The St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania celebrated the Seventy First Anniversary of the church’s consecration. The celebration took place on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

St. George Church is part of the Eastern American Diocese. His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington, New York, and Eastern American is the Diocesan Hierarch. 

Protopresbyter Stavrophor Rade Merick is the Episcopal Deputy. The St. George Church is in the Pittsburgh Deanery. Protopresbyter Stavrophor Stevan Rocknage is Dean of the Pittsburgh Deanery.

The Anniversary celebration began with the Divine Liturgy. Protopresbyter Sasa Nedic, the parish priest, and Protopresbyter Stavrophor Rodney Torbic served at the Liturgy.

The St. George Church Choir was under the inspiring direction of Sonia Janson. Alfred Ellsworth read the Hours before the Divine Liturgy began. Thomas Wesdock chanted the troparia. Djelosh Jerry Milosevich read the Epistle.

Rich Porter, Alfred Ellsworth and West Virginia University college student Nectorios assisted in the Altar during the Divine Liturgy. The church had increased attendance as friends of the parish came to be a part of the celebration.

The Anniversary dinner was held at Dolfi’s Restaurant in Masontown after the service. The Anniversary dinner has been held each year at Dolfi’s since at least 1998 when Father Djokan Majstorovic was the parish priest.

In church and at the dinner, Father Sasa Nedic thanked all in attendance. He described how the church became the spiritual home of those present and of many who have departed this life.

Father Sasa spoke of the future and the parish going forward for many many years. The future was symbolized by little Victor Nicholas Marchettelli when his grandfather Lee Klingsmith carried him to receive Communion.

Nectarios the young West Virginia University student helping the altar is a portent for the future. Father Nedic recognized at the dinner Mr. Milosh “Serb” Krewasky as having been a teenager who helped to build the church.

Stan Brozik, parish Executive Board President offered greetings at the dinner. Mr. Brozik and his wife Karen are the owners of Dolfi’s and have been continuous supporters of the parish.

Mr. Brozik recognized John and Sue Maykuth and Marty and Janice Yoskovich at the dinner. John Maykuth and Marty Yoskovich have been friends of the St. George Church for many years.

The Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission in Fairmont, West Virginia was well-represented at the Anniversary. Niko and Rose Ilic, Wayne and Joyce Kirby and Subdeacon Dan Vlaisavljevic were present from the Mission.

Frank Snyder, a friend of the St. George Church drove eighty miles to be present as he does periodically through the year. Dr. Rade and Dr. Ivko Dimitric have a long history with the parish and made sure they attended.

The St. George Church parish families have a long connection with coal mining in the area. Brice Rush attended the Anniversary again this year. He and his wife Linda are affiliated with the King Coal Show and have a small coal museum.

Aaron Carson returned for the Anniversary. Aaron was an altar server for almost two decades at St. George Church. He completed the Late Vocations Program of the Orthodox Church in America.

Wayne Kirby and Dr. Scott Newton were both in attendance. Wayne and Scott are graduates of Antiochian House of Studies, St. Stephen Program in Orthodox Theology.

The Diocesan Council of the Eastern American Diocese was represented by Council Financial Secretary Andrea Janson. Andrea also serves as the Assistant Choir Director and Financial Secretary for St. George Church.

The St. George Church has been a steady presence in Greene County for more than seven decades. Father Sasa and Protinica Rachel Nedic have made their home in the parish for eight years.

The parish is stable and welcomes people seeking to worship and grow in Jesus Christ. The Anniversary celebration was a celebration of thanksgiving and an experience of the joy of the life in Christ.

Father Rodney Torbic