Walking in our forefathers’ footsteps: Memorial Day pilgrimage includes procession “from Mayfield to the Monastery”

SOUTH CANAAN, PA [OCA]
3/5/2012

It was in 1905 that faithful Orthodox Christians processed from Saint John the Baptist Church, Mayfield, PA, to South Canaan for the formal opening of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.

This year, faithful are invited to “walk in our forefathers’ footsteps” on Sunday, May 27 in a procession that follows the same route “from Mayfield to the Monastery.”

The procession to the monastery will begin with the celebration of the Sunday morning Divine Liturgy at Saint John the Baptst Church [Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia], Mayfield, at 9:30 a.m. Archpriest John Sorochka and the parish faithful will host a luncheon after the Liturgy. Following the celebration of a Service of Prayer, faithful will set out for the 3.5 hour, 11-mile procession to the Monastery.

“Similar processions to the monastery in recent years made their way from the main — and only! — intersection in South Canaan,” said Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, who is helping to organize the procession. “This year will mark the first time in recent memory that the route will take that followed over 100 years ago.”

Young adults, college students, OCF members and chapters, and youth are especially encouraged to participate. Parishes are encouraged to bring their banners to carry.

Pilgrims are invited to camp out on the monastery grounds on Saturday night, May 26. Group transportation to Saint John’s in Mayfield will be provided on Sunday morning. Camping will also be available on Sunday night, the eve of the monastery pilgrimage proper.

Pilgrims are asked to confirm their participation in the procession from Mayfield with Protodeacon Joseph at jmatusiak@oca.org or 914.318.7505. Please direct requests for further information to Protodeacon Joseph as well.

A detailed schedule of all pilgrimage services and activities was posted on the OCA web site on April 25.

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