Emergency vehicles, passenger cars blessed in ceremony

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Archbishop Mark, of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, blesses vehicles in Frackville on July 21, 2024.

FRACKVILLE Emergency vehicles from across the area were blessed Sunday by the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church’s Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania.

The blessings came during a ceremony at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Frackville.

Emergency vehicles from the Frackville area and beyond were on hand for the blessings.

Archbishop Mark, of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, conducted the blessings along with Fr. Kirill Zawatski of Holy Ascension.

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Fr. Kirill Zawatski blesses Hazleton Fire Chief Dan Leshko’s department vehicle on July 21, 2024.

The blessing of vehicles is a longstanding tradition in the Orthodox Church and extended to passenger cars in the Holy Ascension parking lot, and two hearses.

Afterwards, a meal was served.

The ceremony was held on the feast day of the Prophet Elijah.

Emergency vehicles from Frackville, Altamont, Englewood, McAdoo, and Hazleton were all present.

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