Former Diocesan Chancellor Awarded Mitre at St. Tikhon’s Pilgrimage
A longtime Pennsylvania pastor and diocesan leader was honored for decades of service during one of the OCA’s most prominent annual pilgrimages.
SOUTH CANAAN, PA — Archpriest John Kowalczyk, former Chancellor of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, was awarded the right to wear the mitre during the annual Memorial Day Pilgrimage at St. Tikhon’s Monastery on May 24.
The honor was bestowed by Metr. Tikhon during the Primatial Divine Liturgy celebrated on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. The service brought together hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and faithful from across the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) for the monastery’s longstanding pilgrimage tradition.
Concelebrating alongside Metr. Tikhon was Abp. Daniel, as well as numerous clergy from throughout the OCA, including Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki, vice-chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. Fr. John received the ecclesiastical distinction during the Little Entrance in recognition of decades of priestly and diocesan service.
Ordained at Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, New York, Fr. John served parish communities in Minneapolis, Wrightstown, and Philadelphia before becoming especially known for more than 40 years of ministry at St. Michael’s Church in Jermyn, Pennsylvania. In addition to parish leadership, he also contributed extensively to diocesan administration, vocations work, and theological education, including his service at St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary.
The Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania extended congratulations to Mitred Archpriest John Kowalczyk and Matushka Katherine Kowalczyk, praying for continued strength in their ministry to the Church.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the St. Tikhon’s Monastery Pocket Psalter was officially released.
