SOUTH CANAAN, PA [DOEPA]
From May 22–25, 2026, 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 122nd Annual Memorial Day Pilgrimage. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided over the pilgrimage.
The annual pilgrimage brought together hundreds of Orthodox Christians from throughout the Orthodox Church in America and beyond for four days of prayer, worship, fellowship, and remembrance at America's oldest Orthodox monastery. Pilgrims participated in the full schedule of liturgical services, educational presentations, fellowship opportunities, and the annual commencement exercises of St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary.
On Friday, May 22, the pilgrimage officially opened with Vespers and Matins in the Monastery Church, followed by the annual commencement address at the Seminary.
On Saturday, May 23, pilgrims gathered for the Primatial Divine Liturgy and the 84th Commencement Exercises of St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary. During the commencement exercises, Deacon Alexander Nescott, cleric of St. Herman of Alaska Church in Glen Mills, PA; Subdeacon Marek Szeliga of St. Mark’s Church in Wrightstown, PA; Subdeacon Jerome Stafford of Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church in Philadelphia, PA; and Reader John Heitzenrater of t. Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, PA, graduated with certificates from the Diaconal Formation Program. May God grant them many years! The day concluded with the celebration of the Resurrection Vigil in the Monastery Church.
On Sunday, May 24, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, the faithful assembled once again for the Primatial Divine Liturgy, followed by fellowship and a meal. During this Liturgy, Archpriest John Kowalczyk, former Chancellor of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania and Director of Vocations and Spiritual Formation at St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary, was awarded the right to wear the mitre in recognition of his many years of faithful and dedicated service to the Church. The day concluded with the celebration of Vespers and Matins.
On Monday, May 25, Memorial Day, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Intirim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey; and His Grace Bishop Nikodhim of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese, together with clergy and monastics from across the Orthodox Church in America and other Orthodox jurisdictions.
Among the clergy serving were Archimandrite Sergius [Bowyer], Abbot of St. Tikhon's Monastery; Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary; together with numerous visiting clergy from across North America, including many clergy of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.
The liturgical responses throughout the pilgrimage were offered by the monastery and pilgrimage choirs, whose singing added greatly to the beauty of the services.
Following the Divine Liturgy, prayers were offered for the departed hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and faithful who labored for the growth of Orthodoxy in North America, as well as for all those who gave their lives in service to the United States. A Memorial Litiya was celebrated at the grave of Metropolitan Leonty, and the faithful joined together in remembering those who had fallen asleep in the Lord.
The day concluded with the traditional Memorial Day festivities, fellowship among pilgrims, guided tours of the monastery grounds and museums, and the Healing Service to the Mother of God in All Saints Church.
Many clergy, matushki, and faithful from across the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania were present for this grace-filled pilgrimage, joining Orthodox Christians from throughout North America in prayer, fellowship, and remembrance while honoring the legacy of Saint Tikhon and giving thanks to God for the rich spiritual heritage of Orthodoxy in America.
Photo credit: Elijah Hojnicki
Glory to God for all things!
Issued by the Diocesan Media Office
