No matter how far from home they traveled, the Hungarian people revered this place of worship. And those who came to this country and settled in the Cleveland area dreamed of someday honoring the Weeping Icon of the Blessed Mother with their own shrine.
An American counterpart of the Shrine of Our Lady of Máriapócs does exist. Located off Route 422 in Troy Township among the rolling hills of Geauga County, it is very similar to the one in Hungary. The Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch is a beautiful, peaceful wooded area to the east of Cleveland, south of Burton. It was purchased in 1955 through anonymous donors wanting to give honor to Our Lady of Máriapócs. This American shrine was dedicated in August 1956 by Bishop Nicholas T. Elko, D.D., head of the Ruthenian (then) Exarchate in America. With this dedication of the grounds, the intentions of the donors were pursued. Through the devoted services of the shrine’s founding director, Father Alexander Bobak, S.T.D., and the Social Mission Sisters and with resources provided by faithful contributors, the grounds were developed for pilgrimage. Improvements have been made throughout the years to enhance the prayerful atmosphere of the shrine.
Open to visitors from the last Sunday in May through the first Sunday in October, the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch draws worshippers from all over the United States and Canada. A Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy (Mass) is celebrated at 4:00 p.m. each Sunday of the shrine season at the outdoor shrine altar.
The Eparchy of Parma hosts an annual pilgrimage around the feast of the Dormition (Assumption) of the Mother of God and vocation-oriented week-end camps for teen boys and girls. Several parishes and other organizations utilize the shrine for days of reflection.
Dinner is served in the café after the Sunday afternoon Liturgy. The Eastern Treasures Gift Shop is open for purchasing religious items.
An American counterpart of the Shrine of Our Lady of Máriapócs does exist. Located off Route 422 in Troy Township among the rolling hills of Geauga County, it is very similar to the one in Hungary. The Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch is a beautiful, peaceful wooded area to the east of Cleveland, south of Burton. It was purchased in 1955 through anonymous donors wanting to give honor to Our Lady of Máriapócs. This American shrine was dedicated in August 1956 by Bishop Nicholas T. Elko, D.D., head of the Ruthenian (then) Exarchate in America. With this dedication of the grounds, the intentions of the donors were pursued. Through the devoted services of the shrine’s founding director, Father Alexander Bobak, S.T.D., and the Social Mission Sisters and with resources provided by faithful contributors, the grounds were developed for pilgrimage. Improvements have been made throughout the years to enhance the prayerful atmosphere of the shrine.
Open to visitors from the last Sunday in May through the first Sunday in October, the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch draws worshippers from all over the United States and Canada. A Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy (Mass) is celebrated at 4:00 p.m. each Sunday of the shrine season at the outdoor shrine altar.
The Eparchy of Parma hosts an annual pilgrimage around the feast of the Dormition (Assumption) of the Mother of God and vocation-oriented week-end camps for teen boys and girls. Several parishes and other organizations utilize the shrine for days of reflection.
Dinner is served in the café after the Sunday afternoon Liturgy. The Eastern Treasures Gift Shop is open for purchasing religious items.