If you’ve been reading this blog for a year or so, you will remember the drama last summer, when Anna Harrington, the wife of our parish priest Father Matthew, gave birth to their fourth child, Irene. They knew it was going to be a very difficult birth. Hers was an extremely high-risk pregnancy. What’s more, doctors diagnosed in utero Irene has having hemifacial microsomia, a condition that affects the shape of the face, and severe scoliosis.

There was a significant chance that Irene would not survive till birth. There was a significant chance that neither Irene nor her mother would survive the birth. Doctors performed a C-section a month before the due date, because it was too dangerous to let the pregnancy continue. During the operation, Irene’s mother required 31 units of blood; the human body contains only 11 to 12 units. She bled out nearly three times.

Doctors told the Harringtons that Anna’s survival was a miracle.

Irene’s medical bills, including the money needed for her medical needs going forward, are substantial. Clergy families aren’t well off. Some friends of the family set up a GoFundMe account to help. Many of the readers of this blog contributed — and still do contribute. Thank you. The need is enormous.

This week — Holy Week for the Orthodox — the Harrington family had Pascha pictures made. Father Matthew posted this one, of Irene and him, to Facebook. I reproduce it here with his permission. For you who have prayed, and do pray, for the family, and who have contributed, this is what it’s all about. Glory to God.