Archpriest Oleg Mironowicz, 89, who in retirement was attached to Holy Trinity Cathedral here, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord at home, surrounded by his family, on Monday evening, December 3, 2012.
Father Oleg had been in declining health for the past year.
Born into the family of a well known priest on June 26, 1923 in Luziki near Vilna, Poland [now Vilnius, Lithuania], Father Oleg faithfully endured endless hardships prior to and during World War II. [His father and other members of his family had perished in Siberian gulags.] He subsequently resettled in Great Britain. In November 1953, he married the former Weronika [Vera] Kunawicz, with whom he celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on November 21, 2012. He was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood by His Eminence, Archbishop Athenagoras of Thyateira of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in April and May 1954 respectively. For many years, he and Matushka Vera selflessly ministered to Belarusian and other communities of immigrants and displaced persons in Great Britain.
After resettling in the US, he was received into the Orthodox Church in America on September 12, 1980 and attached to Chicago’s Saint George Cathedral. Two years later, he was appointed rector of the cathedral, which he faithfully served with distinction until his retirement on April 12, 1994.
In addition to his beloved Matushka Vera, Father Oleg is survived by their daughter, Lidia, and grandson Jonathan.
Visitation will begin at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1121 North Leavitt Street, Chicago, at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 6. The Rite for the Burial of a Priest will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.
On Friday, December 7, the Divine Liturgy and Panikhida will be celebrated at the cathedral at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.
May Father Oleg’s memory be eternal!