Wappinger Falls, New York, October 24, 2024
Photo: nynjoca.org
St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church in America) in Wappingers Falls, New York culminated its 60th anniversary celebrations with a historic Primatial Liturgy on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
The service was celebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America with His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, parish rector Archpriest Eric George Tosi, and visiting clergy. The celebration was enhanced by the presence of St. Vladimir's Seminary students who served and provided liturgical singing, reports the OCA Diocese of New York and New Jersey.
Photo: nynjoca.org
The day’s festivities continued as His Beatitude blessed two new additions to the church grounds: a bell tower and a commemorative founders’ plaque. Representatives from New York State, Dutchess County, and Wappingers Falls attended both the Liturgy and subsequent luncheon, presenting official recognitions to the parish. During the luncheon, attendees viewed the first installment of a special documentary chronicling the parish’s six-decade journey:
The church’s story began in 1960, when His Beatitude Metropolitan Ireney blessed the establishment of the region’s first English-speaking Orthodox parish, initially serving a congregation largely composed of IBM employees who had relocated to the area.
Among the parish’s previous rectors is the ever-memorable Fr. Thomas Hopko, who served there for decades. Fr. Alexis Vinogradov then shepherded the community for 37 years, overseeing numerous developments and initiatives. The current rector, Fr. Eric George Tosi, assumed leadership in 2019.
From its humble beginnings with just a few families, the parish has evolved into a vibrant, diverse community, welcoming people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Today, the church continues to thrive, embracing both new generations and converts to Orthodoxy.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
