After the Divine Liturgy yesterday, Sunday, September 4, Father Steven blessed my main camera and lenses, and my car, in anticipation of the travel and photography beginning today:

Several brothers and sisters from church gathered around to add their prayers, and it was quite a moving moment. Simple, brief, yet in accordance with the Church’s tradition of beginning every good work by seeking the Lord’s blessing.

Over 18 months of planning, preparation and initial fundraising now give way to pilgrimage and photography…

Special thanks to Mickey, Alexis and Annalisa Callender, and to Steve and Pat Pride, for the delightful gatherings and sendoff yesterday. And to Johnothon Sauer, for the photos of the blessing. (Johnothon remarked on the irony of using a smartphone to photograph the blessing of professional photographic equipment!)

As always, thankful for, and asking, your continued prayers and support for the North American Thebaid Project!