On Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd, the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to Venerable John Climacus, for the first time ever, Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel) and the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV joyfully hosted a visit by the wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear" from St. Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, PA.

The holy icon arrived on Friday evening in the care of Archimandrite Sergius (Bowyer; abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery), accompanied by Rassophore Monk Michael and Reader Joshua. After being received with the festive peal of bells, the icon was placed in the center of the monastery church, where it remained throughout the weekend for general veneration by monastics, parishioners, and pilgrims. On Saturday afternoon, a festal moleben with akathist was served before the icon by monastic and local clergy, with many of the faithful from the surrounding area coming to pray before the Mother of God.

After Sunday Divine Liturgy and luncheon, the brotherhood received yet another great spiritual gift: with the archpastoral blessing and support of Metropolitan Hilarion, in the presence of the icon, Fr. Sergius tonsured Monk Anthony (Marquette) into the Great Schema. Fr. Anthony kept his name but gained a new patron saint in the schema: Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves.

Immediately after the tonsure service, the holy icon was brought in procession to the construction site of the new monastery church. A supplicatory moleben was served, imploring the Mother of God "Quick to Hear" for her speedy intercessions on behalf of the community’s ongoing building efforts.

After a full weekend, Fr. Seraphim and the brethren bade farewell to the icon. With much gratitude to Fr. Sergius and the holy fathers of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, they expressed their ardent hope that this will be the first of many visits to come.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!