The birth of the parish began on July 12, 1925. Father Kohanik of Whitestone, NY accepted the invitation to organize a new parish, with the blessing of Metropolitan Platon. The parishioners unanimously agreed to name the church in honor of St. John the Baptist. The parish acquired a church on Jackson Street in Passaic, NJ in November 1925.   In 1951 he was awarded the right to wear the miter;   later he was  elevated to the rank of protopresbyter.      Fr. Peter Kohanik was the pastor of our parish  for 44 years  from 1925 to 1969  and fell asleep in the Lord on May 20, 1969.   Father Peter was a very prolific writer and authored many articles and books; and the following paragraphs are attributed to him. Father Peter is always fondly remembered in our prayers. Vechnaja Pamyat.

"As faithful Orthodox Christians, we fully believe in God’s revelation. We accept the most important fact of God’s existence by faith. Through our Church’s symbol of Faith we openly profess: “I believe in ONE GOD, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in ONE LORD Jesus Christ, the SON of GOD, Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven….”

The revelation came to us at different times, according to the Holy Scripture: “God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Jesus Christ, by Whom also He made the Worlds.” (Heb 1:1-2) Jesus Christ, therefore, is our greatest authority on God’s revelation, and other important matters of faith. Jesus Christ said: No man knows the Father, but the Son, and He to whom the Son will reveal Him.” (Matt. 11:27)

Our knowledge of God can only come through Jesus Christ, who came to earth to reveal God in Himself. Our knowledge of God is absolutely essential to eternal life: “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent.” (John 17:3). Jesus Christ revealed this important truth to us by saying: “He that has seen Me, has seen the Father…which sent me.” (John 14:9, 24) “Have faith in God…and believe.” (Mark 11:22-23) The chief exponent of God’s revelation is our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Divine founder of our Christian Faith, who lived upon this earth 1947* years ago."

Many explanations are available for the wrenched position of the foot board on the Cross.  Some have ascribed this position of the foot board to the intense reality of the agony Christ suffered in the flesh on the cross – an agony so physically violent that the Body in convulsion wrenched the very nailed parts of the cross out of position by thrusting one foot down and drawing the other up.   It is also said  that Christ makes His right foot light and lifts it above the foot board in order to lighten the sins of the ones who believe in Him, so that, on His second advent, they should soar up to meet Him.   And His left foot He lowers on the foot board in order that those who do not believe in Him should be weighed down and descend into hell.  "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.' (John 19:30 ) The Bible doesn’t say which side His head was inclined but it is thought to be toward His mother on the right.   It is depicted this way in many icons.

Let us pray: “Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.”

May the rest of your journey to the empty tomb be spiritually rewarding.

*1947 is the amount of years from when Jesus walked here on earth to when Fr. Kohanik wrote this article.

Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their birthday in April. David Baron, April 5; Milena Mejia, April 13; Valentina Szestawicka on April 16; Michael Chaykivsky on April 22, and Helen Margitich on April 23. May God grant them all Many Years!

Helen Baron sends thanks to all who continue to support our Food Pantry. The need for many of our neighbors exist throughout the year and your help is greatly appreciated.