On Saturday, March 28, the feast of the Laudation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Divine Liturgy for the newly reposed Archpriest Basil Micek was celebrated in Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Scranton, PA. The evening prior, March 27, the funeral for a priest was served.
The divine services were officiated by dean of the Atlantic States, Archpriest John Vass concelebrated by:
- Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; acting chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes)
- Archimandrite Michael (Thier; retired OCA cleric)
- Archpriest Michael Lepa (parish administrator of St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA)
- Priest Mark Rashkov (vice-chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes)
- Priest Andrew Massey (rector of Elevation of the Holy Cross Church in Hackettstown, NJ)
- Priest Daniel Meyer (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Reading, PA)
- Priest Nathaniel Sorochka (rector of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA)
- Priest Oleg Cruz (cleric of St. Andrew Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA)
- Protodeacon Stephen Howanetz (cleric of St. John the Baptist Cathedral) and
- Deacon Alexis Golubov (cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City).
Praying in the church was Archpriest John Sorochka (rector-emeritus of St. John the Baptist Cathedral), Archpriest George Konyev (rector of Three Saints Church in Garfield, NJ) and Priest George Sharonoff (rector of St. Stephen Church in Old Forge, PA).
At the conclusion of the liturgy, a litia was served after which Fr. Mark Rashkov read aloud a letter of condolence from the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh. Following this, the body of the newly-reposed Archpriest Basil was brought in procession around the church which he had served for over forty years, with the singing of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.
Fr. Basil was interred in the parish cemetery, alongside his wife, the ever-memorable Matushka Pamela-Ann Micek.
To the family, loved ones, and spiritual children of Archpriest Basil Micek
Dear fathers, brothers, and sisters,
Today we accompany Archpriest Basil on his “journey of all the earth” (Joshua 23:14) — a faithful laborer in the vineyard of Christ, who devoted his entire conscious life to the service of God and the Church.
The parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in the city of Scranton has been bereft, where Father Basil served for more than forty years. Several generations of Orthodox Christians grew spiritually under his attentive guidance. In the words of the Apostle Paul, he truly became “an example to the faithful in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
At the same time, as a devoted son of the Church, Father Basil was deeply concerned for and responsive to the life of all Patriarchal parishes in the United States. For many years, he offered wise counsel and shared his experience as a member of the Bishop’s Council. He faithfully took an active part in diocesan assemblies and cherished the joy of prayerful communion with the bishop and his fellow clergy in conciliar services.
In recognition of his zealous service and on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his ministry at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, for the feast of the Bright Resurrection of Christ this year, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ awarded Father Basil a high hierarchical distinction — the right to serve the Divine Liturgy with the Royal Doors open, symbolizing the gates of Paradise.
Now, as we accompany our brother with gratitude and love to these heavenly gates, we pray to the Heavenly Father: receive the soul of Your faithful servant, Archpriest Basil; “grant him the crown of Your righteousness, a portion among those who are saved, in the glory of Your chosen ones, so that he, who labored for them in Your name in this world, may receive a great reward in Your holy dwellings, by the grace, compassion, and love for mankind of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ” (Prayer at the funeral of a priest).
Dear children and grandchildren of Father Basil! Dear fathers, brothers, and sisters! Though I am unable to personally share in your sorrow at this loss and to find consolation in common prayer at the coffin of the ever-memorable Archpriest Basil, I assure you of my constant love and sincere prayers for all of you, that the merciful Lord may wipe away your tears with the joy of the coming Pascha, for He is the One who “trampled down death by death and bestowed life upon those in the tombs.”
Matthew, Bishop of Sorouzh
Interim Administrator
of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA
