Matthias (Moriak) of Chicago

Hieromonk Matthias (Moriak) is the bishop-nominee of the Diocese of the Midwest of the Orthodox Church in America.

Life

Father Matthias was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the public schools in Cleveland. Following his graduation from high school in June 1967, he attended Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, graduating in June 1972.

Also, on June 3, 1972, he married Jeannette before his ordination to the priesthood on June 18. Fr, Matthias and Jeannette had two children, Rachel and Michael.

Following his ordination as a priest, Fr. Matthias served at parishes in Jenner, Pennsylvania (1972 to 1975), Freehold, New Jersey (1975 to 1978: a mission church that he founded), Gary, Indiana (1978 to 1982), Saint Clair, Pennsylvania (1982 to 2004), at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown (2004 to 2006), and St. Gregory MIssion Seaford, New York (2006 to 2010).

In May 1996, Fr. Matthias' wife Jeannette was diagnosed with leukemia and reposed in March 1997. While serving in St. Clair, Fr. Matthias enrolled at St. Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania and graduated in 2000 with a Masters of Divinity Degree. After visiting monasteries in Jerusalem, Greece, Turkey, Guatemala, and Mount Athos, Fr. Matthias was tonsured a Riasaphor monk at Camp Nazareth on October 14, 2003.

On September 1, 2010, Fr. Matthias was received into the clergy of the Orthodox Church in America and was assigned as acting rector at the Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery, Otego, New York under the omophorion of Bp. Michael of New York.

During 2010, Fr. Matthias was one the candidates considered by the OCA Diocese of the Midwest for election as their diocesan bishop. In September 2010, an assembly of the diocese nominated him to the Synod of Bishops of the OCA as their choice as their diocesan bishop.

Sources

• Father Matthias (Moriak)
• News and Events
• RELEASE NUMBER 2010.18.1