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Enthused about strengthening the figurative foundation of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Church, 2101 S. 28th St., Rev. Matthew Cantrell realizes bolstering the literal look of his Grays Ferry worship site must complement his quest.
The fourth-year rector received significant support last week, as parishioners and volunteers tended to aesthetic and architectural repairs in preparation for October’s 100th anniversary celebration.
“We believe in inclusivity and as we approach that milestone, we want to convey that this can be anyone’s parish,” the religious figure said Monday at the hallowed space. “I’ve noted to the congregation that we’re like a car in decent shape yet possessing an engine that requires a jump-start. Our helpers and members certainly gave us that through their involvement.”
Cantrell, who resides in Bridesburg with his wife and three sons, has noticed a need for hope and stability among Grays Ferry inhabitants and believes his building, the product of Carpatho-Russian immigrants’ enthusiasm for their faith, can offer it. Personnel from the Coaldale-based St. Mary’s Orthodox Church and the Stroudsburg-situated Holy Trinity Orthodox Church feel the same and flocked to South Philly to complete their mission trip for the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. Happening upon a spiritual home that welcomed more than 100 worshippers four decades ago and now sees Cantrell ministering to as few as 30 devotees, the guests aimed for the rejuvenation of its exterior and interior appeal, with the latter already receiving an assist from ornate icons.
“This place has my heart,” new congregant Matthew Sweet, who along with his fellow registrants and the visitors addressed the churchyard’s unruly vegetation, cleared church hall clutter, fixed the church’s leaking roof, repainted the fence and trimmed trees, said. “It teaches me about the Lord and gives me the motivation to tell others.”
The 24-year-old denizen of the 2800 block of Cantrell Street is among the youngest disciples yet already possesses enough awareness to accept his spiritual leader’s contention that the orthodox facility can serve as a haven regardless of one’s background. Promoting that message has come naturally to Cantrell in terms of how it matches with his religious fervor yet somewhat difficult in that he has to overcome perceptions of the confines as being only for certain populations.
“We have Russian roots, yes, but at the heart of the Orthodox Church and Christianity is the call to love God above all things and to love our neighbors more than ourselves,” the Wisconsin native, who prior to beginning his local tenure served at Frackville’s Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, said. “Through the lens of Jesus Christ, we’re to see everyone as fully human. We’re to be wise in loving, surely, but we’re not to be afraid in taking care of our neighbors.”
In addition to the churchgoers calling South Philly home, Cantrell welcomes travelers from Delaware County, North Philly and South Jersey and is striving to have the structure reacquire some of its heyday’s luster.
“I’m thinking of last week’s aid as a continuation of our advocacy for our inspirational role in this community,” the 35-year-old priest said, acknowledging unconditional love as his motivation. “We’ve had people see us as not for them simply because of their not knowing or not feeling we can assist them. We want to offer assistance on their journey to salvation.”
His haunt began primarily through the fruits of 39 laymen who met with Rev. Father J. Krohmalny in January 1913 to express desires for a new parish, which he would come to helm as the first pastor of The Assumption of the Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church. The spot subsequently came under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of America, its current overseer. For its Golden Jubilee, the Ladies’ Auxiliary donated a new and still present iconostasis, or wall of icons and religious paintings, and a decade later, the cupola, or vault, which Cantrell relayed has become an eye-catcher, appeared. In ’81, a new auxiliary, St. Sophia’s Sisterhood, formed and furthered the church’s emphasis on beauty through donations of banners and church articles and modification of the parish roof.
“We do have the enthusiasm for beauty and elegance,” Cantrell said after peering at images of the Apostles, through whom Orthodox practitioners trace their bishops, and the Virgin Mary, whom they laud as the Theotokos, or “God-bearer.” “These show our reverence for our predecessors in accepting the divine call.”
The rector hopes the altered green space will come to symbolize refinement, too, as he has begun talks with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to transform it into a community garden. That potential newness and commitment to positivity are in accordance with what Martha Palubniak wants for her three-year devotional quarters.
“I was raised in the Orthodox faith and reconnected with it through my church when I moved here,” the Newbold resident said. “It’s definitely the belief system for me, and I hope that as more people understand they need spiritual guidance, they come here, too, and help us to address the community at large.”
Cantrell shared that vision Friday as he distributed hot dogs to locals as a sign of fellowship and an introduction to his heightened will to do his savior’s will, namely, loving as he has been loved. As the church faced closure four years ago because of financial ordeals, he sees each day as a call to evangelize and accept all into his site’s devotion to communion with others. Sweet has become a disciple of those views and wants Cantrell to baptize him in the near future.
“I’ve learned to be real and be myself through Assumption Church,” he said, adding he had rarely felt any zeal for religious devotion before joining. “I don’t necessarily care what people believe, just that they do, and Father Matthew helps me to do it.”
As Cantrell and his followers count the days until their Oct. 27 festivities, he enjoys acknowledging the church’s mature and rich history. Eager to add to his annals, he stresses patience as his chief assistant.
“I’ve learned to ask for more of it and practice it,” Cantrell said. “It’s what we all need to understand our responsibilities to self and to others.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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