Father Paul Shafran Reaches Another “Milestone” – Celebrates 104th Birthday!

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

By God’s grace, Archpriest Paul Shafran, Pastor Emeritus (retired), St. Vladimir Church, Trenton , marked his 104th birthday on July 2, 2026. His daughters arranged an in-home celebration, joined by several other family members including two of his great grandchildren. On Sunday July 5, the celebration continued at the church with Father Volodymyr Chaikivskyi, Pastor, along with family members and parishioners. After everyone sang Happy Birthday, Father Paul led them in singing “God Bless America” to honor our nation’s 250th anniversary. We sincerely thank Father Paul for his long life of dedicated service to the Church, and we extend our best wishes and prayers to him for peace, health, and salvation! Mnogaya Leta!

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Viorica Stan

Beautiful holiday! I loved that he sang "God Bless America" with everyone, especially now on America's 250th birthday. May God keep him healthy for a long time.

Andrei Lungu

Beautiful holiday! I loved that at 104 years old he can still lead the singing of "God Bless America" and that he did it right on America's 250th birthday. May God keep him healthy, with such a clear mind.

Елена Семёнова

Happy Father Paul's Day! It’s nice that at 104 years old he also sang “God Bless America” along with everyone, and even in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary. May God grant him health and a clear mind for many years to come.

فادي صايغ

God bless Father Paul. I liked that, at 104 years old, he was still able to lead the hymn and sing “God Bless America” with everyone exactly on the occasion of America’s 250th year. May God give him health and protect him.

Θεοδώρα Αντωνίου

Happy birthday to Father Pavlos! I loved that at 104 years of age he still led "God Bless America" just in time for America's 250th anniversary. May God keep him healthy and clear minded.

Gabriela Gheorghiu

Yes, Andrei, I also noticed how he took over the chorus on "God Bless America" - at 104 years old, still with a clear voice. I think it's also from his habit of singing in the choir for so many years. May the good God help him to catch other equally clear years.

Michael Carter

Nice to hear Father Paul is still leading the singing at 104. That “God Bless America” right on the country’s 250th makes perfect sense for him. Hope the great-grandkids got a good look at their great-grandpa in action.

Софья Воробьёва

It’s good that the daughters had a celebration at home with their great-grandchildren, and then all together in church. At 104 years old, singing “God Bless America” in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary is powerful. May God grant Father Pavel more health and a clear mind.

Raluca Gheorghiu

Yes, Gabriela, that clear voice at 104 years really impresses. I heard that he sang in the choir over 70 years at St. Vladimir, no wonder he stayed so sure of him. May God keep him healthy, maybe he will sing for us again next year.

Daniela Rusu

Yes, Gabriela, I was also left thinking how he took over the choir like that, without hesitation. At the supermarket, I see every day how voices are lost with age, but with him, it's as if the years of pews have kept him whole. May God help him to make us happy again next year with a "Mnogaya Leta" sung just like that.

Simona Ciobanu

Yes, Raluca, I also read that he sang in the choir almost all his life there. At 104 years old, however, that he can still keep his tone on "God Bless America" seems to me a simple miracle, not just the voice. May God help him make it to next year, maybe we'll hear him again at church.