Reference Document 5
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History of the Monastery
At St. Tikhon's Monastery

To the accompaniment of the rhythmic sounds of the train counting off the tens and hundreds of miles, we slept all night in our coach, bound for a monastic farm near Mayfield [Pennsylvania], to participate in the liturgical festivity of consecrating of the ground beneath the main temple there, and the opening of the Orphan's Home. We awakened at dawn, and the first glance convinced us that nature indeed regarded Fr. Arseny's holiday program today unkindly, perhaps even callously. The eye searched for the slightest break in the threatening, overcast, cheerless mass which might pass for leaden clouds, but which more nearly resembled a thin gruel. The sun had so hidden itself in retirement, that there seemed no hope it would, in its extreme modesty, let out even a ray of light. It appeared that it had started to drizzle.

Small Joy Indeed

"Poor Fr. Arseny!" I thought to myself. For he had so dreamed of this celebration, in a wide space under the open sky; and its delay for two or three days because of this rain, just could not be! Here, in the lap of nature, were crowds of people for this opening day of America's first holy monastery to the praise of the Trinity. Couldn't the sun furnish brilliant rays of light for the occasion -- and could it be that the weather should force the whole number of us faithful, to hide throughout the occasion's festivity, under the roof of some closet -- where the sacrificial oblation would also be performed for the first time within the borders of the new [monastic] abode?

But, hadn't there been the same kind disappointment and languor for the entire New York Russian flock, on the day of groundbreaking for the temple in New York? There was, then, even less hope of heaven's sympathy. Then, under threat of getting drenched to the skin, we had begun our divine service. The first words heard were marvelous prayers, and suddenly the impenetrable mass opened up; and as strong daylight flowed down on us, such an abundance of light, warmth, joy poured out on us all. It was so utterly enlivening, that our downcast spirits could rise to the point of extraordinary spiritual rapture -- as if the eternal, Life-creating Sun himself had physically touched us with his own abundant power!

"Will we obtain by prayer such a joyful hour today?" I asked myself; but in the glum face of my train companion, Father I. Zotikoff, I read an unfavorable answer.

Oh, how consequential is this nature in human life! She smiles, and the spirit is encouraged, the heart opens up, joy is immense, brotherliness is unending . . . But the smile vanished, the weather frowned -- and everything within, truly fell. It seemed there would be no end to this terrible soup-like atmosphere; there was nowhere to hide from this oppressive, sorrowful dejection. A entire sea of dejection . . . gray, gray, all around. I could not believe all this was happening, that all this was here and now, that heavenly joy could come bringing relief. You are brooding [I thought to myself], and everything around you seems wrong. You turn sour and you begin to philosophize.

At Scranton our coach was uncoupled. We got off onto the platform, and here we found one more brother who was also bound for the festivity, Fr. V. Rubinsky from Troy. He was upset, having searched vainly for his own suitcase among the accumulating bags that came with his train. Obviously the railroad manager wanted to wean him from his pleasant illusion that in this land all such things are handled with precision and promptness! For Father Rubinsky's bag did not arrive, while the passenger was already at his destination. One thing could help in the situation -- to wait for the next day's train; but [for this] there was no time, and putting our trust in the courteous leadership of Fr. I. Klopotsky, who had arrived from Old Forge, we all hurried across to the other station, whence we again would go by train -- to the station at Georgetown, Pa. Picturesque scenes, lakes and country homesteads in a multitude of locales on both sides of the roadbed relieved our feelings of depression over the weather, and at Georgetown, we settled -- by now quite cheerfully-- into the transport carriage provided for us. Our driver turned out to be familiar to me, as we had both recently participated in the Cleveland convention - Th[eodore] Vakhna from Mayfield. He also had been a member of the committee for finding a place for the orphan's home. He gladly shared his impressions and spoke enthusiastically of Fr. Arseny's "children" -- the monastic habitation and the home for orphans -- which, by and by, we ourselves saw.

