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==Life==
Father Joseph was born on [[May 15]], 1927 in Clifton, New Jersey, the son of Mitred [[Archpriest]] Peter and Anna Kreta. He grew up in McKeesport, Pennsylvania where he actively took part in the [[parish]] life of the parish to which his father was assigned. At the age of seventeen, Joseph joined the United States Navy during the latter part of World War II after his graduated from high school in1944in 1944. While serving in the Navy, Joseph experienced his call to serve [[Christ]] and His Church in Alaska as he experienced the wonder of the land while on his ship in the Aleutian Islands.
Completing his Naval tour of duty, Joseph enrolled in [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|St. Tikhon's Seminary]] in South Canaan, Pennsylvania in September 1948. After graduating in 1951, Joseph married Marie Gambal on [[August 5]], 1951, then petitioned to enter the [[Holy Orders]] and to be assigned to parish in Juneau, Alaska. However, after his [[ordination]] as [[deacon]] on [[May 30]], 1952, followed on the next day to [[priest]], at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City, Father Joseph was assign to the [[cathedral]] to serve the English language community in the cathedral's St. Innocent [[Chapel]]. During the period of his service with St. Innocent Chapel, Fr. Joseph and his wife Marie became parents, first, of a son Peter and, four years later, twin sons John and Stephen.
