"LAUREL HIGHLANDS HIDDEN GEM"
Antiochian Village Conference & Retreat Center
140 Church Camp Trail, Bolivar, PA 15923
© 2025 Antiochian Village | All Rights Reserved
Welcome to the Antiochian Heritage Museum!
Exhibits in our Antiochian Heritage Museum celebrate the artistic, cultural and spiritual heritage of the ancient city of Antioch and its surrounding Eastern Mediterranean region. The permanent collection includes:
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Early Christian icons of Greek, Russian and Syrian origin
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Colorful hand-embroidered dresses from the Holy Land
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Richly inlaid wood furniture of Damascus
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Antique engravings and lithographs
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Interactive exhibit about the life of St. Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn
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And much more!
Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn
A beloved early pioneer of Orthodox Christianity in the United States, Saint Raphael was born in 1860 and raised in Damascus in a devout Orthodox Christian family. He received his seminary education on the island of Halki in Turkey in preparation for becoming a priest and bishop. In 1895, he arrived in New York to pastor its Arabic-speaking Christian community and was elevated to bishop in 1904 - the first Orthodox bishop to be consecrated on North American soil. He traveled the continent, tirelessly serving Orthodox communities and establishing churches throughout America until his death in 1915. Originally buried in Brooklyn, New York, St. Raphael’s remains were brought to the Holy Resurrection Cemetery on the grounds of the Antiochian Village Camp in 1989. He was recognized as a saint in the year 2000. In 2024, hundreds of clergy and campers witnessed the Translation of St. Raphael's Relics - a ceremonial moving of his remains from his burial location to the church. A permanent exhibit honoring Saint Raphael includes liturgical items and an interactive touchscreen exhibit.
Current Exhibits
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East Meets West in Ligonier
Exploring the history of the Antiochian Village property through the lives of four historic figures, this exhibit reveals connections that span the centuries – across oceans, continents, cultures, and faiths – as it weaves together the stories of two communities who have worshipped on the land that is now Antiochian Village and called it home.
Coins of Antioch in New Testament Times: 5 BC to 68 AD
From pagan emperors to leaping rams, these early Roman coins provide a glimpse of the pre-Christian milieu in which Christ grew up and began his ministry, up through the period when His message of salvation began to spread after His death and resurrection. During this time, the great city of Antioch was the seat of the Roman Empire in the East, and many coins were minted there.
Saint Raphael: Scholar & Shepherd
Historical artifacts and an interactive touchscreen exhibit present the story of St. Raphael’s life and ministry, as well as highlights from the theological thesis he wrote as a young seminarian. The full text of his thesis, translated into English from its original handwritten Greek, is on display in our library.
Titanic Connections: Unique and Untold Stories
Originally created to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1912 sinking of the Titanic, the exhibit is now in our Lower Museum Lobby and features fascinating passenger stories with connections to the Antiochian heritage and to western Pennsylvania.
Past Exhibits
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Voyages East: Antique Prints of Syria and the Holy Land
Scenes of Syria and the Holy Land, as seen through the eyes of 19th century European artists.
Eternal Spring: The Art of Leila Chokheli
Celebrating the joyous spirit and faith of the artist, who lived under Communist rule in her native Georgia.
Sacred Illuminations by Tatiana Nikolova-Houston
Contemporary works of art, inspired by antique manuscripts and the artist’s Bulgarian heritage.
Women with Icons: Photographs by Jocelyn Mathewes
Portraits of Orthodox Christian women, honoring the beauty and meaning of iconography.
Splendor of Damascus: Textiles and Artifacts of Traditional Syria
Hand-embroidered garments on loan from the collection of Farah and Hanan Munayyer.
Spirit & Whimsy: The Art of Niko Chocheli
Colorful original paintings and children’s book illustrations.
The Art of Kahlil Gibran
Original drawings on loan from the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia.
Support Our Heritage
Help preserve our rich cultural and spiritual legacy! Your donation makes it possible to conserve and digitize rare books and manuscripts, provide safe storage for icons and other fragile treasures, and create interactive exhibits that bring Orthodox Christianity and the history of Antiochian Village to life. Give today and be a part of keeping our heritage alive for generations to come!
NOTE: The museum considers donations of objects which are in good condition and are directly relevant to the mission of our collection, as outlined in our Donation Policies and Procedures.
Museum Hours:
June through October:
Monday through Friday 10 am - 4 pm & by appointment
Off-season:
Contact Front Desk to confirm availability
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