An Addition to the Clergy: The New Priests are Admitted into the Slavic Vicariate

In this year 2024 we mark the 5^th anniversary of creation of the Slavic Vicariate in America which unifies parishes of the Slavic tradition under the omophorion of the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. By the grace of God, the Vicariate is developing: the number of parishes grows, the new clerics are being ordained or joined, and the parish membership increases.

On August 19, feast of the Transfiguration according to the Julian calendar, Archbishop Elpidophoros signed the documents on the admission of the three new priests into the Slavic Vicariate, issuing the appropriate decrees.
These are:

– Archpriest Borys Babeshko.
In 1995-2023 he was a cleric of the Eparchy of Dnipropetrovsk and Kryvyi Rih of the Ukrainian  Orthodox Church (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate), and in 2000-2023 carried an obedience of the Dean of Kryvyi Rih. He will continue his ministry at St. John the Forerunner Cathedral in Brooklyn.

– Archpriest John Voloshchuk.
Joined along with St. John of Shanghai parish in Jacksonville, FL that used to be under the jurisdiction of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Patriarchate.

– Priest Petr Prakaptsou.
Was a cleric of the Eparchy of Homel in the Belarusian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). He will continue serving at St. John the Forerunner Cathedral in Brooklyn.

Before those priests, in 2023 Archpriest Igor Tarasov was admitted into the clergy of the Vicariate. Prior to that Fr. Igor was serving in the Russian Orthodox Church in the positions of the Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and as the Dean of Eastern States. He has a higher theological and legal education and, accordingly, holds a PhD in Theology and a JD in Law. Fr. Igor is presently carrying his ministry at St. John the Forerunner Cathedral and has a legal practice as an attorney.

It should be noted that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America admits new clergy who possess appropriate documentation, pass the psychological evaluation and a probation period. Only after a diligent check of all the documents a candidate may be admitted to the Archdiocese.

We wish the said priests God’s help, fortitude and zeal in the Lord in their further pastoral ministry!