Metropolitan Gregory’s First Visit To Allison Park, May 2025

On May 10th-11th, His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory visited the Pittsburgh area.  On Saturday, May 10th, Metropolitan Gregory attended the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Faith Night baseball game against the Atlanta Braves with members of the Pittsburgh and Tri-State Deaneries.  (The fellowship was better than the game itself.).

On Sunday, May 11th (Mother’s Day), His Eminence made his first Archpastoral visit to Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Allison Park, PA.  About two years prior, the parish had relocated from the North Side of Pittsburgh.  Prior to the start of the Divine Liturgy, Larry Martin, Parish Council President, greeted Metropolitan with the traditional bread and salt.  Fr. David Urban greeted him with the parish Hand Cross.  That weekend anticipated the 10-year ordination anniversary of Fr. David Urban, pastor of the parish.

Metropolitan Gregory spoke on the importance of the mothers in our lives and the importance of keeping in contact with them. His Eminence shared that with the technology available to us today, we should be in contact with the mothers in our lives (Mothers, Grandmothers, God-Mothers, etc.) as much as possible, if not daily.  

Many children were present and participated in the service.  At the conclusion, Joshua and Elias Mainolfi were blessed as Acolytes of the church.  Following the Divine Liturgy, the youth presented his Eminence with flowers and welcomed him to the North Hills as parishioners and guests gathered in the hall for a wonderful pot-luck meal. 

The Parishioners of Saint John the Baptist would like to thank His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, for his visit and his continued guidance and support to their congregation. Eis Polla Eti Despota!  (Many years, O Master!)