CHICAGO, IL [DOM] — Wednesday, December 18, 2024, marks the fifteenth anniversary of the repose of His Eminence Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest. The late Archbishop was remembered yesterday and today at the Diocesan Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL, and throughout the diocese. Last evening at the Cathedral, following vespers, a memorial service was held. Divine Liturgy this morning was celebrated by Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral Dean.
Following the service, Fr. Alexander offered a reflection on his mentor and Spiritual Father sharing; “His Eminence served the diocese tirelessly. It was well known that he had no desire to be a bishop and often personally struggled with this calling, preferring to be a parish priest. Despite his struggle, the Archbishop traveled throughout the vast diocese – often by himself – fulfilling his responsibilities as an archpastor, ministering to his clergy and people. He made a significant difference in so many peoples lives by his care for them, and by his love for the Church. He is a good example to us. Although being a bishop was not his preference, he served faithfully and sacrificially even to the point of death. He died traveling to visit a parish fulfilling his duties as a faithful servant.”
The Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvanian also held services at St. John the Baptist Church, Black Lick, PA, the parish that Archbishop Job built. The late Archbishop is laid to rest behind the altar of this parish. Services were lead by His Eminence Archbishop Melkezedeck of Pittsburg and Western Pennsylvania, and local clergy.
Archbishop Job was born Richard John Osacky in Chicago on March 18, 1946. He completed university studies at Northern Illinois University and, after graduating from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA, in 1970, he served as cantor and youth director at Saint John the Baptist Church, Black Lick, PA. Concurrently, he assumed responsibilities in leading Reader Services, conducting religious education and youth work, and painting icons. It was his extraordinary affinity with Orthodox youth that gained him the recognition of the Church at large.
In 1973, he was ordained to the diaconate and subsequently to the priesthood by Bishop Theodosius of Pittsburgh [later Metropolitan Theodosius]. He was assigned to the parish in Black Lick, where he also served as spiritual director for the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at nearby Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
As a celibate priest, he maintained a zeal for the monastic life in all his endeavors. In 1975 he was made a riasaphor monk, and later was tonsured a monk in the Lesser Schema by [then] Bishop Herman in August of 1982. In November of that year he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.
Recognizing his zeal and spirit of dedication to Church service, the Diocese of New England nominated Hieromonk Job as their diocesan bishop. The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America ratified the nomination and elected him Bishop of Hartford and the Diocese of New England. He was consecrated to the episcopacy on January 29, 1983, at All Saints Church in Hartford, CT.
At its session of November 5, 1992, the Holy Synod of Bishops elected Bishop Job to the See of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest, which had been vacant since the retirement of Bishop Boris in 1988. He was enthroned as Bishop of his native city at Holy Trinity Cathedral on February 6, 1993.
In his years in the See of Chicago, the Diocese of the Midwest experienced tremendous growth. This was witnessed in—but certainly not limited to—the establishment of numerous new mission parishes in the diocese.
In addition to his ministry as the ruling hierarch of the Diocese of the Midwest, he enjoyed his long-standing and excellent reputation as an iconographer and iconologist. He was often called upon to offer lectures on this subject, and he was willing to assist and encourage other iconographers.
In recognition of his over two decades of “good and faithful” service as archpastor, at the March 2004 Session of the Holy Synod, Bishop Job was elevated to the rank of Archbishop.
Archbishop Job fell asleep in the Lord unexpectedly on Friday, December 18, 2009 en route from Cleveland to Chicago. He is interred on the grounds of Saint John the Baptist Church, Black Lick, PA.
May Archbishop Job’s memory be eternal!
