THE ARCHPASTORAL VISIT TO HOLY PROTECTION SKETE

For the celebration of their Monastery’s Feast of Holy Virgin Protection October 14-17, 2005

The flight from San Francisco to Phoenix was harrowing. Its was just my luck to sit across from a young mother with a screaming 2 year old child. It was his first air trip and he was terrified. It took easily an hour for him to fall asleep… an hour into the actual flight time, that is. Once he was asleep everything was fine.

After a the trip from hell, I arrived in Phoenix with about an hour to spare, or so I thought. My next flight was completely on the other side of the airport… it took me almost the whole hour to get to the correct gate. The flight into Albuquerque, N.M. was uneventful, and I was met by Protodeacon Edward.

We went to CPI to pick up Frs. Gabriel & Elias with plans for lunch. The good Fathers took me to a great restaurant where I had wonderful BBQ Pork and homemade French fries, finishing with a wonderful dish of Bread Pudding with a Carmel Sauce. Then it was off to drop me off to the Motel to get me settled in. I decided to get some sleep since I had been up since 2:30 AM because of a 6 AM flight. Fr Edward called and asked if I wanted something for dinner, so I told him a Wendy’s Triple Burger and fires became dinner. We picked up the food and I came back to the Motel where I chilled out with cable TV and the Berger.

Saturday was very laid back. I went across the street to the Village Inn for a bit of breakfast. Fr. Elias picked me up about 11 AM and we went back to the Skete. Fr. Gabriel and I spent a few hours discussing Pachycaul plants and checking out his latest additions to his plant collection. We went for late lunch to the Native American Cultural Center. The food there is good and yummy. We drove back to the Motel to pick up the items I would need to attend Great Vespers.

Sunday was busy. I was picked up at 9:30 AM and waited for the beginning of the Sixth Hour. I was greeted at the door of the Kathedron, by the Monks and parishioners with the traditional bread & salt. I entered to the sound of the Cherubimikon being chanted by the Psalti. I proceeded to the Sanctuary where I read the prayers of my Kairon. Then we began the Service of Vesting and on to the Celebrating of the Divine Liturgy. I preached on the topic of “Who are we and why are we here”. After the Liturgy we had a wonderful Trapeza provided by the ladies who brought wonderful things for Lunch. The good Fathers drove me back to the Motel about 3:30 PM, with the promise to pick me up for dinner at 5:30 PM. We went to one of my favorite eating placing places… Mariscos Altimar. It’s a Mexican Seafood place. The meal was spectacular. After dinner the men drove me back to the Motel. I had taken a few pieces of cake from the Trapeza and ate them while watching cable. I knew that Fr. Gabriel would pick me up Monday Morning for a day trip.

This Monday we went to The Jemenez Mountains to a sweet little Café that serves the most wonderful food. We had sandwiches followed by homemade fresh berry pie. We drove through a huge Caldera and then through Santa Fe back to Albuquerque. The good Fathers dropped me off at the Motel. We agreed to pick me up at 11 AM for my flight back to San Francisco. The flight back to San Francisco was uneventful.

It was a wonderful journey to the Skete with the Fathers being very fine hosts. Spending time at the Skete is a good way to re-charge my batteries. I want to thank all the Monks at the Skete, the kind ladies who provided the lunch, and the staff at the El Vado who provided the wonderful digs for my stay.