OLYPHANT, PA [DOEPA]

From March 14-15, 2026, the faithful of All Saints Church in Olyphant, PA, celebrated the Third Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, with prayerful solemnity and spiritual reverence.

On Sunday, March 15, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at All Saints Church with visiting clergy and faithful joining the parish community for worship on this mid-point of the Lenten journey. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Priest Paul Witek, Rector of All Saints Church in Olyphant, PA, and Academic Dean at St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary, Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary, Priest Seraphim Crossman and among those present was Jacob Kurtz, a Diocesan Seminarian at St. Tikhon’s Seminary. The parish was blessed to welcome the Kurtz family for the Divine Liturgy.

During the Liturgy, "Before Thy Cross..." was sung by the clergy and faithful and the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord was venerated. The parish choir was led under the skillful direction of Reader David Brzuchalski.

The Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross marks the midpoint of Great Lent and serves as a source of encouragement for the faithful. Just as the Cross stood as the instrument of Christ’s victory over death, so too it is set before the faithful as a sign of hope, strength, and perseverance in the ascetical journey toward Holy Pascha.

Photo credit: Anna Witek

Glory to God for all things!

Issued by the Diocesan Media Office