The new edition has been revised to include a new introduction and a number of footnotes intended to help clarify for the reader the relation of this book to Orthodox spirituality in general and especially to the tradition of the Philokalia, while also providing patristic citations that were previously missing. The book is presented in hardcover (6×9) with dust jacket, perfect bound, and newly typeset for improved readability.
Unseen Warfare is a spiritual classic that explores the inner struggle every believer faces in the pursuit of holiness. Originally written by Lorenzo Scupoli, a sixteenth-century Venetian priest, the book became influential across both Western and Eastern Christian traditions. It was recognized for its spiritual depth by Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, who revised it somewhat, and later substantially refined and translated by Theophan the Recluse in the nineteenth century.
This work draws richly from the wisdom of saints and Church Fathers, uniting insights from a host of Christian sources to guide readers in their spiritual journey. It emphasizes that the true battleground for spiritual growth is within the human heart. As Theophan wrote, “The time of battle is our whole life.”
With its practical advice on resisting sin and cultivating virtue, Unseen Warfare remains a profound companion for those seeking deeper spiritual discipline and complements other essential works like the Philokalia, with which both Nicodemus and Theophan realized it shared much in common.
The new edition of Unseen Warfare is available for purchase at SVSPress.com.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Archpriest Stephen Plumlee, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Father Stephen fell asleep in the Lord January 14, 2026, at the age of 86.
Born on May 25, 1939, the Very Rev. Stephen Plumlee graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1969, and was ordained to the priesthood that same year. Following graduation he was assigned to the Chapel of St. Innocent of Irkutsk, an English-language community at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in Manhattan.
In the 60s and 70s, Fr. Stephen and his wife, Matushka Lois, were instrumental in organizing monthly trips with seminarians to hospitals and mental health institutions in the New York area. Father Stephen was a licensed and practicing psychotherapist who at one time served as Dean of Students at Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute in Manhattan. As a member of the OCA’s Department of Lay Ministries, he was actively involved in the Church’s official outreach and ministries to people with special needs and disabilities. He had also participated in various activities of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion (OCAMPR).
Father Stephen was attached to St. Mark Church, Bradenton, FL, in his retirement. During his active priestly ministry, he had served there for several years starting in 1988, and also pastored the English-speaking community at the bilingual Christ the Savior Church in New York City, beginning in 1976, which was then under the leadership of Fr. John Meyendorff.
Father Stephen was preceded in death by his beloved Matushka Lois, who fell asleep in the Lord on April 30, 2013.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mark Church in Bradenton, FL. Funeral vigil is scheduled for Monday, January 19 at 6 p.m.; funeral liturgy is Tuesday, January 20, at 9 a.m.; the committal and burial will take place later that day at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sanford, FL.
This winter, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus Fr. Justin Mathews was recognized for his work as CEO of Reconciliation Services and the founder of Thelma’s Kitchen, Kansas City’s first “pay-what-you-can” café.
Fr. Justin received the Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship, given by the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMCK), at the UMKC's 39th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held on December 3, 2025. The awards honor local, national, and global changemakers.
Fr. Justin with community members at Reconciliation Services.
Reconciliation Services is a faith-based nonprofit founded by St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church located on Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. The street is well known locally as a symbol of generations of racism and poverty the surrounding neighborhood has suffered.
“There are so many partners and neighbors who believe in the dream of tangible, social, racial, and economic reconciliation in our city,” Fr. Justin said as he received the award. “There is no Reconciliation Services, there is no Thelma’s Kitchen, and there is no award tonight without their heart and their sacrificial love for our neighbors most in need.”
Reconciliation Services provides to clients—99% of whom live below the federal poverty line—medical, mental health and dental services, classes, and mentoring programs. Part of their outreach is Thelma’s Kitchen, founded by Fr. Justin in 2018 and located in the same neighborhood as the parish and the nonprofit. Thelma’s Kitchen is a gathering place for delicious meals served up to neighbors, program volunteers, staff, and church people who, based on their ability, pay what they can or chip in with kitchen duties.
In 2023, Reconciliation Services also opened the Chapel of St. Maria of Paris, under the OCA’s Diocese of the Midwest. The chapel was opened at Reconciliation Services’ location on Troost Avenue, and Fr. Justin serves as Priest-in-Charge. The chapel is adorned with iconography by Fr. Justin’s fellow St. Vladimir’s Seminary alumnus, Seraphim O’Keefe (M.Div., 2018).
