The Mitred Archpriest Michael Koblosh, son of the late Michael and Mary Koblosh of Yonkers, NY, fell asleep in the Lord on the morning of August 18, 2021.
Father Michael is the grandson of the late Aftonazi and Anna Koblosh, who were leaders in establishing the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Yonkers at the turn of the twentieth century. Father Michael is also the grandson of the late Paraskeva (Pearl) and Peter Cherninsky of Ansonia, CT.
Archpriest Michael Koblosh was baptized in Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Yonkers, NY and, from his earliest years, was an altar server who learned church Slavonic and liturgics from the Right Reverend Mitered Protopresbyter Joseph J. Pishtey, first Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, (formerly The Metropolia). Father Michael’s Orthodox worldview was shaped at Holy Trinity Church, where he was raised and which had been consecrated by Bishop Tikhon who later became Patriarch of Russia.
Upon graduation from Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1964, Father Michael advanced his studies by pursuing and receiving a Master of Divinity Degree at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Father Michael took advanced Russian courses at New York University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Philosophy from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. Father Michael was deeply influenced by the preaching and writings of Protopresbyter Father Alexander Schmemann. Father Michael taught Liturgical Theology at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, and also taught philosophy at the college level.
In 1969 he married Nadia Barsigian, the niece of the first American-born Bishop of the Orthodox Church in America, His Eminence the Most Reverend Archbishop Benjamin Basalyga of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Father Michael and Matushka Nadia were first assigned to the Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Los Angeles, California. Serving in the large parish there with the Very Reverend Dmitri Gisetti, Father Michael was given a blessing by Archbishop John of San Francisco to establish a mission parish in Long Beach, CA. The goal of the mission parish was to accommodate the overflow of parishioners from Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral as well as to reach out to the community.
In 1970 at his request, Father Michael was transferred to the East Coast and was assigned to Holy Trinity Church in East Meadow, NY, where he continued the work of building up the Orthodox Church. Father Michael played an active role in continuing the work of the Good Samaritan Society of the greater New York area. His two daughters, Larissa (Chapin) and Rebecca (Edwards) were born during this time.
Wanting to raise his children in Connecticut, he transferred to Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Terryville, CT, in 1979, where he initiated and completed the building of a new church edifice. Throughout his tenure as priest, Father Michael mentored many seminary students, as well as candidates for the diaconate program. He has long been known for the depth of his theological thinking expressed in his writings and sermons. He has authored numerous articles and sermons for presentation by members of The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America.
At His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius’ request in the early 1990s, Father Michael served for a brief time at Saint Mark’s Church in Bethesda, MD, after which he returned to Connecticut and continued his missionary efforts by founding and establishing Christ the Savior Mission in Southbury, CT. He later was rector of Holy Ghost Church, in Bridgeport, CT, where he continued community outreach by playing an active role in the Fellowship of Orthodox Churches of Connecticut. He then served in Saint Nicholas Church, Whitestone, NY.
Although Father Michael retired in 2007, his zeal for missionary work continued. With the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman, he established All Saints of America Mission in Alexandria, VA. On January 5, 2020, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, with the unanimous approval of the Holy Synod, awarded the miter to Father Michael.
In July of 2021, Father Michael and Matushka Nadia celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary as well as Father Michael’s 52nd anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Father Michael and Matushka Nadia have worked as a team for fifty-two years ministering to the needs of their parishioners and proclaiming the word of Orthodoxy to their community.
Father Michael is survived by his wife Nadia, and their daughters, Larissa Chapin (Christopher) and Rebecca Edwards (Dr. Steven), as well as his grandchildren: Jacob, Alexa, Noah, Zachary and Andrew. He is also survived by his sister, Matushka Lydia Koblosh Westerberg (Mitered Archpriest Michael), as well as numerous close relatives, nieces and nephews and loving parishioners and friends.
Throughout his life, Father Michael set his vision on realizing a taste of the kingdom here on earth. Now he is called home to that kingdom, where there is neither sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. We all pray with confidence that Father Michael will hear the words: “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
The schedule of services for Father Michael is as follows:
All services will take place at All Saints of North America Chapel, Reineke Hall, downhill from Cameron United Methodist Church. Due to space constraints, attendance in chapel is limited to hierarchs, clergy, immediate family, and invited servers and singers.
- Limited overflow seating outdoors under tent (winds permitting)
- Streaming and overflow seating in Cameron United Methodist Church Sanctuary
- Streaming via YouTube at All Saints of North America Orthodox YouTube Channel
- Hospitality after services in Cameron United Methodist Church Hall
Thursday, August 19
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Visitation
6:00 PM Funeral Service for a Priest
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM Gospel reading vigil - sign up at Vigil Sign Up - Gospel Reading
Friday, August 20
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM Gospel reading vigil - sign up at Vigil Sign Up - Gospel Reading
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Saturday, August 21
Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA
11:00 AM Panikhida and Burial Services
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to All Saints of North America Orthodox Mission. Please note “In Memory of Father Michael” on your check and send to All Saints Orthodox Mission c/o Carolyn Carmack, 6001 Wendron Way, Alexandria, VA 22315-2656
May Father Michael’s memory be eternal!