The Shelly Fire is approximately five miles away from Etna. Currently, this large wildfire spans over 8,000 acres of public and private forest land. There is 0% containment.
Since starting in the wilderness near Shelly Lake, due west of Etna along the Pacific Crest Trail, the fire has spread primarily northeast.
The City of Etna, including the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery and the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary, are currently at relatively low risk. The surrounding areas and communities north of Etna are in considerably greater danger. This includes the neighborhood of Cheeseville, where the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia and the parish of Saints Cyprian and Justina Orthodox Church are located.
7/10/2024, 1:00am. View to north.
The parish Church and the surrounding homes have been issued a mandatory evacuation order.
The Convent of Saint Elizabeth is currently under an evacuation warning. The nuns, along with their smaller animals (dogs, cats, and birds), have taken precautionary measures and have evacuated to Saint Bridget’s Student House in Etna.
Carloads of Icons, artwork, irreplaceable books, and Icon studio equipment from the Monastery and from the Convent have been taken for safekeeping to the Seminary. Because of its location within the city limits of Etna, the Seminary is a much more defensible space.
| The United States Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) have a unified command and have deployed considerable resources over the past four days. Over 2,000 personnel have been working day and night. |
| Due to the extremely hot weather (over 100° F during the day) and very low humidity, the firefighting efforts have been primarily focused on creating defensive perimeters. Heavy equipment and ground crews, with aviation support (helicopters and air tankers), have been busily constructing fire control lines. |
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| A locally-staged bulldozer ready for deployment, one of MANY. |
Only with a change of weather, by God’s mercy, will the firefighters be able to start putting out the fire. I ask for your fervent prayers that the fire stop and for the safety of the town of Etna and the surrounding area, for the Monastic communities, the parish church of Saints Cyprian and Justina and the Seminary.
Only with a change of weather, by God’s mercy, will the firefighters be able to start putting out the fire. I ask for your fervent prayers that the fire stop and for the safety of the City of Etna and the surrounding areas, for the monastic communities, for the parish Church, and for the Seminary.
Please pray for favorable weather conditions and for the firefighters and first responders, that God grant them safety, strength, and wisdom as they work tirelessly to protect our community.
In addition to the prayer requests related to the Shelly Fire, I would ask that you also add Archimandrite Gregory, the Director of Spiritual Life at the Seminary, to your prayers.
He suffered a heart attack this weekend and is currently hospitalized in nearby Medford, Oregon. Thank God, the doctors have determined that there is hope for recovery, but the rehabilitation process will require a significant period of rest.
Father Gregory has been one of the most tireless workers at the Seminary; in addition, he has numerous other clerical duties and monastic responsibilities. Many of the students, staff, and Faithful have come to depend on his counsel and support. His Eminence, Bishop Auxentios, in sharing the news today about Father Gregory’s condition, included the following comment, which I found very humbling and powerful:
“I ask the many faithful who have depended on Father’s past ministrations to be understanding and patient, likewise doing their part to ease Father’s burden and potential stress. If anyone wonders what they can do, they can always help by being more conscientious in their own spiritual lives and by reorienting their concerns, so as to be more helpful for others and less demanding for themselves—a labor and mentality that behooves and benefits us all!”
I humbly ask for your prayers for Father Gregory and for all those affected and at risk due to the Shelly Fire.
In Christ,
Alexei Bushunow
Communications and Development Director
Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary
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