Saint Panteleimon - St. Panteleimon's Shrine & Fellowship, Masontown, Pennsylvania - Shrine of St. Panteleimon - shrines Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox. Greek Orthodox

sketch of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Masontown, Pennsylvania

Saint Panteleimon, Shrine, St. Panteleimon, St. Panteleimon’s Shrine, Pennsylvania,Russian Orthodox. Greek Orthodox, United States, pilgrimage, pilgrimages, Masontown, Pennsylvania, PA
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An International Ministry of the
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Orthodox Church

sketch of Saint Panteleimon

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Masontown, Pennsylvania, recently celebrated a joyous occasion that established a new, international ministry of Orthodox Witness, Healing and Hope. (To learn how you may participate, see section below.) This joyous occasion was the consecration of a new shrine under the Heavenly patronage of Holy Panteleimon All-Merciful Healer and Great Martyr of Christ. The shrine was blessed by the Most Rev. KYRILL, Archbishop of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and the Bulgarian Diocese. His Eminence was assisted by the Rev. Fr. Rumen Stoychev, priest of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, by the Rev. Fr. Vitaly Dudkin, priest of Holy Trinity Church (Masontown’s sister parish in New Salem, PA) and by Fr. Deacon John Oleynik. Subdeacon Anthony Miralles and George Gapen, who was admitted to minor orders during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, functioned in assigned capacities. A banquet for visiting clergy, parishioners and honored guests concluded the festivities.

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. In this example, the clouds of the natural order have been parted and Christ is seen enthroned in the golden light of Heaven. His left hand supports the Book of the Holy Gospels open to the text “Come Unto Me” while with His right hand He blesses all who approach. The Most Holy, Immaculate and Ever-Virgin Mary, Birthgiver of God and Mother of those baptized into Him, prays for those who call upon Her Son, for those who invoke her clemency and for parishioners of, and visitors to, the nearby church sacred to Her nativity. St John is “the Forerunner,” because he prepared contemporaries for Christ’s public ministry by preaching repentance; because, after his martyrdom, he prepared the dead for the imminent descent of Christ and Divine liberation and because in Heaven he prays that we might be ready for Christ’s return on the last great day. Above large standing vigils, a small lamp hangs before the image of St. Panteleimon. Favored by some pilgrims, its intimate light shows us the compassionate physician listening attentively and using a long handled spoon to retrieve medication. As images of other carefully chosen Saints were added to the walls, prayer was continually offered in behalf of whomever might seek their God-inspired intervention. Overhead, exposed rafters are posted with holy intentions, with the first names of supplicants and those (living and dead) dear to them. Petitions and thanksgivings hang here too--silent testimonies to faith, to the unity of the Church on earth and in Heaven and evidence of the conviction that nothing in this life, or in the next, is beyond the love and power of God. A mother whose son was killed by a drunk driver was told by fellow Methodists that she must not pray for her son’s soul---here, we join our prayers to hers. We pray too, for a man, despondent and dying, who took his own life. A great schema hieromonk, whose kidneys are failing, is commemorated---as are aborted babies and the victims of aids. All are cherished and commended to Christ, to the Holy Theotokos and to St. Panteleimon. No longer are all notes in English, and some remembered here are continents away.

"Witness, Healings, and Hope"
(News of Shrine Patrons)

The Icons of St Panteleimon’s Shrine and their Relationship to One Another
Rdr. George, Shrine Founder

         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.

        The 70 sq. feet comprising the Shrine’s East Wall is dominated by the “Deesis:” an iconographic convention showing Christ enthroned in Heavenly glory with supplicating Saints approaching from North and South. In some examples there are many such intercessors. In this example only two such are shown. The Blessed Virgin Mary is always closest Christ’s right hand and St. John the Forerunner approaches from His left. Orthodox believers refer to John as “the Forerunner” because he not only baptized Christ but announced His public ministry, proclaimed Christ’s liberating descent to the dead on Holy Friday (after his own martyrdom) and now announces Christ’s imminent return to us.

