Feast Day at Goldendale Monastery

I spent the day at the Monastery in Goldendale, WA with my wife, a few people from our parish and a couple hundred more Orthodox Christians. It was the feast day of the nativity of their patron saint, John the Forerunner. My main impression of the day: I'm so grateful for the souls of these virgins who have traded all this world has to offer for that one thing needful. To be among them, even for just one day, puts life into better focus. Check out John's post to get a flavor of some of the elements of the Vesper service for this feast. Here's a few pictures from the Monastery. . .


The faithful filing into their small Church for Holy Communion.


Hieromonk Paisius, abbot of St. Anthony's Monastery (Florence, AZ) was the main celebrant. (Low light because I didn't want to use the flash during services)


A few of the nuns from St. John the Forerunner Monastery processing with the feastal icon (out of frame) to the food which the nuns had prepared for all the guests. They prepared salmon, rice, peas, salad and assorted cakes. All very good.