With faith in Christ and in the hope of resurrection, we share the news of the repose of our alumnus, Archpriest Paul Richard Ziatyk, who graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1964. Fr. Paul, long time Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvana and retired Rector of Saint John the Baptist Church, New Kensington, PA, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, March 5, 2018 at the age of 81.
Ziatyk on January 22, 1937, he was a graduate of Northampton Area High School; Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA (magna cum laude); Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY; and the Iliff Theological Seminary, Denver, CO, from which he received a Masters degree in Pastoral Counseling.
Fr. Paul was ordained to the priesthood in 1964, after which he was assigned to Transfiguration of Christ Church, Denver, CO, which he served for seven years. In 1971, he was assigned Rector of Saint John the Baptist Church, New Kensington, PA, which he faithfully served until his retirement in 2012. During his pastorate, the church mortgage was retired and the interior and exterior of the church were beautified and stand as a shining example of Orthodox iconography. In 1972 Fr. Paul was appointed Dean of the Allegheny-Beaver Valley Deanery. He also served as Chairman of the Archdiocesan Committee on Religious Education and the Late Vocations Program, organized numerous youth and adult retreats and diocesan events, and served as Secretary to the Bishop. From 1996 until his retirement, he served as Chancellor of the Archdiocese. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Christian Associates of Southwestern Pennsylvania and as the Orthodox Chaplain at Highland Drive Veterans Hospital. In the early 1980s, he wrote monthly articles for The Orthodox Church newspaper and chaired the Canonical Department of the Orthodox Church in America. As a very dedicated priest, Fr. Paul loved to serve the people entrusted to his care. He deeply loved his family and was a devoted father.
He is remembered by those who knew him at St. Vladimir’s as an excellent pastor and church leader and a warm, loving soul.
Fr. Paul was predeceased by his parents, brothers John and Donald, and sisters Jean Stefancin and Patricia Mayers.
In addition to his beloved wife of 56 years, Matushka Helen Marie [Radon] Ziatyk, Father Paul is survived by three children, Mark Ziatyk, Paul [Genevieve] Ziatyk and Julianne [Lon] Daily; five grandchildren, Samantha, Jacqueline, Zackary, Malaya and Damien; a sister, Rosalie Mayers; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Saint John the Baptist Church, New Kensington, PA on Wednesday and Thursday, March 7 and 8, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. The Parastas will be celebrated both evenings at 7:30 p.m. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be celebrated on Friday, March 9 at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Monastery of the Transfiguration, Elwood City, PA.
Donations in Father Paul’s memory may be made to Saint John the Baptist Church, 150 Elmtree Road, New Kensington, PA 15068, or the Monastery of the Transfiguration, 321 Monastery Lane, Elwood City, PA 16117.
May Father Paul’s memory be eternal!
Sections of this article are reprinted from OCA.org.
