Archpriest Paul and Matushka Mary Shafran

Archpriest Paul Shafran (1922-____)

and

Matushka Mary (born Obletiloff) Shafran (1925-____)

Paul may be spelt Pavel.

Mary may be spelt Maria, Marie.

Obletiloff may be spelt Obletilov.

Early life of Paul Shafran

On 2 July, 1922, Paul Stephan Shafran was born (with his twin sister Pauline) to Stephan Shafran and Rozal’ya Shafran (born Fefah or Fesz) in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, USA. There were other siblings.

Paul and Pauline were baptised at Saint Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church in Olyphant.

Paul Shafran, 1923

Olyphant is located about 24 km (15 mi) from Saint Tikhon’s Monastery at South Canaan. This monastery has always been a focus for parishes near and far. This parish was established at about the same time as the monastery.

In 1938, Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Christian Pastoral School (Seminary) was founded at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery. Archbishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) (the first abbot of the monastery in 1905) was assigned to serve as the first rector of the seminary. That year, he had been returned to Saint Tikhon’s Monastery from Canada, in retirement from active archpastoral service there.

Paul was raised as an Orthodox Christian in an Orthodox Christian family. The spiritual formation he received at home and in the parish kindled a love for the Lord which seems to have sustained him and motivated him throughout the entirety of his life. In the parish, he sang in the choir, and he served in the Altar as an acolyte with Father Joseph Pishtey II.

In 1939, Paul graduated from high school in Olyphant, Pennsylvania. Father Pishtey helped him to apply for admission to seminary ; and Father Pishtey was himself transferred soon afterwards to Holy Trinity Church, Yonkers, New York. .

During a major renovation in the Saint Nicholas Temple of Olyphant, Archbishop Arseny (Chahovtosv) blessed the new Altar with its Holy Table and Proskomedia Table on 19 December, 1940.

Higher education

After his graduation from high school, Paul entered a 5-year joint degree programme in New York City. It was offered by Columbia University, and by Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (which was housed in rented quarters belonging to Union Theological Seminary, a part of the university). This seminary had been founded in 1938, in the same year as Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.

In 1944, Paul S Shafran graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Columbia University (later, he earned also a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree).

In 1945, Paul S Shafran graduated from Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree.

Marriage, 1947

On 27 November, 1947 (Thanksgiving Day), Paul S Shafran was married to Mary Obletiloff in Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Warren, Ohio.

Mary Obletiloff had been born in about 1925 in Warren, Ohio, to Michael and Julia (born Racka) Obletiloff. Their marriage was solemnised in her home parish.

Marriage, 1947

At that time, parishes were almost always following the Old (Julian) Calendar, so this was a permitted date.

As was practiced frequently in those days (often because of necessity, due to a shortage of clergy), the young couple had little time for settling as a couple after the blessing of their marriage. Ordination was quickly proposed.

Diaconal ordination, 1947

On 14 December, 1947, Bishop Nikon (de Grève) ordained Subdeacon Paul S Shafran to the Holy Diaconate during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Protection of the Holy Virgin, New York City.

Presbyteral ordination, 1947

On 28 December, 1947, Bishop Nikon (de Grève) ordained Deacon Paul Shafran to the Holy Priesthood during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Protection of the Holy Virgin, New York City.

Priest Paul Shafran

Pastoral service

On 6 January, 1948, Priest Paul Shafran began his assignment as Pastor at Saint Michael Orthodox Church, Robins, Ohio. Concurrently, he served 2 other rural parishes in the region. He was transferred in the following year.

Pastoral and academic development

In June. 1949, in accordance with his transfer and assignment, he commenced his service commenced as Pastor at Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church, Trenton, New Jersey. From that time, he remained in the same parish.

Study and teaching

At the same time, Father Paul Shafran undertook post-graduate studies at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. This course of studies lasted for several years.

In 1951-1952, in addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Father Paul served as a faculty member at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, where he taught Liturgics.

