www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Pilgrim George to speak at Monroeville parish

This Friday, September 13, Pilgrim George will be speaking at the Byzantine Catholic Church of the Resurrection. A man of constant prayer, Pilgrim George has spent the last three decades journeying across the earth by foot, visiting countless shrines and monasteries. His manner of living is similar to that of the anonymous writer who penned "The Way of a Pilgrim."

The evening will begin with a Divine Liturgy at 7:00 PM, during which Fr. Joseph Raptosh will deliver a homily on "The Precious Cross as a 'Person.'" Following the liturgy Pilgrim George will relate some of his experiences and wisdom. There will then be a reception with light refreshments, and an opportunity for fellowship.

Church of the Resurrection is located at 455 Center Road, in Monroeville, PA. I hope that some of you can attend.

God Bless,
Anthony

For a photo of Pilgrim George please go to the url below.


http://groups.msn.com/catholic/photosbyjoe.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=921


Joe Prokopchak
archsinner

[ 09-09-2002: Message edited by: Joe Prokopchak ]

So glad you brought "The pilgrim" up. Does anyone here know of his origin, background, or heard him speak before?
Did you relate the title of Fr. Joseph's homily correctly? 'Tis a puzzlement.

Pilgrim George is from the Pittsburgh area and is a Roman Catholic. He went through seminary (not ordained) but felt unsure of vocation and with advice of his bishop took time to contemplate his future. Eventually in the mountains of Colorado felt that he was called to constant pilgrimmage. Heard him speak recently-excellent. His message is what the church teaches: love and trust in the Lord. When you see and hear him you sense the peace and joy of Christ within him.
Vito

Thank you Vito!
Do you know if he made that light blue patchwork habit himself? Does he always walk barefoot?
(He certainly turns heads at Otpust.)

I spoke with Pilgrim George extensivly at Otpust. He walked all the way to Jerusalem. Took him 13 years.

He was only barefoot at Otpust because he was on holy ground. He normally wears sandals.

Joe Prokopchak
a sinner in much need of God's mercy

Her's a link to an article about Pilgrim George from Our Sunday Visitor.

http://www.catholicdigest.org/stories/200012060a.html

I saw him at Otpust but didn't get a chance to talk to him. I remember seeing him come walking through the little valley and up the hill behind the shrine where the final Liturgy was held. He was walking with his staff and looked like a prophet (or Gandalf). Hope I get to talk to him next year.

Frank

PS A link to another article:

http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/regions/pickering/story/474193p-593595c.html

He reminds me a little of Saint Benedict Joseph Labre who was unable to become a priest or religious so instead spent his life on pilgimage throughout Europe.

[ 09-09-2002: Message edited by: Frank ]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Frank:
[QB]Her's a link to an article about Pilgrim George from Our Sunday Visitor.

http://www.catholicdigest.org/stories/200012060a.html

And thank you, Frank,
and thanks to the founders and moderators of this site. One can really become informed here.

[ 09-09-2002: Message edited by: durak ]

Dear Friends,

This holy Pilgrim (see his hand cross? a very ancient tradition!) reminds me of a wonder-worker I had the privilege of meeting two years ago - Brother Stan.

I saw him lay hands on a child and the child began to speak and overcame his inability to talk - his first words were, "Jesus, thank you Jesus."

Oil exudes from Stan's hands when he prays.

When I spoke with him, I could tell that he knew what I was thinking before I could say it.

When speaking to him over the phone, he could describe to me the room I was in and what was going on at that moment.

You are fortunate to have Pilgrim George among you.

As we know, a pilgrim was an ancient order in the Church and one was "consecrated" a pilgrim by one's bishop before setting off.

Those who successfully completed their pilgrimage often assumed the place-names of their pilgrimage as their surname.

To this day, the Archbishop of Canterbury assumes the surname of "Cantuar."

Greeks who made pilgrimages to Jerusalem prefixed their Christian names with "Hatzi" and this was passed on to their posterity "Hatzipaulou, Hatziioannou" etc.

My surname of "Roman" comes from several generations of pilgrims who travelled to Rome on foot and took this name afterwards.

My grandfather was born crippled and remained so for the first seven years of his life.

An uncle came back from Rome with Holy Water taken from the spot where St Paul was beheaded.

My great grandfather Leo made a public vow before everyone in his Carpathian village that if John could walk (he was one of 25 of his children!) then John would become a priest in thanksgiving.

He then picked up my grandfather and dipped him three times in the basin with the Holy Water.

He then placed him on his feet and John walked for the first time since his birth to the applause of all.

He later became a priest and served the Lord for 70 years as such, always walking to Church and to visit parishioners. I could never keep up with him.

Alex

[ 09-10-2002: Message edited by: Orthodox Catholic ]

Piligrame George? Please Explain?
Who is he and what does he do?

"Hello Anthony, its me Daniel Harrison, how have you been? Ive started to attend divine liturgy every sunday now and im taking Catechism classes at the BYZ Church. "

From: Daniel Harrison
In the Theotokos

I remember meeting Pilgrim George back in 1988 here in Arkansas. I watched him as he repaired his sandals. He used old rubber tires to replace the worn bottom of his sandals. He told me that this gave him a guarantee of 25,000 miles or 5 years on pilgrimage, whichever came first. I was deeply moved my his evident holiness which seemed to pour forth from him. It was like meeting one of the early Desert Fathers up close and personal. The icon which he wore around his neck at that time was of Our Lady of America, the original is presently at St. Ann's Melkite Catholic Church in W. Patterson, NJ. I would be honored to meet him again someday.
Only blessings, Silouan, old monk