On Saturday, October 8/21, the occasion of its 15^th anniversary, St. Martin the Merciful Church in Corvallis, Oregon received its Great Consecration. Presiding at this event was His Eminence, Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western American, assisted by Bishop Theodosius of Seattle and Bishop Irenei of Sacramento, eight priests, and four deacons. A great number of parish faithful, and visitors from as far away as Greece, attended this joyful occasion.

Prior to the Liturgy, John Morrow was tonsured a Reader. At the Small Entrance, the parish rector, Archpriest James Baglien, was awarded the right to wear the palitsa.

A festal banquet followed the event, prepared by the parish sisterhood. On the succeeding Sunday and Monday, Bishop Irenei gave two spiritual talks, at the parish, and at Oregon State University.

The event received favorable coverage in the local media, in particular a video essay posted on the web site of the Corvallis Gazette-Times (see below).

The parish, its history, and the Consecration, will be profiled in an upcoming issue of Spiritual Spring.