The Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great welcomed pilgrims on Oct. 4 for the 95th annual pilgrimage to the Mother of God. The day brought together clergy, religious sisters, families and faithful for a celebration of prayer, worship, fellowship and hope.
Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Archeparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, served as the main celebrant of the Divine Liturgy. The Rev. Raphael Strontsitskyy, MSU, served as homilist. Concelebrating were the Revs. John Chirpita, Raphael Strontsitskyy and Volodymyr Radko. The responses during the Divine Liturgy were led by the choir of St. Nicholas Church in Wilmington, Delaware.
In his homily, Father Raphael reflected on the presence and role of the Mother of God throughout the New Testament. He encouraged the faithful to consider how they approach God in their own lives.
“Do we simply use God and ask Him for favors, or do we listen to Mary’s words at the Wedding Feast of Cana: ‘Do whatever He tells you?’ ” he asked.
Following the Divine Liturgy, pilgrims shared a meal featuring Ukrainian food before gathering for a series of spiritual presentations. The Rev. Daniel Troyan presented in English, while Sister Kornelia Zhupnyk, OSBM offered a presentation in Ukrainian. The Stations of the Cross for Ukraine were led by Sister Anna Andrusiv, OSBM. The Rosary was prayed in the chapel under the leadership of the Mothers in Prayer.
This year’s pilgrimage marked the 1,400th anniversary of the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God, traditionally attributed to St. Romanos the Melodist, who lived in the seventh century. In recognition of this anniversary, the customary Moleben service was replaced with the singing of the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God.
Archbishop Borys delivered the homily during the Akathist, calling the faithful to be people of hope and to follow the example of Mary, the Mother of God.
He reminded the pilgrims of the growth of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. After emerging from decades of underground persecution, the Church had only three eparchies. Today, there are 36 Ukrainian Catholic eparchies around the world.
The day concluded with an anointing for healing. Before departing, pilgrims expressed their gratitude to the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great for providing a welcoming place for prayer, worship, fellowship and spiritual renewal.
Through the intercession of the Mother of God, the faithful were encouraged to carry the message of hope back to their homes, parishes, families and communities.
The Divine Liturgy and Akathist are available for viewing on the Sisters of St. Basil the Great Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sistersofsaintbasil.jenkintown/videos/1537600521506380). ••