       Below the figure of the interceding Virgin is the kneeling figure of St. Veronica, and below the Holy Forerunner an image of St. Sisoes. They are graphically integrated into the Deesis by rays of glory that proceed from Christ’s Sacred Heart. St. Sisoes was the disciple of St. Anthony who is credited with founding Orthodox monasticism. Like Anthony, Sisoes has been given the title “the Great.” He was well known, widely loved and universally respected. Here he is shown visiting the tomb of a man the world calls “Great”: Alexander. Which deserves this title – he who is now dust or he who still lives and prays for the faithful? St Sisoes is paired with a woman whose unremarkable life would have consigned her to oblivion were it not for her stepping out from two crowds.

      We call her Veronica –a designation meaning “true image” (vera-icon) rather than her long ago forgotten name. She is literally “a face in the crowd.” We first learn of her when she fought her way through an adoring throng the members of which jostled Jesus. She was in the crowd because she was desperate. She inched her way toward Jesus through it because she had faith. She had spent her fortune on physicians and still suffered an issue of blood, as she had for thirty years. Her hand must have trembled with anticipation as she touched the fringed hem of Christ’s prayer shawl. Her touch caused Christ, the disciples and the entire entourage to stop abruptly. “Who touched Me?” Christ asked. It seemed an odd question for many had —but this touch was different. It was motivated by need and by faith – and had been answered with a Divine Power that Christ felt “leave” Him. The Gospel narratives speak of her but once more. It is as she emerges from a second, this time angry, crowd.

      The fickle populace was jeering the Saviour of the World as He carried His Cross for their sakes. Holy Tradition informs us that Veronica again approached Christ. It was an act of courage as well as resolve. Perhaps it was after He had fallen in which case the swearing of soldiers whipping Him to His feet would have added to the crowd’s frenzy. Here in this madness
she offers a simple act of kindness. We can imagine her frail form stooping to wipe the sweat and blood from the face of Him Who had descended to serve man We can imagine, too, Christ resuming His struggle and Veronica’s hands again trembling as she recognizes the likeness of Christ’s face upon it. This, Holy Tradition informs us, is the original image “not made by human hands” and the prototype of the Icon by that same name. (1) Holy Veronica’s sainthood should remind us that God loves us because of His nature and not because we have accomplished great feats and earned notoriety, but that we can serve Him however humble our circumstances ---we’ve only to step out from the crowd and act in faith.

      The Heavenly Patron of the Shrine, St. Panteleimon Unmercinary Healer and Great Martyr, is commemorated just inside the entrance on the North Wall and is honored by the only suspended vigil, among the hundreds that have burned in this sacred place. More can be read of him on this site, but here it should be mentioned that our parish deacon believes that St. Panteleimon and another Heavenly intercessor were present the night his car was caught under a truck, burst into flames and defied his attempted escape. St. Panteleimon was chosen Shrine Patron by the popular acclaim of parishioners. A notice posted near his image solicits prayers for those commemorated here and for previous visitors. It reminds current pilgrims that after their brief stay they will be among those for whom prayer is thus asked.

      St. Panteleimon’s image faces another directly inside the entrance on the South Wall. It is St. Seraphim of Sarov, Wonderworker and mystic. Beloved of God and visited by the Blessed Virgin, St. Seraphim was (is) a wonderworker, a mystic and a clairvoyant who knew the most shameful sins committed by the many who sought him out. He called each one “My joy,” greeted them with the Resurrection proclamation, “Christ is Risen!” and kissed their hands. He continues to admonish us to “Acquire the Holy Spirit and a thousand souls will be saved around you.” Some who visited St. Seraphim spoke of a tangible “Taboric” light emanating from his face as it had from Moses.’ They record that, at times, it shone with such intensity that it all but obscured his features. St. Seraphim is rightly honored by Christians and is particularly loved by Orthodox believers of Russian origin.

       Returning our attention to the North Wall we are confronted by the great mystery of the Incarnation as exemplified by an Icon of the Mother of God-- Christ blessing us from within Her womb. It is called “the Icon of the Sign,” “The Image of the Church” and, because the Virgin’s womb held Him Whom the Heaven’s cannot contain, “More Spacious than the Heavens.” Across from this image is a figure of Christ as the Eternal High Priest.

     He is shown holding a Chalice that holds Him-----thus comparing His humility in dwelling within the Virginal womb of the Holy Theotokos with His Eucharistic Presence. Equally real, the first represents His initial coming among us and the second His abiding Presence within the Tabernacles of His Holy Church.

