Canadian Monastery to Host Gerontissa Icon Pilgrimage

MONO, ONTARIO — The Romanian Orthodox Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New Monastery in Ontario will host a pilgrimage featuring the miracle-working Gerontissa Icon of the Mother of God at the beginning of the Dormition Fast, along with Canada’s first Pan-Orthodox Young Adults Gathering.

The events will take place July 31 and Aug. 1 in the presence of Bp. Ioan Casian of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. The program will open with Great Vespers on July 31 at 6:30 p.m. The following morning, pilgrims will gather for Matins and the Divine Liturgy, beginning at 8 a.m., followed by a fellowship meal.

A procession with the Gerontissa Icon will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 1, after which the Pan-Orthodox Young Adults Gathering of Canada will begin. The gathering will include talks from Archimandrite Dionisie Ignat, spiritual father of St. Prophet Elijah Monastery in Romania; Fr. Dragoș Andrei Giulea, professor of theology at Concordia University; Adrian Sîrbu, founder of the Byzantion Academic Choir; and Byzantine chanter Mădălina Enache.

Hieromonk Polycarp, abbot of the monastery, invited pilgrims to join the celebration, expressing hope that many faithful will gather in prayer under the protection of the Mother of God.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Tikhon presided at the Canadian Archdiocesan Assembly.