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On August 23-24, 2022, His Eminence Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and the West, together with His Eminence Nathaniel, Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, and His Grace Andrei, Bishop of Cleveland (Auxiliary of the Romanian Episcopate) consecrated the newly constructed temple at Holy Protection Monastery in Lake George, Colorado. The Monastery was established 27 years ago and had converted the former garage into a small chapel which served the monastery well for the past years. The construction of the new church, dedicated to the Protection of the Theotokos, began more than six years ago. The progress was slow, but steady, depending upon the available funding. Once the interior was completed and an iconostas installed, it was finally time for the consecration.
The hierarchs arrived at the Monastery on Monday, August 22. His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, together with Archbishop Nathaniel and Bishop Andrei inspected the new building and the preparations made for the consecration. On Tuesday evening, Archbishop served the last Vespers in the small chapel, with Archbishop Nathaniel and Bishop Andrei singing the responses. It was a beautiful service, but somewhat bittersweet for the Monastery, since the chapel – which was blessed, but not consecrated – will soon be converted into a combination library/trapeza.
Due to certain constraints we were very limited regarding how many people could be present. Those who were able to attend gathered early on Wednesday morning, August 24. Although they were eager to see the interior of the new church, no one was allowed to enter until the doors would be officially opened by the Archbishop. At 9:00 a.m. the procession from the chapel to, and around, the new main church began. When the procession arrived at the closed doors of the church there were some brief prayers, then the Archbishop knocked on the door of the church, saying “Gates, raise your arches, rise you ancient doors…” Then the doors were opened and the hierarchs, clergy and faithful entered. No candles or lights were yet lit. Once inside, the hierarchs and clergy proceeded directly into the altar. The relics of martyrs – together with relics from the first spiritual father of Varatic Monastery in Romania with whom our Monastery has an attachment – were placed in the new altar table. The hierarchs sealed the bare altar table with wax mastic, washed it with holy water and rose water, and then anointed it with holy chrism. After it was wiped dry, His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin consecrated new antimensia for the diocese on the now consecrated altar. Following this, the hierarchs dressed the altar table in three new coverings. The first of the covers was literally bound to the table. As all of these procedures were taking place, Psalms were read, and His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel explained to the faithful what was happening. Finally the necessary holy objects were placed on the newly consecrated altar. Before Liturgy could begin, the candles were finally lit and the entire inside of the church was blessed with blessed holy water and anointed with chrism.
The Divine Liturgy was served with a small group of faithful from Holy Theophany Church in Colorado Springs singing the responses beautifully. All three hierarchs served, together with Archpriest Anthony Karbo, Priest Joseph Sharman and Priest Anthony Macnee. Before the dismissal of the Liturgy, the hierarchs, clergy and faithful made another procession around the outside the church during which Bishop Andrei anointing the upper reaches of the exterior walls with Chrism.
The preparation for the consecration was – to say the least – exhausting. The peace and joy of the fact that there is such a beautiful church offered to the Most-holy Theotokos is a tribute to all who have supported this Monastery with their prayers and offerings. May she continue to protect and intercede before her Son and our God for all who have sacrificed of their time, efforts and resources in supporting this small monastic outpost.
The Diocese of the West is the geographical district of the Orthodox Church in America consisting of the Western United States. The diocese has active parishes in Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. San Francisco is home to the diocese’s cathedral, Holy Trinity, as well as the Chancery offices. The diocese is led by His Grace Vasily, Bishop of San Francisco and the West.
