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Although Orthodox Romanians were in existence in Hazleton from the middle of the century, the St. Joseph's Orthodox Church was established as a mission only in 1992. Canonically, the St. Joseph's Orthodox Church is under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (ROEA).

According to the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate in America's By-Laws, Saint Joseph's Church functions as a non-profit, religious organization chartered in accordance with the laws of the state of Pennsylvania. The parish conducts its affairs in conformity with the Constitution and By-Laws as amended and adopted by the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate National Church Congress on July 2, 1994.

Its administrative head is the Parish Council presided by the Parish Priest; the Council is elected once a year by the General Assembly from only those members who regularly receive the Holy Mysteries, actively work for the Parish's spiritual and material advancement, exibiting a strong desire to work for the bulding up of God's Holy Orthodox Church.

Nomination and election to the Parish Council is not accorded to members who fulfill merely the minimum requirements for receiving the Sacraments, who are not regularly in attendance at the Parish's services, who promote division and disunity within the Parish, or who are absent from the elections for the Council whithout honorable cause.

The Parish Council is composed by the Priest, elected members, delegates to the Episcopate Congress, and presidents of any Auxiliary Organization like "Ladies Auxiliary" (ARFORA), American Romanian Youth Organization (AROY), or Sunday School Director. Following the General Member Assembly held on Sunday February 13^th (and updated as of August 2011), the members of the 2011 Saint Joseph's Parish Council are (in alphabetical order):

1. Mr. Petru Barbes - Epitrop 2. Mrs. Livia Bratean - Epitrop 3. Mr. Dan Butoi - Vice President 4. Mrs. Terri Butoi - Treasurer 5. Mr. Dan Focsaneanu - Auditor 6. Mr. Christian Maghear - President 7. Mr. George Minga - Auditor 8. Mrs. Lucia Nedici - Secretary 9. Mr. Dornan Pamfil - Member

Association of the Orthodox Ladies Auxiliary: Mrs. Rodica Maghear - President Delegates to the Vatra Congress: Mrs. Carmen Murgu Mr. Filip Murgu From the Saint Joseph Sunday School: Mrs. Cici Stafiuc

The Parish Council meetings are usually held (as agreed) on the first Sunday of every month unless there is an emergency meeting called or meeting is postponed for any other reason.