Additions to the Temple in Trenton

At this time, Saint Vladimir’s Church in Trenton, New Jersey, was enlarged to twice its original size, and the basement was enlarged and remodelled.  Then, in 1953-54, a new iconostas was constructed and installed.

Further responsibilities

In February, 1955, Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) assigned Father Paul Shafran to work together with Archpriests Georges Florovsky and John Telep to serve as a commission for review of a prayer book published by “Svit” Publishers.

In May, 1956, Father Paul was assigned to serve as Assistant Chairman of the Sunday School Committee (later called the Religious Education Committee) of the “Metropolia” (Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America). He worked together with Archpriest John Kivko and Mrs. Sophie Koulomzine.

During 1955-1956, Pimen Sofronov completed the iconography that covered the entire interior of the Temple and the iconostas. All the work of renovating the interior of the Temple and its furnishings was completed.

In January, 1957, Priest Paul Shafran was awarded the honour of wearing a Gold Cross by the blessing of Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich),

During 1956-1960, Father Paul served as treasurer of the Charity Committee of the “Metropolia”. In October, 1960, Priest Paul Shafran was assigned by the Great Council of Bishops of the “Metropolia” to serve on a commission (with Father John Meyendorff as Chairman) for the translation of liturgical books from Russian into English.

In 1961, Priest Paul Shafran was elevated to the dignity of archpriest.

The Daria hall

In 1964, construction of Daria Hall (the parish social-educational building of Saint Vladimir’s parish) was completed.

Saint Vladimir trustee, 1966

In 1966, Archpriest Paul Shafran was appointed to be a Trustee of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary.

In 1968, Father Paul Shafran completed his studies, and he received a Master of Arts (M.A(. degree from Columbia University in New York City.

Second Temple expansion

In 1968, the Temple of Saint Vladimir in Princeton, New Jersey, was enlarged a second time.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Archpriest Paul Shafran served as Orthodox Chaplain at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and at Rider College in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He also served as a Diocesan Council member in the New Jersey.

In 1976, Archpriest Paul Shafran was awarded the honour of wearing a Jewelled Cross by the Holy Synod of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA).

Bereavement, 1979

On 29 March, 1979, Rozalia Shafran fell asleep in the Lord in Olyphant, Pennsylvania.

The Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person was served in Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Olyphant, Pennsylvania.

Following the funeral obsequies, her body was interred in the Saint Tikhon's Monastery Cemetery at South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Bereavement, 1981

On 4 May, 1981, Stephan Shafran fell asleep in the Lord at Olyphant, Pennsylvania.

Following the funeral obsequies, her body was interred in the Saint Tikhon's Monastery Cemetery at South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Saints Cosmas and Damian Residence trustee

In 1983, Father Paul was appointed to serve as a Trustee of Saints Cosmas and Damian Adult Home on Staten Island, New York.

In 1989 Father Paul Shafran participated in a pilgrimage to Russia and Ukraine (at that time, still in the USSR), for the continuing celebration of the anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’ (in 988).

50 years of marriage, and of presbyteral ordination

In 1997, there was a celebration of Father Paul’s 50th anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood, and of the 50th anniversary of the marriage of Father Paul and Matushka Mary.

Father Paul was awarded the Order of Saint Innocent, Silver Cross.

Father Paul, Order of Saint Innocent

50th Anniversary, with daughters

In 1999-2000 the completion of restoration of iconography and iconostasis in Saint Vlaimir’s was achieved.

In 2000, Father Paul Shafran travelled to Ukraine, and to the Republic of Georgia, and then to Alaska, including Sitka, Kodiak Island (relics of St. Herman), and Spruce Island - Hermitage of St. Herman.

Retirement from active pastoral service, 2002

In 2002, there was a celebration on the occasion of Father Paul’s retirement as pastor of Saint Vladimir’s. At the same time, he was named by Archbishop Peter (l’Huillier) as Pastor Emeritus of the parish.

