Diocese: Romanian Episcopate
Deanery: Atlantic USA Deanery
Address
314 W Broad St
Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201-6105
Parish Contacts
Lay Leadership
Hazleton, PA 18201
Directions
From North or South
From I-81 North or South, take Exit 143 (Route 924). Turn onto Route 924 (North) towards Hazleton . Keep going straight for about 2 miles. After the first stop light stay on right lane and keep right at the stop sign. Turn right on Broad Street (Route 93). After two stop lights the church is on your right hand side.
From East or West
From I-80 West or East, take Exit 262 (Hazleton, Mountain Top) - Route 309. Turn onto Route 309 South. Keep going for about 9 miles until you reach Route 93 (or Broad Street). Make a right turn onto Route 93. After the first stop light the Church is on your left hand side.
Parking
Please note: there is a parking lot behind the Church. To get there (coming from I-81 and 924) you have to turn right at the second stop light (being on Broad Street) then first left turn on Mine Street. Keep going straight until you see parking lot on your left. Coming from Route 309, pass the Church then turn left at first stop light and left on Mine Street.
Schedule of Services
Services are officiated in English and Romanian language.
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy, Coffee Hour, Church School.
Sunday Morning
For any other service, please call the Church Office at 570-454-7224 or the priest residence at 570-401-1389.
Parish Background
In 1991, a small group of Romanians located in Hazleton, PA and surrounding areas decided to form a mission. They had nothing but a strong desire to succeed. From the beginning, the mission was put under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America and His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel. With his blessing, Rev. Fr. Onisie Morar officiated the first Divine Liturgy on April 19, 1991. Later on, with the help of Mr. & Mrs Jonel Pasula, Mr. & Mrs Ilija Germinjanc, Mr. Marian Pop, Mr. Ioan Anton, and Nicolae Cornea, Rev. Fr. Onisie Morar set up a small altar and veneration place on Emil and Dorina Horga’s property in Hazleton, where the first Resurrection Service was officiated.
During 1992-1993 the Mission held its services in various locations, the most important being St Michael’s Orthodox Church in Freeland, PA, where its basement, at that time, served perfectly the purposes of the mission. Thanks to the kindness and love of Fr. Lawrence Barigger, all the services could be officiated in a perfect organized hall, which was generously equipped with all things necessary. While services were held at St. Michael’s, the newly formed mission began to organize and strengthen. The Mission Council and Ladies Auxiliary Organization were formed, and then the vision to have a personal place of worship became imperative.
In 1993, the Mission Council decided to buy the building of the United Methodist Church in Hazleton and adopted the name of Palm Sunday Romanian Church. The mortgage was paid off in 1999, before the church’s consecration in November by His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel. In addition, the parish changed its name to St Joseph of Maramures Romanian Orthodox Church.
Since then, through the love and dedication of its parishioners, the parish added to its value numerous religious items, icons, vestments, and books, an audio system for services and set up a small room for Sunday School. Since 1992 the number of those who attend the services at this church increased, many of them coming from Romania or moving from upstate New York area and New York City. St Joseph’s Church is the only Romanian Orthodox Church in Luzerne County and surroundings.
We are looking forward to seeing you in the church. The Liturgy is officiated every Sunday morning at 10 am. Sunday School starts at 11:30. We strongly encourage you to participate to the mystery of the Body and Blood of our Resurrected Lord Jesus; please keep in mind that Communion is only for orthodox baptized who confessed and properly prepared themselves.