Fr. John Chudik was raised in Pittsburgh, PA as well as Johnstown (Conemaugh), PA and attended St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church (OCA).  He studied Biology and Psychology at Westminster College. During that time, Fr. John attended St. John the Baptist Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Sharon, PA. During his studies, Fr John had the opportunity to study at the Curie Institute of the Universite of Paris VI, Departement of Neuropsychologie. While in Paris, Fr John was introduced to St Sergius Theological Institute and met several professors who had a profound impact on the course of his life. Upon returning to the United States, Fr. John sought more spiritual guidance while completing his undergraduate studies. Thanks to the care and counsel of Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka, Archpriest George Johnson, Paul & Ruth Pavlick, Protopresbyter John Meyendorff, Fr John began to have a deeper understanding of his vocation. Upon graduation from Westminster College, he enrolled at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in the Fall of 1991.

In the Summer of 1993, Fr John served in a new Summer Seminary Intern Program sponsored by the Orthodox Church of St Stephen, Orlando, FL. Under the sound and careful guidance of Archpriest John Ealy, the Seminarian John had the opportunity to experience daily parish life and participate in practically all aspects of pastoral practice, education and liturgical life.  During his last year of Seminary, Fr John also participated in a program that was largely unknown in the Orthodox Church at that time – Clinical Pastoral Education or CPE. This program helps to prepare students and other religious professionals for roles as Professional Hospital Chaplains. In January 1994, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on the Patronal Feast Day of Three Hierarchs Chapel at St Vladimir’s Seminary by His Beatitude, +Metropolitan THEODOSIUS, of blessed memory. Deacon John continued to serve at the Seminary Chapel throughout the next year as he worked on a year long CPE, hospital chaplaincy internship at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. On the Feast of Annunciation (March 25) 1995, Deacon John was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Three Hierarch Chapel by His Beatitude, +Metropolitan THEODOSIUS. Fr. John then served for a brief period at the Chapel of St. Martin of Tours located at the West Point Military Academy.

From 1995-2000, Fr John served as a Hospice Chaplain as well as assistant priest in several Chicago Deanery Parishes. During this time, the late +Archbishop JOB, of blessed memory, blessed Fr John to complete his nursing degree as a complimentary ministry to his pastoral work. Fr John graduated in May 2000 from the Elmhurst College of Nursing with a BSN Degree then obtained his RN license. All the while he continued his work in hospice care and served area parishes, including Great Lakes Naval Station Orthodox Chapel.  On October 1, 2000, Fr John Ealy, Dean, with the blessing of His Eminence, +Archbishop DMITRI, of blessed memory, welcomed Fr John to St. Mark Orthodox Church in Bradenton, FL as its new pastor. Over the next 19 years, Fr John labored for St Mark Church – where new property was purchased, a new Temple was built to the Glory of God, many souls were cared for and welcomed into the fulness of the Church. Fr John continued to work as a nurse as well – first at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, then in Home Health Care for almost 15 years.

 During a secondment at St Raphael Orthodox Church in Inverness during 2020, he was approached to consider working with a new mission in The Villages. After prayer and consultation with Archpriest Ted Pisarchuck, Dean, and Archimandrite Sergious Gerken, Pastor of St Raphael, Fr John began working with the Mission Council toward the formal petition and opening of The Villages Mission. In June 2021, Archbishop ALEXANDER, blessed the establishment of the new Mission and for Fr John to serve the First Divine Liturgy. On September 1, 2021, Archbishop ALEXANDER officially blessed the Mission to call upon Sts. Joachim & Anna, the Ancestors of the Lord as their heavenly patrons and assigned Fr John as their Pastor. Since that time the Community has been graced with new property as well as a building that is being readied for occupancy.