On the weekend of October 22-23, 2022, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and His Eminence, Archbishop Michael joined the clergy and faithful of Saint Peter and Paul Church, Bayonne, NJ for the celebration of the parish’s 100th Anniversary.

The commemoration of this milestone event began on Saturday evening with both Hierarchs in attendance for Great Vespers.  On Sunday morning, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Michael.  Concelebrants included Archpriest Sophrony Royer, Rector, Archpriest John Fencik and Priest Stephen Krivonak of neighboring St. Mary’s Parish, Bayonne (ACROD), Protodeacon Peter Danilchik, Deacons Peter Ilchuk and Stefan Karlgut, Subdeacons Mark Federoff and Zachary Parisi assisted in the altar along with Readers Stephen Wasilewski and Philip Benda.  At the conclusion of Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon presented Father Sophrony and the parish with a Synodal Gramota in honor of the 100^th Anniversary.   Additionally, Archbishop Michael presented six parish council members with Gramotas in recognition of years in service to the parish family.

A celebratory banquet followed at the Knights of Columbus in Bayonne, NJ.  Parish Council President, Reader Stephen Wasilewski, serving as toastmaster, welcomed parishioners, friends, and honored guests.  Bayonne City Council Member-At-Large, Juan M. Perez presented the parish with a citation in recognition of the celebration of the 100^th Anniversary.  Remarks were offered by Very Reverend Sophrony Royer, Rector Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church; Mitred Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, Chancellor of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey; The Most Reverend Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey; and The Most Blessed Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada.

The 100th Anniversary celebration was an inspirational and memorable one for the Orthodox faithful and friends gathered in Bayonne; expressing prayerful gratitude for the many blessings God continues to bestow on the parish of Saints Peter and Paul.                           

Holy Apostles Peter and Paul are traditionally regarded as the leaders of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.

Both St. Peter and St. Paul received their new names, indicating a new relationship with God. Simon the fisherman became known as Cephas (John 1:42), or Peter after confessing Jesus as the Son of God (Mt.16:18).

St Peter, the brother of St Andrew, was a fisherman on the sea of Galilee. He was married, and Christ healed his mother-in-law of a fever (Mt.8:14). He, with James and John, witnessed the most important miracles of the Savior's earthly life.

Despite his earlier recognition of Christ as the Son of God, he denied Him three times on the night before the Crucifixion. Therefore, after His Resurrection, the Lord asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Then He told Peter to feed His sheep (John 21:15-17).

After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, St. Peter addressed the crowd (Acts 2:14), and performed many miracles in Christ's name. He baptized Cornelius, the first Gentile convert (Acts 10:48). He was cast into prison, but escaped with the help of an angel (Acts 5:19). St. Peter also traveled to many places in order to proclaim the Gospel message. He wrote two Epistles, which are part of the New Testament.

St. Peter was put to death in Rome during the reign of Nero. According to Tradition, he asked to be crucified upside down, since he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

St. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, and lived in Tarsus in Cilicia. He once described himself as a Hebrew, an Israelite of the seed of Abraham (2 Cor. 11:22). He was also a Pharisee and a tent-maker (Acts 18:3) who had studied the Law with Gamaliel at Jerusalem.

At first, he was called Saul, and had persecuted the Church. He was present at the stoning of St. Stephen (Acts 7: 58). Then, on the road to Damascus, he was converted when Christ appeared to him. Blinded by the vision, he was healed when Ananias laid his hands on him. After his cure, he was baptized (Acts 9:18).

St. Paul is the greatest of the missionaries. He preached the Gospel in Greece, Asia Minor, and in Rome, and wrote fourteen Epistles. Tradition says that he was martyred in Rome about the year 68.