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Harrisburg, PA
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Church Address:
5501Old Locust Ln,
Harrisburg, PA 17109-5643
Office: 717-652-1825
Email: ctsocahbg@aol.com
Web: http://www.christthesaviourhbg.org
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Founded in 1963
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Parish Contacts
Rev.
Stephen Vernak, Rector
Home: 570-937-9111
Email: svernak@hotmail.com
V. Rev.
Michael G Kovach, Attached
528 Oak Ridge Rd
Millersville, PA 17551
Home: 717-872-8834
V. Rev.
Daniel D Ressetar, Pastor Emeritus
1419 Wanda Ln
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Home: 717-545-5054
Email: frdanhbg@aol.com
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Lay Leadership
Matushka Theodora Ressetar, Choir Director
Matushka Theodora Ressetar, Church School Coordinator
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Directions
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Take exit 247 of the Turnpike (Harrisburg east) and go north on I-283 to I-83 northbound. Stay in center lane approaching the large interchange and do not follow signs to go left toward Harrisburg, or right toward Hershey! Take I-83 to exit 48 (Union Deposit) and follow local directions (A) below.
From Gettysburg and south
Take Rt 15 north towards Harrisburg to Rt 581 east towards Harrisburg. Take Rt 581 to I-83 northbound. Continue to exit 48 (Union Deposit Rd) and follow local directions (A) below.
From York and south of Harrisburg
Take I-83 north to exit 48 (Union Deposit Rd) and follow local directions (A) below.
Local Directions (A)
Bear right at top of exit ramp onto Union Deposit Rd eastbound. Make a left at the second traffic light after the exit ramp (Rutherford Rd). At the next traffic signal, turn right (Locust Ln). Proceed thru next traffic light (Prince St) and begin watching for bowling lanes on the right. Approximately 300 yards past the bowling lanes, you will see our sign on the right. Turn in a full 90 degrees at the sign.
From Carlisle and west of Harrisburg
Take I-81 east to I-83 south to Hershey. Take the second exit ramp after joining I-83 (approx 1/2 mile beyond merge--exit 50A/ Rt 22 east/ Colonial Park) and proceed eastbound on Rt 22. At third traffic signal (Houcks Rd) turn right and stay left onto Prince St (Houcks Rd runs off at an angle greater than 90 degrees to the intersection). Turn left at the next traffic signal (Locust Ln) and start looking for bowling lanes on the right. Approximately 300 yards past the bowling lanes, you will see our sign on the right. Turn in a full 90 degrees at the sign.
From north of Harrisburg
Take I-81 south towards Harrisburg to exit 72 (Paxtonia) and stay left on the exit ramp. Turn left at the top of the ramp (Mountain Rd) and get into the right lane. Bear right just before next stoplight onto Rt 22 west and follow Local Directions (B) below.
From east of Harrisburg
Take I-78 west to I-81 south. Take I-81 south toward Harrisburg to exit 72 (Paxtonia) and stay left on the exit ramp. Turn left at the top of the ramp (Mountain Rd) and get into the right lane. Bear right just before next stoplight onto Rt 22 west and follow Local Directions (B) below.
Local Directions (B)
At the 8th traffic light after entering Rt 22 (Prince St / Houcks Rd), turn left 90 degrees onto Prince St (Houcks Rd runs off at a less than 90 degree angle from the intersection). Turn left at the next traffic signal (Locust Ln) and start looking for bowling lanes on the right. Approx 300 yards past the bowling lanes you will see our sign on the right. Turn in a full 90 degrees at the sign.
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Schedule of Services
Saturday Evening
6:00 PM Vespers.
Sunday Morning
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy.
Wednesday Evening
6:00 PM Daily Vespers followed by Christian Education.
Eves of Great Feasts
7:00 PM Vespers.
Mornings of Great Feasts
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy.
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Ministry Groups
Altar Servers
Young men and adult men serve at Vespers and Divine Liturgy, as well as during the Feast Days.
Contact: Fr Stephen Vernak
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Contact
St Mary's Altar Guild
Women's service ministry of the parish. Contains about 30 members.
Contact: Jean Dotsey
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President
Parish Council
Elected by the parish annually. The council consists of 13 members.
