Niagara Falls, New York, September 16, 2026
Photo: Antiochian Archdiocese
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Niagara Falls marked its 100th anniversary on Sept. 12-13, joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Saba for a weekend of celebrations.
The centennial traces back to the early twentieth century, when traveling priests ministered to Lebanese and Greek immigrants in Niagara Falls, planting the seeds that grew into St. George Church.
On Saturday morning, Metropolitan Saba met with the parish council for breakfast and a discussion on investing in and growing the parish. He then took a boat tour of Niagara Falls at Goat Island State Park before joining parishioners for Great Vespers that evening, reports the Antiochian Archdiocese.
Photo: Antiochian Archdiocese
A grand banquet on Saturday brought together past and present church members from across the United States and Canada.
With the weekend falling just before the feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross on Sept. 14, Metropolitan Saba spoke about the importance of the Cross in daily life and about helping the parish grow over its next century.
During the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Metropolitan Saba elevated parish rector Fr. Raphael Barberg to the rank of archpriest. Fr. Justin Mokhiber and Fr. John Bodecker, both former members of the parish, joined the service along with Fr. Peter Irfan.
Photo: Antiochian Archdiocese
The Metropolitan also blessed a new outdoor mosaic of St. George.
A fellowship picnic followed the Liturgy, with food and activities for children. Metropolitan Saba held Q&A sessions with the parish’s Sunday School students, the Antiochian Women and the young adults. A historical exhibit of artifacts and photo albums was also on display for the centennial.
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