Today was our last day at our parish out here on the east coast. It was a sad day saying good bye to people and seeing a baba or two almost cry over it, but the parish really made it into a special event. First, after Divine Liturgy and before the kissing of the cross, they presented my daughter and I with a beautiful icon of the PROKOV or Protection of the Mother of God and and a card signed by everyone. They then sang Many Years to us. Then they had cake with a goodbye message and ice cream at the end of trapeza.
After most everyone left we had a moleben to Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg and traveling (safe journey) prayers said for us. It was a really beautiful day filled with hugs and kisses. Then after we left church the head of the Brotherhood had us come over to his house where he presented me with a beautiful icon of Saint Herman of Alaska with his life in small icons around it. It is framed in an icon box and quite beautiful! I just wanted to share my experiences as a parishioner leaving my parish. I really appreciate all they did for me. May God bless them all.