Contact: Paul Hadginske
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President
St Roman the Melodist A Capella Choir
The Senior Choir consists of 25 singers. The Children's choir has 20 singers. Both directed by Matushka Theodora Ressetar.
St Andrew the First-Called of the Apostles "O" Club, Sr and Jr
Consists of 42 members each. The clubs are affiliated w the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA). Alice Mallick (Seniors), Nadzia Schilling, Matushka Theodora Ressetar (Juniors), contacts.
St Alexis of Wilkes-Barre Men's Club
Men's service ministry of the parish. Consists of 30 members.
Contact: John Dotsey
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President
Sales Department
In the Social room of the Church. Selection of books, icons, neck crosses, note cards, and other religious items are available for sale or ordering.
Contact: Evelyn Krempasky
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Manager
Fellowship of St Peter the Aleut Campus and Young Adults Ministry
Consists of parents who have children attending college and high school as seniors. It prints a quarterly newsletter about the students, of various institutions, and parish life. Non-parents are also supportive.
Contact: Dorothy Sysak
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Coordinator
Food Distribution Committee
Gathers food from an approved "food rescue" agency weekly, and distributes food to about 25 to 30 needy people.
Contact: Sebatu Andemichael
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Contact
Three Hierarchs Adult Study Group
Meets weekly during the school year on Sundays before the Divine Liturgy. Parishioners and visiting guests give researched presentations.
Contact: Larry Smith
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Contact
Church School
Classes from pre-school through high school students are taught by parishioners who have substitutes in their absences. Approximately 50 students are registered.
Contact: Matushka Theodora Ressetar
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Contact
Christian Education Class
Meets weekly, currently on Wednesdays, to discuss basic Orthodox Catechism, the Festal Cycle, as well as other topics of interest. Inquirers, Catechumens, as well as long-standing parishioners are welcome to attend.
Contact: Fr Stephen Vernak
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Contact
Pan-Orthodox Bible Study
Meets weekly, currently on Thursdays at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Camp Hill. This Bible Study is a cooperative effort between Holy Trinity Cathedral (GOA), Holy Apostles Mission (OCA), and Christ the Saviour (OCA).
Contact: Fr Stephen Vernak
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Contact
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Upcoming Events
No Information at this time
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Parish Background
Background
Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, a parish of the autocephalous Orthodox Church in America/Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, is the first in the capital region of Harrisburg conceived as a specifically pan-Orthodox, multi-ethnic, and English-serving community. From just a few dedicated families using a leased Protestant house-chapel in 1963, the parish has developed and grown over the last 40 years, spiritually and numerically, into a dynamic Orthodox Christian community of nearly 300 adults and over 125 children; the property now includes a relatively new church building with recently completed icon murals, adjacent bell tower, parish hall, rectory and wooded, landscaped grounds. Offering a range of liturgical, educational, and social programs, and undertaking missionary, evangelical and other outreach endeavors, our parish has embraced peoples of every kind: "traditional" Orthodox, converts, the non-Orthodox spouses of Orthodox, children, immigrants, refugees, the disabled, the elderly...all have found a place in our extended family worshiping Holy Trinity in ancient Christian tradition.
History
During the 1950s, a chapter of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship was established in the Harrisburg area with about 20 members. Although this fellowship lasted for only five years, a seed was planted for the eventual establishment of an Orthodox parish in this region.
In December 1962, the first organizational meeting, held in a real estate office, was attended by Fr Michael Rachko and five founding fathers. They recognized the need for a multiethnic parish that would accomodate the needs of people living in the capitol region, those moving into the area for goverment employment, as well as those moving away from older areas with poor economic conditions. The founders realized that not all these people were of Slavic backgrounds, and desired to establish an English-speaking parish where all would feel welcome.
The petition for the establishment of a parish was accepted by Metropolitan Leonty in January 1963. The new parish was given the name "Christ the Savior Eastern Orthodox Church" with the Holy Resurrection as its feast day, and placed in the Diocese of Wilkes-Barre. Fr Michael Rachko was assigned as parish priest. With the donated services of George W Gekas, Esq., now a US Congressman, the parish in 1964 compiled its constitution and bylaws based on the Normal Statutes, and was incorporated as a non-profit organization.
