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St. George Church in Buffalo, NY celebrated the one-year anniversary of the repose of Dn. Dr. Mark Hoeplinger. Dn. Mark was a graduate of the Diaconal Formation Program, a practicing Ear-Nose-and-Throat physician, and a St. Tikhon’s Seminary Board member. He reposed in the Lord on October 8, 2015.
Fr. Jason Vansuch, parish rector, celebrated the Divine Liturgy with many concelebrants. Among them was Archpriest alexey Karlgut, and the participants of the Endicott Diaconal Formation program. Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean, and two first-year seminarians, Alex Norton and John Parker, together sang the responses for the Divine Liturgy and the Panikhida that followed it. Matushka Christine Hoeplinger and her family not only were present for the services, but assisted in preparing a wonderful luncheon that followed. Fr. Steven offered brief comments after the Liturgy. He indicated that Dn. Mark would have approved both of the many developments in the past year to the parish, as well as the diaconal program participants meeting together after the conclusion of the services.
After the services were concluded, all present went out front to bless a new sign for the church donated by the Hoeplinger family. During the luncheon, Seraphim Danckaert, Director of Mission Advancement, shared with all that Tikhonaires were available that featured a story on Dn. Mark’s repose.
Many continued on from there to the cemetery, where the graves of Dn. Mark, and Fr. Ratchko, who reposed shortly before Dn. Mark, were blessed. Fr. Ratchko had received Dn. Mark and celebrated their marriage.
Fr. Jason shared his hope that this would be an annual celebration of Dn. Dr. Mark’s life and ministry. May Dn. Mark’s memory be eternal.
