Ordination of Rev. Leonid Schmidt - 08/13/11
A native of Philadelphia and son of Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Fr. Leonid (Derek) Schmidt was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on August 13th by His Grace Bishop Michael of New York & New Jersey. Since graduating from St. Tikhon's Seminary this spring, Fr. Leonid has been serving as Bishop Michael's personal assistant and driver. He was united to Laura Hadginske (daughter of Christ the Saviour Church, Harrisburg) in holy matrimony on 24 July, ordained to the diaconate two weeks later, and now joins the priestly brotherhood of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey. Father Leonid and Matushka Laura are assigned to Saints Peter and Paul Church in Syracuse NY (New York State Deanery), where he will minister as assistant priest. “Axios!”