View source for St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)

{{monastery|
name=St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery|
jurisdiction=[[Orthodox Church in America|OCA]]|
type=Male Monastery|
founded=1905|
superior=Abbot [[Sergius (Bowyer)|Sergius]]|
size=16 monks|
hq=South Canaan, Pennsylvania|
language=English, Slavonic|
music=[[Russian Chant]]|
calendar=[[Revised Julian Calendar|Revised Julian]]|
feasts=[[August 13|13 Aug]]|
website=[http://sttikhonsmonastery.org/ Official website]
}}

'''St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery''' (founded in 1905, previously ''St. Tikhon's Russian Orthodox Monastery'') in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, is the oldest operating Orthodox [[monastery]] in North America.  Attached to it is [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary]], one of the three [[seminary|seminaries]] of the [[Orthodox Church in America]].  The current [[abbot]] is Hieromonk Sergius (Bowyer), who was elected in October of 2009 and installed on [[January 23]], 2010.
[[Image:St_Tikhons_Arch.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The Monastery Arch: "Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord"]]

== History ==
===Early Years===
The [[stavropigial]] St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery was founded in 1905 by Archimandrite [[Arseny (Chagovtsov) of Winnipeg|Arseny (Chagovtsov)]] (later Archbishop of Winnipeg, Canada), with the blessing of then Bishop of North America, later Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Confessor of Orthodoxy, St. [[Tikhon of Moscow|Tikhon (Belavin)]], and was dedicated to the saintly patronage of St. [[Tikhon of Zadonsk]], the heavenly patron of Bishop [[Tikhon of Moscow|Tikhon]]. From the very beginning, the monastery drew Orthodox [[pilgrimage|pilgrims]] from all corners of North America, and played a key role in Orthodox mission on the continent.

Knowing that [[monasticism]] is indispensable for the healthy flourishing of a local Orthodox Church, the young Hieromonk Arseny, who arrived in America in 1902, conceived the idea of starting a [[monastery]] in America. In his vision, the monastery would serve as a "mother house" for monastics who were engaged in mission work in various places in North America; they could return periodically for spiritual rejuvenation. Through Fr. Arseny's dedicated efforts, aided by Archbishop Tikhon's, suitable land was found: the Wagner farm in western Wayne County, near the village of South Canaan. On [[June 26]], 1905, the land for the new monastery was purchased for $2,580 by Archbishop [[Tikhon of Moscow|Tikhon]] and Hieromonk Arseny&mdash;the founders of St. Tikhon's Monastery. An orphanage was started at the same time.

The first Pilgrimage to St. Tikhon's Monastery opened on [[July 29]], 1905. On [[July 31]] the grounds were dedicated by Bishop (now Saint) [[Raphael of Brooklyn|Raphael (Hawaweeny)]], and on that day, the first [[Divine Liturgy]] was served, in an open place on a knoll where the monastery church now stands. A cross was planted on the spot. Saint Raphael was the chief celebrant; among the [[concelebration|concelebrating]] clergy was Fr. [[Alexander Hotovitsky]] and very likely Fr. [[John Kochurov]] as well. In later years these two [[priest]]s would be [[martyr]]ed in Russia, being formally glorified as [[saint]]s in 1994. The services that day were in honor of St. [[Tikhon of Zadonsk]], who was Archbishop [[Tikhon of Moscow|Tikhon]]'s patron saint and partly for that reason, he was selected as the new monastery's [[patron saint]].


[[Image:St_Tikhons_Monastery.jpg|left|frame|The monastery church as it stands today, extensively renovated in 1965]]
The official opening and consecration of the monastery took place on [[May 30]], 1906. This occasion was the first of the annual Memorial Day pilgrimages. At the opening festivities gifts from [[Mount Athos]] arrived: an [[icon]] of the [[Theotokos]] "[[She Who Is Quick To Hear]]," and one of St. [[Panteleimon]]; both icons are still cherished by the monastery community. Hundreds of pilgrims from local parishes and from New York carried the icons in a cross-procession beginning at Mayfield. Travelling by train, the assembly was joined at Carbondale by Mitred Archpriest (Saint) [[Alexis of Wilkes-Barre|Alexis Toth]].  The pilgrims&mdash;whose numbers had greatly exceeded expectations, so that two chartered trains, with twenty coaches filled to capacity&mdash;detrained in the forest near the monastery and the church hymns were sung as the procession, with the holy icons, advanced through the woods. After some eighty minutes, the pilgrims caught sight of a blue cupola with a three-barred cross, in the midst of a deep forest -- the monastery.

Two [[Divine Liturgies]] were served.  Archbishop [[Tikhon of Moscow|Tikhon]] and some of the clergy joined in consecrating the [[altar]] and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the new church. Following this, a second group, headed by Bishop Raphael and Fr. [[Alexis of Wilkes-Barre|Alexis Toth]], served Liturgy under the open sky. Two [[novice]]s were [[tonsure]]d to the rank of [[Monastic Ranks|Rassaphore]].  That same summer, 1906, Patriarch Saint [[Tikhon of Moscow|Tikhon]] stayed at the Monastery, living with the monks and attending the services.

Fr. [[Alexis of Wilkes-Barre|Alexis Toth]], who had been called the "Father of the Russian Orthodox Church in America" because of his great success in leading [[Uniate]]s back to the Orthodox fold, was laid to rest in the monastery cemetery after his repose in 1909. Seven years later, his remains were transferred to a specially constructed tomb just behind the sanctuary of the monastery Church.  An eyewitness of this transfer describes Fr. Alexis's remains as being totally [[Incorruptibility|incorrupt]] at the time.

