Father Kyprian Wojciechowski ordained to priesthood at St. Mary in Bradenville. Pa.
Submitted to The Byzantine Catholic World
The sun shone down on the domes of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Bradenville, Pa. as family, friends, and parishioners gathered together on Sunday, April 28 to witness the ordination of the Deacon Kyprian Wojciechowski to the presbyterate, the first native son of the church to be ordained for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
This day was long-anticipated by all, and marked the culmination of years of dreams, prayers, study, and hard work. Since he was a young child, Father Kyprian had dreamed of becoming a priest, following in the footsteps of his father, the Reverend Father William Wojciechowski, who sadly entered into eternity when Kyprian was a young boy.
Following the death of his father, the young family returned to their roots in Southwestern Pennsylvania where they became parishioners at St. Mary Church under the pastorate of Father Joseph Borodach. Father Joe would come to serve as a role model, mentor, advisor, and friend to the young Kyprian, encouraging him every step of the way on his road to the priesthood. Sadly, Father Borodach did not live to see this dream fulfilled, but his presence loomed large in the church that he had shepherded for nearly 50 years, as well as in the heart and mind of the newly ordained priest.
When Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla and the procession entered the church for the ordination liturgy, he was greeted and presented with the traditional bread, salt and keys by Emily Wojciechowski, wife of Father Kyprian; Melissa and Jeffrey Miller; and Zachary and Sarah Davis.
Concelebrating the Divine Liturgy with His Eminence were: Very Reverend James Spontak, who also served as homilist; Reverend Father Kevin Marks, who presented the candidate for ordination; Very Reverend Bryan Eyman; and Reverend Fathers Athanasius Cherry, OSB, John Welch, and Aron Maghsoudi. Very Reverend Andrew Deskevich was Master of Ceremonies, and Deacons Daniel Perich and Thomas Donlin assisted as deacons. Subdeacons Luke Iyengar and Mikhael Naddaf served at the altar as did Readers Christopher Davel and Barry Smith, Seminarian Nicholas Krivacs, Samuel Tima, and Joseph Wojciechowski, brother of Father Kyprian. Reader Douglas King chanted the epistle, and the singing was led by parish cantor, Coreen Poklembo. Many priests and deacons were in attendance.
The church was filled with emotion as Deacon Kyprian was led through the church by Father Kevin and presented to Metropolitan William for ordination. Tears were shed by many as the Metropolitan placed his hand on the new presbyter and recited the ancient prayers elevating him to his new role of service to the church. As he was presented with his vestments, the voices of both the clergy and faithful filled the church with the resounding exclamation “Axios!”
Following the liturgy, a reception was held at St. Mary’s social center, the Dome.
For his first official priestly duty, Father Kyprian chose to gather with family and friends on Monday, April 29 at the grave of his late father, Father William Wojciechowski. It was an emotional moment and one can only imagine the joy and pride shared between father and son as this priestly legacy is now carried forth into the next generation. The family remembrance and celebration continued on Saturday, May 4, as the newly-ordained presbyter celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Trauger, Pa, ancestral parish to many of his relatives. There, he remembered his departed family and friends during this special liturgy. He and his family are grateful to Father Paul-Alexander Shutt, OSB, for welcoming him to the parish and for his hospitality.
The celebratory week concluded on Sunday, May 5, as Father Kyprian celebrated a Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving with family and friends at St. Mary in Bradenville. Concelebrating the liturgy were: Very Reverends Andrew Deskevich and Bryan Eyman; Reverend Fathers Kevin Marks, Athanasius Cherry, O.S.B. and John Welch. Reader Barry Smith and Samuel Tima assisted at the altar. The epistle was read by Father’s wife, Emily, and the responses were led by Coreen Poklemba. Many clergy attended.
Father Kyprian was born on July, 24, 1993, in Providence, R.I. to the late Father William M. Wojciechowski and Sue Ellen Wojciechowski. He is the second of three children. His brothers are Nikolai and Joseph Wojciechowski. He is a graduate of Greater Latrobe High School and the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, from which he was graduated, cum laude, with a degree in history and political science in December of 2015.
He entered SS. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Seminary in Pittsburgh where he completed his studies in May, 2021, and was awarded a Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude. During his summers and following his completion of his seminary education, he worked a variety of jobs in addition to gaining pastoral experience in his various assignments.
On Sept. 9, 2023, he married Emily (Behm), at St. Mary Church in Bradenville. Together, they look forward to meeting the challenges that lie ahead in parish ministry.
