Annual Pilgrimage: October 5-7, 2007

On October 5 through 7 the Monastery hosted its annual pilgrimage in honor of the Mother of God, "Searcher for the Lost." Photographs, courtesy of pilgrim Ted Hewitt, can be found here.

His Grace, Bishop John Michael Botean led the pilgrims, monastics, clergy and lay folk, in prayer. About 60 people attended Great Vespers on Friday evening. The following day more than 150 pilgrims took part in the hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop John Michael, assisted by Abbot Nicholas, Archimandrite James Babcock and a number of deacons, including our own Father Moses. Hieromonk Maximos led the singing, assisted by a number of pilgrims from the Romanian Catholic Mission in Los Angeles and St. Phillip's Melkite Greek Catholic Church in San Bernardino.

Before the Divine Liturgy Father Maximos served Orthros, while representatives from St. Phillip's and Holy Cross Melkite Church chanted.

Among our special guests we were delighted to welcome the entire sisterhood of our dependent house, Holy Theophany Monastery: Mothers Anastasia, Irene and Johanna and Sister Katherine. We were also pleased that Abouna Moses from St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Monastery was able to attend part of the Divine Liturgy.