With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Archpriest Michael Zaparyniuk, Jr., a former student of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Fr. Michael fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 92 on Monday, September 22, 2025, in West Palm Beach, FL, following a decline in health in recent years.
The Very Rev. Michael Zaparyniuk, Jr. was attached to Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Miami Lakes, FL, in his retirement. Early in his priestly ministry, he assumed pastoral duties at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in Trenton, NJ, from his father the Very Rev. Fr. Michael, Sr., following the elder Fr. Michael’s repose in 1958. Fr. Michael, Jr. served at Holy Trinity from February 1959 until March 1968. He also served for many years at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Lake Worth, FL, before his retirement from pastoral ministry.
Father Michael enrolled at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1956 and continued studies at the Seminary through the early 1960s. He remained an ardent supporter of the Seminary, and he and his family were incredibly generous donors. He also left an enduring impression on many who knew him, such as the Seminary’s former Dean of Students and Chaplain Archpriest Steven Belonick (+2019). Fr. Steven credited Fr. Michael as his inspiration in becoming a priest and the reason he attended St. Vladimir’s Seminary himself.
Information regarding Fr. Michael’s funeral is available on the OCA website, here.
May the memory of Archpriest Michael be eternal!
