Press Releases - 2017

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Eternal Memory: Fr. William George (Updated 5/10/17)

Saturday, May 06, 2017

JOHNSTOWN, PA - It is with great sorrow that His Grace, Bishop Gregory announces, the falling asleep in the Lord of Fr. William George, Pastor of Sts Peter and Paul Church of Rockaway, NJ late in the evening of Friday May 5, 2017 as a result of fatal injuries sustained in a car accident earlier that day.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Thurs., May 11th – reception of the body into SS. Peter and Paul Church, Rockaway, NJ with the Church opened the remainder of the day. Priest’s Parastas at 7 PM.

Fri., May 12th – 10 AM Funeral Liturgy followed by interment in the parish cemetery.

The clergy and faithful of the Diocese are kindly asked to keep the newly departed Priest William and his Pani Amy and their family and the Parish Community of Sts. Peter and Paul in their prayers. Read more...

Eternal Memory: Protopresbyter Ronald Hazuda (Updated 5/8/17)

Friday, May 05, 2017

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With great sorrow, the Diocesan Chancery announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Very Rev. Protopresbyter Ronald Hazuda on Thursday, May 5, 2017.

Born July 18, 1935 in Coaldale, Pa. he was a son of the late George, Sr. and Bertha (Medinci) Hazuda. He graduated from Nesquehoning High School and attended Penn State University and Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, Pa. where he graduated with a Licentiate of Theology. He later graduated from Gannon University with his B.A. Degree.

Fr. Ronald was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence, Metropolitan Orestes on June 8, 1958. He served his first pastorate as administrator of SS. Peter & Paul Church in Newark, N.J. for 14 months. In 1959 he was assigned to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Erie, PA where he served as pastor for over 52 years with piety, strength and unwavering faith. Read more...

Eternal Memory:Helen Spanovich

Tuesday, March 07, 2017

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Diocesan Chancery is saddened to announce that Helen Spanovich, long-time former choir director of Christ the Saviour Cathedral and Instructor of Music at Christ The Saviour Seminary reposed in the Lord on Monday, March 6, 2017.

Helen’s musical career began when as an eleven year old she was a member of the Spanovich family orchestra. After she studied under private tutors, her choir directing career began with an all-girls choir in the 1940’s. Over a span of 75 years, in addition to the Cathedral Choir and Seminary Chorus, she taught a-capella choirs in the Greater Johnstown area representing four jurisdictions: St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church Choir (Westmont); St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church Choir (Greensburg); St. George Serbian Orthodox Church Choir (Cambria City); St. Petka Serbian Orthodox Church Choir (Woodvale); St. John Orthodox Male Choir (Conemaugh). At one time she taught seven different choirs each week, sometimes directing two rehearsals in one evening!

Helen taught liturgical music and voice at Christ the Saviour Seminary from 1960 until her repose, musically mentoring a total of 124 priests! Read more...

Eternal Memory: +Jack Cochran

Sunday, February 12, 2017

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The Diocesan Chancery has been informed that Jack Cochran, the father of Protopresbyter David Cochran, reposed in the Lord on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

Jack was born on June 12, 1940 in Webster Springs, WV, he was the son of the late Cleremont Cochran & Elladean (Schrader) Been. He married Lona (Carnegie) Cochran on June 12, 1964 in Lake Station, IN. He was a member of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Osceola Mills, PA. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, a member of the Operating Engineers Local 150, a retired Operating Engineer Image of the U.S. Navy Sealfor Heckett Engineering of East Chicago Indiana and a 1958 graduate of the Hobart High School in Hobart, IN. Read more...

Eternal Memory: Archon George Smisko

Sunday, February 05, 2017

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The Diocesan Chancery has been informed that George Smisko, the brother of the late +Metropolitan Nicholas, reposed in the Lord on Sunday, February 5, 2017.

George, a parishioner of St. John The Baptist Orthodox Church of Perth Amboy, NJ, was an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a trustee of St. John The Baptist Church, a member of St. John's Social club and a volunteer at the parish Soup Kitchen and Pirogi Sales.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents Andrew and Anna and is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years Rose Marie; beloved father of Rose Ann Smisko; loving brother of Michael and his wife Mary Ann Smisko, his brother-in-law- Peter Jr. and his wife Lorraine Fenenic Read more...

7 Total Articles < Previous 12 Next >

 

7 Total Articles < Previous 12 Next >

Eternal Memory: Deacon Robert Kuchta

Saturday, March 05, 2016

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Chancery has been notified of the repose in the Lord of Deacon Robert Kuchta on Saturday Morning, March 5, 2016. Deacon Kuchta studied in the Diocesan Diaconate Program from 2004-2007, and was ordained by Metropolitan Nicholas. He was assigned and served in St. Michael Church in St. Clair, PA until 2013. At that time he moved to York, PA when he was canonically transferred to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, as there was no Carpatho-Russian Church nearby. He had been serving since then at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in York, PA.

Diocesan faithful and clergy may pay their respects at St. Michael Church in St. Clair, PA on Tuesday, March 8 from 9 to 10:30 AM. The Funeral Service will be celebrated by his priest, Fr. Andrew Tsikitas and Fr. Jeff Zias, the pastor of St. Michael's Church. Diocesan clergy are invited to participate. Interment with Military Honors will be in Holy Ascension Orthodox Cemetery, Englewood/Frackville, PA. Read more...

Eternal Memory: Deacon Michael Kozar

Tuesday, March 01, 2016

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Grace, Bishop Gregory, along with the entire clergy family of the Diocese extend their deepest sympathy to the family of + Deacon Michael Kozar (86), of Saint Mary's Orthodox Church in Dickson City, PA who passed to life eternal on Sunday February 28. + Deacon Michael is the brother of Very Rev. Protopresbyter Elias Kozar and is survived by his son Scott and wife Mary, son David, and son Gregg and wife Lisette, and grandchildren Nicole, Will, Natalie, Nina, Claudia, and Luke. He was predecessed by his wife Evelyn (Evanish) in 2008. Read more...

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