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IMG_7852, originally uploaded by neepeople.

View from the Raddison hotel room during a trip to Philly in 2006. I went to Philly twice that year, once in the summer and once in the winter. Both times it was cold, rainy and foggy. Go figure…

20090327-Holy-Transfiguration-Monastery-JWN0072-2, originally uploaded by neepeople.

This relic of St. James the Persian, who suffered around 400AD, is found at the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA. I was quite surprised when I saw it; I didn’t know there were relics of the venerable Saint circulating about.

His story is one of my favorites, not only because of his endurance, but also because of the strong influence of his wife and mother in the letter they wrote him after he apostatized. Here is an abridged version of the story, and a longer version with the aforementioned letter included.

20090327-Holy-Transfiguration-Monastery-JWN0012-2, originally uploaded by neepeople.

Life-size icon of the Virgin Mary, standing beneath the cross. Located at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, PA.

20090110-JWN0039, originally uploaded by neepeople.

My goddaughter, her parents, Jonathan and Calise and I, just after her baptism, chrismation and churching. Busy day! The icon is of her patron, Grand Duchess Elizabeth, and contains a relic of St. Elizabeth.

My goddaughter, “iJane”, just after her first communion.

I was privileged to travel balmy LA and stay with her family, my friends, for four days. I must say, “I love LA”. At least what I saw of it. Hopefully I’ll make it back out there sometime soon!