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Pa. Convention Center To Host International Convention Of The Knights Of Columbus

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men's organization which promotes charitable works, convenes its international convention in Philadelphia this week.

Knights from around the country and across the globe are descending on the city for their 133rd Supreme Convention, which will be based out of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

George Koch is a past state deputy and co-chairman of the event.

 

"People are coming from all over, from Eastern Europe and the Philippines, Central America, from every province in Canada, from every state. It's really a big, big thing."

In all, Koch says they're expecting some 2,000 to take part in the formal convention, which officially opens Tuesday and concludes Thursday.

Religious rites are a big part of it.

On Wednesday, for the first time ever, Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka, who leads the Ukrainian Catholic Church based here in Philadelphia, will officiate at a divine liturgy for delegates.

"This liturgy here at the convention is an opportunity for all these delegates, primarily Latin Catholics, for many of them perhaps the first opportunity to experience Eastern Rite liturgy."

The event will be telecast live on EWTN as well as other Catholic media outlets.

For more information, visit: 2015pakofc.org/links.html

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