Emil Minkovich

On Friday, March 29, 2024, the senior-most cleric of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, pastor emeritus of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Elizabeth, NJ, Archpriest Emil Minkovich, reposed in the Lord. He was 79 years old.

Father Emil was born to Emil and Mary Minkovich in 1945 in Passaic, NJ. In September 1962 he entered Christ the Saviour Seminary, Johnstown, PA to pursue his theological studies for the Holy Priesthood and graduated with a Bachelor of Theology Degree in 1967.

On September 9, 1967, at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Passaic, he married Natalie Smagula. On September 21 he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Dositheus. On September 27, 1967 he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Dositheus at St Nicholas Cathedral, New York City. He was appointed pastor of Saints Peter and Paul parish in Elizabeth by Most Reverend John, Metropolitan of the Aleutian Islands and North America.

In 1973, Fr Emil was awarded the gold pectoral cross by Bishop Makary. In 1976 he was elevated to the rank of Archpriest by Bishop Job. In 1982 he was awarded the jeweled pectoral cross by His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. In 1987, on the occasion of his 20th anniversary of the Priesthood, he was elevated to the rank of Mitered Archpriest by Bishop Clement. In 1990 he traveled to Moscow as clergy representative of the parishes in the United States to elect our new Patriarch, His Holiness, Aleksy II. Father Emil was actively involved in planning Patriarch Aleksy II’s 1993 visit to the United States to celebrate 200 years of Orthodoxy in America.

In September 2022, in honor of Fr Emil’s celebration of 55 consecutive years serving his parish in Elizabeth, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia awarded him one of the highest awards of the Russian Orthodox Church - the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Although the church was founded in the early 20th century, the parish built a new church on Stiles Street in 1967, the year that Father Emil arrived. During the course of his tenure, Father Emil and the hard-working parishioners worked to appoint the new building with all that was necessary. A new iconostasis was designed and icons painted. Icons were also added to the sanctuary, the walls, and the ceiling. Beautiful chandeliers came next, and the golden dome that graces the top of the church. Many other adornments were added to create a beautiful and reverent place to worship. Space was needed for the parish to gather, and a new Activity Center was built with Sunday School classrooms, a kitchen, and hall for dinners and meetings. Now, the organizations within the parish---the Altar Guild, the Sisterhood, the R Club---had adequate space to gather. Father Emil worked tirelessly to create a parish community for families to gather together to honor their Orthodox faith, to worship, and to socialize with one another.

In addition to his pastorate, Fr Emil was elected to the Bishop’s Council at its inception in 1970. In 1984 he was appointed Recording Secretary, a position he held for decades. He served as circulation manager for the diocesan magazine, One Church, for over 25 years. He was appointed Dean of the Eastern States Deanery in 1991 by Archbishop Makary. He also served as vice president of the Central Jersey Orthodox Clergy Association. He was actively involved in the neighborhood watch group in his district in Elizabeth.

Fr Emil was probably best known in the neighborhood for continuing the Pierogi Project. Originally started as a fundraiser to build the church, it then continued to help support the parish. For 55 years, parishioners and pierogi lovers would call Fr Emil to add their order.

Fr Emil is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Natalie Minkovich; his two children Alexandra Minkovich and Christina Jimenez; and Alexandra’s husband, Christopher Wrobel.

Viewing and services will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, 159 Stiles St. Elizabeth, NJ. Friday April 5 viewing from 4:00 pm until evening service begins at 7:00 pm.

Saturday, April 6 Divine Liturgy begins at 10am, followed by internment at Sts Peter and Paul Cemetery in Saddle Brook, NJ and repass. Arrangements are entrusted to Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East St. George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036.

www.krowickifuneralhome.com