A wonderful, prayerful, and celebratory time in the holy city of Scranton yesterday.

God was greatly praised by the prayers and singing of over 600 members of the PNCC along with ecumenical guests. I was honored to be the crucifer for the Prime Bishop’s procession as well as assistant to the Masters of Ceremony. I also had an opportunity to spend some time in conversation with two of the ecumenical guests, a minister from the UCC and a representative of Bishop Tikhon, Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania (OCA). Here is Protodn. Sergei Kapral presenting an icon to Prime Bishop Mikovsky on behalf of Bishop Tikhon.

Some of the Press coverage:

From WBRE: Polish National Catholic Church Prime Bishop Installed

“It’s both a very jubilant day as well as a very humbling day,” said the man at the center of Sunday’s historic day for the Polish National Catholic Church in Scranton. 44-year-old Anthony Mikovsky was installed as prime bishop at Saint Stanislaus Cathedral. More than 600 people from the Polish National Catholic Church — both near and far — gathered to witness the installation.

“I’m very happy to be leading the church and want to work together with all of them,” said Prime Bishop Mikovsky. “They’re all wonderful people and I know that together we can do really good things for the church.” Mikovsky will lead some 25,000 Polish National Catholics primarily in the Eastern United States.

At 44-years-old, PNCC members have the youngest prime bishop in the history of the church second only to its 19th century founder. “He’s a very young man in terms of prime bishops and he’s got a very good heart,” said St. Stanislaus Parishioner Roger Seliga of Scranton. He believes the church hierarchy picked the right person for the job. “I think he’ll be a person who progresses with the traditions of the Polish National Catholic Church.”

Mikovsky replaces 67-year-old Robert Nemkovich who was too old by church law to run for a second eight-year term as prime bishop. Also taking part in the installation as a sign of christian unity, Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph Bambera and Bishop Emeritus James Timlin. Mikovsky considers himself a man on a mission to grow the Polish National Catholic Church. “To bring it to the people who are in need, to bring the church to the people who are hurting, who want to experience God in ever new and exciting ways.” Prime Bishop Mikovsky will also serve the church as bishop ordinary of the central diocese until February when Bishop John Mack will take over that position.

From the Scranton Times Tribune: Gifts, advice, prayer and celebration mark Mikovsky’s ascendancy as PNCC Prime Bishop

The Rev. Anthony A. Mikovsky was installed as prime bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church on Sunday before an overflow crowd at St. Stanislaus Cathedral in South Scranton, the mother church of the faith.

Turning over the crozier was Prime Bishop Emeritus Robert Nemkovich, who asked for God’s blessing on the church’s new leader.

“Direct and defend him by your grace that he may guide your people into the ways of truth, love, of holiness and peace,” said the outgoing bishop.

Prime Bishop Mikovsky, 44, is no stranger to the area, having spent his 13-year priesthood in Scranton, first as an assistant pastor, then as bishop of the Central Diocese. Members of his congregation, who watched him grow to become the leader of their faith, were happy for the man and their church.

“He is spiritual, intelligent and approachable,” said Paul Cimino, a member of St. Stanislaus parish. “He has always been there for the church and the people. He is perfect for the job.”

The installation, held during Mass, was attended by numerous bishops. Buses carried faithful from as far away as New York. The overflow crowd watched the Mass on closed-circuit television in the church hall.

The service began with business. Attorney Ernest J. Gazda, Jr., certified the results of the October election where delegates, on the 42nd ballot, selected Prime Bishop Mikovsky.

Then Prime Bishop Emeritus Nemkovich surveyed the congregation, then priests, then the bishops individually, asking if they will support Prime Bishop Mikovsky. They said they would.

Members of the church offered their new spiritual leader gifts symbolic of his role: holy water for restoration, salt for grace and wisdom, oil for healing, a Bible for the word of God, bread and wine for sacrifice. Prime Bishop Emeritus Nemkovich passed the crozier, completing the transition.

During the homily, he reminded the new bishop of the “awesome” responsibility – the care, administration and destiny of the church and its 25,000 adherents.

“Pray daily, ask God to help you and live an exemplary life,” he said.

Among the ecumenical dignitaries were the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, and Bishop Emeritus James C. Timlin.

“We have been in dialogue with this church for years, and they remain our brothers and sisters in faith,” Bishop Bambera said of the PNCC before the procession, just as the hymn “The Church is One Foundation” began. “It is important that we celebrate this special day together,” he added…