The Archpriest Rodion Pfeiffer fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at approximately 6 p.m. in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born on December 7, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Ann Ulicki Pfeiffer. He was baptized at St. Theodosius in Cleveland by Fr. Jason Kappanadze.
He graduated from Parma High School in 1964. After working for a few years, he attended Christ the Savior Seminary and in 1974 graduated from St. Tikhon’s Seminary. He married Mary Ann Hulypa of Buffalo, New York, on July 28, 1973.
He was ordained to the Holy Deaconate on Pentecost (June 2, 1974) at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois, and ordained to the Holy Priesthood on June 16, 1974, at Holy Trinity in Parma, Ohio, by Archbishop John of Chicago.
After graduation, he faithfully served the following parishes: Holy Assumption in Lublin, Wisconsin; Sts. Peter and Paul in Buffalo, NY; Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Jeannette, Pennsylvania; St. Michael’s Cathedral in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; St. John the Baptist in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania; St. Nicholas in DuBois, Pennsylvania; Sts. Peter and Paul in Urey, Pennsylvania; Sts. Peter and Paul in Phoenix, Arizona; and St. Melania the Younger Orthodox Outreach Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He retired in 2003 from St. Melania, an outreach to the local homeless population, due to health reasons.
Fr. Rodion is survived by his wife Mat. Mary Ann, son Subdeacon Rodion and Heather Elizabeth Pfeiffer, and daughter Juliane Pfeiffer.
Funeral Services for the newly-departed Archpriest Rodion Pfeiffer will be held at Ss. Peter & Paul Church, 1614 E. Monte Vista Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85006 are announced as follows:
Tuesday, January 12, 2021 –
2:00-3:00 p.m. Private family viewing
3:00-6:00 p.m. Public viewing
6:00 p.m. The Burial Service of a Priest
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 –
9:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy and Panikhida
Burial information to follow.
Linda Militello Mucyn
Dearest Mat. Mary Ann and family, my sincere condolences on the passing of Fr. Rodion. May his memory be eternal!