Parish 50th Anniversary

Parish 50 th Anniversary Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Rochester, NY

by Fr. Ken James Stavrevsky

Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church was founded in Rochester, NY, on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women (May 17) in 1964. That year, a group of Orthodox faithful joined together with the desire to establish an Orthodox parish where the Divine Services would be conducted entirely in the English language. With the spiritual guidance, unbounded inspiration, and material support of the late Father Alexander Warnecke, assisted by the late Father John Kozak (Saints Peter & Paul Church, Syracuse NY), they faithfully endured many difficulties and overcame obstacles; the parish grew and found a home at its current location – a truly inviting and lovely place of worship centrally located and easily accessible from the entire greater Rochester area. The parish has become an icon of Orthodox unity, representing a wide diversity of backgrounds: “cradle-born” Orthodox, converts from a multitude of religious traditions, and those “on the road” to seek Christ and His Church. Many faithful have been added to the Body of Christ through the enduring witness of Saint John parish.

The 50 th Anniversary celebrations were held on the weekend of 17-18 May 2014. On Saturday, a celebratory banquet luncheon was attended by over 150 guests comprised of parishioners and friends. Joining the festivities and offering remarks at the banquet were: Bishop Michael, Father Thaddeus Wojcik (first permanently assigned parish rector, 1968-1975), and Father John Dresko (Rector, Saint Paul the Apostle Church, Las Vegas NV). Both Father Dresko and the current parish rector, Father Ken James Stavrevsky, are “sons of the parish” who were not only present as altar servers for the first service 50 years ago but were also themselves celebrating their birthdays (age 7 and 10, respectively) on that very day.

Parish founding members, Jane Wargo and Boris Glus, welcomed all to the banquet on behalf of the parish family and offered toasts in memory of departed parishioners, and “Many Years” to present and future members of the parish. Sub-Deacon Sean McNulty, a recent graduate of the Diocesan Diaconal Formation Program, served as master of ceremonies as precious memories, affections of love, and sincere gratitude were expressed. The banquet concluded with remarks of thanksgiving for the past and a commitment to the future offered by the youth of the parish, represented by Lydia Haylaab (age 13) and Raphael Platte (age 12).

On Sunday, a joyous Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace, Bishop Michael. Serving with His Grace were: Father Stavrevsky, Father Wojcik, Father Dresko, Father Terenti Wasielewski (Saint Nicholas Church, Cohoes NY), Deacon Mark Hoeplinger (Saint George Church, Buffalo NY), Sub-Deacon Sean McNulty, and many parish altar servers. Exuberant responses, songs of praise and thanksgiving, were offered by the parish choir under the direction of Bonnie Maye Schwarz, assisted by Tanya Kantor Fletcher, Andrea Fedoruk, and Matushka Nadine Eskoff Brown. During the Liturgy, Charles Guthlac Cowling (parish assistant warden) was tonsured to the rank of “Reader” by Bishop Michael, joining Douglas Schwarz and Robert Mitchell VanDuyn as parish readers.

A festive fellowship/coffee hour followed the Liturgy as parishioners and friends rejoiced together in celebration. “Many Years!” to the faithful of Saint John the Baptist Church; and “Memory Eternal” to the departed founders, petitioners, and benefactors of the parish who – by their faith, love, dedication, and labors – established a foundation in Christ, upon which the 50 th Anniversary has been attained and the future is yet to be built.