Some people spent the Memorial Day holiday giving thanks by attending a religious ceremony in Wayne County.
The tradition continued in South Canaan Township with the 106th pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon's.
Thousands took part Monday in the song and prayer at the oldest orthodox monastery in America.
"It's an opportunity for us to stop and pause and reflect and say what are we doing? Where are we heading? What is the purpose of our life? What is the meaning of our life?" said Father John Kowalczyk of Saint Tikhon's.
With the beautiful day and the sun in the sky and hundreds of cars in the parking lot, you could tell people came from far and wide for the pilgrimage.
"If you look at the license plates they are virtually from all over the continental United States. We have visitors from Russia, from the Ukraine," Father Kowalczyk added.
Eric Hawn brought his family from Virginia as part of a memorial service for his father-in-law who is buried at the monastery.
"This is a tradition that we've followed for about the last ten years, maybe 15 years. And we come for the liturgy on Monday, Memorial Day and then usually right after that we have a memorial service for my father-in-law, Frank," Hawn explained.
Greg Smith of Burlington, Massachusetts said the religious experience at Saint Tikhon's is unmatched by anything else he's ever attended. "Very fulfilling and it also gives me a good sense of well-being," Smith said.
The tradition continued in South Canaan Township with the 106th pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon's.
Thousands took part Monday in the song and prayer at the oldest orthodox monastery in America.
"It's an opportunity for us to stop and pause and reflect and say what are we doing? Where are we heading? What is the purpose of our life? What is the meaning of our life?" said Father John Kowalczyk of Saint Tikhon's.
With the beautiful day and the sun in the sky and hundreds of cars in the parking lot, you could tell people came from far and wide for the pilgrimage.
"If you look at the license plates they are virtually from all over the continental United States. We have visitors from Russia, from the Ukraine," Father Kowalczyk added.
Eric Hawn brought his family from Virginia as part of a memorial service for his father-in-law who is buried at the monastery.
"This is a tradition that we've followed for about the last ten years, maybe 15 years. And we come for the liturgy on Monday, Memorial Day and then usually right after that we have a memorial service for my father-in-law, Frank," Hawn explained.
Greg Smith of Burlington, Massachusetts said the religious experience at Saint Tikhon's is unmatched by anything else he's ever attended. "Very fulfilling and it also gives me a good sense of well-being," Smith said.
