On August 5-6, 2019, the 52nd Annual Pilgrimage was celebrated at the Monastery of the Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA in the presence of the monastery’s long serving hierarch, His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate.
On Wednesday, August 5, the festal vigil was served by Fr. Nikolai Breckenridge with a full church of pilgrims, and responses sung by the sisterhood.
On Thursday, August 6, the morning of the feast, pilgrims and sisters gathered in the monastery church singing the Akathist “Glory to God for All Things” in anticipation of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy served in the outdoor chapel.
His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel and His Eminence, Archbishop Melchizedek of Pittsburgh and Western PA concelebrated the Liturgy with 14 priests and 3 deacons. Homilies were offered by Fr. Vicar Dan Hoarste and Fr. Bogdan Bucur.
Following lunch, pilgrims enjoyed shopping in the gift shop, then gathered with Archbishop Nathaniel and 8 priests for the service of Holy Unction. Being anointed during the singing of the Paraklesis Hymn to the Mother of God, pilgrims were blessed by the beautiful day of prayer and celebration.
Photo credit: Victor Lutes
Watch videos from the Pilgrimage
