Matushka Mary (Dubnansky) Fedoronko, 93, fell alseep in the Lord peacefully at home on Sunday, August 11, 2013. She was the beloved and devoted wife of the late Archpriest Alexander J. Fedoronko, founding Pastor of Saint Stephen Cathedral here. She is survived by their son, Paul Fedoronko (Diane) of Swarthmore, PA, and their daughter, Alexandra Vickers of Calabash, NC; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
The late Father Alexander was born In Coaldale, PA and attended high school in Philadelphia and seminary in Serbia. He returned to the US at the outbreak of WWII. He then met his future wife in Terryville, CT, where his father, the late Archpriest Joseph Fedoronko, served Saints Cyril and Methodius Church. After Father Alexander’s ordination, he and Matushka Mary ventured out to the Midwest first revitalizing a parish in Hammond, IN, and then nurturing and growing Saint Nicholas parish in Kenosha, WI. In 1955 they were asked to come to Saint Michael Orthodox Church in Philadelphia, from which they planted and grew Saint Stephen Orthodox Catholic Church, which was consecrated in 1974. The parish was elevated to cathedral status by the Holy Synod of Bishops in recognition of the unwavering support for the Metropolia, as the Orthodox Church in America had been known prior to 1970, offered by Father Alexander, Matushka Mary, and their flock.
In retirement, Father Alexander had been named Pastor Emeritus of Saint Stephen’s for his many challenging years there and at Saint Michael’s. Matushka Mary was always beside him with unyielding support and fortitude. They lovingly retired in 1978. Father Alexander fell asleep in the Lord in 1993, after which an Orthodox Christian theological education scholarship was established in his honor at Saint Stephen’s, annually benefiting a student at Saint Tikhon’s, Saint Vladimir’s, or Saint Herman’s seminaries.
Matushka Mary missed him terribly for 20 years, but now is able to join her husband in eternal repose.
Visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Saint Stephen Cathedral, 8598 Verree Road, Philadelphia, on Friday, August 16, with a Memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, August 17, at 8:30 a.m. with the Funeral Service slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Cemetery, South Canaan, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Saint Stephen Cathedral Beautification Fund or the cathedral’s Father Alexander Memorial Theological Scholarship Fund.
May Matushka Mary’s memory be eternal!
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