14 November 2021, South Canaan, PA - St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery and Seminary were blessed to host His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev of Volokolamsk. Joining Metropolitan Hilarion in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the monastery church was our own metropolitan, His Beatitude, Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America and Canada.

After the the liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon presented Metropolitan Hilarion with an icon and relic of St. Nikolai of Zhicha, as well as relics of St. Hilarion the Great, St. Isaac the Syrian, and St. Tikhon of Zadonsk. Metropolitan Hilarion presented His Beatitude with a beautiful panagia to commemorate the occasion.

Later, Archimandrite Sergius was pleased to give Metropolitan Hilarion a tour of the monastery grounds, including a tour of the recently renovated Music and Arts Center.

The Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Archpriest John Parker made the following remarks on this historic occasion: “It was our sincere joy to welcome His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, to St Tikhon's for his first-ever visit to America's First Orthodox Monastery and St Tikhon's Seminary.  As we toured the seminary's administrative hall, he reflected on the many years of personal connections he has and has had to the primates and rectors of St Tikhon's.  It was indeed also a blessing to enjoy pastoral conversations with His Eminence, as we discussed matters of concern which cross all borders."

By Nathan Belt