Bishop consecrates Arctic Ocean

(pravoslavie.ru) - During the high-latitude expedition on a nuclear icebreaker "Russia" in the Arctic Ocean water was lowered memorial capsule, consecrated at the North Pole, told expedition member Bishop Naryan-Mar and Mezensky James.

"With the blessing of Patriarch special capsule was lowered captain and head of the expedition to the North Pole into the abyss of the Arctic Ocean, and at that moment a miracle happened: the whole way we have not seen the sun, and suddenly it shone," - said the bishop.

Archbishop stressed that this point can be considered the beginning of "the consecration of the Russian Arctic."

During the expedition, Bishop Jacob also blessed the northernmost Orthodox church in the world - the church of St. Nicholas, located in the archipelago of Franz Josef Land. With him on board the icebreaker made a trip to the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker relics.

Bishop James gave the new chief of the drifting station "North Pole-40" Fomicheva Nicholas Orthodox cross, books and prayers.