His Eminence Archbishop Melchisedek, and several clergy of the Archdiocese, joined Metropolitan Tikhon and the other OCA bishops at St Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery in South Canaan, PA, for the blessing of the Holy Chrism of the Orthodox Church in America this Holy Week.

Chrism is the holy oil used specifically when someone is baptized or "chrismated" into the  Orthodox Faith as a symbol of unity of the whole Church. More than simply oil, the bishops and clergy from around North America traveled to northeastern Pennsylvania this week to spend several days perparing the ancient recipe of oil and spices on behalf os the whole OCA. Given the arduous preparation by all of the bishops, this service is performed as needed, usually once every couple of years.

To learn more, or see pictures or videos, please visit the Monastery's website: https://sttikhonsmonastery.org or Facebook page.