They marked 40 years of worship at St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church on Saturday morning.

But a handful of parishioners didn't just celebrate those 40 years. They lived every one of them, and look forward to more. "I hope to God that I live long enough to see the 60th celebration," said 72-year-old Chris Popovich.

He's one of five surviving members from the original congregation of St. Elias parish, which began with its first Divine Liturgy on Oct. 15, 1966. All five were at Saturday's celebratory Divine Liturgy, which was joined by clergy from around the region and as far away as New York.

St. Elias Archpriest Lawrence Bacik had planned on hosting a special visit from Bishop Mercurius (Ivanov), who is based at St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City and is one of the church's highest ranking officials in the United States. But Bishop Mercurius took ill on Thursday and sent the Rev. Hieromonk Joseph, the bishop's personal secretary, to attend in his place. And while disappointed that Bishop Mercurius was unable to attend Saturday's service, the most venerable members of St. Elias were pleased with what they've accomplished in four decades.

They recalled going door to door for donations to build the church, only to be told they were wasting their time. "We were told we wouldn't last one year," said 78-year-old Paul Meloff, "and here we are going on 40." The congregation, originally composed of immigrants from the Balkan states in Southeastern Europe, conducted services inside other buildings. Finally, they scraped together just enough money to build their own place. But it only got built because the members —in addition to working their everyday jobs away from the church — got on their hands and knees and constructed the entire church interior themselves.

In fact, 68-year-old Mike Yosifovski almost left one of his knees at the worksite. An accident during construction left him with a severe leg injury that caused him to miss 41 days at his regular job. "A lot of the work was done ourselves," Yosifovski said. "We were here every day. On weekends, it was sunrise to sunset. That's how this was built." Popovich spoke with particular delight about his latest contribution, the oak iconostasis that dominates the front of the temple. Added during a church renovation in 1995 and stretching the entire width of the temple, the iconostasis is home to the artistic icons that honor important figures in the church's history. "Every time I look at that, I feel proud," said Popovich, who partnered with fellow parishioner Piku Pazik on the project. "It surprised me that it came out so beautiful. I have a special connection with that."

He also has a special connection with the other original parishioners who are still alive — Yosifovski, Meloff, 92-year-old Mary McCarthy and 78-year-old Steve Slavoff. He's so close with Yosifovski that the two even bought cemetery plots together.

On Saturday, though, their thoughts weren't of cemeteries; they were all about celebrations. "We're together," Meloff said. "That's all there is to it."

Howie Magner is a senior features writer. He can be reached at 269-966-0675 or hmagner@battlecr.gannett.com.

 

Originally published September 24, 2006