Retirement activities

Also in 2002 Father Paul travelled throughout Eastern Europe. His itinerary included Poland for the consecration of church dedicated to the newly canonised martyr, Saint Maxim Sandovic

60th anniversary, 2007

In December, 2007, Father Paul and Matushka Mary Shafran marked the 60th anniversary of their crowning in marriage.

60th wedding anniversary, 2007

In 2010, in “retirement”, he travelled frequently to Staten Island, New York, to serve Sunday and feast day liturgies at Saints Cosmas and Damian Adult Home.

65th anniversary,

On Saturday, 29 December, 2012, marked the 67th anniversary of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood by presiding at the Divine Liturgy in Three Hierarchs Chapel at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, his alma mater, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow clergy.

Bishop Michael (Dahulich), Bishop of New York, and Diocese of New York and New Jersey, prayed on the solea during the service, thus giving Father Paul the honour of being the main celebrant at the Holy Table on the occasion. Concelebrating were fellow clergy : Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, chancellor of the New York and New Jersey Diocese ; Archpriest Daniel Skvir, rector of Holy Transfiguration Chapel, Princeton, New Jersey ; Archpriest Sergius Kuharsky, attached to Annunciation Church, Brick, New Jersey ; and Archpriest Steven J Belonick, rector of Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

After the Divine Liturgy

At the end of Divine Liturgy, Bishop Michael lauded Faterr Paul’s pastoral service, and he likened this service in the Church to that of the Holy Apostles John and Paul, who laboured with “energy, commitment, and faith”. “In the seventh decade of his priesthood”, noted Bishop Michael, “Father Paul continues to go from place to place to serve tirelessly, fearlessly, and selflessly as a priest of God. In him, we get a glimpse of an imitation of the holy apostles”.

Bishop Michael mentioned the many-faceted ministries that Father Paul exercised over the years, including his faithfulness as a concerned pastor ; his ability to “think out of the box”, and especially his forward thinking in building up an endowment for his former parish in New Jersey ; his commitment to theological education, both as an instructor at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and as a long-time member of its Board of Trustees ; his dedication to the care of the elderly as a Board of Trustees member at Saints Cosmos and Damian Adult Home on Staten Island ; and his more humble and less known ministry as a confidant to many clergy and hierarchs.

Acknowledging Father Paul’s long and broad church service, Bishop Michael presented him with a new vestment, a special "palitsa", with an icon of the Incarnation of Christ depicted on one side. and an icon of the Resurrection of Christ depicted on the other. “The icons are in recognition of the beginning and height of our salvation in Christ Jesus”, noted Bishop Michael.

Vladyka Michael observed also that people attending the celebratory Divine Liturgy represented nearly every aspect of Father Paul’s pastoral service. In conclusion, Bishop Michael lauded Father Paul’s wife, Matushka Mary (born Obletiloff) as an example of “full support” of her husband’s priestly ministry, and wished them both “many more years of health, in order to show forth the love of God in Christ Jesus”.

Further recognising Father Paul’s loyalty and dedication to Saint Vladimir’s Seminary were Archpriest Dr. John Behr, dean, and Archpriest Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor of the seminary, who presented him with a gramota on behalf of the Seminary, which paid homage to his accomplishments and exemplary service. During the deanship of Archpriest Dr. Georges Florovsky (1949–1955), Father Paul had served as Instructor of Liturgics at Saint Vladimir’s, beginning in 1951. Now a Trustee Emeritus of the Seminary, Father Paul also accomplished much in his capacity as a Board of Trustees member over the decades. He was instrumental, for example, in acquiring 2 important collections for the seminary library : part of Father Florovsky’s private collection, and the personal library of Archimandrite Anthony (Repella). Fellow seminary Trustees Thomas Zedlovich, Anthony Kasmer, and Tatiana Hoff were present also in order to honour Father Paul on the occasion.

