BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]
As the Civil New Year of 2026 begins, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Mark, the Diocesan Media Office extends heartfelt greetings to the clergy, matushki, and faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. As the Diocese enters the new year, the Media Office presents a retrospective look at the life of our God-protected Diocese throughout 2025.
In the winter, at Holy Trinity Church in Stroudsburg, PA, His Eminence ordained Deacon William Rusk to the Holy Priesthood. Father William now serves as Rector of St. Michael’s Church in Jermyn, PA. Axios!
Throughout the year, the Diocese hosted and participated in several significant events. In January, the 61st Annual Diocesan Assembly brought together clergy and lay delegates for prayer, reflection, and discussion concerning the administrative and spiritual work of the Diocese. Parishes offered Lenten missions, Advent retreats, and workshops that provided opportunities for deeper catechesis, spiritual renewal, and community enrichment. Feast day celebrations, hierarchical liturgies, and parish anniversaries continued to enrich parish life and strengthen local communities.
His Eminence Archbishop Mark traveled extensively throughout the Diocese during the year, visiting parishes across Eastern Pennsylvania to preside at Hierarchical Divine Liturgies, celebrate the Holy Mysteries, and participate in patronal feasts and special parish celebrations. Through these archpastoral visits, His Eminence offered pastoral guidance, encouragement, and prayerful support to clergy and faithful alike, strengthening the spiritual life of parish communities and affirming our unity in Christ as a diocese.
After many months of discernment and careful assessment of a severely compromised edifice, the Diocesan Council approved the difficult decision to demolish Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, PA. While deeply painful for all involved, this decision followed a thorough process of prayerful consideration and evaluation. It was determined that the extensive structural deficiencies rendered the Cathedral unsafe and required remediation far beyond the parish’s financial capacity. At the same time, careful attention was given to the future of Orthodox life in the city, and the need to foster a strong and vibrant parish community moving forward. Through the collaboration and faithfulness of so many, a united parish community in Wilkes-Barre now continues to grow at Holy Trinity Church, where the spiritual inheritance of Holy Resurrection, its mother church, lives on in visible and tangible ways. This enduring witness affirms that the true strength of the Church is found not in buildings, but in the living stones of her faithful.
In the spring, His Eminence, accompanied by his kelenik, Reader Nicholas Hojnicki, Director of Communications, visited several parishes of the Diocese during Holy Week, prayerfully sharing in the solemn and life-giving services of this sacred season. His Eminence celebrated the Feast of Feasts, Great and Holy Pascha, at Holy Trinity Church in Pottstown, PA, where the clergy and faithful gathered in joy to proclaim the Resurrection of Christ and to share in the fullness of the Paschal celebration.
The sacramental life of the Diocese remained strong. Parishes rejoiced in baptisms and chrismations that welcomed new members into the Church, weddings that united families in holy matrimony, and funerals and panikhidas that offered consolation and hope in the Resurrection. These moments reflected the Grace of God working in parish life and the steadfast faith of the people. Clergy formation continued to be a source of strength for the Diocese, with continuing education and retreat events taking place throughout the year.
Within the Diocese, three men entered full-time study at Orthodox theological seminaries, with two attending St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary and one attending St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary. Several others continued to participate in the Diaconal Vocations Program. The faithful are asked to continue to remember Subdeacon Jacob and Mariana Kurtz and their children, Luka, Noah, and Magdalena Kurtz at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, as well as Reader Alexander Koropsak and Nicholas and Abigail Sheridan at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, in their prayers.
Throughout the year, youth ministry within the Diocese continued to flourish through St. Tikhon's Summer Camp in South Canaan, PA, parish youth days, and the Annual Winter Teen Retreat at Refreshing Mountain Retreat Center in Paoli, PA, as well as the Annual Fall Teen Retreat at Camp Hebron in Halifax, PA. These programs provided children and teens with opportunities for prayer, worship, fellowship, and meaningful spiritual formation, fostering friendships rooted in Christ and nurturing the next generation of faithful leaders within the life of the Church.
In the summer, Archbishop Mark, together with clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, participated in the 21st All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America, held July 14–18, 2025, in Phoenix, AZ. The Council, convened for the first time in the American Southwest, was opened by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and included six plenary sessions addressing the spiritual, administrative, and pastoral life of the Church. Delegates gathered for prayer, conciliar deliberation, and reflection on the overall mission of the Church in North America.
Throughout the Council, reports highlighted significant developments in the life of the Orthodox Church in America, including the glorification of Righteous Olga of Kwethluk, strengthening of external relations with sister Churches, and internal organizational updates. The Council also witnessed the retirement of Archbishop Benjamin of the Diocese of the West and the canonical election of Archimandrite Vasily as Bishop of San Francisco and the West, as well as elections to the Metropolitan Council and Pension Board. The Council concluded with prayer, thanksgiving, and a renewed call to Christ-centered conciliarity and faithful witness, giving glory to God for all things.
In the fall, charitable outreach and diocesan ministries also remained active. Parishes organized food drives, clothing collections, community meals, and seasonal initiatives for Thanksgiving and Nativity. Under the direction of the Diocesan Hierarch, the Diocesan Media Office documented these events and the ongoing life of the Diocese through photo galleries, videos, and news reports, helping to share the stories of parish ministry and highlight the faith and dedication of clergy and laity.
As the Diocese looks toward the coming year, fervent prayers are offered that God will continue to bless His Eminence Archbishop Mark, the clergy, the matushki, the seminarians, and all the faithful of the Diocese. With thanksgiving for the many labors, challenges, and blessings of the year now concluded, and with trust in the mercy and providence of God, the life of the Diocese is commended into His care. May He grant wisdom, strength, and steadfast guidance to all, that together the faithful may continue to grow in faith, deepen their unity in Christ, and bear faithful witness to the Gospel through worship, service, and love, in service to His Holy Church.
Glory to God for all things!
Issued by the Diocesan Media Office
