The Beginning of the Saint Mark Parish
The first seeds of an idea that would later come to be Saint Mark Orthodox church originated at a chance meeting on July 4, 1971 between Michael and Helen Karas and the Very Rev. Joseph Kreta at the Quantico VA Marine Corps base, where Fr. Kreta mentioned to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Karas that his church began when approximately one dozen families in Woodside NY organized a Pan Orthodox Parish where services were held in English. This talk inspired the Karas's to assess a similar parish need in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs.

Within weeks, Michael and Helen met with John Ihnat, William Kosar, George Leleck, John Myrtyshyn and John Monchak to form the initial "Steering Committee." Soon, Michael Hydock and Larry Jenny joined the group. A petition seeking families interested in organizing a parish with services in the English language that was to be part of the Orthodox Church in America with Metropolitan Ireney as Primate was circulated. A goal of attracting at least 25 families with the desire to promote the missionary aspects of Orthodoxy, to expand Orthodoxy to persons unable to find it in the local ethnic Orthodox parishes and to persons not yet attracted to Orthodoxy.

On November 20, all prayers were answered! The petition attracted 28 families (44 signatures in all). Now, a cover letter and the signed petition was forwarded to His Beatitude, to Bishop Dmitri and to the Metropolitan Council members asking for their blessings to start a new parish. The stepping stones to achieve this goal were reached over the next five months:

December 19, 1971 Bishop Dmitri met with the Steering Committee to discuss the petition and the need for a parish. A concern to financially sustain the desired parish was expressed by His Beatitude.

February 7, 1972 Voluntary pledging was accepted as the means to provide financial support for the parish by His Beatitude.

March 5, 1972 Bishop Dmitri met with 14 of the families, informing them that he had approved the formation of the parish and would recommend it for approval by His Beatitude. Tentative dates chosen for the first Liturgy were June 4 and June 11, 1972.

April 23, 1972 This Sunday, a formal organizational meeting was held with Bishop Dmitri and 25 families. Saint Mark the Evangelist was selected as the Patron Saint for the new parish. Bradley Hills Methodist Church, Memorial Hall was selected as the location.

June 11, 1972 The chosen date for the first Saint Mark Liturgy. The bishop confirmed the Steering Committee as a provisional Parish Council. Appointed Council members included Michael Karas as Council President and John Mytryshyn as Treasurer until parish by-laws were prepared and approved and a new council elected. Larry Jenny was selected as Secretary. The first Saint Mark Orthodox Church Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Dmitri and assisted by Hieromonk Benedict (deSoccio) and Deacon Roman Svihra of New York. Frank Holovac directed the choir and about 150 persons attended the Divine Liturgy. Behind the scenes of the administration for the new Saint Mark parish much work had to be completed and materials and items gathered before the first liturgy could be celebrated.

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