The course work covered the theology and application of parish revitalization with many of the presenters sharing their own experiences in legacy parishes and how they were able to revitalize them through various methodologies and matrices. Among the instructors were His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Director of the Commission on Mission and Evangelism, Archpriest David Garretson, Rector of Ss. Peter & Paul Church in South River, NJ, and Archpriest Thomas Soroka, Rector of St. Nicholas Church in McKees Rocks, PA.

The value of such meetings was summed up by one participant who stated, “I am going home with a lot to ponder about how we can implement such things in our own parish and, more importantly, with some tools to help convince the parish of the needed changes. It is going to be some hard but rewarding work.”

His Eminence shared his insights into the challenges facing many legacy parishes and the concerted need for the entire parish to work towards revitalization. He expressly challenged the participants to take the lessons learned and the examples presented at this School back to their parishes. He reminded the participants of the many examples we have in our parishes of growth and renewed energy, and of the need to focus on Christ and building His Church.  Fr. David Garretson also shared his thoughts on leadership in legacy parishes and provided examples of his own challenges in his parish over the years. Fr. Thomas Soroka recounted the remarkable story of St. Nicholas, a parish once in decline in a very depressed area. He was able to outline his strategy in confronting the challenges, as well as the how the parish overcame these in over 25 years of ministry. Fr. Eric Tosi spoke of various evangelism strategies which are applied in bringing a mission “mindset” into the parishes as well as sharing various tools that can be used for evaluating the parish and beginning the conversation. “The value of these sessions was to bring back these tools and begin the conversation,” Fr. Eric stated, “but the real value is actually looking honestly at each situation and to begin to think critically in turning parishes around.”

Each day began with prayer, continued with roundtable discussions on various issues facing legacy parishes, and concluded with an open discussion period. The School coincided with the Feast of St. Herman of Alaska, the Wonderworker of North America and one the greatest inspirations for the apostolic work of the Orthodox Church in America. His Eminence Archbishop Michael presided at Vespers for the Feast and shared the stories of the recent canonization of Righteous Olga of Kwethluk and her example in simple service to those around her.

The Diocese will hold the next Evangelism School in August of 2026 at St. Gregory as it continues to rotate clergy and laypersons from each deanery through these sessions.