Archimandrite Athanasy [Mastalski] of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery here fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, February 5, 2016.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on June 24, 1946, the son of Andrew and Anna Mastalski, he was ordained to the diaconate in 1975, and in the following year to the priesthood, by His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon [Rklitsky] of Washington of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia [ROCOR]. In December 1978, His Eminence, Metropolitan Philaret [Voznesensky], First Hierarch of ROCOR, tonsured him to monastic rank.
Father Athanasy served the Joy of All Who Sorrow Church, Philadelphia, PA; Holy Protection Church, New Brunswick, NJ; and Saint Nicholas Church, Red Bank, NJ. He also served at the convents in the Holy Land – Holy Ascension on the Mount of Olives and the Gethsemane Convent. In December 2005, His Eminence, Metropolitan Laurus [Skurla], First Hierarch of ROCOR, elevated Father Athanasy to the dignity of Archimandrite.
For many years, Archimandrite Athanasy was the guardian of the Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Holy Righteous Anna, the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, with which he visited many churches and monasteries in the dioceses of the ROCOR. The holy icon—painted in the Mount of Olives Convent by the Nun Mastridia—began to stream myrrh after it was brought to the US. It was widely known that in his childhood, Father Athanasy had been seriously injured in a fall. After praying for Saint Anna’s intercession, he pledged to commission a hand-painted icon in her honor. He spent the final years of his earthly life at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.
Archimandrite Athanasy will lie in state at Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery Church through the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 10, and the Monastic Funeral Service at 11:30 p.m. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Cemetery.
Flowers may be sent to Saint Tikhon’s Monastery or, in lieu thereof, donations in Archimandrite Athanasy’s memory may be made to Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, PO Box 130, South Canaan, PA 18459.
May Archimandrite Athanasy’s memory be eternal!