BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, the feast of the Venerable Savva the Sanctified, the clergy, matushki, and faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania extend their congratulations to His Eminence Archbishop Mark on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his consecration to the episcopacy.

His Eminence Archbishop Mark was consecrated to the episcopacy on Sunday, December 5, 2004. His consecrating bishops included His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius of Antioch and All the East at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus, Syria, as well as numerous Metropolitans of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. He was enthroned at St. George Cathedral in Toledo, Ohio, on Friday, August 25, 2005, and served as Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America.

He was received into the Orthodox Church in America on Saturday, January 1, 2011, and given the title of Bishop of Baltimore. On Friday, January 17, 2014, he was nominated to fill the vacant Episcopal See of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania during a special Diocesan Assembly at Saint Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, PA, having served as the Diocese's Administrator since 2012. On Monday, March 18, 2014, he was elected by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America to fill the vacant Episcopal See of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.

His Eminence was enthroned as Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint Stephen Cathedral on Saturday, May 10, 2014. He was elevated to Archbishop during the 2015 Spring Session of the Holy Synod and has presided as Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania for the past 10 years. His Eminence has been deeply committed to the spiritual growth and unity of the Diocese. One of his key areas of focus has been revitalizing the Diocese's youth ministry, particularly the summer camps and retreats, which were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under his Omophorion, the Diocese worked to reopen and expand these vital programs, offering a place for youth to reconnect with their faith and build community after a period of isolation. Archbishop Mark’s dedication to youth engagement has led to an increase in participation, with young people finding renewed inspiration in the summer camps and retreats. These programs have become a central part of the Diocese's mission to foster spiritual growth and fellowship among the youth.

May God grant His Eminence Archbishop Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, many years! Eis polla eti despota!