The following is taken from pages 2-3 of the August, 1997 (vol. 23, no. 1) issue of the Christ of the Hills Monastery Chronicle, the newsletter of Christ of the Hills Monastery.
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On May 7 of this year we celebrated the 12th Anniversary of the day in 1985 when the Icon of the Mother of God began to weep tears of Myrrh here at Christ of the Hills Russian Orthodox Monastery. Since that providential day, there have been tremendous changes in our life, just as there have been in the lives of many thousands who have come on Pilgrimage here to the Weeping Icon.
One of the first Monks to witness the Icon weeping was Hieromonk Simeon. Since that time, Father Simeon was sent by our Monastery to found the St. Isaac of Syria Skete in Boscobel, Wisconsin. He and the monastics of St. Isaac's Skete came to be with us on the Anniversary of the Weeping Icon this year. So to our great joy and spiritual edification the entire Brotherhood was gathered together in one place to celebrate this Holy Day. Though we are always one in spirit, it is a great privilege, due to the mercy of God, to be able to be physically in the same place together.
On the day of the Feast the Divine Liturgy was concelebrated by Father Benedict, Spiritual Father of the Brotherhood, Abbot Vasili, the Abbot of our Monastery, Abbot Simeon, and Hieromonk Jeremiah.
[Photo captions, clockwise from top]
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The Brotherhood gathered together on the Feast of the 12th Anniversary of the Weeping
Icon
"Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity? It is
like the oil of Myrrh upon the head, which runneth down upon the beard, upon the beard of
Aaron, which runneth down to the fringe of his raiment. It is like the dew of Aermon, which
cometh down upon the mountains of Sion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing, life for
evermore." -- Psalm 132
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Igumen Joseph distributing Antidoron (blessed bread) after the Liturgy on the Feast of the Weeping Icon, May 7, 1997. Shown receiving the Antidoron is Hierodeacon Tikhon.
New Novices and monastic Candidates at Christ of the Hills Russian Orthodox Monastery.
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The Miraculous Myrrh-weeping Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos[2]
Nun Seraphima, of the Convent of Sts. Pasha and Pelagia, shown tying the chotki (prayer rope).
Festive meal following the Liturgy on the Feast of the Weeping Icon. l. to r.: Father Benedict, our Spiritual Father, Abbot Simeon, Hieromonk Jeremiah, Deacon John Cavin.