I have to leave shortly for a special Akathist we’re holding to venerate the Wonderworking Sitka Icon. Our church is blessed to be one of those chosen as a stop on its pilgrimage from Alaska through the “lower 48.”

As a convert, things like this make me feel like I have to run to catch up. I think of what Erica said about it coming to her church, and what this commenter said, that sometimes as the church gets darker, her eyes get brighter.

I’ve read up a little, I’ve gone over the words of the Akathist service, some of which catch my eye:

To your icon we Orthodox run when about to embark on a new enterprise or to set out on a journey by sea, land or air, offering you a prayer of thanksgiving and asking for your blessing and your help and our deliverance from tribulation and assault …

There’s more I want to know, but I’m out of time. I suppose there’s nothing left but to go see it.