PHILADELPHIA, PA [DOEPA]
From February 28 through March 1, 2026, the First Sunday of Great Lent, the Triumph of Orthodoxy, His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania made an archpastoral visit to Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church in Philadelphia, PA, presiding over the services and spending time with the faithful.
On Saturday, February 28, upon his arrival at the temple, His Eminence was greeted by Archpriest Mark Koczak, Rector, and members of the parish. Great Vespers was served by Father Mark, and Archbishop Mark presided from the throne in the altar. Following the service, His Eminence expressed gratitude for the warm and heartfelt welcome extended to him by the faithful of the parish.
On Sunday, March 1, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Archpriest Mark Koczak concelebrating, together with the parish altar servers. Following the reading of the Sixth Hour, Reader Jerome Stafford, a student in the Diaconal Vocations Program, was ordained to the subdiaconate. May God grant him many years!
In his homily, His Eminence reflected on the spiritual meaning of Great Lent, drawing from the book Great Lent by Father Alexander Schmemann. He explained that sin is not simply wrongdoing, but a disease of the soul that requires healing. Just as the sick seek treatment in a hospital, so too the faithful must seek healing in the Church, especially during the Great Fast. Drawing upon his own experiences working in mental health in Western Pennsylvania, he illustrated that true healing requires honesty, commitment, and trust in the prescribed treatment. In the same way, the disciplines of prayer, fasting, confession, and almsgiving are not punishments, but the medicine the Church offers for our restoration. His Eminence urged the faithful to take Great Lent seriously and to embrace fully the spiritual tools placed before them. If we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the ascetical journey, he noted, by the time Holy Week arrives we will not feel relief that the Fast is ending, but rather a longing for more time, having begun to see the light of Christ more clearly. Through sincere repentance and steadfast effort, the faithful are called to healing, renewal, and a deeper participation in the life of the Church as they journey toward Pascha.
At the Divine Liturgy, many of the faithful approached and received Christ’s Holy Mysteries. Following the Prayer Before the Ambo, the youth and faithful solemnly processed around the church carrying holy icons, commemorating the restoration of their veneration. In this sacred procession, the community bore witness to the Orthodox confession of the Incarnation and proclaimed the victory of the holy faith.
Following the dismissal, His Eminence addressed Father Mark and the faithful of Holy Assumption with words of encouragement, offering a heartfelt archpastoral word. Archbishop Mark congratulated Father Mark and Matushka Janet on the recent occasion of his 42nd anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Axios!
In response, Father Mark, on behalf of the parish community, expressed sincere gratitude for His Eminence’s visit, noting the parish’s joy and profound honor in welcoming him for the celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Following the veneration of the Cross, a Lenten 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.
Photo credit: Mr. Matthew Andrews and Mr. Daniel Herbert
Glory to God for all things!
Issued by the Diocesan Media Office
