On September 24, 2018, His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle presided over the patronal feast day of Saint Silouan the Athonite Monastery in Sonora, CA. 

Concelebrating with His Grace were clergy of the Western American Diocese as well as from other Orthodox Jurisdictions who came from the neighboring towns of California's Gold Country. 

Bishop Theodosy congratulated the brother of the monastery –– the deputy rector of the holy monastery monk Ignatius and novice Andrew –– with their patronal feast. His Grace gave a sermon on Saint Silouan the Athonite and his significance for the contemporary world. Bishop Theodosy included recollectionsof his personal meeting with Elder Sophrony, author of the Life of St. Silouan, in Essex, England, back in the early 1990s. 

After the sermon, His Grace led a cross procession around the chapel and at the end blessed the fahters and pilgrims, over 100 in number, with holy water and oil from a lampada with had glowed before the relics of the Saint. The warm, clear day permitted the faithful to enjoy an abundant meal on the monastery lawn that had been lovingly prepared by friends and pilgrims of the monastery.