary in Kodiak Monday Morning

Departing for Spruce Island Monday morning

Arriving at Spruce Island

This icon of the Mother of God was found in the Church of Ss. Sergius and Herman of Valam on Spruce Island in its frame by Victor Kazanin, who was then working on Iconography for the Seminary Chapel. After he removed the glass and cleaned the icon, the face of the beautiful Virgin began to glow. Victor was later able to date the Icon to the 16th or 17th Century.

The Holy Altar is washed

Procession with the relics around the Church

The relics are placed in the Altar

His Beatitude gave explanations of the different parts of the Consecration service

The Altar is covered

The walls of the Church are sprinkled with Holy water and anointed with Holy Chrism

After the Consecration, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy begins

Joe Vranesh is awarded the Order of St. Herman's - First Class - for his generosity to the Diocese of Alaska

His Grace and His Beatitude at the end of the Divine Liturgy

The Hierarchs get off the boat and are greeted with the Icon of the Mother of God found in Ss. Sergius and Herman Church dating back to the 16th or 17th Century

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The procession to Ss. Sergius and Herman of Valaam Church

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The wax mastic is poured into the top of each of the four columns of the altar table.

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The procession with the Holy Relics around the Church

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The Holy Relics are placed into the Altar

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After the Altar is consecrated His Beatitude lights a single candle from the coal of the incense, which is then used to light all the candles in the Church.

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His Grace Bishop NIKOLAI gets a drink of Holy Water from St. Herman's Spring.

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His Beatitude comes down the path to the beach following the Divine Services.

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A delicious meal on the shore of Spruce Island was provided for the Hierarchs, Clergy and pilgrims.

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