His Eminence Archbishop Mark was enthroned as Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania during a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint Stephen's Cathedral on May 10, 2014. He was elevated to Archbishop in 2015 and has faithfully served the Diocese for over a decade, deeply committed to its spiritual growth and unity. Under his leadership, the Diocese has made strides in revitalizing its youth ministry, particularly its Summer Camps and Retreats, which were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. His Eminence played a pivotal role in reopening and expanding these programs, providing youth with a space to reconnect with their faith and community after a period of isolation.
Archbishop Mark's academic background includes a degree in Old Testament and a Master’s in the same field from Oral Roberts University, where he also served as a graduate fellow. His career in Christian education began at the Antiochian Village Camp, where he served as morning program director, later becoming program director. He developed age-specific Christian education materials and worked to enhance the camp's liturgical life, inspiring both campers and staff to actively engage in services through singing, chanting, and reading. His efforts at the camp played a key role in nurturing vocations to the priesthood and fostering deep commitments to the Orthodox Faith.
His Eminence's prayer for the youth and counselors at the camp is that they will experience the beauty of their Faith, internalize it, and serve the Lord with all their hearts, minds, souls, and strength. Under his guidance, the Diocese continues to grow spiritually, focusing on creating a lasting impact on the next generation of Orthodox Christians.
Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki is the Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Dean of the Frackville Deanery, and Rector of Holy Apostles Church in Mechanicsburg, PA. Father Timothy's involvement with St. Tikhon’s Summer Camp began in 1991, and over the years, he has served in various roles, including camper, Counselor in Training (C.I.T.), counselor, and, for many years, as the Camp Chaplain. He has been responsible for the educational portion of the Teen Program, where he enjoys engaging with the campers and their insightful, thought-provoking questions. A 2005 graduate of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Father Timothy has been the rector of Holy Apostles Parish in Mechanicsburg, PA, since June 2005.
Married with four children, all of whom attend the Diocesan Summer Camps and Retreats, Father Timothy is excited to participate in this new chapter in the life of St. Tikhon’s Summer Camp. His experience and dedication to the spiritual development of the youth, coupled with his long-standing commitment to the camp, continue to enrich the program and provide a positive influence on the next generation of Orthodox Christians.
Contact Information:
(717) 645-5281
rector@holyapostleschurch.org
Priest Silouan Burns is the Rector of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Wilmington, DE. In his pastoral ministry, Father Silouan is dedicated to guiding his parish community in a life rooted in prayer and faithfulness to the Orthodox Church.
Father Silouan also maintains a strong commitment to youth and young adult ministry within the Diocese, encouraging meaningful conversation and deeper engagement with the faith. His approachable manner and genuine care for those he serves have made him a valued spiritual father to many. Through his faithful leadership and example, Father Silouan continues to strengthen both his parish in Wilmington and the broader diocesan community.
Contact Information:
(302) 283-9335
frsilouan@stmichaelsdelaware.org
Priest Paul Witek is the Rector of All Saints Church in Olyphant, PA, and Academic Dean of St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary. A graduate of St. Tikhon’s Seminary and Seton Hall University, Father Paul has devoted much of his ministry to theological education, pastoral formation, and the careful teaching of the Orthodox Christian Faith. His love for youth ministry reflects his conviction that young people should be given meaningful opportunities to ask questions, deepen their understanding of the Faith, and develop a lasting relationship with Christ and His Church.
Father Paul brings to youth ministry the same clarity, enthusiasm, and pastoral care that characterize his preaching and teaching. He especially values opportunities to engage young Orthodox Christians in thoughtful conversations about the Faith, helping them understand Holy Tradition while encouraging them to take an active place in the life of the Church. Through his work with the youth of the Diocese, Father Paul seeks to support and inspire the next generation of Orthodox Christians as they grow in faith, knowledge, and love for Christ.
Contact Information:
(201) 315-5722
pauljwitek@gmail.com
Priest Joseph Sharman is the Associate Priest of St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church in Wilmington, DE. A native of Colorado, Father Joseph began serving on camp staff in his teens, and, as Youth Director at Holy Theophany Orthodox Church in Colorado Springs, he helped with summer and winter camps in Colorado for many years. He graduated from St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary in 2019, and he was assigned to St. Michael's in Delaware in August 2025 to continue planting missions for the Orthodox Church.
Father Joseph and his wife, Matushka Katherine, have four children, all of whom grew up attending the Rocky Mountain Orthodox Youth Camp. Father Joseph led youth on numerous service trips to Project Mexico, and he believes that youth serve a vital role in the strength and health of every parish.
Contact Information:
(970) 778-7581
frjoseph@8thday.net
Priest Kirill Zawatski is the Rector of Holy Ascension Church in Frackville, PA. Father Kirill's involvement with St. Tikhon’s Summer Camp began during his time as a Seminarian at St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary, and since 2025, he has served as the Teen Retreat Chaplain. Over the years, Father Kirill has been dedicated to guiding and supporting the spiritual growth of the youth at the camp, providing counsel and insight to the next generation of Orthodox Christians. In addition to his pastoral work, he also teaches ethnic dancing at the camps, sharing his love for tradition and culture with the campers. His deep connection to the camp and commitment to the youth program continue to strengthen the camp's mission of fostering spiritual development in a welcoming and nurturing environment.
