On Friday, August 15, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Stephen Church in Old Forge, PA. The occasion for his visit was the feast of the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Protomartyr Archdeacon Stephen, the parish’s lesser patronal feast day. Bishop Luke was greeted by the rector, Priest George Sharonoff; the warden, Mariana Hubiak, with the traditional bread and salt; and Tatiana Sharonoff with a bouquet of flowers.

Concelebrating with His Grace at Liturgy were: Archpriest David Hritcko (rector of St. Basil Church in Simpson, PA), Archpriest Michael Taratuchin (rector of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY) – both who are former rectors of the parish – Priest Matthew Smith (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Endicott NY), Fr. George, Priest Paul Siewers (rector of St. John the Wonderworker Church in Winfield, PA), and Priest Nathaniel Sorochka (rector of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA), Protodeacon Michael Pavuk (cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville NY), and Deacon Lazarus Sparandera (cleric of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church).

The parish choir sang at Liturgy, led by Matushka Anna Sharonoff, Matushka Larissa Sorochka, and Tatiana Sharonoff.

After the service, Bishop Luke served a moleben to St. Shephen and ended with a sermon in which he connected St. Stephen with our world today. As St. Stephen was the first martyr of the Church, His Grace noted that the Church is indeed still being persecuted today. He pointed out that even the great Church of Holy Russia never thought that the government and the people would turn against it, but indeed it did for more than 70 years. He exhorted the faithful to be on watch, for we do not know what the future has in store for us.

As the parish is experiencing a resurgence in attendance, the diocesan vicar instructed the rector and parishioners to invite everyone to the church to see and experience Orthodoxy and all its beauty. It is the responsibility of everyone to be ambassadors for the Church; by showing the love of Christ to all we encounter, we can make a difference in the growth of the parish.

A luncheon was organized by Catherine Lehmkuhl and Mariana Hubiak.

Fr. Matthew Smith presented Fr. George with relic of St. Herman of Alaska, some soil, and other secondary relics along with oil from the lampada of the newly glorified St. Olga of Alaska.