===Founding of the Seminary===
As the years passed, increasing numbers of [[novice]]s came to the monastery seeking spiritual nourishment, as did growing numbers of pilgrims. The monastery served the Church by its providing [[clergy]] for the North American mission, in a time of severe clergy shortage. In turn, the monastery was supported by the prayers and generosity of many faithful.

In 1937 [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|St. Tikhon's Seminary]] was established on the monastery grounds. The monastery has, over the years, provided some instructors for the seminary; this has not only aided the Church's mission in general, but also the monastery itself, as the availability of sufficient numbers of trained parish priests eventually reduced the need for monks to serve in parishes. The seminary, in turn, has provided candidates for the monastic life.

[[Image:St_Tikhons_Cross.jpg|right|frame|Cross at the Monastery Well]]
In the 1950s the monastery was greatly honored and enriched by the presence of a renowned Orthodox speaker, writer, and leader, St. [[Nicholai of Zicha]], who spent his last years here and reposed here in 1956.  The news, in 1987, of St. Nicholai's [[glorification]] brought joy to the monastery. Three years later, it rejoiced again at the glorification of the monastery's co-founder, Patriarch (Saint) [[Tikhon of Moscow|Tikhon]], and not too long after, in 1992, his well-hidden grave was miraculously discovered in Russia. The monastery has been blessed since then to obtain a fragment of his holy [[relics]].

In 1994, the [[Holy Synod]] of the [[Orthodox Church in America]] proclaimed the sanctity of Fr Alexis Toth. His remains were removed from the tomb in back of the monastery Church. The service of [[glorification]] took place at the Memorial Day pilgrimage that year. The relics now rest in the right [[kleiros]] of the Church, in a beautiful, canopied reliquary of carved wood, topped by a bulbed, golden cupola. The monastery has also been blessed in recent years by receiving gifts of holy relics of St. [[Herman of Alaska|Herman]] and St. [[Innocent of Alaska]] and St, [[Seraphim of Sarov]]. The monastic community rejoiced at the glorification in 1994 of Saints [[Alexander Hotovitsky]] and [[John Kochurov]]. Bishop [[Raphael of Brooklyn|Raphael]], who in 1905 served the first [[Divine Liturgy]] there and dedicated the grounds, was proclaimed a saint by the Holy Synod in 2000, and his glorification also took place at the monastery at the Memorial Day pilgrimage that same year. Holy Relics of St. Raphael also are housed in the church.

===Late 20th Century and Beyond===
The last quarter of the 20th century has been marked by a renewed interest in things spiritual among young people. This has contributed to increasing interest in the monastic life at St. Tikhon's. Changes have taken place in the population of the community and in outward features of our life, but the inner life, which is the heart of monasticism, continues as before. The unchanging life and rhythm of an Orthodox monastery is centered around the unchanging cycles and seasons of worship, and the fixed nature of monastic community life, with its traditions, rules, and practices.

[[Image:St_Tikhons_Belltower.jpg|left|frame|The Millennium Belltower]]
In 1965 the monastery church was extensively renovated and expanded, and the present monastery dormitory and dining hall were built. In 1988, to commemorate the [[Baptism of Rus'|Baptism of Russia]], a new Millennium Bell Tower was built, as were many other shrines. An addition to the monastery dormitory that same year provided a new refectory and additional space. In recent years, construction has also proceeded on a [[skete]] in the nearby woods. The St. [[Arsenius of Konevits]] Skete now has accomodations for several monks, and a chapel is planned.

In 1995 the John S and Lucille J Guzey Icon Repository was opened. This wonderful collection not only edifies visitors year-round, but also enriches the monastery and seminary liturgical life, as the icons are venerated in our services. The Icon Repository forms one structure with a beautiful new monastery bell tower which was built concurrently. (Because of structural weakness, the original bell tower had to be replaced). In 1997 the exterior of the monastery vhurch was beautified by repairs and other improvements, including new cupolas.

By God's mercy and providence, the prayers and services have been celebrated without interruption for more than nine decades, and the holy oblation has been offered year-round "in behalf of all and for all" -- living and dead, men and women, old and young.  The monastery welcomes pilgrims at all times of the year, and they come throughout the year whenever their schedules permit. Many have felt God's special presence there, often in a profound, life-changing way.

== A Monastery with an Educational Vision ==
Prior to the founding of the [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|seminary]], St. Tikhon's Monastery had played an essential role in Orthodox theological education in North America by providing preparatory coursework to those individuals who would later apply for formal seminary training at [[St. Platon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Tenafly, New Jersey)|St. Platon's Seminary]] in Tenafly, New Jersey. During those early years, financial assistance to the North American Mission of the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]] and to Orthodox theological education had been rendered by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities in Imperial Russia.

[[Image:St Tikhons iconostasis.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Iconostasis at St. Tikhon's Monastery church]]
With the onset of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, however, the young mission Church in America entered into a long period of administrative and financial difficulties. Because funding from the Mother Church in Russia was terminated, St. Platon's Seminary in New Jersey was finally forced to close in 1923, and St. Tikhon's Monastery once again became the only place in America where one could receive an Orthodox theological education until the opening, in 1938, of St. Tikhon's Pastoral School in South Canaan together with its sister school, [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary]] in New York.

== External Links ==
*[http://sttikhonsmonastery.org/ St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery] (Official site)
*[http://www.stots.edu/ St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary]
*[http://www.oca.org/DIRlisting.asp?SID=9&KEY=OCA-ST-SOCSTM] St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery ([[OCA]] site)
*[http://www.stots.edu/these_truths_we_hold.html ''These Truths We Hold''] (General catechism and "Boy Scout Manual of Orthodoxy" published by St. Tikhon's)

===In the news===
* [http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-05252005-494206.html North America's oldest Orthodox monastery celebrates 100 years] by Michael Rubinkam, ''The Associated Press''

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