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An
International Ministry of the |
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The Shrine and Its Ministry
The shrine, intended for individual meditation, is unassuming. Upon entering one
is surrounded by nine almost life-sized Icons. Vigils, lit by pilgrims
and at the behest of those too ill or distant to light their own, are always
available. The iconographic focus of the shrine is the Great Deesis
which dominates the 70 square feet which is the eastern wall. Deesis
means prayer and refers to Icons in which the Mother of God and an additional
Saint or Saints intercede before the reigning Christ.
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The
Icons of St Panteleimon’s Shrine and their Relationship to One Another
St. Panteleimon’s Shrine is a small unassuming building. The large area of
lawn in front of the structure can accommodate many pilgrims and, though
the building seems far from the road by which the parish church is
accessed,
its east wall is plainly visible. That the interior is lighted at night
adds to its striking presence. In a day and area in which church buildings
are locked more than they are open, St. Panteleimon’s Shrine beckons those
whose needs know no schedule. |
Your Participation
St. Panteleimon’s Shrine
is, indeed, a place that “makes one want to pray“ and anyone can, at any time,
stop, say a prayer, light a vigil lamp and post (or leave for posting) first
names and prayer requests. This is a good way to participate in the life and
ministry of the Shrine -- and it is a good way made better by the fact that
to enter this consecrated space, this set apart and solemnly dedicated building,
is to become the beneficiary of prayer. This is true even if visitors do not
seek Saintly intercession and the intervention of the eternally blessed. It
is true because parishioners of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
have been asked to pray for visitors, for their holy intentions and for the
names they leave behind. A sign at the entrance to the shrine, welcomes visitors
in the Name of the Lord and requests that before praying for themselves and
those they love that they pray for earlier visitors and their holy intentions.
The sign concludes by reminding pilgrims that, by entering, they join those
for whom (hopefully generations of) future pilgrims will, similarly, be asked
to pray. Though we have thus sought to make certain that visitors, their holy
intentions and the living and dead whose names they supply will be remembered
by parishioners and by present and future pilgrims, we do not know how many
parishioners and pilgrims comply. This is one of two reasons for which a second
way to participate in the life and ministry of the shrine exists.
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Copyright@2004-2007,
Shrine of St. Panteleimon,
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Orthodox Church, Masontown, Pennsylvania
Icons and art are the work of George Gapen who
retains all rights.
This Site is Hosted by
Orthodox Internet Services
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Updated: Thursday, January 25, 2007 |