Reflections of Otpust Sunday

Reminisces of Otpust have been especially active in my mind today, given Sunday has become my most cherished day of the Labor Day weekend pilgrimage at Mt. St. Macrina.

Sunday begins very early on the Mount. Matins are served at 7:00 am while Divine Liturgy is concurrently served in the House of Prayer (formerly the Motherhouse). Many of the volunteers attend this early Liturgy prior to assuming their assignments. For me, one of the highlights of Otpust soon follows… the 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy sung in Old Church Slavonic at the outdoor Shrine Altar. Before construction of the other shrines and the Pontifical Altar, the “shrine altar” was the focal place of Otpust and it remains still, the site of many liturgies and services.

With the passing of many of the “old timers,” attendance at the Slavonic Divine Liturgy started to wane for a few years. Recently there has been a noticeable resurgence in the number of pilgrims attending this Liturgy. As one now in the so-called “middle age” bracket but fast becoming one of the “old timers” at Otpust, I am encouraged to witness the young souls who value and desire to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Old Church Slavonic, once the primary liturgical language of Otpust. I still recall the large crackling loudspeakers reverberating with hymns and prayers of the beautiful prostopenije (chant) sung in Church Slavonic.

Although before my time, it is historically important to mention that the beloved Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, then Auxiliary Bishop of New York, who during his lifetime, was a notable television and radio personality, author and speaker, preached and celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Mt. St. Macrina in 1955, 56 and 57 and was the first prelate of the Latin Rite to receive a special indult from Rome to celebrate the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in the United States, using the English language. The bishop’s popularity and well-delivered sermons attracted crowds of pilgrims that exceeded one hundred and twenty thousand to the Mount during those years. Those particular years in Uniontown were not ones easily forgotten by the throngs of pilgrims who had the privilege of participating in the memorable liturgies and sermons.

Pilgrims continue to arrive on Sunday afternoon and many quickly make their way behind the Old Motherhouse patio to receive the mystery of forgiveness (confession). There can be seen at almost any time, ten to twenty priests hearing the confessions of those who come to Otpust to experience metanoia, a conversion of heart and a strengthening of faith. An integral part of many pilgrims’ weekend is the reception of the holy mysteries of confession and holy communion.

As one of the highlights of the day, the pilgrims assemble at the Mother of God Shrine Altar for the 4:00 p.m. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Metropolitan Archbishop who is joined by the other bishops and many priests and deacons. This beautiful outdoor altar is constructed of wood in the Carpathian style, nestled in a spacious naturally sloping grove. As the Pontifical Divine Liturgy concludes with the singing of Mnohaja i Blahaja L’ita (many happy and blessed years), the procession of cross bearers, religious, clergy and hierarchy makes its way back across the Mount, to the Old Motherhouse. After a bite to eat and a visit to the gift shop, before one realizes, the cross bearers and clergy are gathering at the House of Prayer in preparation for the 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Procession, which encircles the holy Mount. Time passes quickly at Otpust! Those who remain on the grounds will be blessed to hear hymn singing and chanting of the rosary and other prayers until late into the night.

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