Founded through perseverance, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the Orthodox Faith, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA, stands today as the Diocesan Cathedral of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania and a spiritual home for generations of Orthodox Christians in the Greater Philadelphia region. Though the parish’s formal history as St. Stephen’s began in the early 1970s, its roots stretch back to the community of St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, founded in 1909 in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. Following difficult circumstances and periods of transition during the 1960s and early 1970s, a faithful group led by the late Archpriest Alexander Fedoronko remained steadfast in their vision to establish a thriving Orthodox parish rooted in the life of the Orthodox Church in America.

During its formative years, the community worshipped at several locations throughout Philadelphia, including the historic St. Michael’s Church at 4th and Fairmount Avenue and later on Rising Sun Avenue. In 1968, the parish purchased approximately two and a half acres of land on Verree Road from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, signaling both stability and a bold commitment to the future growth of Orthodoxy in Northeast Philadelphia. After temporarily worshipping at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church from 1970 to 1974 through the generosity of the local Episcopal community, the parish formally incorporated as St. Stephen’s Orthodox Catholic Church on July 27, 1971, choosing Saint Stephen the Protomartyr as its heavenly patron.

The construction of the Cathedral marked a defining moment in the life of the parish. On July 13, 1973, a contract was signed with the Altemose Company for the design and construction of the new church, and later that year ground was broken by the ever-memorable Archbishop Kiprian [Borisevich] (+12/14/80) together with Archpriest Alexander Fedoronko and Archpriest Basil Horsky. The first Divine Liturgy in the newly completed church was celebrated in August 1974, followed shortly thereafter by the official consecration and dedication of the Cathedral and St. Michael’s Chapel. In recognition of the faithfulness, zeal, and sacrificial dedication of the parish community, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America elevated the parish to Cathedral status in October 1974, establishing St. Stephen’s as the spiritual center of diocesan life in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Throughout the decades that followed, the Cathedral community continued to flourish through the devoted pastoral leadership of the late Archpriest Alexander Fedoronko and Archpriest Daniel Geeza, together with the countless clergy, readers, choir directors, teachers, benefactors, parish organizations, and faithful who dedicated themselves to the growth and beautification of the Cathedral. In 1989, after years of sacrifice and generosity, the parish celebrated the joyful burning of its mortgage in the presence of His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius [Lazor] (+10/19/20), His Eminence Archbishop Herman [Swaiko] (+9/6/22), clergy, and faithful from throughout the Diocese. Over the years, numerous additions and improvements were made to the Cathedral property, including the installation of a new chandelier, roof, memorial tomb, and church sign. In 2001, the Cathedral received seven bells from Russia as a gift in memory of Mary and George Tripsha, leading to the construction of a bell tower modeled after the tower of St. Tikhon's Monastery in South Canaan, PA.

As the Diocesan Cathedral, St. Stephen’s continues to play a vital role in the life of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. The Cathedral has hosted numerous diocesan gatherings, liturgical celebrations, and significant events in the life of the Orthodox Church in America, including the 2005 installation of His Grace Bishop Tikhon [Mollard] as ruling hierarch of the Diocese. In 2007, the Cathedral was also selected by St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary as the location for its satellite Diaconal Program, further strengthening its role as a center of theological education and ministry formation. Today, St. Stephen’s Cathedral remains a living witness to the faith, sacrifice, and vision of those who built and sustained it, continuing to serve as a place of worship, fellowship, education, and diocesan ministry for generations to come.

A particularly significant milestone in the Cathedral’s history was observed on Saturday, October 5, 2024, when St. Stephen’s Cathedral celebrated the 50th anniversary. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided over the anniversary celebration, with His Eminence Archbishop Mark [Maymon] concelebrating. The weekend began with a Molieben to Saint Michael the Archangel and the blessing and anointing of the newly renovated St. Michael’s Chapel. The celebration continued with a Primatial Divine Liturgy, the presentation of Synodal Gramotas, and an anniversary banquet honoring the clergy and faithful who established, sustained, and strengthened the Cathedral throughout its first half-century.

Under the pastoral leadership of Archpriest Victor Gorodenchuk, Dean of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Dean of the Philadelphia Deanery, the Cathedral continues to build upon the enduring legacy of its founders while serving as a vibrant center of worship, fellowship, theological education, and diocesan ministry.

Excerpted from “A Living Inheritance: An Abridged History of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania,” by Reader Nicholas Hojnicki, August 2026.

Issued by the Diocesan Media Office