The electron spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T1) of the g = 2 "multiline" manganese electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal arising from the photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex poised in the S2 state has been directly measured over the temperature range of 4.2-11 K via the inversion-recovery pulsed EPR technique. The electron spin echo amplitude of the g = 2 "multiline" signal varies inversely with temperature over this range, indicating a ground spin state Curie law behavior in agreement with our previously reported work [Britt et al. (1992) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1140, 95-101]. Results of a plot of the natural log of the electron spin-lattice relaxation rate versus reciprocal temperature are consistent with an Orbach mechanism serving as the dominant relaxation pathway for the "multiline" signal in this temperature range. The slope of the plot indicates that an excited spin state manifold exists 36.5 cm-1 above the ground-state manifold that gives rise to the "multiline" signal.