Melchisedek (Pleska) of Pittsburgh
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His Grace, the Right Reverend Bishop Melchizedek (Pleska) of Pittsburgh is the ruling bishop of the OCA's Diocese of Western Pennsylvania (succeeding Abp. Kyrill (Yonchev) who had reposed in 2007). His Grace was consecrated on 27 June, 2009, at the Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky, Pittsburgh, by Metropolitan Jonah of Washington and New York and other members of the Holy Synod.
Life
Thomas Pleska was born in Dayton, Ohio, on August 20, 1942.
After graduating from St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 by Metropolitan Theodosius of New York. Fr Thomas pastored churches in Pottstown, Old Forge and Simpson, Pennsylvania, and in Meridian, Connecticut.
In 1998, Fr Thomas entered the monastic life in Greece, taking the name of Melchizedek. In 2004, Fr Melchizedek was tonsured to the great schema by his abbot, Archimandrite Dionysios, and was subsequently made archimandrite and spiritual father by his local metropolitan in Greece.
On November 15, 2008, he was nominated by the Extraordinary Assembly of the Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania to be the ruling bishop of the Archdiocese. On April 2, 2009, Fr Melchizedek was elected by the Holy Synod as ruling bishop, and was consecrated on June 27.