      In this place of intercessory prayer many courageous strugglers are commemorated. These humble rafters, like the timber to which Christ’s hands were affixed, are weighed down with suffering and sorrow. Many commemorated here know daily pain. Some live on the cusp of despair. The despised and the forgotten, as truly as those who suffer for Christ and His Church, are welcome here as are millions of aborted infants. Here all are commended to God without Whom no one has dignity or hope.

     Some are wealthy and generous patrons, others cannot afford so much as a token gift for a vigil. Some have written several times. Some write never to do so again. Some are local and come by night as well as by day. There are
no locks here—not even a door. The King of All holds a Book of the Gospels open to the words “COME UNTO ME.” It is an invitation/command that none dare ignore or deny another!

     By the Grace of God some have been healed and of them the few who have shared this fact are commemorated on the Shrine site. All are asked to pray for each other – the only condition for membership in St. Panteleimon’s Shrine Fellowship. The Fellowship does not depend upon the continued existence of the Shrine and, though its members are known but to God, we’ve every hope of greeting each other before the Throne of Our Lord in Heaven. Amen.

(1) An ancient tradition relates that an earlier image of Christ’s face was made by Him and sent to Agbar the ailing king of Edessa. A variant tradition does not mention an image but informs us that Our Lord wrote to King Agbar as follows: Blessed art thou who hast believed in me without having seen me. For it is written concerning me, that they who have seen me will not believe in me and that they who have not seen me will believe and be saved. But in regard to what thou hast written me, that I should come to thee, it is necessary for me to fulfill all these things here for which I have been sent, and after I have fulfilled them thus to be taken up again to him who sent me. But after I have been taken up I will send to thee one of my disciples, that he may heal thy disease and give life to thee and thine.
( http://www.silcom.com/~barnowl/chain-letter/archive/he1913_jesus_agbar.htm)

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Additional Icons and art by the Founder’s hand may be seen at: http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeben/index.htm

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. St. Panteleimon’s Shrine Fellowship is a voluntary association requiring commitment and conscious choice. A Fellowship Member is one who volunteers to do what parishioners and visitors are asked to do. So the first reason we have a Shrine Fellowship is because a Fellowship Member accepts as a duty that which parishioners and most pilgrims rightly consider an expression of charity. The second reason we have a Shrine Fellowship is because this ministry has an intrinsic value independent of the physical shrine. Fellowship Members pray not only for all pilgrims to the shrine and for all posted names and intentions, but (A) that the witness and ministry of the Shrine will unfailingly glorify God and minister to His people and (B) for each other and--specifically---for each other’s health, forgiveness, salvation, blessed death according to the Divine Will and for the souls of reposed Fellowship Members. That prayers for the souls of reposed members are to be offered daily and in conjunction with the Holy Eucharist implies perpetual prayer for one’s own soul. This built-in-benefit is particularly reassuring to converts and others who have no Orthodox successors. Even if the handwritten Icons do not survive the weather, and if the shrine itself is destroyed, as long as Fellowship Members pray for past pilgrims and one another the ministry of St. Panteleimon’s Shrine will continue. At least for the present, we have no Fellowship medal, form of admission or meetings, but we have all that makes such things meaningful. We have no membership roll, but are known by God. For so long as you care, and for as long as you pray as Fellowship Members are bidden to pray, you are a Fellowship Member. Without such commitment and dedication, medals, solemn forms of admission, identifying initials and bumper stickers mean nothing. Should a member fail to honor his/her commitments, he/she simply ceases to be a member (and there is no shame in that!). Those who wish their commitment memorialized may, after an initial period in which they test their resolve, request that their names be included in a book to be kept in the Holy Altar. Do pray that God may use the shrine to His Glory, that it may bring many into the covenant of salvation, that it may be an instrument of healing and a sign of His love for the suffering, the dying, the despised and the unwanted.

You are invited to visit our parish’s unofficial website HERE. Please be advised that supposed opportunities to e-mail individuals from that site do not result in the sending or reception of mail.

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Chosen passion-bearer of Christ and gracious healer, who freely grantest healing to the sick, we praise thee in songs as our protector.
As thou hast boldness with the Lord, free us from all harm and sickness who cry with love to thee.
Rejoice, Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon!

(Kontakion 1 from The Akathist to the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon)

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`Those seeking more explicit directions than are available on the website of` The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Orthodox Church `or specific facts about the Shrine or its site, may` `email webmaster Michael here.`