After the presentations, Father Paul thanked both Bishop Michael and Fathers John and Chad for their “eloquent and kind words”. He also expressed his gratitude to God for being able to serve, for the very first time, at the seminary chapel’s Holy Table, which was a gift from Matushka Mary and him, in honour of Father Paul’s parents, Stephan and Rosalia Shafran. In so doing, he quoted the Psalm : “O give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy continues forever”.

Father Paul and Matushka Mary with Bishop Michael

70 years, 2017

In 2017, there was a celebration of Father Paul’s 70 Years in the Holy Priesthood, and of the 70th wedding anniversary of Father Paul and Matushka Mary Shafran.

74th anniversary of marriage and of priesthood, 2021

On 28 December, 2021, Archpriest Paul Shafran, Pastor Emeritus (retired) at Saint Vladimir's Church, Trenton, New Jersey, celebrated the 74th anniversary of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood. One month earlier, Father Paul and Matushka Mary celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary. They were married in Matushka's home town, Warren, Ohio, at Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church, on Thanksgiving Day (27 November, 1947), which was pre-Advent according to the Julian calendar that was followed in those days.

74 years of marriage

By the Grace of God, Father Paul and Matushka Mary continued to attend church services, and Father Paul continued to serve with joy in the Altar with Father Volodymyr Chaikivskiy, Rector of Saint Vladimir's Church.

Centenarian ; 75 years of marriage and of priesthood, 2022

Archpriest Paul Shafran, cenetenarian

On Saturday, 2 July, 2022, there was a celebration of Father Paul’s Centennial Birthday. That day was marked by a celebration hosted by his family, held at Saint Vladimir’s Temple, and at the Daria Parish Hall next door. Archbishop Michael (Dahulich), of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, presided at the celebration of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the morning. Concelebrating with him and Father Paul Shafran were : Priest Volodymyr Chaikivskiy, Rector, Saint Vladimir’s Church ; Archpriest Chad Hatfield, President of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary ; Archpriest Daniel Skvir, Holy Transfiguration Chapel, Princeton, New Jersey ; Archpriest Michael Sochka, Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Deacon Stephan Karlgut ; Deacon Bohdan Chaikivskiy, along with several subdeacons and altar servers. Also in attendance was Archpriest James Parsells, Rector, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Manville, New Jersey. Afterwards, at the repast in the hall, several prepared speeches were made, followed by other impromptu speeches.

Father Paul and Matushka Mary Shafran continued on with their life together, both at home and in the Temple, just as they had for all their days and years together in Christ.

Reflections

Father Paul Shafran was not limited in his active pastoral activities in Trenton. As he was a priest at all times, so was he a pastor at all times. Wherever he has gone, he has shown genuine love and interest in those he encountered. During his many years of service in various capacities at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, he approached students, and he inquired about their welfare. Canadian students are amongst those who benefitted from his “sunshiny personality” (as it might be said). The love of the Lord was a constant motivator for him, and for his wife, Matushka Mary, also.

“Reflections on my Priestly Life” By V. Rev. Paul S. Shafran (From 2002)

From my early childhood years, I had a desire to become a priest. As a youngster, I played the part of a priest, performing marriages of childhood friends, or having burial services for dead birds or pets. I was raised in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, in a religious Orthodox home and spent a good deal of time in church, serving as an altar boy and singing in the choir. We also had church school each day from 4 to 6 p.m. where we received religious instructions, learned to sing and read in the Church Slavonic language, and learned to read and write in Russian. All this schooling would later prove to be a good foundation for my seminary training, where, in those years, all classes were held in the Russian language, and we were expected to master the Russian language.

