Russian Orthodox Church
Orthodoxy in America The first Orthodox parish in Rahway was organized in 1916 as part of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in America, later more commonly known as the "Metropolia." That parish, which is still in existence and thriving is known as St John the Baptist Orthodox Church. In 1967, a second parish came into existence – Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. They first met on December 10, 1967. In 1968, the small community moved from Colona Civic Improvement Club to the U.A.W. Hall in Clark, and then to the Abraham Clark School in the same town, where Sunday services were held for the next ten years. Feast days and events (baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc) were held at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Rahway. A rectory was purchased in 1969, and then in 1978 a permanent parish home was established with the purchase of the current building in Rahway.
Our first priest, Fr Theophil Krehel fell asleep in the Lord on January 16, 1987. He was followed by Fr Peter Telencio, who was also a US Army Chaplain at Fort Monmouth. Fr Peter was an interim pastor until Fr John Jillions was assigned in October 1987. He was just returning to the US after serving a parish in Brisbane, Australia for three years. Holy Trinity Church celebrated its 25th Anniversary in September, 1992. After almost seven years as pastor, Fr Jillions moved to Greece with his family in August, 1994 to continue his education at the University of Thessaloniki. Fr Witalis Suszczenia then served the parish until 2008. Fr James Worthington arrived in late 2010 with his wife and children, and in late 2011 Fr Thaddeus Franta and his wife Velislava arrived to make the parish a home for all who are looking for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ in the traditional Orthodox faith.
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church is home to a wide variety of ethnicities. In the community are people of Russian, Bulgarian, Belorussian, Romanian, Irish, Italian and English ancestry. The parish is striving to live the Orthodox life and traditions while maintaining an understanding of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to proclaim the Gospel to all nations, and to our neighbors.
Our first priest, Fr Theophil Krehel fell asleep in the Lord on January 16, 1987. He was followed by Fr Peter Telencio, who was also a US Army Chaplain at Fort Monmouth. Fr Peter was an interim pastor until Fr John Jillions was assigned in October 1987. He was just returning to the US after serving a parish in Brisbane, Australia for three years. Holy Trinity Church celebrated its 25th Anniversary in September, 1992. After almost seven years as pastor, Fr Jillions moved to Greece with his family in August, 1994 to continue his education at the University of Thessaloniki. Fr Witalis Suszczenia then served the parish until 2008. Fr James Worthington arrived in late 2010 with his wife and children, and in late 2011 Fr Thaddeus Franta and his wife Velislava arrived to make the parish a home for all who are looking for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ in the traditional Orthodox faith.
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church is home to a wide variety of ethnicities. In the community are people of Russian, Bulgarian, Belorussian, Romanian, Irish, Italian and English ancestry. The parish is striving to live the Orthodox life and traditions while maintaining an understanding of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to proclaim the Gospel to all nations, and to our neighbors.
