On October 13, 2013, His Grace, Bishop Mark of Baltimore, Administrator of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, celebrated a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Mt. Carmel, PA in honor of Archpriest Michael Evans’ retirement at the end of October.  Several other priests served during the liturgy, including Very Reverend Claude Vinyard, a prior rector at St. Michael’s, and Reverend James Chuta.   Deacons Gabriel Bilas and Ignatius Gauvain from St. Tikhons Seminary as well as parishioners Stanley Zbicki, David Bushick, Charles Timpko, and John Chidovich assisted with the service.  St. Michael’s Choir provided beautiful acapella music that was arranged by Peter Yastishak.  Choir members included:  Julie Bushick, Chris Bushick, Olga Thomas, Jean Mathias, Vera Zbicki, Valerie Winnick, Sandy Tosca, Chris Mathias, and Hal Smith.

Father Michael and Matushka Sonya were married on September 17, 1972 at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania.  Father Michael was ordained one month later in October, 1972 at the same church.  Father and Matushka have one son, Michael, who is a graduate of the local Mt. Carmel High School.  

Father obtained a Master of Science degree in religious education from Marywood University, while Matushka Sonya attended Wilkes-Barre Business College.

Father Michael served many parishes, all in Pennsylvania, during his 40 years of service, including:  St. Vladimir Church in Lopez, St.  Basil the Great in Simpson, St. Mary’s Church in St. Clair, and finally in 1989 Father and Matushka arrived at St. Michael’s.  In addition to serving at St. Michael’s, he was also the priest in-charge for the past 17 years at Holy Ascension Church in Lykens. 

Father Michael and Matushka Sonya were joined by many family and friends at a dinner provided by St. Michael’s parish in the church hall after Divine Liturgy.  Several individuals spoke at the dinner recognizing Father and Matushka, including Bishop Mark, who reviewed the vows an Orthodox priest takes during his ordainment and talked about the sacrifice priests make; sometimes at the expense of their families.  He thanked both Father and Matushka for their years of service.   Archpriest John Kowalczyk, Chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, who actually attended the seminary with Father Evans, talked about Father’s artistic ability and willingness to give.  The Very Reverend Michael Hatrak, Dean of the Frackville Deanery, talked about a bus trip from the Pittsburgh area that he and Father Evans had taken to St. Tikhons, which became their inspiration to enter the priesthood.  Father Michael Hutsko, rector of St. Peter and Paul’s Ukrainian Church in Mt. Carmel commented on Father Evans being the elder of the local clergy in the area and how he appreciated Father Evans’ leadership among the group.  Father and Matushka’s son Michael, his wife Jen, and children Owen Michael and Mya Natalia were also in attendance on this special day.

We are grateful for the spiritual leadership Father has provided to St. Michael’s in the past 24 years.  Both Father and Matushka were always willing to help with parish projects and we appreciate their dedicated service, especially with the monthly pierogie projects.   They plan to retire in Edwardsville, PA.  They will be missed here and we hope they recognize the imprint they left on the church and the Mt. Carmel community.