Embarking in Sitka
Luckily once you get to the pier in Sitka, the town is all within walking distance.
This was the first sight we saw on dry land.
When we crossed ourselves upon entering the Cathedral,
the lady who receives $3 a tourist, said we could get in for free since we were Orthodox. While we were venerating the icons, a Reader named Philip approached us, asked us if we were Orthodox and then asked if he could give us a tour! He took us behind the cordoned area so that we could venerate the Our Lady of Sitka icon. It was more beautiful than I remembered from when it was at St. Seraphim's Cathedral in Dallas on tour a couple of years ago.
He also brought out from behind the altar St. Innocent's Blessing Cross! He had hand carved it out of ivory, and we were told it has a piece of the actual cross inside it. We are very blessed to have been able to venerate it.
Just as it was closing, we arrived at the Bishop's House where St. Innocent lived. The Ranger allowed us to tour the ground floor anyway, which is full of artifacts from the historic and lovingly successful Orthodox mission effort to Alaska. I'll post some more pictures in my photo's. I also have a Collection, accessible at the bottom of the sidebar on the right, called Way Out West Vacation, both of which have a slideshow type option again in the right sidebar if you click on a picture. It's chronological if you click on the last photo first.
This was the first sight we saw on dry land.
When we crossed ourselves upon entering the Cathedral,
Just as it was closing, we arrived at the Bishop's House where St. Innocent lived. The Ranger allowed us to tour the ground floor anyway, which is full of artifacts from the historic and lovingly successful Orthodox mission effort to Alaska. I'll post some more pictures in my photo's. I also have a Collection, accessible at the bottom of the sidebar on the right, called Way Out West Vacation, both of which have a slideshow type option again in the right sidebar if you click on a picture. It's chronological if you click on the last photo first.
Comments
Ben, I believe, will talk about the fire that occurred in the church and how the chandelier was saved. That, in fact, was mentioned by Dean Paige on the ship at one point.
Much of it was built by St. Innocent himself. It was interesting seeing the old wood make up the walls of the church. It reminded me of our grandparent's house in Pennsylvania, though in an Orthodox format. Several of the icons were obviously painted with Russian influence, the way they looked in the church at San Francisco-you know, having the more realistic facial features (I love those icons!).
Then we were shown, by generous Readers, the actual Sitka Icon of the Mother of God! You know what, we actually got to venerate it when nobody else could-Ha, we were special. Anyway, we also got to see, incredibly, a blessing cross that St. Innocent himself carved. Realizing a piece of the actual cross was in there was almost unbearable (in a good sense of course).
Another "adventure" was the tour of the Bishop's house. No, the Bishop did not have a personal mansion, it also served as a theological school. The details of which escape me. It was so neat to see inside the place. Goodness, I had to duck through the doorways. What would St. Innocent have to do, considering, in his boots he was 6' 3''.
Sadly, the bookstore in the area was closed and we were in a time bind, we had to get back to the ship. Luckily, as you can see, we got some really nice pictures, mental and physical (ok, electronic). Ben wants to fill everyone else on the details I missed. Lovely city. . .