The Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania is a diocese of the Orthodox Church in America, under the omophorion of His Eminence, the Most Reverend MARK [Maymon], Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. The Diocese is headquartered in Bath, PA with it's Diocesan Cathedral, the spiritual heart, located in Philadelphia, PA. The diocese is comprised of 32 parishes and two missions, ranging from Gettysburg, PA, to Wilmington, DE, supporting the spiritual lives of Orthodox Christians in the region.

At the heart of diocesan life is a deep commitment to the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, through which the faithful are nourished, sanctified, and united to Christ. The diocese places a strong emphasis on religious education at every level, forming both youth and adults in the fullness of the Orthodox faith. Through dynamic youth programs, retreats, camps, and parish-based initiatives, it encourages active participation in the life of the Church, cultivating a living and personal relationship with God. These efforts seek to build not merely active parishes, but truly Christ-centered communities, rooted in Holy Tradition and strengthened by fellowship, prayer, and shared purpose.

In addition to its internal life, the diocese remains steadfast in its commitment to outreach and service. Through charitable works, local initiatives, and cooperative ministries, it strives to bear witness to the love of Christ in the world. Whether through supporting those in need, engaging with local communities, or offering a compassionate and welcoming presence, the diocese seeks to embody the Gospel in both word and deed. In this way, it serves not only Orthodox Christians, but all those who encounter its ministry.

The mission of the Orthodox Church in America, as the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to remain faithful to the commandment of Christ: “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” This apostolic calling continues to guide the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, as it proclaims the truth of the Gospel, fosters spiritual growth, and labors to bring all people into the life of the Church.

The diocese is divided into three geographic deaneries, each led by a dean: a parish priest responsible for coordinating activities across the deanery’s parishes and reporting directly to the bishop. The three deaneries are:

• Frackville Deanery – Parishes in Southcentral and Northeastern Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia Deanery – Parishes in both Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania
• Wilkes-Barre Deanery – Parishes in Northeastern Pennsylvania

hese deaneries serve a vital role in strengthening the life of the diocese, ensuring that its parishes remain closely interconnected, mutually supportive, and vibrant centers of Orthodox Christian witness. Through regular communication, collaboration, and pastoral oversight, they foster unity among clergy and faithful alike, while also helping to address the unique needs of each parish community with care and attentiveness.

The Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania continues to stand as a steadfast spiritual beacon within the Orthodox Church in America. Guided by devoted leadership, enriched by strong and faithful parish communities, and supported by active and growing diocesan departments, the diocese remains firmly committed to its sacred mission. It seeks not only to preserve the fullness of the Orthodox faith, but also to cultivate spiritual growth, inspire meaningful engagement among its faithful, and respond thoughtfully and effectively to the challenges of the modern world. Through its ministries, outreach efforts, and unwavering dedication to Christ and His Church, the diocese continues to bear witness to the enduring truth and life of Orthodoxy in today’s society.

Founded through perseverance, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the Orthodox Faith, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA, stands today as the Diocesan Cathedral of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania and a spiritual home for generations of Orthodox Christians in the Greater Philadelphia region. Though the parish’s formal history as St. Stephen’s began in the early 1970s, its roots stretch back to the community of St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, founded in 1909 in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. Following difficult circumstances and periods of transition during the 1960s and early 1970s, a faithful group led by the late Archpriest Alexander Fedoronko remained steadfast in their vision to establish a thriving Orthodox parish rooted in the life of the Orthodox Church in America.

During its formative years, the community worshipped at several locations throughout Philadelphia, including the historic St. Michael’s Church at 4th and Fairmount Avenue and later on Rising Sun Avenue In 1968, the parish purchased approximately two and a half acres of land on Verree Road from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, signaling both stability and a bold commitment to the future growth of Orthodoxy in Northeast Philadelphia. After temporarily worshipping at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church from 1970 to 1974 through the generosity of the local Episcopal community, the parish formally incorporated as St. Stephen’s Orthodox Catholic Church on July 27, 1971, choosing Saint Stephen the Protomartyr as its heavenly patron.

The construction of the Cathedral marked a defining moment in the life of the parish. On July 13, 1973, a contract was signed with the Altemose Company for the design and construction of the new church, and later that year ground was broken by the the ever-memorable Archbishop Kiprian [Borisevich] (+12/14/80) together with Archpriest Alexander Fedoronko and Archpriest Basil Horsky. The first Divine Liturgy in the newly completed church was celebrated in August 1974, followed shortly thereafter by the official consecration and dedication of the Cathedral and St. Michael’s Chapel. In recognition of the faithfulness, zeal, and sacrificial dedication of the parish community, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America elevated the parish to Cathedral status in October 1974, establishing St. Stephen’s as the spiritual center of diocesan life in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Throughout the decades that followed, the Cathedral community continued to flourish through the devoted pastoral leadership of the late Archpriest Alexander Fedoronko and Archpriest Daniel Geeza, together with the countless clergy, readers, choir directors, teachers, benefactors, parish organizations, and faithful who dedicated themselves to the growth and beautification of the Cathedral. In 1989, after years of sacrifice and generosity, the parish celebrated the joyful burning of its mortgage in the presence of His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius [Lazor] (+10/19/20), His Eminence Archbishop Herman [Swaiko] (+9/6/22), clergy, and faithful from throughout the Diocese. Over the years, numerous additions and improvements were made to the Cathedral property, including the installation of a new chandelier, roof, memorial tomb, and church sign. In 2001, the Cathedral received seven bells from Russia as a gift in memory of Mary and George Tripsha, leading to the construction of a bell tower modeled after the tower of St. Tikhon's Monastery in South Canaan, PA.

As the Diocesan Cathedral, St. Stephen’s continues to play a vital role in the life of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. The Cathedral has hosted numerous diocesan gatherings, liturgical celebrations, and significant events in the life of the Orthodox Church in America, including the 2005 installation of His Grace Bishop Tikhon [Mollard] as ruling hierarch of the Diocese. In 2007, the Cathedral was also selected by St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary as the location for its satellite Diaconal Program, further strengthening its role as a center of theological education and ministry formation. Today, St. Stephen’s Cathedral remains a living witness to the faith, sacrifice, and vision of those who built and sustained it, continuing to serve as a place of worship, fellowship, education, and diocesan ministry for generations to come.

Produced with the assistance of Mr. Alexis Liberovsky, OCA Archivist Emeritus, Former Director of the Department of History and Archives

Issued by the Diocesan Media Office