August 27, 2012
Jordanville, NY: The Revival of Processions and the Annual Labor Day
Pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery – Come and see
On
Labor Day weekend, when many Americans will continue the decades old
tradition of barbequing and family gatherings, Orthodox faithful
from America and Canada will embark on a journey to preserve the
centuries old tradition of performing pilgrimages to monasteries and
holy sites. This tradition was brought to America by our Orthodox
ancestors who began organizing pilgrimages over a century ago to the
first Orthodox monasteries in North America.
For over 60 years,
thousands of pilgrims would flock to the monastery on Labor Day
weekend to celebrate the feast of the monastery’s heavenly
intercessor, St. Job of Pochaev. This year, on September 1-2, as the
faithful return to
Holy Trinity Monastery for a spiritual retreat, the tradition of
pilgrimage will live on.
In recent years,
the youth have become more involved in diocesan life, and many young
people are stepping forward to preserve their Orthodox traditions.
With the blessing of the monastery’s abbot, Archimandrite Luke
(Murianka), this year diocesan youth are organizing a pilgrimage to
walk five miles to the monastery on Saturday, September 1. Everyone
is invited to join in this journey for the preservation of our youth
and our Holy Orthodox Faith. For more information about the youth
pilgrimage, please visit the official
Facebook event page or contact Nikolai Roschko for more
information –
nikolai.roschko@gmail.com.
By participating in
the annual Labor pilgrimage you can show your support for Holy
Trinity Monastery.
"During times of
economic crisis, the monasteries suffer the most, especially when
the faithful stop making annual pilgrimages," said
diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov. "With all the
temptations that surround us in the 21st century, we need our
monasteries now more than ever, and they are counting on our
support. If we do not unite around our monasteries, the consequences
for our Church will be dire."
Many people simply
do not know of the great spiritual treasures that are housed at Holy
Trinity Monastery and the Labor Day pilgrimage offers the faithful a
way to venerate and pray before these holy relics.
"Let us unite and
stand together in firm support of our ‘Diasporan Lavra,’ said
His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop George of Mayfield.
"A place where the incorrupt relics of Metropolitan Philaret
(Voznesensky) are interred together with some of our greatest
hierarchs and spiritual leaders; a place where hundreds of relics
surround pieces of the True Cross and the belt of the Theotokos; a
place where prayer does not cease. It is a holy place, a link to
Holy Russia – and the beating heart of the Russian Orthodox Church
Abroad. Come and see."
As the faithful
prepare to travel to Holy Trinity Monastery, the monastery
administration asks that they be informed of any groups of pilgrims
larger than 10 people. Clergy are asked to bring their own blue
vestments.
Labor Day Pilgrimage Schedule
Saturday, September 1:
6:00 AM: Divine Liturgy
7:15 AM:
Breakfast
9:00 AM: Youth procession beginning from
Holy Trinity Cathedral
12:00 PM: Lunch
3:00 PM: Procession to the cemetery church for the greeting of the
Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God, followed by a moleben and
akathist to St. Job of Pochaev in the main cathedral.
6:00 PM: Dinner
7:00 PM: All-Night
Vigil in the main cathedral.
Sunday, September 2:
6:00 AM: Early Liturgy in the lower church of the main cathedral,
dedicated to St. Job of Pochaev.
9:00 AM: Hierarchal
Divine Liturgy led by His Eminence Justinian, Archbishop of
Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.
His Eminence will be co-served by His Grace, George, Bishop of
Mayfield, and monastery and visiting clergy.
12:00 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM: Youth discussion with Archim. Luke
6:00 PM: Vespers in
the main cathedral.
7:00 PM: Supper.
(Campfire for the youth)
7:30 PM: Compline.
Monday, September 3:
5:00 AM: Midnight Office & Matins.
8:30 AM: Divine
Liturgy in the main cathedral.
10:00 AM: Breakfast
Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese
