With sadness mingled with hope in the Resurrection, our parish joins the faithful of the Antiochian Archdiocese in mourning the repose of our beloved pastor and father in Christ, Rev. Fr. Seraphim Moslener, who fell asleep in the Lord on May 25, 2026.
Fr. Seraphim served faithfully as pastor of our beloved St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and touched countless lives through his ministry as a priest, counselor, teacher, mentor, and friend. He loved deeply, listened carefully, and carried a genuine concern for the spiritual and emotional well-being of every person entrusted to his care.
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His life and ministry
Born in Pittsburgh on August 23, 1947, Fr. Seraphim dedicated his life to serving others. Before entering the Holy Orthodox Church, he served for many years as a Presbyterian pastor and later as a licensed marriage and family therapist and professor at Geneva College. Following his reception into Orthodoxy, he was ordained to the holy diaconate in 2012 and to the holy priesthood in 2017. Throughout every season of his life, his desire remained the same: to help people grow closer to God, “who gives the growth.”
Fr. Seraphim often spoke about growth — not merely growth in knowledge, but growth in Christ. Whether serving in the parish, counseling families, teaching students, supporting fellow clergy, or laboring quietly beside the faithful, he continually pointed others toward the love and mercy of God.
Funeral and burial services
This week, clergy, monastics, family, friends, and faithful from across the region gathered to commend his soul to the mercy of Christ and to give thanks for his life.
At St. Elias Church in New Castle, many priests assembled together with His Grace Bishop THOMAS for the Funeral for a Priest. Fr. Paul Abernathy, Fr. Seraphim’s spiritual father, offered a moving homily reflecting on Fr. Seraphim’s love for Christ, his compassion for others, and the quiet faithfulness that marked his ministry. The service was filled with both grief and hope as the Church prayed once more for her beloved shepherd.
The following morning, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, a place especially dear to Fr. Seraphim’s heart. Clergy from throughout the diocese concelebrated together alongside the monastery’s mothers and sisters in prayerful remembrance. Fr. Peter Jon Gillquist, Fr. Seraphim’s godfather, delivered the homily at the Liturgy, offering words of love, gratitude, and encouragement to all gathered.
At the Monastery of the Transfiguration
After singing “Memory Eternal” and committing Fr. Seraphim to his rest, the faithful gathered for a mercy meal hosted by the monastery. Surrounded by the peace and beauty of the monastery grounds, many shared stories, laughter, tears, and memories of a priest who gave so much of himself to others.
The monastery held a special place in Fr. Seraphim’s heart throughout his priesthood, and it was a great comfort to many that he was laid to rest there among the Saints.
Parish life going forward
As our parish enters this period of transition, we are grateful that Fr. Christopher Davis will be serving as interim parish priest while we await the Diocese’s assignment of a permanent pastor. We ask your prayers for Fr. Christopher, our parish family, and all those helping guide and care for the community during this time.
Please also note that messages submitted through the parish website, which were previously directed to Fr. Seraphim, will temporarily be received and answered by a dedicated layperson on behalf of the parish until a new priest is assigned to our community.
We ask all the faithful to continue praying for Kh. Parasceva and the entire Moslener family during this difficult time. May the Lord grant rest to His servant where there is neither sickness, sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
May his memory be eternal!