Holy Ascension Orthodox Church
Frackville, PA
Orthodox Church in America

Holy Ascension Hosts Frackville Deanery Meeting - 12/13/2023

On Dec 13, the Feast Day of St. Herman of Alaska, the Wonderworker, the Annual Frackville Deanery Meeting was held in our parish. Holy Ascension had the joy and honor to welcome clergy from our Deanery for this occasion.
Liturgy was celebrated by our Dean, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki. Father Timothy brought with him an icon of St. Herman containing the Saint's relic. This made our gathering special, since it was blessed both by the spiritual and physical presence of St. Herman. Another reason to make our gathering and celebration special is that this December, 2023, we celebrate 230 years since the first Russian Mission was sent on a journey to preach the Gospel in the New World; in December of 1793, the first mission, comprising 6 monks and 4 novices of Valaam Monastery (one of whom was St. Herman), with the blessing of Metropolitan Gabriel, departed from St. Petersburg on the long voyage across Russia and the Pacific Ocean. They reached their destination the following year, first at the beginning of September on Unalaska Island, and finally on Sep 24, 1794, to Kodiak Island. The rest is history!
 
Following Liturgy, a Panikhida for all departed members, both clergy and laity, of our deanery was served—we especially prayed for: the newly departed servant of God Archpriest Michael Oleksa (+Nov 29, 2023); Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann (40th anniversary of his repose - +Dec 13, 1983); Metropolitan Herman (+Sep 06, 2022 - his names-day); Archbishop Kiprian (+Dec 14, 1980). May their memories be eternal!
 
Afterward, we all gathered in our parish hall for a lovely meal and fellowship. Finally, the meeting was held.
 
Holy Father Herman of Alaska, Equal to the Apostles, pray to God for us and protect us!

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Holy Ascension Welcomes New Catechumen

Holy Ascension Welcomes New Catechumen - 03/26/2022

“Attend, O heaven, and I shall speak; give ear, O earth, to the voice of one
who repents before God…” (G. Canon of St. Andrew)


This past Sunday, Mar 26, 2023, Holy Ascension parish rejoiced and was
blessed to welcome the new catechumen, Austin Roman. Austin has been
attending our parish for about a year, and was ready to make his first step
into the Orthodox Church. Please keep Austin in your prayers, as he is
being catechized and is preparing for Holy Baptism.

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Mission Vespers at Holy Ascension

Mission Vespers at Holy Ascension - 03/12/2023

“Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity?”

Psalm 132

 

Orthodox parishes in the Pennsylvania Coal Region have the great blessing and joy this year to restore their tradition of having mission vespers on Sunday evenings during the Great Lent. The first mission vespers was served in Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Frackville, PA.

 

Holy Ascension parish, as well as clergy and faithful from other parishes, were honored and delighted to welcome our diocesan Father and Hierarch, His Eminence, Archbishop Mark on this occasion. We are also grateful to our local clergy who participated: Archpriest John Onofrey, who as usual did a great job directing the choir, Archpriest James Weremedic and Priest Joseph Ramishvili, who offered the homily at the end of the service; as well as clergy from other jurisdictions: Archpriest Edward Hughes and Priest Aleksey Paranyuk. It was great joy to welcome faithful from other Orthodox parishes in the area as well.

 

Following Vespers clergy and faithful, together with the Archbishop, stayed for dinner and fellowship. May God grant many years to all parishioners of Holy Ascension parish who worked hard to prepare this event.

 

The hope and prayer is that this tradition will live and grow in the years to come.

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Fr. James and Matushka Natalie Jadick Awarded Diocesan Gramota

Fr. James and Matushka Natalie Jadick Awarded Gramota - 02/26/2023

By the grace of God and with the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Mark, Archpriest James and Matushka Natalie Jadick received the Diocesan Gramota for their service to the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania and especially for their ministry in the Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Frackville, PA, that lasted over a decade.


Father and Matushka received it and were welcomed by the Holy Ascension parish on the Sunday of Forgiveness, Feb 26, 2023. Priest Vjekoslav, on the behalf of the Diocese, presented them the Gramota following Liturgy.  Forgiveness Vespers was served immediately after and was followed by a luncheon in honor of Father James and Matushka Natalie.


Holy Ascension parishioners, as well as the new priest and his family, were glad to welcome their former rector and matushka, and to show their love, support and appreciation for their service to this parish. May our Lord God grant them many blessed and peaceful years in their retirement.

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