A Brief History of Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox
Church,
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Under the inspiration and guidance of Archpriest Alexis
Toth (glorified as Saint Alexis of Wilkes-Barre in 1994), a
group of Eastern European immigrants in Scranton organized
the Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Brotherhood in
1896. This Brotherhood was the genesis of Saints Peter and
Paul Russian Orthodox Church, Scranton, Pennsylvania.
With the blessing of Saint Alexis, in March, 1897,
construction of a church was begun in Scranton’s West side
at 1820 Division Street. Later that same year, His
Excellency Bishop NICHOLAS consecrated the newly-
constructed church under the heavenly protection of Saints
Peter and Paul the Chiefs-of-the-Apostles.

The parish grew and prospered. Tragically, however, the
church suffered a disastrous fire on two separate
occasions: first on 18 January, 1912, and then again on 24
February, 1969.

Following the second fire, the parish decided to relocate a
block away on a tract of land at the corner of Washburn
Street and South Fillmore Avenue.  On 12 July, 1970, the
Feast of Apostles Peter and Paul, His Excellency Bishop
DOSITHEUS blessed the ground breaking for a new church.   
Following the completion of the edifice, on 19 March, 1972,
the church was consecrated and the first Divine Liturgy
celebrated by His Excellency Bishop MARK.

On Sunday, 5 October, 1997, the One Hundredth Anniversary
of Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, Scranton,
Pennsylvania, was observed. His Excellency Bishop PAUL
celebrated the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy and solemnly
blessed the refurbished bells which now summon believers to
worship.

The One Hundred and Tenth Anniversary of the Parish
was  
celebrated on Sunday, 14 October, 2007, the Feast of the
Protection of the Mother of God.

GLORY TO GOD  FOR  ALL  THINGS!

PASTORS OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH,
SCRANTON PENNSYLVANIA:

Saint ALEXIS (Toth) of Wilkes-Barre
Founding Pastor
Father Alexis Bogoslavsky, Father Alexander Yanovsky,
Father Sergei Bazilevich, Father Alexander Lupinovich,
Father Policarp Cherniavsky, Archpriest Ignatius Lachno,
Father John Hanziuk, Archimandrite Ioanicky (Krasko),
Father John Kivko, Father Peter Felenchak, Archpriest John
Zeltonoga, Mitered Archpriest Dimitry S. Kudrikoff,
Archpriest Alexander Golubov, Archpriest Basil Micek.

Liturgical Language: Church Slavonic, English
Calendar: Julian  
History of Saints Peter and Paul Church
Saints Peter and Paul
Russian Orthodox Church
GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS!