The Very Rev. Protopresbyter Theodore Z. Mozes

The Very Rev. Protopresbyter Theodore Z. Mozes fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2026, at the age of 87.

Born on April 8, 1938, in Pennsylvania to Zolton and Ann Mozes, Father Theodore was raised in Duquesne and graduated from Clairton High School. He served three years of active duty in the United States Army and three years in the reserves, earning two letters of commendation for his dedication. After his honorable discharge, he worked for Emerson Research Laboratories in Washington, D.C., where he became a devoted member of Holy Resurrection Mission Church and served as its financial secretary. It was there that he discerned his calling to the priesthood.

In September 1961, he entered Christ the Savior Seminary in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. While studying there, he met Marjorie Hammar, and they were married on August 30, 1964, at St. Michael’s Church in McKeesport. On September 21, 1964, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the late Metropolitan Orestes Chornock at Christ the Savior Cathedral. His first assignment was as administrator of St. John the Baptist Church in Wilpen and St. Stephen’s Church in Latrobe, where he became the first resident priest in Wilpen in over 45 years. He received his Bachelor of Theology degree in 1966 and later served as Spiritual Director of the Seminary.

In 1969, Father Mozes was assigned to the mission parish in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Facing a struggling parish with financial difficulties and a nearly empty rectory, he worked tirelessly to stabilize and beautify the church, liquidate the mortgage, and establish a parish center. For more than six decades, he faithfully served the Church alongside his beloved wife, Pani Marjorie. He held numerous leadership roles within the diocese, including Secretary to the Diocesan Council, Associate Editor of the Church Messenger, Recording Secretary of the Mid-Atlantic Deanery, and administrator of the diocesan retirement facility, Bethany, in Philadelphia. He initiated successful fundraising efforts for Camp Nazareth and organized community outreach projects that supported families in need and brought joy to local children.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Father Mozes was preceded in death by his sisters, Joyce and Olga. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Pani Marjorie Mozes; his brother, Bobby Mozes; his children, Sarah, John, and Emily (Anthony); his grandchildren, Jeremy, Riley, JT, Alex, Julianna, Abby, Alexandria, and Anthony; and the many parishioners and friends whose lives were touched by his ministry. He shared a particularly close bond with his grandson, Reader Jeremy Kravcak, who found in him a profound inspiration and role model.