The whole journey by horses took 40 minutes, and this trip to the site of the monastery was by a quite bumpy and uncomfortable road. It should have been tiring, yet I rejoiced at finding myself in the wide spaces; and having broken away from New York's labyrinth of huge buildings, I drank in the fresh air with all the excitement of a citydweller, taking delight in the leafy groves, the streams, the tents outstretched beside the trees, and so forth.

But here we are at the edge of the monastic farm property -- and in an instant more, at the gate of the fence which encloses the little house -- from which, far off and round about, through the open windows and doors, resounds a familiar Orthodox hymn dear to our hearts . . . Here is Father Arseny, Superior of the Habitation, with Fr. A. Boguslavsky assisting him, and Psalomshchik Volk -- performing the sanctification of the entire house (a building prepared and purchased along with the farm). At the threshold of the temporary chapel inside this house stood Vladika Raphael, who had come on the eve of the festive divine services. His Grace blessed us, and remarked kindly of Fr. Arseny as an aside [to us],

"All night he sings and prays, prays and sings! An all-night vigil! He did not yield to sleep! The brotherhood will have to keep vigil resolutely under such an igumen!"

But Father Arseny had by this time already gone around all the rooms of the house with holy water and oil, calling in a loud voice: "Bless, O Lord, this house" and tracing the sign of the cross on all the walls of the abode, which was prepared in a seedbed of prayer and brotherly love, of service to the Lord. We now joined with our voices in the singing, but then hurried to perform the morning rule that precedes the liturgy.

In the time that afterwards remained till the holy liturgy, we familiarized ourselves with the arrangement of the house. On the ground floor, the left half of the house was happily divided into two rooms, which had presented, in that spot, the possibility of a temporary chapel-church; while the intervening wall had offered a possible iconostasis -- it was now abundantly adorned with small icons and crosses; the small front room had become an altar area with a temporary holy table; and the large one, a place for pilgrims. As for the other half of the same floor, it was arranged as a sleeping room for the orphan-children, who, in the home founded here, were presently being supported through Fr. Arseny's personal means. A kitchen was set up in a special outbuilding, behind which also there was some construction of offices. On the upper floor were residential rooms. We went out of the house with Vladiko and Fr. Superior, to the appointed place where a cross had been erected and [where] the liturgy would be performed. It was an open, elevated forest glade, arranged in the best possible way for the future construction here of the main monastery temple and dormitory. Already gathered here were tables for the holy throne [altar table] and for the preparation table. At the head of appointed place where the temple was to be built, a holy Cross was prepared, and the approximate corners of the temple were marked off by small green firs planted for this day. . . .".

"What a pity" said Fr. Arseny, pointing up at the sky, "that ceiling of our Church is not decorated in blue for this day."

"Who knows, perhaps by the time the liturgy begins the skies may clear, and they may even be adorned with the golden rays of the sun."

"It's going to rain. No question about it, and we don't even have a canopy for protection. Are we really going to go ahead and serve here?"

"It's a risk, but we're going to go on," said Fr. Arseny firmly, "God will not put us to shame. Look!" he grabbed my arm, "There, you see that bright line moving down along the side of the mountain? Those are my parishioners from Mayfield and the surrounding area coming in procession for the celebration. The weather did not scare them off! They left their work and chores behind and are walking tens of miles together with their families just to come here. Do you think we can fit all of them into that tiny little room? No, we will serve here!

"Bless, Master!" said Fr. Arseny, turning to Bishop Raphael. Vladyka gave his blessing and we all returned to the house no longer worrying about anything, but making sure, still, that we had some umbrellas ready to protect the Holy Altar and the Holy Gifts just in case it did rain.

After vesting in the house, the clergy, preceded by a cross and accompanied by banners and a choir of the faithful, left for the site of the future church singing hymns and prayers. There Bishop Raphael first erected the cross and blessed the ground for the new temple. Then the Divine Liturgy began.

