The word “pilgrimage” means “a journey of spiritual significance.” And every year, the month of August proves to be significant for two monastic communities of the Orthodox Church in America observing their annual pilgrimages in conjunction with their patronal feast days.
The Monastery of the Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA, will celebrate its annual pilgrimage on Monday and Tuesday, August 5 and 6, 2019. The pilgrimage will open with the celebration of Vigil 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening. Refreshments will be available before and after the Vigil. On Tuesday, the Akathistos Hymn “Glory to God for All Things” will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m., followed by the procession to the outdoor chapel, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of Fruit at 10:00 a.m. His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel will preside. A picnic luncheon will be served at 12:30 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., the Sacrament of Holy Unction with the anointing of the sick and all pilgrims will be celebrated. The pilgrimage will close with light refreshments at 4:00 p.m.
The Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery, Rives Junction, MI, will hold its 32nd annual pilgrimage Wednesday and Thursday, August 14-15, at which Archbishop Nathaniel also will preside. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, while the Vigil for the Great Feast of the Dormition will commence at 6:30 p.m. On the Great Feast of the Dormition—Thursday, August 15—the Akathistos Hymn and the Third and Sixth Hours will be celebrated in the Katholicon at 9:00 a.m. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the Pavilion at 10:00 a.m. At 2:30 p.m., the Sacrament of Holy Unction with the anointing of the sick and all pilgrims will be celebrated. The pilgrimage will close at 5:30 p.m. with the celebration of Vespers.
Clergy and faithful alike are warmly invited to participate in these “journeys of spiritual significance.”
