On Sunday, February 1, 2009, the parish of St. Herman's in Langley BC unveiled a project months in the making-- The Three Hierarchs Library.

These saints were chosen because they are patrons of learning. Providentially, their name was also borne by the ship that brought Saint Herman on his missionary journey to Alaska from Russia.

There has been a bookstore and library at the parish almost from the time the present building was purchased in 2004. But after several years' use, both the books and the room needed some improvement. The library closed for a number of weeks while Andrea Folster and Vivian Hartley weeded through the books, ordered new ones, sorted and categorized. The selection of reading material now includes evertything from kids' books to Church Fathers, all organized with colour-coded stickers. A sign-out binder contains a page for each of the parish families.

Parish council provided funding for books and new furnishings. Diakonissa Victoria Jordan, with help from her daughter Avery, painted the room and made slipcovers for new seating. Various other members lent a hand with moving and assembling furniture.

The bookstore shelves in the narthex just outside the library were also rearranged and re-stocked with some of the latest books from Orthodox publishers.

After liturgy a ribbon cutting ceremony opened the library, and Fr. Lawrence blessed the room and books with holy water while the choir sang the tropar to the Three Hierarchs. At lunch a book-shaped cake and door prizes completed the celebration.

Members of all ages are now enjoying the comfortable new seating and reading the exciting new material.

The library & book store book review blog is found at http://sainthermankenosis.blogspot.com/

Mat. Donna Farley

Photos by Mat. Donna Farley and Amy Lanteigne