How can I possibly describe to you my feelings during this service? Fr. Arseny correctly predicted that it would be impossible for me to do so.

Have you ever been a participant, a worshipper at a Divine Liturgy in an open air, where the ceiling of the temple is the canopy of the sky? Where its walls are the trees of the surrounding forest and the distant fields? Where the foundation itself is mother earth covered with green grass; where every living and breathing soul, as in the psalm, unites itself to the choir of mankind in praise of the Almighty? Our sacred prayers were not confined in any way by any boundaries as they arose to the Throne of Heaven; the eyes of our hearts saw clear to that Holy Place, far, far away beyond the clouds. Left behind were all the cares of the world, and all its sorrows.

And what does the celebrant feel at such a service, whose prayers are joined by the multitude of worshippers, and "in the heights, beholding God"?

And yes, this was our prayer -- the prayer of a handful of Orthodox Russian people, abroad in a foreign land separated by oceans and continents from their homeland -- witnessing the founding moments of the first monastic community of our Mission! A serene, quiet feeling took hold of our souls, a tranquil stillness penetrated our hearts. We believe, O God, that you will hearken to our feeble prayers and will make this newly planted tree of salvation to blossom and prosper here!

This great feeling of joy was raised to an even higher plane by the sermon given by Fr. Arseny. At the very moment after the reading of the gospel, he turned toward the faithful and began to speak, "How shall I begin to lament?" Oh, what extraordinary words he chose to begin a sermon with on such a festive day! But these words were his personal cry of humility. In his sermon Fr Arseny related to us not only the hardships he endured to establish this new monastic community and orphanage, but he recounted the millions of tears shed by the Russian faithful and the sufferings they endured as they struggled in their supreme effort to establish the Orthodox Way here in America. Before the spiritual eyes of those present, there turned the pages of the history of the first Russian immigrants to come to these shores, their loneliness; the humiliations they endured as others laughed and scorned their beloved traditions; how they were often beaten, tormented. Gradually, their life improved. Gradually, the Orthodox faith found its scattered children who were lost amidst the masses of other immigrants from the old country. Gradually, new churches, parishes and brotherhoods were established. But as in all things, every new task brought its own new hardship and pain! And so we arrived at the place where we had all gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. A place that not long ago was barren, now will be the place for the cornerstone of that most needed by Russian America -- a monastic community dedicated to the enlightenment and spiritual awakening of these lands; and an orphanage, a haven dedicated to comfort the deep sorrow of poor and homeless children. Truly a place of boundless joy! But what awaits this Holy Habitation in the future? Will we find the strength to finish that which have begun here? Will we not tire and weaken when we face our adversities? Will we not be crushed, and will not the hatred and the slander of the enemy destroy everything that we have accomplished so far?

"O, God forbid that any of this take place! And if I, to whom our gracious Archpastor has entrusted this great task -- if I, who might appear to you to be in good health, but am in fact, under threat of a sudden and untimely death, should leave this life before my time -- then you, my friends and brother, you, my dear parishioners must not allow this great task to also die an untimely death. You must not allow this seedling to perish. Nurture it. Look after it. Save it. Do not let the sneers of those who hate us stop you from completing this good task. May the prayers of the generations to come that will find comfort, peace, love, welcome and safety here count to us as a blessing from God! Right over here is my place! When I die, bury me right there, by the door of the Holy Temple! And my soul shall be a witness and a participant in all her joys! And a little sparrow will chirp happily over my grave! And an orphan who had found a warm corner here shall say a simple child's prayer with a tear in his eye, beseeching God that he forget the failings and shortcomings of him, who may have failed, but at least tried with all his heart, to do some good for him and the other children left all alone! And the elderly monk who had found himself a corner in this holy habitation, will not forget me in his prayers as he passes by my grave! For so long as God suffers to bear our sins and transgression we will continue to courageously bear our own burdens and will earnestly and lovingly seek to accomplish the salvific task that has been set before us all."

