Difference between revisions of "David (Mahaffey) of Sitka"

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==Life==
 
==Life==
David Mahaffey was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1952. In 1973, he married the former Karen Meterko with whom he had four children. In 1975, David was received into the Orthodox Christian faith.
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Sterry David Mahaffey, Jr.,  was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on [[May 25]], 1952, and baptised at Mahaffey Methodist Church on [[December 14]] the same year. In 1968, he began serving as a lay minister in the United Methodist Church, conducting services and delivering homilies for UMC parishes.  He also studied at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Punxsutawney Campus) between 1970-72. In his secular work, he worked in maintenance, heavy equipment operator, and other roles between 1970-89, before working in car sales between 1989-91.
  
He was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]] in 1981 and served at various [[parish]]es of the [[Diocese of Western Pennsylvania (OCA)|Diocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania]].  He was ordained a [[priest]] in 1993 and was assigned as rector of the Church  of St. Michael in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, serving until 2006, when he was transferred to the pastorate of Holy Trinity Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
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On [[May 5]], 1973, he married the former Karen Meterko at Sts Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Urey, with whom he had four children - Nikolas in 1980, Sterry Michael in 1982, Seth in 1985 and Kyra in 1987. In 1975, he ceased to be a UMC lay minister, and was chrismated into the Orthodox Christian faith on [[November 16]], 1975, at the same church he was married.  He also began the Late Vocations Program of the [[Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania]] in the same year, graduating in 1980.
  
Fr. David served as a graduate assistant in the Theology Department of the University of Scranton, adjunct lecturer at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and adjunct lecturer in theology and philosophy at the Melrose Park Campus of Alvernia University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also has served in a wide variety of capacities in the [[Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania (OCA)|Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania]], including [[dean]] of the Philadelphia Deanery.
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He was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]] on [[April 12]], 1981, and served at various [[parish]]es of the [[Diocese of Western Pennsylvania (OCA)|Diocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania]], and also serving as the Parish Education Coordinator at those parishes - including speaking on teen and adult education at retreats and lecture series' in Eastern and Western Pennsylvania Dioceses, and developing educational software in game format for use at parish and regional levels.
  
In 1997, he received a Master of Divinity degree from [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary|St. Tikhon’s Seminary]] in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.
+
In 1992, he began studying a Master of Divinity at [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theology Seminary]].  While studying, he was ordained a [[priest]] on [[July 31]], 1993, and was assigned as rector of St Michael's Church in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Fr David graduated ''cum laude'' from St Tikhon's in 1997, before starting further studies at the University of Scranton in 1999 with Bachelors of Arts majoring in Theology and in Philosophy and graduating ''magna cum laude'' in 2003 (with awards for Academic Excellence and Excellence in Philosophy, and giving Presidential Honors in 2000, 2001 and 2003 from the University President), and graduating from a Master of Arts in Theology degree (also from the University of Scranton).  He continued to serve at St Michael's until January 2006, when he was transferred to the pastorate of Holy Trinity Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and was then transferred from there to be Acting Rector of St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Bethlehem, PA.  He also served as [[dean]] of the Philadelphia Deanery, as Treasurer of St Tikhon's Alumni Association, Secretary of the NEPA Chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu Alumni, Secretary of the Clergy Brotherhood of NEPA, Staff of ''Your Diocese Alive in Christ'' magazine, auditor of the [[OCA]] and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, and on the Bishop's Task Force on Missions and Evangelism for the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania.
  
In 2003, he graduated from the University of Scranton with Bachelors degrees in Theology and Philosophy. In 2005, he also received his Master of Arts degree in theology from the University of Scranton.
+
In 1997, he received a Master of Divinity degree from [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary|St. Tikhon’s Seminary]] in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.  In 2003, he graduated from the University of Scranton with Bachelors degrees in Theology and Philosophy. In 2005, he also received his Master of Arts degree in Theology from the University of Scranton.
  
In 2007, Fr. David's wife Karen fell asleep in the Lord.<ref>[http://doepa.org/news_070809_1.html] In Memoriam: Matushka Karen Mahaffey</ref> In 2009, he was assigned rector of St. Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
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Between 2003-04, Fr. David served as a graduate assistant in the Theology Department of the University of Scranton, before serving from 2005 as Adjunct Lecturer in Philosophy, Doctrine, Church History, Comparative Theology and Modern Belief at [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary|St. Tikhon’s Seminary]], and from March 2009 as adjunct lecturer in theology and philosophy at the Melrose Park Campus of Alvernia University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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On [[August 8]], 2007, Fr. David's wife, Matushka Karen, fell asleep in the Lord.<ref>[http://doepa.org/news_070809_1.html] In Memoriam: Matushka Karen Mahaffey</ref> In 2009, he was assigned rector of St. Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
  
 
On [[September 15]] 2012 he was nominated by the delegates to the Assembly of the [[Diocese of Alaska (OCA)|Diocese of Alaska]] as the candidate for election as Bishop of Sitka and Alaska by the [[Holy Synod]].
 
