PRESS RELEASE

FROM:           Fr. John Kowalczyk

THE TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY TO BE CELEBRATED AT THE HOLY RESURRECTION CATHEDRAL IN WILKES-BARRE

On Sunday, March 8^th, the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania of the Orthodox Church in America will celebrate The Triumph of Orthodoxy, commemorating the victory over Iconoclasm and the restoration of the veneration of icons in Constantinople in 843. This historical celebration always takes place on the first Sunday of Great Lent.

The Vesper Service for the Triumph of Orthodoxy will take place this year at the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral, 591 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, with a Procession of Icons beginning at 4:45 p.m. The host Pastor and Dean of the Cathedral is the Very Rev. Archpriest Joseph Martin. His Grace, Bishop Tikhon, of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Orthodox Church in America and His Grace, Bishop Thomas of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese will be the principal celebrants.

The Bishops will be joined by the clergy from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Frackville Deaneries and visiting Orthodox clergy from other jurisdictions. This is a historical concelebration between the two Bishops, and it clearly is a prime example of Orthodox unity in this country. Hundreds of faithful Orthodox will also be present. Responses will be sung by a mixed choir directed by Mr. Steve Kozemchak.

Prior to the Church Service there will be a procession of Holy Icons carried by the clergy. This procession symbolizes the restoration and veneration of Holy Icons.

The homilist will be His Grace, Bishop Thomas. Bishop Thomas is the Bishop of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas holds a Doctorate in Education and also attended St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY.

According to John Kowalczyk, Chacellor and spokesman for the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania: “Our country is going through a spiritual and financial crisis. Millions of people are out of work and unchurched; our society is afflicted with a spiritual and moral vacuum, and the Orthodox Church is therefore presented with a challenge to bear witness to the Orthodox faith and to evangelize.”

Kowalczyk also indicated that the public is invited and encouraged to attend this service.

Following the Rite of Orthodoxy, a Lenten dinner will be served in the Church parlor according to the Host Pastor, Very Rev. Joseph Martin.

For more information, please contact Fr. John Kowalczyk at (570) 561-8696 or Fr. Joseph Martin at (570) 822-7725.