On Thursday, March 23rd a beautiful new icon of St. Panteleimon with scenes of his life arrived safely at the Hermitage just before Great Compline. The icon was painted in Russia by Natalia Popel through the generosity of a benefactor, and was brought back to America by Bishop Nicholas and Fr. Alexander Antchoutine.

The brotherhood greeted St. Panteleimon with the ringing of bells and incense, thereafter processing to the church where Igumen Andrew with the brotherhood performed the rite of the blessing of the icon. They sang the magnification to St. Panteleimon while venerating the icon and were all anointed with the holy oil of St. Panteleimon. Afterward the service of Great Compline began, and the brotherhood was able to spend that time praying before the new holy icon. On Friday evening, the entire brotherhood will gather before the icon for a special moleben to their heavenly patron.

God willing, this new icon of St. Panteleimon will be installed as the principal patronal icon on the Hermitage iconostasis in the near future.

God’s providence was clearly manifest in multiple ways during the time that the icon was traveling to the monastery, and we wish to humbly thank all of those who so selflessly gave of themselves in order for this great blessing to come to us in our remote corner of West Virginia. Glory be to God for His love and providence, for encouraging our faith, and for bringing us new spiritual grace in this beautiful icon of St. Panteleimon!

View the complete photo gallery online

2017 Annual Catalog