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Dn. Stephan Gresh, who returned to seminary this year after attending classes thirty years ago (1985-1987), was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Holy Resurrection Church, in Belle Vernon, PA. His Eminence, Melchisedek, Archbishop of Pittsburgh and the Diocese of Western Pennsylvania was the ordaining hierarch. Fr. Stephan will be assigned to this parish in the fall upon the retirement of Archpriest Samuel Smolcic, current rector.
Concelebrating at the Liturgy were: Archpriest William Evansky, Diocesean Chancellor, Archpriest Samuel Smolcic, Archpriest Steven Voytovich, St. Tikhon’s Seminary Dean, Archpriest Andrew Nelko, Archpriest Emilian Hutnyan, Fr. Andrew Nelko, and Deacon Peter Ilchuk. Many of Fr. Stephan’s classmates (from 30 years ago, and now!) were present for the oridnation.
At the dinner following the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Stephan was presented a handcross from the parish, and a wooden pectoral cross from Fr. Andrew Nelko, newly graduated Student Government President. This was likely his last act in this role, and Student Government has sought to present each seminarian ordained to the Holy Priesthood a wooden pectoral cross from their classmates. Fr. Stephan is the seventh ordained priest among seminarians finishing their studies this year, in addition to an ordained deacon, all going forth into the Orthodox Church in America.
May God grant Fr. Stephan and Matushka Denise many blessed years!
(Photos by Seminarian Joseph Clark)
