Support The Only Romanian Orthodox Church in Luzerne County

In 1991, a small group of Romanians located in Hazleton, PA, and surrounding areas decided to form a mission. They had nothing but a strong desire to succeed. From the beginning, the mission was put under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America and His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel. With his blessing, Rev. Fr. Onisie Morar officiated the first Divine Liturgy on April 19, 1991.

Later on, with the help of Mr. & Mrs. Jonel Pasula, Mr. & Mrs. Ilija Germinjanc, Mr. Marian Pop, Mr. Ioan Anton, and Nicolae Cornea, Rev. Fr. Onisie Morar set up a small altar and veneration place on Emil and Dorina Horga’s property in Hazleton, where the first Resurrection Service was officiated. Since then, through the love and dedication of its parishioners, the parish added to its value numerous religious items, icons, vestments, and books, an audio system for services, and set up a small room for Sunday School.

Since 1992, the number of those who attend the services at this church increased, many of them coming from Romania or moving from upstate New York area and New York City. St. Joseph’s Church is the only Romanian Orthodox Church in Luzerne County and surroundings.

This church is extremely important to me personally, as I worship here with my family, and my grandparents were devoted members; my grandmother, who passed away a few years back, was an important and loved member of this church.