Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Sophia

Pilgrimage to Orthodox Monasteries

Ezekiel 20

For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, said the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve Me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.

In our world full of vanity, everybody at a certain point needs a break. Parishioners of the Church of Saint Sophia in Waterloo, Ontario and their Brothers and Sisters in Christ in the Eparchies of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada have a unique opportunity to find refuge from daily routine and to get closer to eternal matters during the regular visits to Orthodox Monasteries, organized by Saint Sophia's spiritual pastor, Reverend Father Myroslav Shmyhelskyy.

Both Saint Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery in Bolton, Ontario and Holy Transfiguration Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Milton, Ontario are situated in picturesque woods "far from the madding crowd" — yet close enough to afford Orthodox Christians from nearby cities a chance to visit and draw closer to God in centers of humility and quiet prayer. The monasteries welcome everyone who wishes to find out more about monastic life; who is drawn to worship; or wishes to venerate the monasteries' Holy Relics.

Among the faithful of Saint Sophia's church are those who have committed themselves to journeying to monasteries farther afield — giving praise and worshiping God at Mount Athos, in Thessalonica, in Jerusalem, at Pochaiev, at the Lavra in Kiev.

Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery

Since 2009, Reverend Father Myroslav has also organized a week-long group pilgrimage early in each new year to Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence, Arizona. In 2012, the parish's pilgrims have been honoured with the opportunity to worship at St. Anthony's during the feast day of the monastery founder's patron saint (Venerable Ephraim the Syrian).

Psalm 121
A song of ascents. Of David.
Joy From Worshiping the LORD

I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together:
Where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,
unto the testimony of Israel,
to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
For there are set thrones of judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
they shall prosper that love you.
Peace be within your walls,
and prosperity within your palaces.

For my brethren and companions' sakes,
I will now say, Peace be within you.
Because of the house of the LORD our God
I will seek your good.

Men's Monasteries

• St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery — Florence, Arizona.
  Archimandrite Paisios, Hegumen.
  Spiritual Father: Elder Ephrem.
  
  
• Holy Trinity Monastery Greek Orthodox Monastery — Smith Creek, Michigan.
  Hieromonk Joseph, Hegumen.
  Spiritual Father: Elder Ephrem
  
  
• Holy Transfiguration Serbian Orthodox Monastery — Milton, Ontario.
  Hieromonk Vasilije, Hegumen.
  
  
• St. Sabbas the Sanctified Monastery — Harper Woods, Michigan.
  Archimandrite Pachomius, Hegumen.
  
  
• Holy Trinity Monastery — Jordanville, New York.
  Archimandrite Luke, Hegumen.
  

Women's Monasteries

• St. Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery — Bolton, Ontario.
  Mother Alexia, Hegumena.
  
  
• Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery — Rives Junction, Michigan.
  Mother Gabriella, Hegumena.

Reverend Father Myroslav Shmyhelskyy
Phone/Fax: (519) 342-2359
Cell: (519) 497-1303
Email: fr.myroslav@sophiachurch.ca

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Sophia
154 King Street North
Waterloo, ON
N2J 2Y2