Upon graduating from high school, my parish priest, the Very Rev. Joseph Pishtey, helped me apply for admission to Saint Vladimir Theological Seminary. I was admitted to the seminary and to Columbia University as well. Studies at the seminary in the early years ran concurrently with studies at Columbia University. We attended classes at Columbia in the morning, and seminary classes in the afternoon. The schedule was very heavy with little time for sleep. This was a five-year program. After graduating from the university and from the seminary, I was first ordained a deacon, and on December 28, 1947, I was ordained a priest. At that time New York City was hit with one of its worst winter storms, the “blizzard of 1947” as it was called. The snow was three feet deep, and the city was at a standstill, but miraculously we got through the ordination.

My first assignment was in southern Ohio, where I was to be pastor of St. Michael Parish and two other small rural parishes in the vicinity. I arrived on the eve of Christmas, January 6, 1948, on the old Julian calendar. It was an extremely cold winter. Living conditions lacked the normal comforts that we usually expect, and the monthly salary was $100.00 dollars. However, the parishioners loved their church and church attendance was very good. Improvements were made in the church and rectory. The warm relationship and pastoral experience of this first assignment was very rewarding, and I have fond recollections to this day.

In the summer of 1949, I was assigned to Saint Vladimir Parish in Trenton, New Jersey. I accepted this assignment partly because I wanted to pursue graduate studies at Saint Vladimir Seminary and Columbia University. I became very interested when I learned that a new group of theologians from France would be coming to teach at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, whose names were : Father Georges Florovsky, Father Alexander Schmemann, Father John Meyendorff, Professors George Fedotoff, Nicholas Arsenieff, Spectorsky and others. It was an invaluable privilege to study under such scholars.

Saint Vladimir Parish was very small, and rather shabby when I arrived. The early years were difficult ; but in time, the number of parishioners grew, and this necessitated the enlargement of the church building. Soon after the construction was completed, a new iconostas, a new altar table and other church furniture were installed. In 1955, we were fortunate to find a renowned iconographer, Pimen Sofronov, who had recently arrived from Europe. He spent two years with us to complete the iconography of the iconostas and entire church.

In the early 1950s, following World War II, many immigrants – “Displaced Persons” – were arriving into the United States from Eastern Europe and Russia. Suffering from the ravages of war, they were poor, and needed a great deal of help solving their many personal problems. I became very involved with them, helping them find housing, taking them to factories where they could find employment, obtaining medical assistance, and charitable help. This took up much of my time, but these people became good parishioners who attended church services regularl,y and were grateful for the help they received.

In 1964, the Bonderchuk family donated the parcel of land adjacent to the church. Here we built the social-educational building – Daria Hall – in memory of Daria Bonderchuk. Some years later, Peter Traskewicz donated a large tract of land in Hamilton Square in memory of his wife Nadezhda. A picnic pavilion was constructed on the site for parish functions. Thanks in part to these generous donations, the parish continued to grow and flourish.

Religious education was a special area of interest and commitment for me. In addition to my parish work, which included development of the parish school program for the children, I was invited to serve as the Orthodox Chaplain at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and later Rider College in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. I taught liturgics at St. Vladimir Seminary. I served on the Metropolia’s Religious Education Commission with the Very Rev. John Kivko and Sofia Koulomzine, and was appointed to several other commissions of the Metropolia as well. I was also elected to the Diocesan Council when Metropolitan Ireney was Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. These various projects required extensive time and travel. We who participated received no monetary compensation. We all donated our time and God-given talents, and we derived great satisfaction from our working together.

Time in the Church is sacred, and is celebrated on Holy Days and special occasions. In each decade we commemorated and celebrated special events in our parish history. Thus, in 1955, we celebrated our 40th anniversary, in 1965 we celebrated our 50th, in 1975, our 60th, and in 1980, our 65th. In 1988, we also joined in celebrating the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus. Later in the 1990’s, we celebrated our 75th and 80th anniversaries. It was a joy to be with the parish through all these occasions. The year 1997 was especially significant in my life. I was able to celebrate my 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, and Matushka Mary and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. At the service of Thanksgiving, attended by many priests and parishioners and other guests, Metropolitan Theodosius bestowed upon me the award of the Silver Cross of Saint Innocent. In addition, a beautiful “Grammota,” expressing a blessing and appreciation for service in the Church, was presented to me, and one to Matushka Mary as well. Parishioners prepared a very beautiful and memorable banquet at Daria Hall. At the banquet, the parish presented us with a generous gift – a pilgrimage trip to the Orthodox shrines in Alaska – for which we were deeply grateful. Our journey to Orthodox Alaska was a tremendous religious experience. 60th Wedding Anniversary – 2007.

