For those with the time and means to do so, there is an opportunity for a very special "add-on" to the Eagle River Institute. Each year the OCA church of Kodiak, Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral, hosts an annual pilgrimage to Spruce Island on the anniversary of the canonization of St. Herman of Alaska which took place on August 9th, 1970.
The full cycle of activities extends over three days, Thursday through Saturday, August 7-9. Details of the itinerary from 2007 are available on the Alaska OCA web site,
http://www.dioceseofalaska.org/html/pilgrimguide.html along with links and phone numbers to local hotels and a "Frequently asked questions" page.
As of March 2008, this OCA page is yet to be updated for the 2008 pilgrimage, so please check back regularly for updates.This is probably as final as the schedule will be--the warning at the top of the page that it is "Subject to Change" refers to the unpredictable weather and ocean conditions--there have been years when the visit to Spruce Island had to be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather. In any event, you would still be able to venerate the relics of St. Herman during the Divine Liturgy at the Kodiak cathedral.
Weather permitting, the fishing boats that carry pilgrims to Spruce Island depart the Kodiak docks around 8am. Weather conditions are often cool and damp, so it would always be prudent to have a windbreaker or other wet weather clothing on hand. Last year I made the mistake of going over in a vintage Navy landing craft, and was drenched with sea water each time the flat prow smacked into a wave. Don't you make the same mistake!
Lunch is provided at the beach on Spruce Island by the women of the church following the pilgrimage so you needn't bring your own food. You may want to bring a small bottle to fill with holy water from the spring, and a bag or small container for soil from the island.
Alaska Airlines operates flights from Anchorage to Kodiak, and can be reached at www.alaskaair.com, or by phone at 800-252-7522. At the time of this writing, the lowest roundtrip airfare from Anchorage to Kodiak is quoted as $235.
For a more adventuresome and leisurely connection, the Alaska Marine Highway System (
http://www.akms.com/ferry/) operates a ferry between Homer and Kodiak. I found their published schedules to be difficult to read, and wound up phoning their Anchorage office at 907/272-4482 for personal assistance.
The high-end commercial lodging is the Best Western Kodiak Inn, the only national chain lodging in Kodiak. They can be contacted directly at 907-486-5712. Current rates range from $92-$140 per night. They offer an airport shuttle service, which makes hiring a taxi unnecessary. Once in Kodiak, everything is within easy walking distance - in fact, the Inn is directly across from the boat harbor where the pilgrimage departs from. Of the other two establishments, the Russian Heritage Inn (a modest motel, actually, despite the name!) is the most centrally located, and folks who stayed there last year reported that they were entirely satisfied with their rooms.
Directly across the street from the Russian Heritage Inn is Monk's Rock Bookstore, which is not to be missed. Operated by the faculty and youth of the St. Innocent's Academy, they offer coffee, tea, sandwiches and snack items; books on theology, history, society and culture; icons, prayer ropes, incense and other miscellaneous items of interest. If Fr. Paisius offers an Open House of the Academy again this year, go and learn about the wonderful work being done in turning around the lives of "at-risk" and troubled teens. Then be sure to stay for the "Block Party" at the bookstore for an evening of musical celebration you are unlikely to ever forget.
If you do decide to make the pilgrimage we pray it will be a very special and significant experience for you. If you care to write a little something about it we'd love to hear from you!
For questions, comments, or more information about the St. Herman pilgrimage, please contact me, St. John's pilgrimage coordinator at: jpiper51@gmail.com
Sincerely,
John Morrison
St. John's Pilgrimage Coordinator