Meeting St. Innocent

***

His earthly remains,

sanctified in life

by the indwelling 

of the life-giving Spirit,

lie in a church

onion-domed blue and gold

surrounded by the sights 

sounds and smells

of a heavenly host

funneled through 

earthly channels.

I was drawn to his form

lying in a glass-topped casket

under a shroud

directly in front of me

unaware of whose

company I kept.

I solemnly venerated 

the relics but then

openly wept when

a Russian friend

found me standing there 

and whispered in broken English

"Innokenty of America, you know?"

My shoulders began 

to shake uncontrollably

as his words sank in.

Gratitude came in waves

for this loving 

“Enlightener of North America”

setting me adrift 

on a sea of wonder.

Prayers for my family

filled my heart to overflowing

pushing me to the stone floor

of a church in the heart of Russia.

***