St. Gregory the Theologian Church Celebrates 60th Anniversary

St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church in Wappingers Falls, NY, completed the year-long celebration of their 60th anniversary on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with a Primatial Liturgy with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, and His Eminence, Archbishop Michael. The Primatial Liturgy included the Chancellor of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, Mitred Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, the Dean of New Jersey Deanery, Archpriest Gary Breton, Archpriest John Hopko representing the Hopko family who grew up in the parish, and Rector Archpriest Eric George Tosi. Seminarians from St. Vladimir's Seminary also were present to serve and sing the Liturgy.

Following the Liturgy, His Beatitude blessed the new Bell Tower and the Founders' Plaque which will be placed on the parish grounds. Local elected officials were present at the Liturgy and luncheon and presented the parish recognitions from New York State, Dutchess County, and the City of Wappingers Falls. At the luncheon, part one of the commemorative video was presented which explored the history of the parish and the achievements of the last 60 years.

St. Gregory the Theologian Church began in 1960 with the Blessing of Metropolitan Ireney to establish the first English speaking parish in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and was initially composed of mostly IBM employees who had moved into the area. Fr. George Timpko and Archimandrite Pitirim (Stehnach) served the parish until the assignment of Fr. Thomas Hopko, who served there for 10 years. He was followed by Fr. Alexis Vinogradov, who became the longest-serving rector for over 37 years and guided the parish through many changes and projects. Fr. Steven Evanina followed Fr. Alexis and eventually the current rector, Fr. Eric George Tosi, was assigned in 2019. The mission started with just a handful of parishioners and grew through the years to be a center of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural witness in the region. The parish continues to grow with a whole new generation of members and converts.

Learn more about St. Gregory Church by watching the bellow video:
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