Clergy, Matushki, and Faithful of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania Participate in 121st Annual Pilgrimage at St. Tikhon's Monastery, South Canaan, PA

SOUTH CANAAN, PA [DOEPA]

From May 24–26, 2025, Clergy, Matushki, and Faithful from the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania participated in a pilgrimage to the Monastery of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk for the 121st Annual Memorial Day Pilgrimage. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided over the pilgrimage.

On Monday, May 26, Memorial Day, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Beatitude. Concelebrating with him were His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Intirim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, and His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey.

Among the clergy serving were Archimandrite Sergius [Bowyer] Abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery; Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Acting Chancellor and Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America; Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary; Archimandrite Vasily [Permiakov], Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology at St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary; along with other clergy and visiting concelebrants.

The liturgical responses were sung antiphonally by the choirs led under the direction of Mrs. Anastasia Kappanadze and Matushka Juliana Woodill.

The wonderworking myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron icon of the Holy Mother of God was present for the whole pilgrimage.

After the reading of the Gospel, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon addressed the faithful with a sermon. During the Liturgy, fervent prayers were offered for the repose of the departed archpastors, clergy, monastics and laity who labored for the sake of Orthodoxy in America.

Following the ambo prayer, a Memorial Litiya was offered for all departed members of the Orthodox Church in America and for those who gave their lives in service to our country. Memory Eternal!

At the end of the service, His Beatitude warmly greeted everyone who had come to honor Saint Tikhon during the 100th anniversary year of his repose. He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to celebrate together with clergy and parishioners from the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and the Russian Church Abroad, highlighting their shared connection to Saint Tikhon’s legacy in North America.

His Beatitude also addressed Bishop Matthew, asking him to pass along his greetings to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'. In response, Bishop Matthew conveyed greetings and congratulations from Patriarch Kirill to His Beatitude and all present. He also thanked Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop Michael, Archimandrite Sergius, and Archpriest John Parker for their ongoing relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church parishes in the USA.

The day concluded with the traditional Memorial Day festivities, which included fellowship, guided tours of the Metropolitan Museum led by Archpriest John Perich, Rector of St. Herman of Alaska Church in Glen Mills, PA, and the Healing Service in the All Saints Chapel.

Many clergy, matushki, and faithful from across the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania were present for this grace-filled pilgrimage.

CLICK HERE to view the Primatial Divine Liturgy on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Photo credit: Reader Alexander Hubiak, Joe McClure, Anna Witek, and others

Glory to God for all things!