PHILADELPHIA, PA [DOEPA]
From June 19-21, 2026, the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania made an archpastoral visit to Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church in Philadelphia, PA, where he presided at the divine services, performed an ordination to the Holy Diaconate, and offered archpastoral exhortation to the clergy and faithful gathered.
Founded in January 1913, Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church in Philadelphia, PA, traces its roots to Carpatho-Russian immigrants who settled in South Philadelphia during the great wave of Eastern European immigration to the United States. Seeking to preserve and faithfully practice the Orthodox Faith of their ancestors, thirty-nine laymen joined with Priest John Krohmalny to establish a parish dedicated to the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. Remaining at its original location at 28th Street and Snyder Avenue for more than a century, the parish has stood as a steadfast witness to Orthodoxy in the city, nurtured by the sacrifices, faith, and devotion of generations of clergy and faithful. Throughout its history, the parish has been enriched by numerous efforts to beautify and strengthen its spiritual life, including the installation of its present iconostasis during its Golden Jubilee in 1963 and the commissioning of more than seventy icons by the renowned iconographer Matthias von Reutlinger. Despite the challenges faced by many urban parishes, Assumption Church has remained a vibrant Orthodox community, welcoming faithful from a variety of backgrounds while preserving the rich spiritual heritage entrusted to it by its founders. Today, the parish continues to serve as a spiritual home for Orthodox Christians throughout the greater Philadelphia area.
On Friday, June 19, upon arrival at the temple, His Eminence was warmly greeted by Archpriest Mark Koczak, Rector, and faithful of the parish community. Great Vespers was served with His Eminence presiding from the throne. At the conclusion of the service, Archbishop Mark addressed the faithful.
On Saturday, June 20, Archbishop Mark arrived for the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. The Church bells rang as His Eminence was greeted with the traditional bread and salt. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archpriest Mark Koczak, Archpriest Theodore Petrides, Priest Alexander Goussetis, Archpriest Milorad Orlić, and Deacon Stephanos Bibas. The parish altar servers assisted in the divine services. The choir offered the prayerful responses under the direction of Reader Samuel Regen.
In his homily, His Eminence reflected on the teachings of Christ found in the Sermon on the Mount, reminding the faithful that the Christian life is not to be lived for the praise or recognition of others. Drawing upon the Lord's instruction concerning prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, he emphasized that the faithful should seek to serve God with humility and sincerity rather than for outward display. "We don't do things to call attention to ourselves," he noted, reminding those gathered that when good works are performed solely for the approval of others, "because then we have our reward." Instead, His Eminence encouraged the faithful to cultivate a spirit of quiet devotion, seeking the approval of God rather than the praise of men.
After the Eucharistic Canon, His Eminence ordained Subdeacon Jerome Stafford to the Holy Diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon Jerome, having completed the St. Tikhon's Diaconal Formation Program in Philadelphia, PA, will fulfill his service at Holy Assumption of the Virgin Church. Axios!
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Mark offered an archpastoral word to the faithful.
On behalf of the parish community, Father Mark expressed heartfelt gratitude for His Eminence's archpastoral visit, noting the joy of welcoming him for this blessed occasion and for the ordination of Jerome Stafford to the Holy Diaconate. Following the veneration of the Cross, a fasting meal was prepared and served in the church hall for the faithful and community present. This provided an opportunity for parishioners to spend time with Archbishop Mark and with one another in Christian fellowship. That evening, Great Vespers was served.
On Sunday, June 21, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating was Archpriest Mark Koczak with Deacons Stephanos Bibas and Jerome Stafford. The choir was led under the direction of Matushka Darcy Stafford.
In his homily, His Eminence reflected on the words of Christ that "to whom much is given, much is expected," reminding the faithful that the gifts and blessings bestowed upon them carry with them a responsibility to live faithfully and serve others. Noting the observance of Father's Day, he spoke about the unique vocation of fathers, emphasizing that a father's love, guidance, and example often shape a child's understanding of God the Father. His Eminence encouraged the faithful to express love, appreciation, and gratitude to their fathers while they are still among them and called upon the community to offer prayers of thanksgiving for all fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, and spiritual fathers, both living and departed, in recognition of their many sacrifices and contributions to the lives of their families and the Church.
At the Divine Liturgy, many of the faithful approached and received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.
Following the Dismissal, Archbishop Mark offered an archpastoral word to the faithful. Father Mark once again thanked His Eminence for his presence and congratulated him on the occasion of his upcoming birthday on June 22. Following the veneration of the Cross, a fasting meal was prepared and served in the church hall, where the faithful gathered for a time of Christian fellowship.
Photo credit: Elijah Hojnicki, Matthew Andrews, and Daniel Herbert
Glory to God for all things!
Issued by the Diocesan Media Office