This sermon was interrupted several times by weeping -- both by those present listening and by the tears of Fr. Arseny himself. Being touched by his emotions and his fervent admonitions, everyone present made a solemn vow in their heart not ever to forget his words. It was obvious to us all that Fr. Arseny had completely merged himself with this, his life's work. But oh, how much more needs to be done! How much more strength will this require! How many more trials will come our way! Oh, why are we all so poor that we cannot put this holy project on a solid footing right now? Why is it that we never have the resources we need? O Benefactors! O Patrons! Where are you? Help us! Help!

The Great Entrance was approaching momentarily, and truth be said, we had forgotten all about the weather when suddenly, the skies opened up and huge drops of rain began to fall. In the flash of an eye, we covered the antimins and the umbrellas popped up all around the altar and the table of oblation. The faithful, however, just stood where they were and no one even moved to get out from under the rain. Just as quickly as it began, the rain suddenly stopped and the skies above us cleared just as Vladyka was lifting up his hands during the Cherubic Hymn. And so, if even for a short while, the heavenly canopy that served as the roof of our outdoor temple was gilded with the golden rays of the shining sun!

Some of the faithful present had prepared themselves for communion on this most auspicious day, and after the liturgy, Archpriest A. Hotovitsky addressed the faithful with warm words of welcome. After the molieben to St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and the Many Years, His Grace Bishop Raphael made the following archpastoral comments:

"My Beloved Brethren,

"Let us worthily give due glory, honor and thanksgiving to our Lord and God, Who found us worthy to consecrate this place and to elevate the cross upon it.

"And so, in this place, which was once wild and barren, where perhaps the Name of God was never, ever even spoken, we have called upon Him with all glory and honor, and from this time forth, in like fashion, His Name shall be glorified here both day and night, and the names of the founder of this holy habitation, His Eminence, our Archbishop Tikhon, and its builder, the most honorable Hieromonk Arseny will be remembered forever, together with all those who labor and serve this holy habitation and helped make this day to come to pass.

"This monastery, with its orphanage, is the first monastic community to be established within the boundaries of our Mission in the American land, and is worthy, I must say, of the attention and support of every truly faithful Christian, for it will serve not only as a refuge for our poor, unfortunate orphans, for the sick and for the infirm, but it will ever serve as the cradle of Orthodoxy, the fountain of virtue, and the garden of the angelic life.

"Why should any of this have ever happened? Who would have ever thought it possible, some would say, even necessary, to build such a community for the unfortunate, no, the most pitiable among us, the orphaned children under our present turbulent and unstable conditions?

"God willed for this to happen! It was pleasing to God that this holy habitation be established right here, right now!

"We have made a good start and have accomplished a good beginning here. But as we all know, a 'good beginning' is only the first half of the job. 'But we have no resources,' some will say. 'Look at the economy, what about the situation in the world?' . . . Others will say, Yes, all of this might seem true, but talking like this does not do anything to further our cause. Let us not forget the words of Scripture that say, 'God's power is made perfect in weakness!' (2 Cor. 12:9). And let us not forget that whenever insurmountable hardships are overcome; whenever turmoil is replaced by tranquility; whenever persistent doubts are put to rest; whenever something comes to be out of nothing at all -- there we can clearly discern the indiscernible Right Hand of God, we witness firsthand the unmistakable Will of God!

"Yes, God's will directs the establishment His holy monasteries -- these gardens of faith and virtue -- for wherever there is a monastic habitation, there God bestows His lovingkindness upon all who deserve His blessings and upon all those who do not. Beholding the glory of these habitations, even unbelievers discern God, and those who have forgotten Him and have fallen away from their faith return to their senses and feel His very presence.

"History and experience have proven that wherever there is a holy monastery, there faith and virtue multiply throughout the land and holiness and charity firmly root and bring forth their fruit.

