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Amid the chaos of seminary, it can be difficult to stay focused on the ultimate goal of one’s efforts. Hearing from those who have graduated from St. Tikhon’s who do meaningful work in their churches and communities can be an excellent way to refocus on the meaning of it all.
For Father Paul Abernathy (St. Tikhon’s, 2010), that work certainly extends well beyond the walls of his parish, St. Moses the Black Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, PA. As the founder and CEO of the Neighborhood Resilience Project, he uses Trauma Informed Community Development to bring healing and the light of Christ to the inner city.
On Thursday, March 28, Father Paul Abernathy interviewed with Father John Parker for Ancient Faith Radio. Together with his wife Khouria (Kristina), Fr. Paul has affected a tremendous transformation of some of the most crime- and trauma-riddled neighborhoods in Pittsburgh through the Gospel, coupled with social interventions. He describes an aspect of his approach as, “Ministry to the poor, through the ministry of the rich.”
“Fr. Paul shared some truly miraculous accounts of how the Lord works mightily with those who have a childlike faith,” Fr. John said after their conversation.
The Hill District, where Fr. Paul ministers, has a reputation as the area of Pittsburgh with the highest rate of gun crime in the city. Through the efforts of the Neighborhood Resilience Project, the Hill District has officially come off that list, and the ministry continues to move outward, block-by-block, reclaiming human lives and communities with the love of God.
In the summer of 2023, third-year St. Tikhon’s seminarian Father (then-Deacon) Micah Breland completed his summer internship under Fr. Paul, and was completely astounded by the effect of Fr. Paul’s efforts in an underprivileged area.
You can find out more about the Abernathys’ organization at www.neighborhoodresilience.org.
Listen to the full interview at Ancient Faith: www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/sost