The fifty-five years since my ordination as priest – spanning across seven decades – have passed quickly. I am most grateful to my Lord for giving me this privilege and many years to serve His Holy Church. I look forward to serving as a priest in our Orthodox Church as long as I have my health. As I reflect upon my priestly life, I recall that there were some difficult times and challenges that had to be addressed. Nevertheless, being an Orthodox priest has been truly rewarding and spiritually enriching, and I cannot imagine living my life any other way.

The Orthodox Church, as the true Church of Christ, has a vital message to the world. I pray that Our Lord will bless the parishioners of St. Vladimir Parish and the new Pastor, to work together in preserving and promoting the Orthodox faith as taught by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Disciples, and their saintly successors.

Greetings :

Letter from David Drillock, Former Music Director, St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary, and Barbara Drillock

I first met Fr Paul Shafran in 1956 when I entered St Vladimir’s Seminary, then located in New York City. He was the seminary’s teacher of Liturgics and I remember how faithful he was in traveling from Trenton to New York City weekly to give his lectures. And I also remember how enthusiastic he was about liturgics and its importance in Orthodox worship when I took his course a few years later.

An avid supporter of the seminary, Fr Paul arranged yearly visits of the seminary choir to his parish. It is with great fondness that I remember our annual visits to St Vladimir’s Church in Trenton. Thanks to Fr Paul and to the iconographer Pimen Sofronov, the church with its beautiful Russo-Byzantinestyle icons gave the worshipper a glimpse into heaven. The seminary students always appreciated our trips to St Vladimir’s in Trenton and singing the Divine Liturgy in this beautiful church.

Fr Paul, after a short program of music presented by the seminarians at the banquet in Daria Hall following the Divine Liturgy, would introduce the leaders of the various organizations of the parish. Each person said a few words and then presented a check from the organization to the Seminary. And then Fr Paul would present the large parish check, representing the collection taken at the Divine Liturgy. As he announced the leaders of the parish organizations, he would say a few words about the person and the organization. In these few short words, one could easily recognize the pastoral care and genuine love that Fr Paul always had for his parishioners. Fr Paul, “your compassion and generosity are a manifestation of your ability to see in each individual who crosses your path the face of Christ. You shared in your parishioners’ joys and sorrows -- you confessed them, you served at their weddings, you baptized their children, and you visited them when they were ill.”

“God indeed has blessed you with so many gifts and talents and you have always used these gifts as a glorification of God Himself through your service to the Church. You are truly a man of God and an inspiration to all of us who have been personally touched by your life, your teaching, your love, and your friendship.”

All of this could not have been done without the support and help of his wife, Matushka Mary, who also truly loves the Orthodox Church. “Both Barbara and I greet you, Fr Paul Shafran and Matushka Mary, on the occasion of Fr Paul Shafran’s Centennial Birthday.”

David and Barbara Drillock July 2, 2022

Dear Father Paul,

Slava Isusu Christu!

Congratulations on your 100th birthday. By Divine Grace you have been a good priest, a devoted husband and father. You have been a very good friend & inspiration to our family for sixty-plus years.

Our prayer is that the Divine Physician of our souls and bodies be always at your side. We send our love, admiration, prayers and best for everything necessary.

Faithfully in Christ our Savior,

Father Thomas & Matushka Evelyn Ruzila-Edwards

Northampton, Pa.