Father Kirill's leadership at Holy Ascension Parish and his ongoing dedication to the youth ministry reflect his passion for the Orthodox faith and its vibrant community. Though he is not a parent, Father Kirill finds great joy in supporting and mentoring the youth through their participation in the Diocesan Summer Camps and Retreats.
Contact Information:
(570) 751-8486
lemkopriest@gmail.com
Archpriest Aleksey Paranyuk is the Rector of St. Michael Orthodox Church in Mount Carmel, PA, where he has served since 2023. A 2016 graduate of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Father Aleksey was ordained to the priesthood in 2012 and has devoted his ministry to the pastoral care of his family and parish. He seeks to help those entrusted to his care encounter the Faith not merely as an inheritance from the past, but as a living reality that shapes the whole of Christian life. He is especially grateful for opportunities to walk alongside young people as they grow in faith, wrestle with difficult questions, and discover their place within the life of the Church.
Since 2024, Father Aleksey has served as a counselor for the Green Team at St. Tikhon’s Summer Camp, working with campers ages 9–11. He treasures the joy of camp ministry, where faith, friendship, prayer, and life together create opportunities to encounter Christ in ordinary and unexpected ways. Married with four children, three of whom have been campers, Father Aleksey serves the youth of the Diocese with the hope of strengthening the living tradition of the Orthodox Faith and handing it forward to the next generation.
Contact Information:
priest.aleksey@gmail.com
Dan Peck is a devoted parishioner of St. Michael’s Church in Wilmington, DE, where he leads the parish youth group and is deeply involved in mentoring young people. Professionally, Dan serves as a local high school teacher, bringing both his educational experience and pastoral sensitivity into his work with youth. Since 2024, he has served as Camp Director, providing steady leadership, thoughtful organization, and a renewed sense of vision for the camp program. His commitment to fostering a Christ centered environment marked by joy, structure, and authentic community has helped strengthen the camp experience for both campers and staff alike.
Married and the father of three children, Dan understands firsthand the importance of strong role models and meaningful relationships in the lives of young people. He is passionate about building community through storytelling, games, and shared experiences that encourage trust and connection. Dan believes that youth grow most deeply in their understanding of truth when they are surrounded by mentors who live their faith with sincerity and consistency. He is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving at camp and looks forward to making a lasting and positive impact on the next generation.
Contact Information:
youth@doepa.org
Patrick O’Leary is a Parishoner at Holy Apostles Church in Mechanicsburg, PA. A native of Long Island, NY, Patrick previously served for many years in the evangelical world as both a youth pastor and lead pastor before being received into the Orthodox Church in 2018. His journey to Orthodoxy was marked by a deep love for Scripture, a desire for historical continuity in the faith, and a longing for the fullness of Christian worship and sacramental life.
Patrick is married to his wife, whom he gratefully describes as his helpmate from God, and together they are raising four children in the life of the Church. He organizes the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Winter and Fall Youth Retreats, working diligently to create opportunities for young people to encounter Christ, build lasting friendships, and deepen their commitment to the faith. St. Tikhon’s Summer Camp has been a blessing to his family for four consecutive years, and Patrick has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of Christ at work through the relationships formed during this sacred time of fellowship and prayer. He looks forward to supporting Camp Director Dan Peck in any way possible, offering his experience, energy, and heartfelt dedication to strengthening the camp’s mission for the glory of God and the good of the youth.
Contact Information:
youth@doepa.org
Samuel Regen is a Reader at St. Mark’s Orthodox Church in Wrightstown, PA, where he serves in the Altar and assists the choir. Sam served as the choir director for our Diaconal Vocations Program and now directs at Diocesan teen retreats, summer camp at St. Tikhon’s Monastery/Seminary, and throughout the Diocese as needed. Ever since being tonsured a Reader in March 2023, Sam is grateful to God for all his different opportunities to serve this Diocese. He first became involved in Orthodox youth programs as an educational lead for the 20th All American Council in 2022, desiring to take his passion of serving youth and offer it back to the Church. Soon after, he started leading education workshops at St. Tikhon’s Summer Camp, and now acts as the program’s choir director.
Sam attended The College of New Jersey and graduated in 2026 with his Master’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education. In his professional role, Sam is a fifth grade teacher in the Hamilton Township School District (New Jersey), where he places an emphasis beyond just the core subjects, striving to teach his students to be better people. Sam is very grateful for all of the relationships he has formed in the Diocese and of these opportunities to foster our youth in “making a joyful noise to God.”
Nicholas Hojnicki is a Reader in the Orthodox Church in America and serves as Director of Communications for the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. A junior at Penn State University and studying Psychology, Nicholas balances his academic work with active service in the Church, including serving His Eminence Archbishop Mark as his Personal Aide (Kelenik) and supporting diocesan media, youth initiatives, and parish life. He was tonsured a Reader in January 2023 and remains deeply committed to serving the Church with humility and dedication. He serves as the Webmaster for the Diocesan Youth Ministries Department.
Nicholas has been attending St. Tikhon’s Summer Camp since 2013, growing up within its sacred rhythm of prayer, fellowship, and joyful community. Over the years, camp has played a formative role in his spiritual life, shaping his love for the liturgical services and his desire to serve the Church. Having experienced camp as a camper and young leader, he is grateful for the lasting relationships and spiritual foundations it has provided and is passionate about ensuring that future campers encounter the same life giving experience rooted in Christ and His Church.
Contact Information:
communications@doepa.org