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Abp. Mark Celebrates 110th Anniversary of St. Nicholas Church
Abp. Mark led the 110th anniversary celebrations of St. Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, ordaining Dcn. John Heitzenrater and encouraging more than 200 worshippers to deepen their faith and serve their community.
BETHLEHEM, PA — Abp. Mark of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania presided over the 110th anniversary celebrations of St. Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from October 16–18, 2026, ordaining a parish subdeacon to the Holy Diaconate and leading services attended by more than 200 faithful.
The anniversary weekend began on Friday with Daily Vespers, after which Rdr. John Heitzenrater was ordained to the subdiaconate. The following day, Abp. Mark celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy alongside clergy representing several Orthodox jurisdictions, including the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOARCH), the Antiochian Archdiocese, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.
During the Saturday service, Abp. Mark ordained Sbdcn. John Heitzenrater to the Holy Diaconate. Having completed the St. Tikhon’s Diaconal Formation Program in Philadelphia, Dcn. John will serve at St. Nicholas Church. In his homily, the Archbishop encouraged the faithful to look beyond the letter of God’s commandments and seek their deeper meaning.
Parish rector Archpriest Nikolai Breckenridge congratulated the newly ordained deacon and his family, noting the importance of having additional clergy in parish life. He also connected Dcn. John’s work as headmaster of St. John Chrysostom Academy with the responsibility of guiding children toward God.
Photos: doepa.org
On Sunday, Abp. Mark celebrated the anniversary’s concluding Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Apostle and Evangelist Luke. Reflecting on the parable of the Sower, he urged the faithful to receive God’s Word with patience and bear spiritual fruit. He encouraged them, especially amid difficulties, to ask not, “Lord, why is this happening to me?” but rather, “Lord, what are You trying to teach me?”
The celebrations concluded with prayers for the departed, the singing of “Many Years” for the parish, and a festive luncheon.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Michael celebrated Holy Trinity’s 62nd anniversary with the miraculous Iveron Icon.
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