Greeting of the icon begins Orthodox weekend Pilgrimage
28/5/2011
MAYFIELD – The 107th annual pilgrimage to St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Orthodox Monastery in South Canaan officially opened Friday and will continue through Monday.
The events began with the greeting of the myrrh-streaming icon of St. Anna at the monastery archway, with Bishop Tikhon of the Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania diocese and Father Igumen Sergius, abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, leading the procession.
This year’s icon – or a religious work of art – is from an Orthodox parish in Philadelphia. One by one, visitors had the chance to greet and pay respects to the icon, often with a kiss.
Bishop Tikhon said the pilgrimage is always a special weekend. He said a pilgrimage is a spiritual journey to a physical destination.
“It’s part of your journey in life,” he said. “Often people of the Orthodox religion travel to shrines, holy places or other well-known spiritual destinations.”
Following the greeting of the icon, a prayer service known as vespers and matins was held at the monastery church and a service of intercession – or Akathist – followed.
Don Lowry of West Scranton said he came to the ceremony to see the icon and say a few prayers. He also plans on attending the healing ceremony on Monday.
“I come up here quite often, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to participate,” Mr. Lowry said.
His wife, Barbara, said she enjoys visiting St. Tikhon’s Monastery as often as possible. She finds the campus enlightening and “extremely calming.”
“It just gives you a beautiful inner feeling when you’re part of something like this,” Mrs. Lowry said.
Michael Snyder made the trip from Akron, Ohio, with his Passion and Brotherhood organization. Mr. Snyder visits the monastery each year for the annual pilgrimage, he said, and finds it a beneficial way to gather his thoughts.
He also looks forward to Monday’s healing ceremony, which he described as an incredible experience.
“I come here to get away from everything,” Mr. Snyder said. “The pilgrimage is a time to unify the faith.”
Contact the writer: metrodesk@timesshamrock.com
