SOUTH CANAAN, PA [DOEPA]

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, Archpriest John Kowalczyk, former Chancellor of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania and Director of Vocations and Spiritual Formation at St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary, was awarded the right to wear the mitre in recognition of his many years of faithful and dedicated service to the Church.

The Primatial Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Tikhon’s Monastery during the annual Memorial Day Pilgrimage. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. Concelebrating with His Beatitude was His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest together with numerous clergy and monastics from across the Orthodox Church in America, including Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki, Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Dean of the Frackville Deanery, and Rector of Holy Apostles Church in Mechanicsburg, PA.

During the Little Entrance, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon awarded Archpriest John Kowalczyk the right to wear the mitre, honoring his devoted priestly ministry to the Church and especially his many years of faithful service to the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Father John Kowalczyk was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, NY, and throughout his priestly ministry has faithfully served parish communities in Minneapolis, Wrightstown, and Philadelphia. Father John is especially known for his more than four decades of dedicated pastoral service at St. Michael’s Church in Jermyn, PA, where he faithfully ministered to the clergy and faithful of the parish community while also contributing greatly to the life of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania through his leadership, spiritual guidance, and commitment to vocations and theological education.

On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Mark, the Clergy, Matushki and Faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, the Diocesan Media Office extends its warmest congratulations to the Mitred Archpriest John and Matushka Katherine Kowalczyk and offers prayers that the Lord may continue to strengthen them in their faithful service to His Holy Church. Axios!

Photo credit: Mrs. Mariana Kurtz

Glory to God for all things!

Issued by the Diocesan Media Office