the icon of st. george

today we visited the cathedral of st. george the martyr in the city center. this was the cathedral where desmond tutu performed his duties as archbishop of south africa. it was an incredible experience. in the courtyard of the church is a labyrinth. i spent time walking the labyrinth in prayer, focusing my prayers on south africa, the people on our trip, the upcoming summer, and my new roommates. it was a beautiful act, and it was one i had never before experienced. there are three stages of the walk. the purgation is the first part, performed on the inward spiral. this is where you let go of all the details of life. it is a spiritual catharsis. this is followed by illumination, or the time spent in the center of the labyrinth. it is a place of meditation and prayer. the return through the spiral is the union. this walk is represenative of rejoining the higher work your soul is reaching toward. it was incredible.

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inside the cathedral i came upon the icon of st. george. it was a small painting of the saint. below it were candles to be lit and a small prayer hung on the wall. it read:

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prayer at the icon of st. george

gracious god,

stretching out your hand of

protection over st. george our patron;

stretch out your hand to protect and

bless all who are hiv positive and

living with aids.

empower us to overcome the dragon

of stigma and fear and to embrace

our own woundedness.

we ask this through jesus

who overcame sin and death for

us and now reigns with you in glory.

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i was moved to tears while praying this prayer. it was a complete spiritual experience. i felt the presence of the holy spirit there with me in that moment of lighting a candle for all those affected by hiv/aids. as the tears fell down my face, i bowed my head in extended prayer, lifting up all those we had encountered and all those we would not encounter. i felt connected to my brothers and sisters in south africa. i felt connected to god. it is a shame that we have forgotten the traditions of our church like sacred prayers and labyrinths. there is immeasurable worth in this practices. and i got to experience them in a powerful way today.