Eternal Memory: +Very Rev. Protopresbyter Lawrence Barriger (Updated 10/4/21)
Friday, October 22, 2021
JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that + Very Rev. Protopresbyter Lawrence Barriger reposed in the Lord this afternoon, Oct 2, 2021 at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia.
Born on March 2, 1953 in Binghamton, NY, he was the son of the late Robert and Josephine (Specik) Barriger. He graduated in 1976 from Christ the Saviour Seminary with the Bachelor of Theology Degree; he also held a B.A. Degree in Classical Languages from St. Peters College, and a Masters Degree in Religious Education from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Fr. Lawrence was ordained to the Priesthood on August 28, 1976 by Bishop John R. Martin and served parishes in Manville, NJ, Wilpen, PA, Latrobe, PA and St. Michael Church in Freeland, PA from 1987 until his retirement in 2020.
He was a prolific writer and author of several books including “Good Victory”, “Glory to Jesus Christ”,
and “Insights into the Orthodox Faith”.
Father Barriger held numerous positions in the Diocese during the course of his priesthood including that of Vice-Chancellor, Member of the Bishop’s Consistory and Diocesan Board of Trustees, Professor at Christ the Saviour Seminary, Dean of the Scranton Deanery, and Associate Editor of "The Church Messenger". Fr. Lawrence also served the Late +Metropolitan Nicholas in the role of "Theologian to the Bishop."
Fr. Lawrence also taught Latin at the MMI Preparatory School in Freeland, PA for many years.
Fr. Lawrence is survived by his beloved wife Pani Linda, daughters Lisa Roscos and Laura Waskovich, sister Mary Bachofsky and grandchildren Aidan and Logan (Waskovich).
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Friday, October 8 5:00 PM Funeral Service for a Departed Priest at St Micheal Orthodox Church in aFreeland,PA - Followed by Visitation until 9 PM
Saturday, October 9 10:00 AM Funeral Liturgy at St Michael Churchin Freeland, PA followed by Memorial Luncheon. Burial to follow at St. Michael Church Cemetery in Binghamton, NY.
Fr. Lawrence was without question a gifted and devoted priest who served our God-Saved Diocese with all of his heart and soul for more than 45 years. When asked recently what his greatest joy in the priesthood was, he replied, it was serving in the role as Spiritual Father to the many souls entrusted to his care. He spent many hours in the later years of his priesthood as his physical health declined, hearing confessions and counselling his spiritual children, not as a accuser, but as a fellow struggler on the pathway to the Kingdom. His strong faith in the Lord and deep devotion to the Mother of God, sustained him as he struggled with various health challenges for many years. Like the righteous Job, he never lost faith, no matter what challenges he faced. In Fr Lawrence's lifetime of service in the earthly vineyard and in his passage to the green pastures of Eternal Life, we witnessed the power of God at work. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
May Almighty God grant Eternal Rest in Blessed Repose to His newly-departed servant, the Protopresbyer Lawrence, who has fallen asleep, in the Heavenly Mansions, where there is neither sickness, sorrow or pain, but Life Everlasting, and make his memory to be eternal! Vicnaja jemu pamjat!
View Photo Gallery of Various Photos of Fr. Lawrence