BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]

On Thursday, December 26, 2024, the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence Archbishop Mark has called for prayers for His Eminence Archbishop Alexander of Dallas, the South, and the Bulgarian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America, following his recent diagnosis of prostate cancer.

On December 20, the Bulgarian Diocese announced that Archbishop Alexander, 76, had been diagnosed with elevated PSA levels, indicating a biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. He began his treatment with a consultation on December 17.

According to the diocese, Archbishop Alexander’s treatment plan includes androgen deprivation therapy followed by 39 radiation sessions. His treatment will begin in early January, after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, and is expected to conclude by early April. As a result, His Eminence will not be traveling or giving public talks from January 3 until his treatment is completed.

On behalf of Archbishop Mark, the clergy, matushki, and faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, the Diocesan Media Office extends heartfelt support and prayers for Archbishop Alexander and the faithful of the Diocese of the South and the Bulgarian Diocese.

His Eminence has requested that the priests of the Diocese add Archbishop Alexander to their prayer lists, and that the faithful remember Archbishop Alexander in their prayers.