Fr. Justin has directed Reconciliation Services since April 2013. (Photo: Reconciliation Services)
Third-year seminarian Fr. Jarrod Huffman interned at Reconciliation Services in the summer of 2023 and spoke highly of his experience.
“It’s an amazing organization with a fantastic staff,” said Fr. Jarrod.
The Very Rev. Justin Mathews graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 2007. In addition to his ministry at Reconciliation services, he is a priest of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Overland Park, KS.
The Cathedral generously hosted a special presentation by the Seminary and reception on Saturday, December 13. Dean Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, Associate Dean Dr. Peter Bouteneff, and Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations Zachariah Mandell shared insights into the Seminary’s latest developments and answered questions.
The day before, on Friday, December 12, St. Vladimir's Seminary alumni from parishes across the Twin Cities gathered for a cozy reception, hearing about the state of the institution and sharing cherished memories from their time at the Seminary.
“It was such a joy to be back at St. Mary's, and to see and talk to so many friends, Seminary alumni, and interested folks from across the Twin Cities,” said Mandell, who served as choir director at St. Mary’s before he joined the staff at St. Vladimir’s. “St. Mary’s is as hospitable as ever, and the Orthodox churches in the Cities remain a shining example of a healthy Pan-Orthodox community.”
“It was a wonderful, cold day when the leadership of St. Vladimir's Seminary came to Minneapolis for a visit. The positive momentum and clear transparency was palpably exciting for everyone in attendance,” said Paul Karos, a St. Mary’s parishioner and supporter of the Seminary who also wrote the new SVS Press book, The Ultimate Building Project: The Human Person. “As an author, it was humbling for me to now be published by such an honorable institution in the life of the Church. We simply want to say ‘thank you’ for sacrificing in making the trip to visit us!”
Paul Karos is a retired Wall Street executive who holds a degree in Orthodox theology.
The occasion also served as a nod to the historic role Minneapolis played in Orthodox theological education in North America. In 1905, Archbishop Tikhon, later Patriarch of Moscow (+1925), recognized the need for American-born-and-raised clergy and decided to establish a permanent seminary. Opened in 1905 in Minneapolis, it was transferred in 1913 to Tenafly, NJ, and renamed St. Platon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. During the eighteen years of its existence, it produced two generations of priests who, at a difficult moment in the life of the Church, assured the continuity of Orthodox Christianity in America and its progressive integration into American life.
The Seminary’s visit to Minnesota was facilitated by St. Mary’s clergy, including the Cathedral’s Dean Fr. Andrew Jarmus and Seminary Trustee Dn. Philip Wagner, along with other members of the St. Mary’s community including Trustee Emeritus Dr. Frank Cerra.
If you are interested in bringing members of St. Vladimir’s Seminary to your parish, or want to learn more about getting your parish involved in the mission of the Seminary, visit our Parish Partners page and contact Ginny Nieuwsma, Chief Advancement Officer, at ginnyn@svots.edu or (914) 961–8313 x317.
Giving glory and thanksgiving to God, more seminarians and alumni were ordained to holy orders at the conclusion of 2025 and the start of the new year. In addition, two alumni priests were elevated in rank.
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
In east Africa, Seminary alumnus Dn. Richard Okello (M.Div. ’25) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on December 28 at the newly consecrated Holy Temple of St. Nicholas in Akonyibedo, Gulu City, Uganda. Father Richard serves the Holy Diocese of Gulu and Northern Uganda (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria). His ordination was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Symeon of Fthiotida (Church of Greece).
On the Feast of Theophany, January 6, third-year seminarian Dn. Jarrod Huffman (M.Div. program) was ordained a priest by the hands of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel. The newly ordained Fr. Jarrod is a seminarian of the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the Midwest. The ordination took place at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago.
Fr. Jarrod (center) is pictured with fellow seminarian Fr. Jonathan Reavis (left) and Seminary alumnus Fr. Justin Mathews (photo courtesy of Fr. Justin).
HOLY DIACONATE
Another alumnus, Subdeacon Subin Shaji(M.Div. ’22), was ordained to the Holy Diaconate a few days earlier on January 3. Deacon Subin’s ordination was presided over by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America.
Third-year seminarian Emil Prisquilas Peter (M.Div. program) was tonsured a subdeacon in his native India, at St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Kalyan West in the greater Mumbai area. Subdeacon Emil is attached to the Diocese of Bombay of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, under His Grace Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilos.
