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Parish Council

Parish Council Diocese of New York & New Jersey · OCA
About the Council

Elected to serve

The Parish Council assists the rector in the administration of the Cathedral

The Parish Council of Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral is elected annually by the Parish Assembly to assist the rector in the administration of the Cathedral. Council members are not administrators in a corporate sense; they are parishioners who have taken on a particular responsibility of service to their community, accountable to the Assembly and to God.

The Council oversees the temporal affairs of the parish, including its finances and property. In all things it works in partnership with the rector, in fidelity to the Statutes of the Orthodox Church in America.

Parish Documents

Documents are updated following each Annual Parish Assembly. Contact the parish office for older records.

What the Council does

⚖ Stewardship of finances

Receiving reports from the treasurer, approving the annual budget, and ensuring the Cathedral's resources are directed toward its mission.

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⌂ Care of parish property

Maintaining the Cathedral building, the parish hall, and the rectory in good order and repair.

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✠ Supporting parish life

Helping to organize and resource the programs, events, and ministries that form the community throughout the year.

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☴ Representing the assembly

Carrying the voice of the parish into decisions that affect the community, and bringing those decisions back to the Assembly for approval.

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The restored facade of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral

"The Parish Council shall be responsible not only for the spiritual and material needs of the Parish, but also for the encouragement of others to participate in the life and mission of the Parish."

Parish Bylaws, Article VI
Current Council

Members

Elected at the Annual Parish Assembly
Serving on the Council

The Council is chosen by the parish, from the parish

Council members are elected at the Annual Parish Assembly, held each year on a Sunday following the Divine Liturgy. Any parishioner in good standing is eligible to vote and to serve: having received Holy Communion at least once in the past year, belonging to the parish for at least one year, and regularly fulfilling their financial obligations to the community.

If you are interested in parish governance or wish to learn more about how the Council works, reach out to the parish office or speak with Father Solomon after any service.

Contact the Parish
Parish community
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Governance

The full responsibilities of the Parish Council are defined in the Cathedral Bylaws, approved by Archbishop Michael on December 30, 2019. The Bylaws govern all aspects of parish administration, from the conduct of the Annual Assembly to the canonical provisions for parish property.

Read the Parish Bylaws →
Parish Council · Finance

2025 Income Statement

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral · January–December 2025

$313,943 Total Income
$233,039 Total Expenses
$80,904 Net Income (All Activity)

Church Income

Source Amount
Offering$31,652
Pledge$78,354
Pascha 2025$8,279
Candles$11,682
Parking$16,250
Restoration$15,726
Reliquaries$5,100
Hall Use$2,700
Holy Days$2,211
All other income$5,437
Church Income Total $177,391
Stock Donations $136,552
Grand Total Income $313,943
Net Income (Regular Activity) ($55,648) Excluding stock donations
Net Income (All Activity) $80,904 Including stock donations

Morgan Stanley Investment Accounts

Account Opening Contributions Closing Growth
Main Account$586,220$136,552$839,879+17%
Kukulak Charity$20,924–$20,9800%
Education$22,975–$23,591+3%
Total $630,119 $136,552 $884,450
Parish Council

Parish Budget 2026

Approved at the Annual Parish Assembly · January 2025

Account 2025 Actual 2026 Budget
Personnel
Salaries$43,000$50,000
Life Insurance$1,200$1,200
Pension$15,558$18,000
Auto Reimbursement$2,400$2,400
Social Security$11,902$7,000
Visiting Clergy Stipend$1,900$2,000
Assembly Expenses$150$150
Parish Ministry
The Tithe$13,183$15,000
Parking Lot$8,000$8,000
Choir Director$16,800$17,500
Choir Expenses$600$600
Diocesan Benefactor$1,000$1,500
Concert Expenses$7,833–
Travel Expenses$965$1,000
Luncheons$1,903$2,000
Liturgical Supplies$241$500
Reliquaries & Icons$5,445$2,000
Administration
Candles$4,158$4,158
Professional & Legal Fees$63$100
Software / Hardware$383$700
Offering Envelopes$722$800
Office Supplies$939$1,000
Rectory Phone & Internet$2,298$2,300
Bookstore$2,232$2,400
Payroll Fees$633$700
Facilities
Utilities$19,970$20,000
Hall Supplies$891$5,000
Insurance$29,274$35,000
Janitorial Service$8,152$9,000
Repairs, Maintenance & Restoration$30,641$40,000
Total $233,039 $250,008

