St. George celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration on Sunday, August 9th.  (This feast normally falls on August 6th, however this year St. George transferred the celebration of this feast day to Sunday, August 9th). As is common practice in the Orthodox Church, grapes and other fruits (and vegetables) were blessed after Divine Liturgy. 

Additionally, one of the Orthodox Church in America’s commemorations on this day, Aug 9th, is for the Glorification of Venerable Herman of Alaska.  Fr. Sergei, who served Divine Liturgy for us, brought in his icon of Saint Herman that contains his relics.

Finally, we wish to thank Evan Nani for reading the Gospel lesson in Albanian for this Feast.

Click onto the more information link below to view some photos and read more about the history of the St. Herman icon.

About this icon:

Saint Herman on Spruce Island. In his hands, a scroll which contains his well-known quote:  From this day, from this hour, from this moment, let us strive to love God above all and seek to accomplish His Holy Will. Saint Herman’s relics are enshrined in a small reliquary at his feet.

Notes on the history of this icon:

Fr. Sergei served as a missionary in Alaska (based in Sitka Alaska) from 1969 to 1970, and returned to Alaska in 1971 to serve as a missionary on the Pribiloff Islands.  He was invited and participated in the canonization services of Saint Herman in August 1970. The relics came as a gift by then Bishop Theodosius of Sitka (he later became Metropolitan Theodosius). The icon was commissioned by Fr. Sergei’s family to enshrine the relics.