Two alumni of the Antiochian Archdiocese were elevated to the dignity of Archpriest. Father Lucas Rice (M.Div. ’11) was elevated by His Eminence Metropolitan Saba during His Eminence’s visit to Fr. Lucas’s parish, St. Michael Church of Louisville, KY, Jan. 2–4.
Metropolitan Saba then traveled to St. James Church of Loveland, OH, Jan. 4–5, where he elevated its pastor, Fr. Nabil Fino. Father Nabil studied at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2002 and 2003, following his graduation from Birmingham Theological Seminary.
Two St. Vladimir’s Seminary alumni were ordained in recent weeks in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
On November 8, Dn. Geevarghese (Argey) George was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the hands of His Grace Thomas Mar Ivanios, Bishop of the South-West American Diocese. The ordination took place at Fr. Geevarghese’s home parish, St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church in Farmers Branch, TX.
The Rev. Geevarghese studied for three years in the Seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program, and completed his third year in 2025. He has been assigned as Pastor of St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church in Pompano Beach, FL.
Fr. Geevarghese and his wife, Riya Kochamma (Kochamma means “little mother”).
Alumnus Subdn. Mathew (Royce) Mathew was ordained to the diaconate on Saturday, December 13. His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, bishop of the Northeast American Diocese and appointed hierarch on the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, presided over the ordination at the chapel of the diocesan chancery in Muttontown, NY.
The Rev. Dn. Mathew graduated from the Seminary with an M.Div. degree in 2020. Originally hailing from Maryland, Dn. Mathew now lives in New York and is attached to St. Andrew Malankara Orthodox Church in Glenwood Landing, NY, and St. Luke the Evangelist Malankara Orthodox Mission Church, Bensalem, PA.
Dn. Mathew and his wife, Leslie Kochamma.
May God grant Fr. Geevarghese, Dn. Mathew, and their families many years!
The final weeks of the Seminary’s fall semester were filled with blessings and joy, as five seminarians were ordained to holy orders. The new priests and deacons are all seminarians of the Antiochian Archdiocese. In addition, at one of the ordinations an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary was elevated in rank. Glory be to God!
The first of the recent ordinations took place on Thursday, November 20. Deacon Nathan Jekel (M.Div., ’26) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the hands of His Grace Bishop Thomas at St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA.
The newly ordained Fr. Nathan, his wife Khouria Rebecca, and their children John, Herman, and Raphael.
A few days later, on November 23, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba ordained Subdn. Andrew Neel (M.Div., ’27) to the Holy Diaconate at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Antiochian Orthodox Church in South Plainfield, NJ. Deacon Andrew’s newly ordained classmate, Fr. Nathan, was among the members of the Seminary community who attended the ordination, which also included Fr. Michael Nasser and Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie.
The newly ordained Dn. Andrew Neel.
On December 5, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba ordained Dn. Nicholas Aultman (M.Div. ’26) to the Holy Priesthood at Virgin Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in Yonkers, NY. Father Michael, Dr. Tudorie, and several other seminarians and alumni were present. During the Liturgy, His Eminence also elevated Seminary Alumnus Dn. Elias Nicolas (M.A., ’19) to the dignity of archdeacon.
Fr. Nicholas Aultman following his ordination to the priesthood.
Archdeacon Elias (Elio) Nicolas works at the archdiocesan headquarters in Englewood, NJ, where he assists Metropolitan Saba and contributes to various departments in the Archdiocese.
Metropolitan Saba ordained two more seminarians as deacons that very weekend. On December 6, Subdn. Sophrony (Scott) Strickland(M.Div. ’27) was ordained at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY. Seminarian John Whiteside was ordained to the Diaconate the next day, December 7, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Little Falls, NJ.
The newly ordained Dn. Sophrony Strickland.
Dn. John Whiteside’s concluded a blessed run of ordinations from late November to early December.
May God grant the newly ordained and their families many years!
Photo Credits: Dn. Sophrony Strickland (Aultman & Neel ordinations); Seminarian Christopher Whittington (Whiteside ordination); Antiochian.org/Subdn. Andrea Christoforides (Strickland ordination).
Over the summer and fall semester of 2025, two new bishops, seven new priests, and six new deacons were added to St Vladimir’s Seminary’s student body and alumni fellowship. Another was elevated in rank.
We keep them all in prayer as they continue in their ministries!
