Waymart, PA, May 27, 2025
Photo: sttikhonsmonastery.org
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery in Waymart, PA, wrapped up its 121st annual Memorial Day Pilgrimage yesterday, with a special focus this year on the 100th anniversary of the repose of St. Tikhon of Moscow.
St. Tikhon’s, the oldest monastery in America, was founded in 1905 by the future Patriarch of Moscow during his North American ministry.
The pilgrimage began on Friday afternoon with the greeting of the wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, led by the primate of the Orthodox Church in America His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada. The guardian of the icon, Fr. Nectarios Yangson, is a longtime friend of St. Tikhon’s and has brought the holy image to bless the monastery and seminary many times. A moleben was served before the icon, followed by Vespers and Matins.
Married student housing groundbreaking. Photo: Nancy Gilbert (Facebook)
That evening, the seminary community, led by Met. Tikhon and His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, rector and Scriptural professor at the seminary, processed to the future site of married student housing for a blessing and groundbreaking.
The construction of married student housing, which will begin this summer, is the fulfillment of a long-held desire for the seminary. For many years, married seminarians have been responsible for finding their own housing, while single students live in an on-campus dormitory.
On Saturday morning, a hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the monastery church, the 83rd seminary commencement was held that afternoon, and Resurrection Vigil was celebrated that evening.
Sunday again began with a hierarchical Divine Liturgy. That afternoon, a concert was offered in the monastery music center in honor of the 100th anniversary of the repose of St. Tikhon:
Vespers and Matins were served that evening.
On Monday, Memorial Day itself, the monastery offered two Liturgies, Unction, and Vespers and Matins. The Primatial Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Met. Tikhon, Abp. Michael, and His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh of the Moscow Patriarchate:
Other good news from St. Tikhon’s includes the restoration of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos over the altar in the monastery church, and the renovation of the outdoor mosaic of the Theotokos and the angels, with a new roof and garden area:
Photo: St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery (Facebook)
Photo: St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery (Facebook)
And in his Spring-Summer 2025 newsletter, the abbot Schema-Archimandrite Sergius reports that the monastery brotherhood has grown to 20 members, which is just about full capacity.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