On [[September 15]] 2012 he was nominated by the delegates to the Assembly of the [[Diocese of Alaska (OCA)|Diocese of Alaska]] as the candidate for election as Bishop of Sitka and Alaska by the [[Holy Synod]].
  
On October 9-11, 2012 the Holy Synod of OCA accepted Archbishop [[Benjamin (Peterson) of San Francisco|Benjamin’s]] presentation of Hieromonk David (Mahaffey) as the nominee for the Episcopal See of Alaska<ref>[http://oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-of-bishops-concludes-fall-session  Holy Synod of Bishops concludes fall session]</ref>.
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On October 9-11, 2012 the Holy Synod of OCA accepted Archbishop [[Benjamin (Peterson) of San Francisco|Benjamin’s]] presentation of Hieromonk David (Mahaffey) as the nominee for the Episcopal See of Alaska<ref>[http://oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-of-bishops-concludes-fall-session  Holy Synod of Bishops concludes fall session]</ref>. On Friday, February 21, 2014, Hieromonk David was consecrated Bishop of Alaska during a Hierarchical Liturgy by [[Metropolitan]] [[Tikhon (Mollard) of Washington]], Archbishop Benjamin, Bishop [[Michael (Dahulich) of New York]], Bishop [[Irineu (Duvlea) of Dearborn Heights]], and Bishop [[Irénée (Rochon) of Quebec City]] at St Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage, Alaska. Co-serving the bishops were [[Chancery office of the Orthodox Church in America|Chancellor for the Orthodox Church in America]] [[Archpriest]] [[John A. Jillions]], [[Chancellor]] of the Diocese of Alaska Archpriest Victor Nick, and 40 other priests from around the diocese. A banquet was held in his honor that evening at the University of Alaska’s Lucy Cuddy Center in Anchorage<ref>[http://oca.org/news/headline-news/banquet-honoring-bishop-david-held-at-university Banquet honoring Bishop David held at University]</ref>.
 
 
On Friday, February 21, 2014, Hieromonk David was consecrated Bishop of Alaska during a Hierarchical Liturgy by [[Metropolitan]] [[Tikhon (Mollard) of Washington]], Archbishop Benjamin, Bishop [[Michael (Dahulich) of New York]], Bishop [[Irineu (Duvlea) of Dearborn Heights]], and Bishop [[Irénée (Rochon) of Quebec City]] at St Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage, Alaska. Co-serving the bishops were [[Chancery office of the Orthodox Church in America|Chancellor for the Orthodox Church in America]] [[Archpriest]] [[John A. Jillions]], [[Chancellor]] of the Diocese of Alaska Archpriest Victor Nick, and 40 other priests from around the diocese. A banquet was held in his honor that evening at the University of Alaska’s Lucy Cuddy Center in Anchorage<ref>[http://oca.org/news/headline-news/banquet-honoring-bishop-david-held-at-university Banquet honoring Bishop David held at University]</ref>.
 
  
 
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* [http://oca.org/news/headline-news/diocese-of-alaska-nominates-archprist-david-mahaffey-to-vacant-see-of-sitka Diocese of Alaska nominates Archpriest David Mahaffey to vacant See of Sitka and Alaska]
 
* [http://oca.org/news/headline-news/diocese-of-alaska-nominates-archprist-david-mahaffey-to-vacant-see-of-sitka Diocese of Alaska nominates Archpriest David Mahaffey to vacant See of Sitka and Alaska]
 
* [http://www.stnicholasoca.org/administration.html Hieromonk S. David Mahaffey, Jr. - Hieromonk]
 
* [http://www.stnicholasoca.org/administration.html Hieromonk S. David Mahaffey, Jr. - Hieromonk]
*[http://oca.org/news/headline-news/the-episcopal-consecration-of-bishop-david-of-sitka-and-alaska The Episcopal Consecration of Bishop David of Sitka and Alaska]
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* [http://oca.org/news/headline-news/the-episcopal-consecration-of-bishop-david-of-sitka-and-alaska The Episcopal Consecration of Bishop David of Sitka and Alaska]
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* [http://www.nynjoca.org/files/2009/08-17/Mahaffey_bio.pdf Curriculum Vitae: V. Rev. S. David Mahaffey, Jr.] (for the Episcopal Search Committee of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey)
  
 
[[Category:Bishops]]
 
[[Category:Bishops]]

Revision as of 10:10, March 24, 2015

His Grace, the Right Reverend David (Mahaffey) of Sitka (secular name Sterry David Mahaffey Jr) is the current Bishop of Sitka and Alaska for the Orthodox Church in America.

