The Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral of the Orthodox Church in America in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, holds its future in uncertainty after a unanimous decision in September 2024, resulting in its closure and paving the way for a sale of the property.
Regarded as a historic landmark in Wilkes-Barre, considerably notable for serving the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental needs of the community for more than 100 years, the decision for its sale and possible demolition is attributed to structural issues and declining membership.
The closure decision was officially published in a statement from the Orthodox Church of America Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania on September 20, 2024, following a letter from the parishioners with a unanimous 25-vote in favor.
In a letter dated September 16, 2024, proposing closure, signed by Bain David Hutz, the president of the Holy Resurrection Cathedral, stated, “The exterior roof and interior ceiling of our Cathedral are currently in need of major repairs. Completing these repairs would wipe out most, if not all of our investment account. And due to a dwindling number of active members, who are disproportionately elderly, we have difficulty in meeting our month-to-month expenses”.
The parishioners requested that the parish be combined with Holy Trinity Orthodox Church to strengthen Wilkes-Barre’s Orthodox community and further preserve the memory of Saint Alexis.
An Orthodox Christian working to buy and save the Resurrection Cathedral
Although the Church authorities agreed to sell off the property to any potential buyer, a more deserving individual, an orthodox Christian with a strong attachment to the faith, has come to its rescue.
With a “for sale” sign now standing outside the cathedral, Demetri Patitsas of Mountain Top, after learning of the sale in early May, expressed interest in purchasing the property and was invited to tour the space.
In an interview with a media house, Fox59news, Patitsas said, “This church has faithfully, faithfully served the needs spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally of the community here in Wilkes-Barre for over 125 years,”.
“We took a personal tour along with a contractor friend of mine. After our walk through, we were just surprised,” Patitsas explained.
Patitsas believes that with some work, the cathedral can be revitalized for future generations.
“Let’s not lose the patient over a broken foot,” Patitsas said.
After another group’s offer reportedly fell through, Patitsas submitted his own bid, hoping to secure the property.
“When our offer letter fell on deaf ears that the diocese of the OCA, which maintains this church, would rather have it demolished. That confused us,” said Patitsas.
As of this report, Wilkes-Barre’s Zoning Office has not received any demolition permits for the cathedral.
Efforts by Fox56News to reach out to the Diocese and its treasurer for comments on the developments at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral were futile by the time of the reporting.
