On December 21, 2024, a pilgrimage took place of a group of parishioners of the St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York, led by the rector, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, to the monastery in honor of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, which belongs to the Orthodox Church in America.
The monastery is located in the small town of South Canaan, Pennsylvania. It was founded with the blessing of St. Tikhon, the future Patriarch of All Russia, in 1905 and dedicated to his patron saint. Since 1938, a theological seminary has operated on its territory.
The pilgrims were given a tour of the monastery museum, the exhibits of which include, in particular, vestments that belonged to Patriarch Tikhon.
The group was then shown an icon painting workshop where students learn this ecclesiastical art.
The pilgrims also visited the cell of the outstanding Serbian theologian Saint Nicholas (Velimirovic), who lived in the monastery as the rector of St. Tikhon's Seminary and died in 1956.
At the cemetery located at the monastery, the pilgrims visited the burial place of the priest of the Orthodox Church in America of Russian origin, Archpriest Alexander Schmemann, who left behind a great theological legacy, and prayed for his repose.
After a tour of the monastery, the pilgrims prayed at the Sunday all-night vigil in the monastery cathedral.
