The parishioners of St. John’s Russian Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning, welcomes the Rev. Ronald Kovac as their new pastor this week.

He replaces the Rev. Michael Sopoliga, who retired after serving the parish for the past 42 years.

Rev. Kovac, a native of Binghamton, New York, was ordained on Aug. 19, 1991, after studying at Christ the Savior Seminary, Johnstown. His first pastorate came at St. Mary’s Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, Dickson City. Prior to entering the seminary, he earned a degree in pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.