This past Tuesday I returned to Anchorage from Kodiak, having spent four days with the monks at Archangel Michael Skete on Spruce Island.

Fr Andrew of St Michael’s Skete holding the Kaluga Icon of the Mother of God, in the Kaluga Chapel.

Monk’s Rock.

The Meeting of the Lord Temple, Monk’s Lagoon at Spruce Island.

St Herman’s Spring, where many healings flow.

St Herman’s original grave, below the new chapel.

Monk’s Lagoon

I’m back on the road today for my return leg, and am just putting up this quick post before leaving for the Divine Liturgy at St George (Antiochian) near Portland OR, so, as usual, I beg your patience and ask you to watch for photo galleries on this blessed chapter in my ongoing pilgrimage to Orthodox Christian monasteries in  North America.

These are unedited photos, which I will rework and re-post as soon as I can, but they give a tiny glimpse of the holy wonder I experienced on Spruce Island:

For a delightful look at the annual St Herman Pilgrimage, see this video report by Indie Alaska.

As always, my heartfelt thanks for your prayers and support!