Archpriest Paul Pyrch fell asleep in the Lord on December 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, in Virginia Beach, VA.
Father Paul was born on August 4,1938 to Paul and Rose Pyrch in Pittsburgh, PA. Growing up in a Russian-immigrant household deeply rooted in the local Orthodox Church led him to pursue a career in the Priesthood as a young man.
After completing his undergraduate studies in Theology and Music at Columbia University, Father Paul entered into study at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. He was privileged to study under Father Alexander Schmemann, of blessed memory, his Father Confessor and life-long spiritual mentor. Shortly after graduating from seminary, he married Virginia Dofner, of blessed memory, on June 4, 1961. Serving nine months as a Deacon, Father Paul was then ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the late Archbishop Benjamin of Pittsburgh on June 3, 1962. He was assigned to a small parish in Royalton, IL where, in ten years, he revitalized the parish making it one of the more active parishes in the Midwest. With his leadership, this small parish raised thousands of dollars for Saint Vladimir’s Seminary in his drive to call others to God’s service.
After his assignment to his home parish in Ambridge, PA, Father Paul was commissioned into the United States Navy as an Eastern Orthodox Chaplain in 1975. He served the military community honorably for 23 years while receiving numerous personal awards for his ministry to thousands of Sailors and Marines around the world. He served three tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps–quite likely among his favorite duty stations–and was the first Orthodox Chaplain ever assigned to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS NIMITZ
(CVN-68)—one of a total of twenty-three US Naval ships on which he served throughout his career. His knowledge of Russian enabled him to provide assistance to Commanding Officers in translating incoming messages from Soviet ships during the Cold War.
Father Paul retired from the Navy in 1997 and was attached to the Dormition of the Theotokos Parish, in Norfolk, VA. Ever anxious to continue his life of service, Father Paul also took a position with H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments as an After Care Coordinator providing grief counseling to families in the Hampton Roads area at that time. Father Paul came out of retirement in 2010 to serve the Dormition parish for nine months until a new Priest could be assigned, and later to serve the parish of Saint Elpis in Hopewell, VA, (Greek Archdiocese) for one year while they were without a Priest.
Throughout his life, Father Paul was blessed to have had the opportunity to travel much of the country and concelebrate extensively at various parishes in places like Jacksonville, FL; Charleston, SC; Bethesda, MD; Washington, D.C.; Roanoke, VA; Richmond, VA; Newport News, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; Poquoson, VA; Madison, IL; and Savannah, GA. These beloved pan-Orthodox experiences shaped Father Paul’s Orthodox ministry in a way that he truly cherished.
Father Paul’s dedication and faithful service to Christ’s Holy Church was an inspiration to others fostering seven Priestly vocations for the Church and bringing countless new members to the Orthodox faith. Through the years, he served as a mentor to young Priests who sought his advice and direction–especially those in divine service to Orthodox Christians in our armed services.
Ever the consummate professional, Father Paul was also known to be an avid gardener, bass fisherman, and a huge fan of his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. He was known by his family and close friends to have a keen sense of humor. His ship-shape-attention-to-detail personality reflected a man who loved God, the Orthodox Church, and his family fiercely and always “told the truth” as he would say.
Father Paul’s labors in the Vineyard of Christ for nearly 64 years were the experiences that mattered most to him. Many faithful were blessed by his efforts and devotion in serving our Lord and Savior for so many years.
Father Paul is survived by his beloved family: daughters Catherine Raisor, Elizabeth LaMotte (Bo), and Faith Pyrch (fiance Eric Tilton); grandchildren Leah Raisor (Jenn), Rebekah Raisor (fiance Troy Todd), Drew LaMotte, Kyra LaMotte, George Gerber, Johnathan Pyrch
(Pashence) and great-grandson Elijah Pyrch, as well as his sisters Rosemary Pyrch Simpson (Howard, deceased), Carolyn Cunningham Ziady (Gus), and Barbara Pyrch Czerwinski (Tom), and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Service for a Priest will be held for Father Paul at the Dormition Orthodox Church, 736 Sheppard Avenue, Norfolk, VA on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM with visitation at the Church on Monday evening, December 8, 2025, from 5:30-6:30 PM and Trisagion service at 6:30 PM. A private burial will take place at a later date at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veteran’s Cemetery in Suffolk, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological eminary, 575 Scarsdale Road, Yonders, NY 10707.
May Father Paul’s memory be eternal!