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About Our Parish

Orthodox Christianity in Delaware County, PA

St. Herman Orthodox Church

St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church was founded in 1973 by a group of dedicated Orthodox Christians whose dream was to build an Orthodox House of Worship in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, in Delaware County, where Orthodox of various traditions and backgrounds could worship together.

The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated Sunday, September 30, 1973 by the Rev Nestor Geeza, in the Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Morton, PA, which served as a “temporary” home for the parish for the next few years.

In 1977, the parish purchased its first property in Wallingford, PA. This edifice served the parish community well until 1993, when the property was sold and a new and larger parcel of land was acquired, located in Gradyville, Edgemont Township, on the border between Chester and Delaware counties, probably the fastest growing areas in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

On June 11, His Eminence, Archbishop Herman broke ground and celebrated the cross-planting. For the next year, the church community busied itself with planning, financing, and building our new spiritual home.

The consecration of the new church took place on June 18, 1995. His Eminence, Archbishop Herman and His Eminence, Archbishop Gregory were the main celebrants. A banquet at Towne House Restaurant, Media, PA followed. The new church is styled after the architecture of our Alaskan Orthodox churches where St Herman lived and worked. The beauty of the stark white exterior and blue trimming recall the parishes in Kodiak, Ouzinkie, and Old Harbor.

On November 1, 1998, the parish celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. His Eminence, Archbishop Herman was the main celebrant at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, at which the new iconostas was blessed. After the Liturgy, the newly constructed Church Memorial Hall was solemnly dedicated. A banquet was held at Desmond Great Valley Hotel in Malvern, PA.

The parish continues to attract individuals from throughout the area and has greatly increased its membership.

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Additional Information

  • Regular Weekly Service Schedule
    Divine Liturgy: 10 AM Sundays
     
  • Panikhida (Memorial Service)
    If you would like to arrange a Panikhida (Memorial Service) for a departed family member or friend, please contact Father directly.  All Panikhida’s are served on Sunday mornings immediately following the Divine Liturgy.
  • Candles
    If you would like to light candles on the Holy Altar, Table of Oblation or Center Tetrapod in memory of a departed loved one or for the health of an individual, please sign up on the Bulletin Board located behind the candle desk.
  • Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals
    All baptisms, marriages and funerals are to be arranged with Father directly.  Please contact Father John for all appointments and scheduling.

  • Annual Christmas Festival
    Every year during the first full weekend of November our entire parish sponsors our Annual Christmas Festival which is held Friday, Saturday & Sunday. This is the largest fund raiser of the year and involves all of the organizations of our Parish. Several weeks prior to the Festival, the Festival Committee sponsors workshops in order to make many of the food items served to the general public. Our festival and events are known throughout the area and attract hundreds of people to our parish community. If you are interested in helping us during the Festival, announcements and updates will be listed in the weekly Church Bulletin.

Annual Feasts

Blessing of Water (Epiphany)
January 6
Children's Yolka
(Christmas Pageant)
1st Sunday in January
Blessing of Candles
Feast of the Meeting of our Lord
Maslenitsa (Cheesefare Dinner)
Cheesefare Sunday
Blessing of Icons
First Sunday of Great Lent
Children's Lenten Encounter
Lazarus Saturday
Blessing of Palms & Pussywillows
Palm Sunday
Holy Unction
Great & Holy Wednesday
Midnight Procession, Liturgy,
Blessing of Baskets & Agape Feast
Holy Pascha (Easter)
Pentecost Luncheon
50 Days after Pascha
Feast of the Ascension
40 Days after Pascha
Children's Day
Bright Monday
Blessing of Fruit
Feast of Transfiguration
Blessing of Flowers
Feast of the Dormition
Start of Sunday School
Second Sunday in September
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14th

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