At their Vacation Church Camp earlier this summer, St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, NC created a small shrine to St. John the Baptist, placing the shrine in their parish courtyard to be visible and particularly accessible to the children who love to play and explore there on Sundays after Divine Liturgy. Already, they’re doing what comes naturally: venerating the saint, praying, and leaving little offerings at the shrine.
One of the parish’s young adults noticed that even wildlife seem to be stopping in from time to time to pay respects, noting that deer, raccoon, and possum prints can be seen in front of the icon of St. John the Forerunner alongside a child’s shoe print. “Every breath and all creation glorifies you, O Lord!”
Photo: St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.