Blessing of graves for Pentecost at St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church Cemetery in Saint Clair

Jun. 4—SAINT CLAIR — Near a gleaming white chapel on a hillside dotted with mature arborvitae, a choir of voices rang out in prayer for their beloved departed Saturday in St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church Cemetery.

Led by the Rev. Jeff L. Zias, pastor, about a dozen parishioners sang blessings at selected graves throughout the century-old cemetery atop a ridge overlooking the borough.

The Pentecostal blessing of the graves followed a brief spiritual service in honor of the dead. The service was performed at noon beneath a large Byzantine cross at the center of the cemetery.

William Sutzko, a church elder, called the assembly to worship with the ringing of the bell in the one-room chapel used only on special occasions. It is believed to have been built by John and Evgenii Gogotz in 1943.

Sutzko and Edward Udut, who serves on the church's consistory, assisted Zias, who wore a black cassock and a gold stole draped around his neck.

"How much more powerful are our prayers when we gather here to honor our loved ones," Zias told the gathering. "Our prayers will move them into the grace of God."

The event, a spiritual tradition on the church calendar, has been held for generations by the 125-year-old parish.

Michael Mistishen recalled a time when the cemetery would be filled with families and the service had a picnic-like atmosphere.

Mistishen and his spouse, Anne Marie, sat on folding chairs near a family. A Barnesville resident, he is the last surviving member of his immediate family.

"I miss everybody," he said, thinking back to old times during the blessing of the family plot.

Zias performed the ritual blessing, which included singing a prayer and anointing the graves with holy water, at the tombstone of the Rev. Andrew Slepecky, who was church pastor for 40 years.

He also offered special intentions at the grave of John Kostura, a longtime church member and benefactor.

Suzanne Enders joined the pastor during the blessing at the grave of her parents, John and Sue Macole, of Saint Clair.

"They who have departed can no longer pray for themselves, so we pray for them," said Enders, 76, a retired insurance agent. "We pray that they will be in heaven."

The well-kept cemetery was bursting with colorful spring flowers and flags snapping in the wind, remnants of Memorial Day.

Jean Semanco joined Zias at the grave of her late husband, Paul, who died five years ago. His grave, befitting the former Marine, was adorned with an American flag and a "Freedom" banner.

"I miss him," Jean said. "We were married for 50 years."

A third-generation church member, Udut, participated in the blessing of the graves of his parents, Andrew and Helen Udut, and grandparents, Michael and Anna Udut.

"I want them to know that they are not forgotten," said Udut, a retired postal worker who lives near the cemetery. "I hope that they can see me, and be proud of me."

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007