Archpriest Sergius Clark, fell asleep in the Lord on November 22, 2023. He was born Philip Gerald Clark on March 19, 1938, to Marjorie Early Donham in Rutherfordton, NC. He was preceded in death by his wife, Matushka Sylvia H. Clark, and sisters, Barbara Harrill and Wilma Sparks. He is survived by his daughter, M. H. Clark (Peter Mellen), his son, Jeremy H. Clark, and his sister, Ona Kennedy.
Father Sergius graduated from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC and from Berea College in Berea, KY. After service in the military, where he was primarily stationed in Korea, and two years in business as an auditor, he entered General Theological Seminary (Episcopal) in New York City. While in seminary, Father Sergius was introduced to the theology of the Orthodox Church. He graduated seminary in 1967 and as an Episcopal priest he served communities in North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.
Beginning in 1993, he and Matushka Sylvia began attending an OCA Mission in Savannah, GA for Saturday evening Great Vespers, weekday Feasts, and the Pascha cycle whenever it did not coincide with western Easter. During this time, Father Sergius befriended His Eminence Archbishop Dmitri and shared his desire to be received into the Church.
In 2000, Father Sergius resigned from the Episcopal Church and moved to Jacksonville, FL where he was Chrismated and was enrolled into the Late Vocations Program. During this time, he completed the Clinical Pastoral Education course for ordained ministers, was certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains, and worked full time at both Baptist Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville. At St. Vincent’s, he was Acting Director of the Department of Pastoral Care before retirement in 2011.
He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2003 by Archbishop Dmitri and was assigned as Associate Priest at Saint Justin Martyr Church. In 2013 Father Sergius retired as Associate Priest but continued to concelebrate as his health allowed. He was beloved by all the parishioners at Saint Justin Martyr and will be greatly missed.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29 at 6:00 PM with the celebration of Funeral of a Priest at 7:00 PM at Saint Justin Martyr Orthodox Church, 12460 Old St. Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL. The Liturgy for the Departed will be celebrated on Thursday, November 30 at 10:00 AM with interment immediately following in the Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sait Justin Martyr Church or the American Heart Association.
May Father Sergius’ memory be eternal!