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# Beloved Pastor and Composer Archpriest George Johnson Laid to Rest
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86717-beloved-pastor-and-composer-archpriest-george-johnson-laid-to-rest/
- Published: 2026-03-16T13:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:11:08.000Z
- Description: A beloved priest and pioneering composer of English Orthodox liturgical music was laid to rest as clergy and faithful honored his lifelong service to the Church.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky), Met. Jonah Paffhausen, ROCOR, Clergy Repose

**BELTSVILLE, MD —** Clergy and faithful from across the Eastern American Diocese gathered Friday, March 13, to bid farewell to the newly reposed Archpriest George Johnson, who [fell asleep](https://www.eadiocese.org/news%5F260314%5F6) in the Lord on March 9 at the age of 78\. The Funeral Rite for a Priest was served at Holy Apostles, an English-language ROCOR mission founded by Fr. Johnson and now pastored by his son, Fr. Chris Johnson. The Rite was celebrated by Archpriest Victor Potapov, dean of the Capital Region, together with 11 priests and four deacons, while Metr. Jonah (Paffhausen) prayed in the church.

Family members, parishioners, and spiritual children filled the church as the choir offered solemn hymns honoring Fr. George’s decades-long contribution to English Orthodox liturgical music and translations. At the conclusion of the service, Metr. Jonah conveyed condolences from Metr. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York and delivered a homily of comfort.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/03/86640-archpriest-john-ealy-of-florida-reposes-at-age-90-d3a5ced58859.jpg)On this topicArchpriest John Ealy of Florida Reposes at Age 90](https://uoj.news/news/86640-archpriest-john-ealy-of-florida-reposes-at-age-90/)

Eulogies were also offered by Fr. Victor, Archimandrite John (Townsend), and Fr. George’s son, Priest Christopher Johnson. The beloved pastor was laid to rest beside the historic chapel and property acquired by his parish for its future church home.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/86615-fr-kyril-of-st-tikhons-monastery-reposes-at-79/) that Fr. Kyril of St. Tikhon’s Monastery reposed at 79.