"So let us pray again to our Lord God, that through His grace and lovingkindness, He will confirm the establishment of this holy habitation, and grant health and salvation to all its founders and benefactors. Amen."

In responding to Vladyka's beautiful and inspiring words, Fr. Arseny, as the monastery's "builder," was moved to express his profound gratitude to His Grace for adorning this day by coming here at the request of His Eminence, our Archbishop Tikhon, for serving the beautiful and inspiring hierarchical Divine Liturgy, and for adding his heartfelt and sincere joy to this mission-wide celebration. Fr. "Builder" also thanked the many individuals present who worked to make this celebration a reality.

Following this, the faithful returned, in a similar solemn procession, back to the house where Vladyka was introduced to several local resident farmers who supported the idea of establishing the monastery, and had through their good efforts, facilitated the purchase of the property for our new monastery and orphanage. In his remarks Vladyka expressed his most sincere thanks to them, stating that he hoped that in the future they continue to display their Christian spirit and work with their new neighbors for the benefit of all.

I could not resist the temptation of sampling the new monastery's apples. I left the house not paying much attention to the dampness and the slight drizzling rain that was falling and headed toward the orchard, where the trees were full of apples. I found a spot on a natural outcropping where I could sit and enjoy a beautiful view of the monastery and its bordering properties. Shortly thereafter, I was joined by both Fr. "Builder" and by Vladyka Raphael, who could not restrain his delight in the beauty of our surroundings, stating that he would like to build for himself a small cottage here, which would belong to the monastery, where he could come and spend two or three weeks during the summer every year. I know for a fact that many of us, too, would like to do the same if only we had the means to do so.

Fr. Arseny then took us on a tour of the property -- the meadows, the stream which was to be diverted into a pond, the berry patch, and on to the ancient grove where Fr. Arseny planned to build a skete. Then we went on to the newly cleared fields, saw the farm machinery and the barn. We visited the new building where the cells of the monastery's first brotherhood were located, where men who felt the calling of the monastic vocation would live. Yes, there is much to do here and much is in need of both willing and able hands. It's a wonder how Fr Arseny is able to handle everything here so competently while at the same time being responsible for the large parish in Mayfield. Undoubtedly he owes a great deal of thanks to his able assistant and co-pastor at the parish, Fr Boguslavsky. Yes, it is a great undertaking to take upon yourself such an immense task, but like a true unmercenary, Fr Arseny devotes to it all of his resources and energy. But can he so this alone? Oh, benefactors, Where are you?

Our beloved Archpastor, His Grace Tikhon, already provides for the room and board of many students studying here in this country as well as back in Russia from his stipend as Bishop. From whatever he has left, he still finds the means to help support this holy place. The one thousand dollars he personally donated must have come at a very high cost to him, indeed!

Vespers concluded at 6 p.m. and the next morning, we celebrated the holy memory of the Venerable St. Seraphim of Sarov with a Divine Liturgy and a molieben. I was honored and spiritually uplifted to serve as the main priest at this service and shall never forget the portion of joy this was allotted to me.

After the liturgy, we said our farewells to our host, Fr "Builder" Arseny and made our way to Georgetown where we would take the train to Scranton. Having been witness to the talents and accomplishments of our host, I decided that it was time for me to show off some of my own prowess and volunteered to drive His Grace Vladyka Raphael in the one-horse monastery buggy myself. The others followed along in the wagon driven by a hired hand. Vladyka at first seemed to enjoy this arrangement, but I fear that he grew tired of this very quickly. It must have the horse, American-bred, no doubt, who did not understand a single word of the commands and encouragements I was speaking to it in Russian. He just strolled along as slow as could be until someone in the wagon called to me and provided the appropriate command for the horse in the English language. When I gave this command he at once picked up his pace, and we made it to the train station with plenty of time to spare.

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Monastery of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
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Waymart, PA 18472
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