Rain brings relief to Holy Transfiguration Hermitage in BC

Fr Samuel of the Holy Transfiguration Hermitage in Lone Butte, BC, reports that on the feast day of the Nativity of the Theotokos on Friday, September 8, our Lady sent them a wonderful birthday gift. A great downpour began and continued into the next day. The Elephant Hill fire which had traveled about 100km towards the hermitage and was raging approximately 8km from their doorstep, was thoroughly drenched.

Two days after this saving rain, very strong winds (gusting to 50km or more) sprang up and were blowing directly towards the hermitage from the direction of the fire. These winds would have blown the fire into the hermitage in just a couple of hours if it had not been so completely extinguished by this rain. The monks were able to actually drive towards where the fire had been bearing down on them and confirm it was extinguished.

You can see from the photo taken five days before the rain just how close the fire was. There are still some hot spots being mopped up in the area, and they are still under an evacuation alert (the only alert that has not been lifted in the BC Cariboo region), but they are now feeling the threat has ended. On Wednesday, September 13, they will put their chapel items and other evacuation-ready packed items back in place at the hermitage.  

Fathers Gregory and Samuel and Brother Moses wish to express their extreme gratitude for the many prayers that have been offered on their behalf throughout the entire archdiocese, and to our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos for her protection.