Blessed with a multiday visit from the Holy myrrh-streaming icon of the Iveron Mother of God and Her caretaker Father Nectarios Yangson.
The Hawaiian Iveron icon of the Mother of God accompanied by its guardian Priest Nectarios Yangson of Hawai'i were greeted by the priest of this monastery Priest Dimitry Don and a few of the faithful Wednesday evening despite the winter storm warning. Vespers and matins were served followed by a meal. Thursday morning's Divine Liturgy was served by Priest Nectarios, Priest Dimitri Don, Archpriest Dimitri Jakimowicz (Rector of St Nicholas church, Stratford, Connecticut), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon from Holy Trinity filling our small altar space. Together, with the many faithful attending, little room was left in the nave to move. A festal meal was held in the monastery trapeza.
On Thursday evening, Father Nectarios blessed the Holy icon to stay at the Iveron Monastery for the sister to keep a vigil ending with the reading of the Hours at 4:30 am. Father Dimity made it to the monastery in the early morning hours, in spite of the severe snow storm and snow covered streets, to serve Divine Liturgy in the presence of the icon.
Later, around noon, we joined Father Nectarios at the gravesite of Brother Josè in the snow-packed cemetary. Despite the snowstorm, the "Hawaiian" Father served a litia to his beloved Brother Josè.