On Saturday, April 25, 2026, Saints Mary and Martha Orthodox Monastery in Wagener, South Carolina, will host its Twenty-Fourth Annual Pilgrimage, welcoming the wonderworking Icon of Saint Anna, Mother of the Theotokos, from Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.
This visitation offers the faithful of the Diocese of the South and beyond a blessed opportunity to gather in prayer, venerate this beloved icon, and seek the intercessions of the righteous mother of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The pilgrimage schedule will begin with Matins at 8:00 AM, followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM. After the Liturgy, a Moleben to Saint Anna, Mother of the Theotokos, will be served, followed by the Blessing of the Graves and a catered luncheon. Pilgrims are asked to bring a dessert. At 1:00 PM, there will also be a Q and A with Abbot Sergius of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery. The event will take place rain or shine at Saints Mary & Martha Orthodox Monastery, 65 Spinner Lane, Wagener, South Carolina. For directions or additional information, the monastery may be reached at 803-564-6894 or by email at Mary_MarthaM@comporium.net.
The history of this icon has made it especially dear to many Orthodox Christians. On May 9, 2004, which fell on Mother’s Day in the United States, the icon of Saint Anna, then located at the Russian Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Joy of All Who Sorrow in Philadelphia, began to stream myrrh. Parishioners first noticed what appeared to be perspiration on the icon, and upon closer examination, visible droplets and streams of fragrant oil were found. At first, the myrrh resembled tears, giving the impression that Saint Anna herself was weeping. Over time, additional streams appeared on other parts of the icon.
The icon had originally been commissioned in 1998 by Archimandrite Athanasy at the Mount of Olives Convent in Jerusalem. Once completed, it was blessed at the Sepulcher of the Lord in the Church of the Resurrection and then brought to Philadelphia. Since the fall of 2012, it has resided at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery. Although the icon is not currently weeping, it is still known for a heavenly fragrance, and many continue to testify to the help and healings granted through the prayers of Saint Anna to those who approach with faith.
In the Orthodox Church, pilgrimages such as this are not simply events on a calendar. They are occasions of grace, repentance, and renewed faith. The veneration of holy icons is a confession of the Incarnation itself, for in Christ God has truly entered the material world and sanctified it. Through icons, the faithful are lifted from earthly distraction to heavenly contemplation, and through the prayers of the saints, we are strengthened in our own walk toward the Kingdom.
Saint Anna holds a special place in the hearts of the faithful as the mother of the Theotokos and the grandmother of our Lord according to the flesh. Her life is a witness to patient hope, quiet faithfulness, and the mercy of God. To come before her icon is to be reminded that God often works through hidden lives, humble prayers, and steadfast trust. For many, this pilgrimage will be an opportunity to ask Saint Anna’s intercessions for family, children, healing, and perseverance in the Christian life.
The faithful are warmly encouraged to make the journey to Saints Mary and Martha Orthodox Monastery for this year’s pilgrimage and to take part in the liturgical life of the day. Gathered around prayer, the Holy Mysteries, and the veneration of this wonderworking icon, pilgrims will have the chance to seek the mercy of God and the loving intercessions of Saint Anna in a spirit of reverence and hope.
Address: 51 Spinner Ln, Wagener, SC 29164 – https://share.google/cNBYJJ8JgAXGlboaX