HOLY EPISCOPACY
Bishop Vasily (Permiakov) (M.Div. ’04; Asst. Prof. of Liturgical Theology, 2020–2025) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America Holy Episcopacy: Ordained 16 Aug 2025 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco, CA Current Ministry: Bishop of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West; Part-Time Faculty, St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Bishop Philip Mugadizi (M.Div. ’03) Jurisdiction: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria Holy Episcopacy: Ordained 25 November 2025 at the Holy Patriarchal Church of Saint Nicholas in Hamzawi, Cairo, Egypt Current Ministry: Bishop of the Orthodox Diocese of Kisumu and Western Kenya; Deputy Dean and Lecturer at the Orthodox Patriarchal Ecclesiastical School of Makarios III Archbishop of Cyprus in Nairobi, Kenya
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest Benedict (Benjamin) Andersen (M.Div. ’05) Jurisdiction: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Holy Priesthood: Vested as a priest 13 July 2025 at St. Spyridon Orthodox Church, Loveland, CO Current Ministry: Assigned to Ss. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Boulder, CO, and St. Spyridon Orthodox Church in Loveland, CO
(Photo: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church)
Priest Michael Azar (M.A., ’05) Jurisdiction: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Holy Priesthood: Ordained 20 July 2025 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Casper, WY Current Ministry: Professor of Theology/Religious Studies at the University of Scranton
Priest Andrew Dunks (Non-Degree Track) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America Holy Priesthood: Ordained 24 August 2025 at St. Cyprian of Carthage Church, Midlothian, VA Current Ministry: Attached to St. Cyprian of Carthage Church, Midlothian, VA
Priest Geevarghese (Argey) George (Former M.Div. Student) Jurisdiction: Diocese of South-West America, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Holy Priesthood: Ordained 8 November 2025 at St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church in Farmers Branch, TX Current Ministry: Assigned as Pastor of St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church, Pompano Beach, FL
Priest Gregory Gatanas (Former M.A. Student) Jurisdiction: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Holy Priesthood: Ordained 9 November 2025 at the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville, NY Current Ministry: Assistant Priest at Saint Sophia Cathedral, Washington, D.C.
Priest Nathan Jekel (M.Div. ‘26) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America Holy Priesthood: Ordained 21 November 2025 at St. Philip Orthodox Church, Souderton, PA Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Priest Nicholas Aultman (M.Div. ’26) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Holy Priesthood: Ordained 5 December 2025 at Virgin Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Deacon Timothy Heinbockel (M.A. ’20) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America Holy Diaconate: Ordained 8 June 2025 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL Current Ministry: Assigned to Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL
Deacon Daniel Werner (M.Div. ’26) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America Holy Diaconate: Ordained 8 September 2025 at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Deacon Andrew Neel (M.Div. ’27) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America Holy Diaconate: Ordained 23 November 2025 at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Antiochian Orthodox Church, South Plainfield, NJ Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
(Photo: Antiochian.org/Subdn. Andrea Christoforides)
Deacon Sophrony (Scott) Strickland (M.Div. ’27) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America Holy Diaconate: Ordained 6 December 2025 at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
(Photo: Antiochian.org/Christopher Whittington)
Deacon John Whiteside (M.Div. ’27) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America Holy Diaconate: Ordained 7 December 2025 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Little Falls, NJ Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Deacon Mathew (Royce) Mathew (M.Div. ’20) Jurisdiction: Northeast American Diocese, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Holy Priesthood: Ordained 13 December 2025 at the chapel of the Diocesan Chancery Muttontown, NY Current Ministry: Attached to St. Andrew Malankara Orthodox Church, Glenwood Landing, NY, and St. Luke the Evangelist Malankara Orthodox Mission Church, Bensalem, PA
ELEVATIONS
Archdeacon Elias (Elio) Nicolas (M.A. ‘19) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Elevation: Elevated to the dignity of archdeacon 5 December 2025 at Virgin Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Assistant to Metropolitan Saba at the archdiocesan headquarters in Englewood, NJ
If you know of an alumnus who received Holy Orders, an elevation, or monastic tonsure since June 1, 2025 and isn’t listed here, please let us know by sending details and a photo to media@svots.edu.
Father Matthew offered a short reflection for the Antiochian Archdiocese website, in which he describes his journey from not expecting ordination to being assigned to a parish much sooner than he and his wife Khouria Christina had anticipated.
I have learned much in seminary, but my greatest lesson is to expect the unexpected; God provides, and not in ways we could ever envision. Now in parish ministry, I pray that God keeps me always open to His grace-filled providence, never placing limits based on my expectations. The work is challenging, but Khouria and I have received immeasurable blessings in opening ourselves to God in this new and unexpected life serving His people.
