Russian Orthodox Diocese of Alaska - St. Paul Island Health Center Blessing 2006

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His Grace Bishop NIKOLAI traveled to St. Paul on January 13 to bless the new St. Paul Health Center. This $17,000,000 center was built after 20 years of planning and was a collaborative effort of village leadership and members of the community. This clinic will serve the St. Paul community. St. Paul is 3 hours from Anchorage by air. This was supposed to be a three day trip but weather made it uncertain when the Bishop and those traveling with him would return home. They were finally able to retun to Anchorage thanks to a special Penair flight that finally got them home on Wednesday January 18, very early in the morning, just in time for the Feast of Theophany.

January 14, 2006

Our day at St. Paul began in the dark, with Divine Liturgy, followed by a luncheon with the Parish Council. We are planning the 100th Anniversary of the current church edifice which was build in 1907.

A view of the exterior of the new clinic in St. Paul. The conex containers were used to transport material from Anchorage and Seattle to St. Paul where the beautiful clinic was built.

A view of the village of St. Paul from the Church yard.

In addition to liturgical observances, His Grace made a visit to the AC Store and oversaw some Spring cleaning (in the middle of January) at the Church

Sunday brought the community of St. Paul to the celebration of the Feast of St. Seraphim and the joyous events surrounding an archpastoral visit.

His Grace served the Divine Liturgy in Ss. Peter and Paul Church, preaching about the life of St. Seraphim to the people gathered.

In the evening of this cold Sunday, Archimandrite Isidore (behind thecamera) gathered with members of the Ss. Peter and Paul Church choir to give them some pointers on church singing and tips on finding online music resources.

Scenes from St. Paul Island, Tuesday, January 17, 2006