DIOCESE OF EASTERN AMERICA: August 9, 2011
St Panteleimon Chapel Holds a Divine Service

Seventy-five miles from New York City is the town of Kittatinny, PA, located in the steep, thickly-wooded mountains, which won't be found on every map. Within these hills is the "Indian Trail," along which tribes escaped the encroaching alien European civilization. At the foot of the hills is small, beautiful Lake Kittatinny, ensconced in green. Fifty years ago there were not more than twenty homes here along the lakeside. Drawn by the beauty of the lake and the virgin forest surrounding it, Russians appeared here some 40 years ago, with the idea of building a chapel to service the spiritual needs of Russian vacationers. This idea was supported by the entire local Orthodox population. According to the plans drawn up by M.S. Ryl and approved by the faithful, a site was prepared in the summer of 1961. In the middle of the settlement, on a cliff, a foundation was consecrated in 1962, and the following year, a cozy chapel went up on the land donated by M.S. Ryl and two other locals, adorned with a cross on a golden cupola. The Orthodox temple was joyfully accepted by the local authorities and the Americans living in Kittatinny. They saw how earnestly and with what love these Russians, spending hours and hours of their vacation time, labored over the creation of the church, and they say that it is the "adornment and pride of Kittatinny." On June 29, 1963, the chapel was consecrated in honor of Great Martyr Panteleimon. The rite of consecration was performed by Mitred Protopriest Mitrofan Znosko-Borovsky (later Bishop of Boston), then-Rector of St Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff, NY.  

On Sunday, August 7, 2011, solemn services for the approaching feast day were headed by Protopriest Serafim Gan along with Protodeacon Paul Wolkoff and Deacon Eugene Kallaur. Natalia Zhenilova led the prayerful choir. After Divine Liturgy and a moleben to Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon, an abundant trapeza feast at the summer home of Mr Ryl was offered.