As I said in my valedictory speech last May, "We kick, and we scream, and God provides. We say we will not, but we do… and God provides. 'For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.' … Brothers and sisters, you are Christ's, and you are His prophets. Go forth, then, to Nineveh, to a hostile land. And what you have vowed, perform. And God will provide.
Priest Matthew Wiley hails from Santa Barbara, CA. He earned an undergraduate degree in film at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later worked as a technical writer for a software company. Earlier in life, Fr. Matthew practiced Orthodox Judaism. He eventually found himself drawn to Orthodox Christianity, partly due to an encounter with an elderly Orthodox Christian man at an airport. Fr. Matthew eventually decided to attend services at a nearby Orthodox parish, St. Athanasius Antiochian Orthodox Church in Goleta, CA, and discovered the elderly man he had met at the airport was a priest there! Fr. Matthew was baptized and received into Holy Orthodoxy at St. Athanasius in 2013. He married his wife, Khouria Christina, in 2024.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Archpriest Paul Pyrch, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Father Paul fell asleep in the Lord Tuesday, December 2, 2025, surrounded by family in Virginia Beach, VA.
The Very Rev. Paul Pyrch was born on August 4, 1938 to Paul and Rose Pyrch in Pittsburgh, PA. Growing up in a Russian-immigrant household deeply rooted in the local Orthodox Church led him to pursue a life in the priesthood. After completing his undergraduate studies in Theology and Music at Columbia University, he began his studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in September 1956. He married Virginia Dofner in 1961 and nine months later was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the late Archbishop Benjamin of Pittsburgh, on June 3, 1962.
He was assigned to a small parish in Royalton, IL where, in ten years, he revitalized the parish, making it one of the more active parishes in the Midwest. Under his leadership, this small parish raised thousands of dollars for St. Vladimir’s Seminary in his drive to call others to God’s service.
After his assignment to his home parish in Ambridge, PA, Fr. Paul was commissioned into the United States Navy as an Eastern Orthodox Chaplain in 1975.
“Father Paul was an advocate for St. Vladimir’s Seminary and was one of the first chaplains to attend our Summer Institute—in fact, he was responsible for the Navy’s recognition of St. Vladimir’s Seminary as a school whose credit would be accepted by the Navy of those military chaplains who attended the Summer Institute,” recalled Professor Emeritus David Drillock, who entered the Seminary together with Fr. Paul in 1956. “Father Paul’s dedication and faithful service to Christ’s Holy Church was an inspiration to others, as he fostered nine priestly vocations for the Orthodox Church. I know at least five of these persons who attended and graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
“Through the years he served as a mentor to young priests who sought his advice and spiritual direction, especially those in divine service to Orthodox Christians in our armed services.”
Father Paul served the military community honorably for twenty-three years while receiving numerous personal awards for his ministry to thousands of sailors and marines around the world. He served three tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps—quite likely among his favorite duty stations—and was the first Orthodox chaplain ever assigned to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS NIMITZ, one of a total of twenty-three US Naval ships on which he served throughout his career. His knowledge of Russian enabled him to provide assistance to commanding officers in translating incoming messages from Soviet ships during the Cold War.
Father Paul retired from the Navy in 1997 and was attached to the Dormition of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, in Norfolk, VA. Ever anxious to continue his life of service, Fr. Paul also took a position with H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments as an After Care Coordinator, providing grief counseling to families in the Hampton Roads area. Father Paul came out of retirement in 2010 to serve the Dormition parish for nine months until a new priest could be assigned, and later to serve the parish of St. Elpis in Hopewell, VA, (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese) for one year while they were without a priest.
Father Paul was preceded in death by his beloved Matushka Virginia Katherine (+August 5, 2020), his high school sweetheart, to whom he was married for 59 years. They are survived by their three daughters, Catherine Raisor, Elizabeth LaMotte (Bo), and Faith Pyrch (fiancé Eric Tilton); grandchildren Leah Raisor (Jenn), Rebekah Raisor (fiancé Troy Todd), Drew LaMotte, Kyra LaMotte, George Gerber, Johnathan Pyrch (Pashence); great-grandson Elijah Pyrch; Fr. Paul’s sisters Rosemary Pyrch Simpson (Howard, deceased), Carolyn Cunningham Ziady (Gus), and Barbara Pyrch Czerwinski (Tom); and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Information regarding Fr. Paul’s funeral is available on the OCA website, here.
