Father Seraphim Moslener was born August 23, 1947 to Robert W. and Sarah B. Moslener in the West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. He reposed on Monday, May 25th, 2026. Preceding him in death were his parents and first grandchild Micah (born to heaven), March 31, 2006. Surviving are his wife, Khouria Parasceva (Patricia) Moslener; children, Archie Whitehead (Deborah), Sara,PhD, Martha Leyda (Rev.Ian), Major Dr. Matthew Moslener (Kathryn), and Timothy (Dana); grandchildren Isabella, Jackson, Charles, Evelyn, Samuel, Megan, Margaret, Henry, and Charlotte; a God-son, Luis Radanovic, his sister, Ioanna and parents Milan and Nina; a brother, Rev Lawrence Moslener (Patricia), and sisters, Sandra Moschak (Michael) and Arlene Donovan (Robert); and sister-in-law Rebecca Sproul (Howard) in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Father Seraphim attended Ingram Public School and graduated from Montour High School. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the University of Balamand. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA on July 15, 1973 in his home church, the United Presbyterian Church of Ingram. Following his ordination he served at New Salem Presbyterian, Ohioville and Westminster United Presbyterian, New Brighton Churches in Beaver-Butler Presbytery. Following his graduation from Fuller Seminary he trained to become a Marriage and Family Therapist . In 1991 he was asked by Dr Paul Holland, mentor and colleague, to design the Marriage and Family Counseling Program in the Graduate Psychology Program at Geneva College. He was approved for a full time position in 1992 as faculty and program coordinator. He was credentialed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2002. He worked as a therapist for 30 years, first at Catholic Charities in Beaver County, in private practice, for Beaver County Psychiatric Services, and Western PA Psych Care from where he would retire in 2019.
Following retirement from Geneva College and the United Presbyterian Church he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at the hand of Bishop John on September 9, 2012 and to the Holy Priesthood on November 15, 2017 at the hand of Bishop Thomas in the Antiochian Christian Orthodox Archdiocese. It was with Bishop John that Father Seraphim would design a Pastoral Marriage and Family Counseling Certificate Program. Father Seraphim also served as Deacon and Priest at St John the Evangelist Parish in Beaver Falls Pa from 2012 until 2019 with Fr Christopher Davis. Following his service in his home parish he was blessed to assist his God- father, Father Peter Jon Gillquist for two years at All Saints Parish in Bloomington, Indiana.
He often enjoyed tennis, exercising, and gardening. He loved to see things grow. More especially he loved to see people grow which is why he enjoyed being a pastor, therapist, and teacher. His greatest love was for God who gives the growth. His great love beyond that was for each of his children and grandchildren but especially for his wife who was his spiritual guide, moral compass and best friend since they married on May 5, 1973.
As one who never liked school Fr Seraphim was always amazed how much time he spent in any of them. As a pastor he was always grateful for support of lay persons. As a faculty member at Geneva College he gave thanks to colleagues who helped and encouraged him to find his way and to wonderful students who brightened his day. As a priest he was enriched by his peers, especially in the Clergy Peer Learning Support Group which he facilitated beginning in 2016. He worked beside wonderful volunteers in FOCUS, the Beaver County Orthodox Christian Ministry, and in the Hill District of Pittsburgh at St Moses the Black Orthodox Church under Fr Paul Abernathy. He was always blessed to serve at the Monastery of the Transfiguration around the bend from where he lived.
Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026 at the St. Elias Orthodox Church, 915 Lynn St., New Castle, Pa 16101 from 3:00 pm until the time of the Funeral for a Priest at 6:00 pm. A Divine Liturgy will be held the following day starting at 9:00 am at The Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, 321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City, Pa 16117. Internment will follow the service at the Monastery cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: any churches or parishes where he has served; Geneva College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, or the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration.
The funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc..
