ELLWOOD CITY, PA [DOEPA]
From August 5-6, 2026, Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki, Diocesan Vice-Chancellor, Dean of the Frackville Deanery, and Rector of Holy Apostles Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, participated in the annual pilgrimage of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA, held in celebration of its patronal feast, the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. Clergy, monastics, matushki, and faithful from throughout the region and abroad gathered at the monastery for two days of prayer, worship, and fellowship. At the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest presided over the festal services.
On Wednesday, August 5, the pilgrimage began with the celebration of the Festal Vigil, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel. Archpriest Timothy and his family joined the monastery sisterhood, visiting clergy, and pilgrims in prayer as the Church entered into the celebration of the Great Feast and commemorated the glorious Transfiguration of Christ upon Mount Tabor.
On Thursday, August 6, the pilgrimage continued with the Akathist “Glory to God for All Things” followed by a procession and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. His Eminence Archbishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Daniel. Numerous clergy and faithful representing several dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America participated in the pilgrimage, including clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, the Diocese of the Midwest, the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, and the Romanian Episcopate, together with clergy and faithful from other Orthodox jurisdictions.
Following the Divine Liturgy, pilgrims gathered for a catered luncheon and fellowship. Later in the afternoon, a Panikhida was served in the monastery cemetery, where His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, Mother Alexandra, Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, and numerous clergy, monastics, and faithful are laid to rest.
The annual pilgrimage concluded with Holy Unction and the Paraklesis, bringing together Orthodox Christians from throughout the region for prayer, the reception of the Holy Mysteries, and support of the monastic life and ministry of the Monastery of the Transfiguration. Following the Paraklesis service and prior to the anointing with holy oil, Archbishop Daniel blessed a newly commissioned icon of the Mother of God, which is now enshrined in the monastery pavilion. Pilgrims gathered in prayer as the icon was solemnly venerated.
Father Timothy’s participation in the pilgrimage represented the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania at this annual gathering and provided an opportunity for fellowship with hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and faithful from across the Orthodox Church.
Photo credit: Elijah and Reader Nicholas Hojnicki
Glory to God for all things!
Issued by the Diocesan Media Office