The first Divine Liturgy was held in a second floor "upper room" at the YMCA in downtown Harrisburg on March 10, 1963. During this early period the parish council worked long hours and held many meetings to resolve various details the new parishes have. One main issue was to find permanent quarters for worship, and in March of that year the parish leased a "house chapel" from Epiphany Lutheran Church in Harrisburg. Many liturgical items and church furnishings were donated from other Orthodox churches and the Lutheran church. During these earlier years the parish began to take shape and grow. Some parish organizations, the choir, and Sunday School were organized.
In 1965, Fr Michael Rachko was relieved of his duties as priest of the parish. Fr Daniel Ressetar, a former US Air Force Chaplian previously stationed in San Antonio, TX, was assigned to the parish on July 1, 1965. Fr Dan currently remains rector of Christ the Saviour Church. Fr Michael G Kovach, retired from his post at Millersville University, was attached to the parish in 1986 as an associate priest. Fr Neal J Carrigan was attached to the parish in 2002 as assistant priest.
Also in 1965, the parish purchased five acres of property with a Cape Cod home at 5501 Locust Lane in Colonial Park. Settlement occured on September 14, 1965, and the groundbreaking for a new church was held on October 3 of the same year, with construction beginning shortly thereafter. Some of the work was done by parishioners. On March 28, 1966 the parish celebrated the first Liturgy at the new church. The dedication was celebrated by Bishop Kiprian on April 24, 1966.
Over the years, the parish continued to grow rapidly. Several new organizations were formed, providing members opportunities for stewardship and fellowship. Fund-raising activities were held to help defray the mortgage which was "burned" in October 1976. Regular anniversary celebrations were held over the years, along with different special events, lectures, and retreats.
Christ the Saviour Church celebrated its twentieth anniversary in November 1983. During this year, a pledge drive was started for the building of a new church. With the financial goals reached, the design of the new church by Fr Alexis Vinogradov, a priest- architect, was approved in late 1985. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on April 6, 1986 by Bishop Herman. Construction commenced later that year, and the first Liturgy in the new church was celebrated by Fr Dan on August 23, 1987. A new Iconostas was constructed, with the icons written by Fr Theodore Jurewicz. The old church was renovated into the parish hall.
The consecration of the new church was held in conjunction with the parish's 25th anniversary on September 24-25, 1988. Metropolitan Theodosius and Bishop Herman officiated, along with Fr Dan, Fr Michael, and visiting clergy. The following year, Bishop Herman blessed the new bell tower donated by Stephen and Katherine Macut.
In 1994, Fr Theodore Jurewicz began the project of writing the icon murals for the interior of the church. He finished his work in May 1998, and in October 1998 the icons were blessed in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the parish.
Throughout the years, the parish hosted many events. Among these were retreats, FOCA [Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America] conventions (both district and the 1994 and 2002 national conventions), winter mixers, dinners, sales, Lenten Mission services, including the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers in 1989 and 1998, and a Thanksgiving service for the Millenium of the Baptism of Rus in 1998. Some of the honored guests who have visited the parish include Metropolitan Theodosius of Tokyo, Metropolitan Anthony of Chernigov, Archbishop Alexey of Kazakhstan, Archbishop Abel of Poland, Mr Nicholas Zernov of England, Mother Alexandra of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Frs Vladimir Borichevsky, Alexander Schmemann, Thomas Hopko, John Nehrebecki, Paul Lazor, Michael Dahulich, and the choirs from St Tikhon's and St Vladimir's Seminaries.
In October 2006 Fr. Dan retired after 41 years of active ministry at Christ the Saviour. In February 2007 Fr. Seraphim Majmudar was assigned acting rector, while a student at St. Tikhons Seminary.
In June 2007 Fr. Stephen Vernak was assigned to the parish following his graduation from St. Tikhons Seminary, and was formally installed as Rector by His Grace Bishop TIKHON in November 2007.
Today, Christ the Saviour Church continues to be a vibrant and active community where all are welcome, regardless of ethnic background. Please worship with us when in the Harrisburg area.
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