Transfiguration Monastery announces annual Pilgrimage

Orthodox Church in America
27/7/2011

The nuns of the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration here extend an invitation to all pilgrims to join them for their annual pilgrimage marking their patronal feastday August 5-6, 2011.

His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, will preside at pilgrimage Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania and His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, who will also serve as guest homilist.

The festal Vigil will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, followed by supper. On Saturday, August 6, the Hours and the Akathist “Glory to God for All Things” will be celebrated at 9:15 a.m., followed by the procession to the monastery chapel pavilion and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. A catered lunch will be served at noon, after which there is time to enjoy the monastery grounds and shop in the store. At 2:30 p.m., the Sacrament of Holy Unction with anointing of all pilgrims will be celebrated. The day will conclude with the celebration of Great Vespers at 6.00 p.m.

The monastery store will feature the sisterhood’s newly published cookbook, a just-released DVD of a monastery Liturgy, and a large new line of inexpensive gifts and icons.

For further information call-724-758-4002 or write omtnuns@gmail.com.

Road Detour Notice: Pilgrims coming on I-79 should NOT take exit 96 Portersville as Hwy 488 is closed, resulting in a long detour. See alternate routes below:

Directions to monastery from I-79 driving north: take Evans City exit # 83. At end of ramp turn left onto 528. Turn right at traffic light onto Rt. 19, Perry Highway. In town of Zelienople, turn left onto 588/288 north, W. New Castle St. (Kaufman House Restaurant on left). Follow 588/288 north, bear right and stay on 288 north, drive about 8 miles until Mercer Rd. You will see the Giant Eagle Shopping center on your right. Turn right at light (Mercer Rd.) until you get to a large 5–way stop sign. Go straight onto 488 east for about a mile. Turn left into driveway after monastery sign.

Directions from I-80 (coming east or west)
Take I-80 to I-79 South. Take exit 99 for US-422 toward Butler/New Castle (0.2 miles). Turn left onto US-422 W/Benjamin Franklin Hwy (6.9 miles). Turn left on PA 388 S (Sheetz gas station on left). Follow PA 388 S (3.1 miles). Left onto PA 65 south/Ellwood Rd. Continue on PA 65 (3.7 miles). Pass Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Dept.(on left). Left onto Wurtemburg Rd.(1 .8 miles). Turn left at dead end onto 488 E. Take the 1st left into Monastery driveway after the monastery sign.

Directions to the Monastery From I-76, PA Turnpike (coming east or west):
Take exit #13 Beaver Falls Exit. Go north on Rt. 18 one mile to a stop light (Al’s Store is on the right). Turn right onto Rte 351 (Arthur St.). Keep following Rte 351, go over a concrete bridge, turn left to stay on Rte 351, follow into downtown Ellwood City. Turn left at 5th St. At the 2nd traffic light (McDonald’s is on the corner), turn right onto Rt. 488 E, Fountain Avenue, for about 3 miles. *DISREGARD ALL DETOUR SIGNS, KEEP GOING. When you come to a large 5 way stop sign, make a slight left to stay on 488. Pass another bridge, in 1/4 mile turn left into Monastery driveway, just past the sign.

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