Life

Sterry David Mahaffey, Jr., was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on May 25, 1952, and baptised at Mahaffey Methodist Church on December 14 the same year. In 1968, he began serving as a lay minister in the United Methodist Church, conducting services and delivering homilies for UMC parishes. He also studied at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Punxsutawney Campus) between 1970-72. In his secular work, he worked in maintenance, heavy equipment operator, and other roles between 1970-89, before working in car sales between 1989-91.

On May 5, 1973, he married the former Karen Meterko at Sts Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Urey, with whom he had four children - Nikolas in 1980, Sterry Michael in 1982, Seth in 1985 and Kyra in 1987. In 1975, he ceased to be a UMC lay minister, and was chrismated into the Orthodox Christian faith on November 16, 1975, at the same church he was married. He also began the Late Vocations Program of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in the same year, graduating in 1980.

He was ordained a deacon on April 12, 1981, and served at various parishes of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, and also serving as the Parish Education Coordinator at those parishes - including speaking on teen and adult education at retreats and lecture series' in Eastern and Western Pennsylvania Dioceses, and developing educational software in game format for use at parish and regional levels.

In 1992, he began studying a Master of Divinity at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theology Seminary. While studying, he was ordained a priest on July 31, 1993, and was assigned as rector of St Michael's Church in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Fr David graduated cum laude from St Tikhon's in 1997, before starting further studies at the University of Scranton in 1999 with Bachelors of Arts majoring in Theology and in Philosophy and graduating magna cum laude in 2003 (with awards for Academic Excellence and Excellence in Philosophy, and giving Presidential Honors in 2000, 2001 and 2003 from the University President), and graduating from a Master of Arts in Theology degree (also from the University of Scranton). He continued to serve at St Michael's until January 2006, when he was transferred to the pastorate of Holy Trinity Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and was then transferred from there to be Acting Rector of St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Bethlehem, PA. He also served as dean of the Philadelphia Deanery, as Treasurer of St Tikhon's Alumni Association, Secretary of the NEPA Chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu Alumni, Secretary of the Clergy Brotherhood of NEPA, Staff of Your Diocese Alive in Christ magazine, auditor of the OCA and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, and on the Bishop's Task Force on Missions and Evangelism for the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania.

In 1997, he received a Master of Divinity degree from St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Scranton with Bachelors degrees in Theology and Philosophy. In 2005, he also received his Master of Arts degree in Theology from the University of Scranton.

Between 2003-04, Fr. David served as a graduate assistant in the Theology Department of the University of Scranton, before serving from 2005 as Adjunct Lecturer in Philosophy, Doctrine, Church History, Comparative Theology and Modern Belief at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and from March 2009 as adjunct lecturer in theology and philosophy at the Melrose Park Campus of Alvernia University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

On August 8, 2007, Fr. David's wife, Matushka Karen, fell asleep in the Lord.[1] In 2009, he was assigned rector of St. Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

On September 15 2012 he was nominated by the delegates to the Assembly of the Diocese of Alaska as the candidate for election as Bishop of Sitka and Alaska by the Holy Synod.

On October 9-11, 2012 the Holy Synod of OCA accepted Archbishop Benjamin’s presentation of Hieromonk David (Mahaffey) as the nominee for the Episcopal See of Alaska[2]. On Friday, February 21, 2014, Hieromonk David was consecrated Bishop of Alaska during a Hierarchical Liturgy by Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) of Washington, Archbishop Benjamin, Bishop Michael (Dahulich) of New York, Bishop Irineu (Duvlea) of Dearborn Heights, and Bishop Irénée (Rochon) of Quebec City at St Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage, Alaska. Co-serving the bishops were Chancellor for the Orthodox Church in America Archpriest John A. Jillions, Chancellor of the Diocese of Alaska Archpriest Victor Nick, and 40 other priests from around the diocese. A banquet was held in his honor that evening at the University of Alaska’s Lucy Cuddy Center in Anchorage[3].

Succession box:
David (Mahaffey) of Sitka
Preceded by:
Nikolai (Soraich)
Bishop of Sitka and Alaska
(OCA)

2014-present
Succeeded by:
Help with box



References

Source