State College, Pennsylvania, March 2, 2026
OCDA YouTube screenshot
The Orthodox Christian Deaf Association (OCDA) livestreamed its first Liturgy with ASL interpretation on the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy yesterday.
The Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Ignatius Hunter and Protodeacon Mark Oleynik at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (OCA) in State College, Pennsylvania, with ASL interpretation by Deanna Patel:
In addition to hosting the first ASL livestream, Holy Trinity has chosen OCDA as its Lenten beneficiary. Patel also told OrthoChristian that there were two deaf first-time visitors at Holy Trinity yesterday.
The Orthodox Christian Deaf Association also recently launched a catechism series with ASL interpretation on Zoom.
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The OCDA was formed in April 2020 with the blessing of Archbishop Alexander (Golitzin) of the Diocese of the South (OCA). It operates under the 501(c)(3) umbrella of Holy Nativity of the Lord Orthodox Church (OCA) in Shreveport, Louisiana.
As a pan-Orthodox organization, the OCDA seeks to foster fellowship among deaf Orthodox Christians, create educational and liturgical resources, plan special events, and introduce the greater deaf community to the Orthodox faith. The association also encourages hearing Orthodox Christians who are proficient in ASL to assist in developing its ministries.
The association’s patron is St. Mark the Deaf. Little is known about his life beyond what is recorded in the Synaxarion, likely from the 13th century, which describes him as an ascetic who lived a righteous life and died in peace. His feast day is January 2.
Orthodoxy has recognized several other saints who were deaf, including St. Cadoc (Cadfan) Llankarvansky (+580), St. Drogo (Drew) (+12th century), St. Meriadoc (Meredith) (7th century), and St. Owen Ruensky (Eugene) (+684).
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