Notes

  • Social Security: 2025 expenses include 2024 and 2025 payments, double the yearly rate.
  • Concert Expenses: 2025 expenses offset by income with net gain. Restructured for 2026 with no separate expense line.
  • Repairs & Maintenance: Hall Refurbishing and Restoration accounts consolidated here for 2026.
  • Hall Supplies: 2025 reflects only first 2 months; remainder covered by donations.
Parish Assembly

Minutes of Annual Parish Assembly

January 26, 2025

A quorum was present and the meeting was called to order at 12:25 PM. Father Solomon opened the meeting with a prayer.

Minutes

The minutes of the 2024 Annual Parish Assembly were approved by the assembly. Motion: Andrei Anghel / Nick Rus.

Pastor’s Report

The 2024 church year included two weddings, five baptisms, and two chrismations. Average Sunday attendance was 70 parishioners, reflecting a 27% increase from the prior year of 55. Aiden Harwood joined Ero Ogbevire as an altar server; they lead six boys who also participate.

The choir participated in baptisms and other services. Bible study classes include 15 people on average, both in person and online. Coffee hour discussions include 10-12 people.

An Akathist for the Three Holy Hierarchs was held in January. Father reported on our participation at the Inter-Parish Associations (IPA) initial meeting, a collaborative effort supported by the Assembly of Bishops.

Renovation projects completed include: mold remediation for 107 Grand; church chandelier cleaned; choir loft restored with new chandelier, brass safety rail, and remediated water damage; additional pump installed in church hall for flood protection. Liturgical fans were acquired. Relics of our patron Saints Peter and Paul are now on display.

Archbishop Michael will be with us February 22 and 23.

Gleb Ivanov reported six musical events last year: three School of Music children’s recitals and three church concerts. The church received $3,700 through this fundraising initiative. The Pascha concert will be on May 2, 2025.

Financial Report

Church finances were presented by Andrei Anghel. Total income for the year (excluding major contributors) was $136,572, a 7% increase over the prior year. All contributions totaled $288,685. However, excluding top contributors and stock donations, we showed a deficit of $68,977.

Our largest expense was church restoration projects, totaling $27,600. An anticipated expense of $60,000 to repair the sunken floor was noted.

Motion to accept the financial report and budget for 2025: Charles George / Raymon Geis. Approved by the Assembly.

The auditor’s report was presented by Father in the absence of the auditor, Jessia Anghel, who reviewed the church’s books through December 31, 2024, and found them in good standing. Motion to approve: Laura Johnson / Lorraine Morrow. Approved by the Assembly.

New Business · Election of the Parish Council

Marius AnghelPresident
Jeff HoffVice President
Andrei AnghelTreasurer
Joanne BarrySecretary
Lorraine MorrowCouncil Member
Ero OgbevireCouncil Member
Nicholas RusCouncil Member
Kevin JohnsonCouncil Member
Amanda YanCouncil Member
Raymon GeisCouncil Member
Alexandru ChioreanCouncil Member

Motion to approve the slate of officers: Aiden Harwood / Aiden Willis. Approved by the Assembly.

Auditor Renewal
Motion to renew the auditor for the 2025 church year: Joanne Barry / Lorraine Morrow. Approved by the Assembly.

Motion to close: Aiden Harwood / Aiden Willis. Approved. Meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM.

Submitted by

Rev. Solomon Longo
Rector

Recorded by

Joanne S. Barry
Secretary