[raspirator]

Thank you Niko and Nina,

We found the church, and even got there early. There were not too many people there--most of the people knew each other and belonged to the close knit community (in Nea Pendeli for anyone who knows Athens)...Well, the evil one threw our little pilgrimage a curve ball.

At first we were all sitting in the church (before the icon came) and then the priest said to go outside and up above into the courtyard (where the unfinished church is) to await the icon. My husband had a very nice, new pullover sweater with him and he decided to put it across our seats so that we could find them when we came back down. A few ladies had done the same thing on the other side of the church..however, I told him that I did not think it was a good idea. He responded that in that congregation no one would take it.

Well, guess what?!?! I alerted the trustees who were very helpful and did not want to believe that someone could have taken it. They felt very bad because we may have been the only visitors from outside the community. We live all the way in the south of the city which is about an hour away. Besides the inevitable 'I told you so', it was a temptation and challenge to our spirits that had gone there to leave with spiritual joy. I kept on saying the Jesus Prayer to not allow my inevitable annoyance turn into anything worse. It was a temptation to be judgemental. Finally, as we were leaving, my husband said that he hoped whoever took it needed it. I prayed inside of me that although they would probably not return it, that atleast they would realize their sin and repent of it. We are at peace and have the spiritual blessing of venerating despite the little curveball. May Our Lady the Directress direct us all away from sin.

Kyrie Eleison!

In Christ,
Alice