Special Christmas issue!
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH
st. nicholas celebration
Annual charity dinner celebrates good news at Seminary Page 4 to 6
Inside
VOL. 64 NO. 14
“a taste of heaven” Annual cookie sale at St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa. Page 7
CHRISTMAS 2019
christmas at mt. macrina manor
Scouts deliver gift of time, music to residents Page 11
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 2019 ”In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” Gospel of Saint Luke 2:1-11 Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Dear People, We extend to all the blessings that pour out of God’s great gift to the world on the birth of his Son Jesus. We hear the Christmas story in Gospel readings, the hymns, and popular music of the season. For our children, the celebration is fresh and new as if it happened last year. For our senior members, we take the message deeper into our hearts and minds. Our pilgrims to the Holy Land this Autumn were lifted up by their visits to the city of Bethlehem. As did others for thousands of years, they saw the city of Bethlehem, its churches, and the actual grotto cave which marks where Mary gave birth to Jesus. The cave is below the altar in the Basilica of the Nativity. The silver star marks the event where ancient tradition recalls the spot. The tradition has continued through a succession of Roman, Byzantine, Moslem, Crusaders, and now Palestinian control. Despite the crush of pilgrims past and present, you can see and feel the power of the profound event of birth of the Son of God. The billions and billions of prayers offered by pilgrims have enriched the holiness of Bethlehem and the Holy Land. In his recent trip to Greccio, Italy, our Holy Father Pope Francis wrote how Saint Francis tried to spread the message of the birth of Christ. Because it is not easy or possible to make a pilgrimage to Bethlehem, Saint Francis of Assisi tried to bring the power of his pilgrim experience of the Nativity in Bethlehem to the world. He tried to bring his Bethlehem experience to those who could not make the trip to the Holy Land by recreating a living Crèche in Greccio, Italy in 1224. The tradition has spread across the world and to some of our Byzantine Churches. For all our Byzantine churches, we bring to life our Nativity Icons and Crèches in our churches and homes. We join in the prayers of Holy Land pilgrims as well as the prayers of the shepherds and wise men. In a way, we become the shepherds and wise men. Our voices sing the words which enlighten our minds and open our hearts to the message that “God is with us.” We thank all who have worked to spread the good news through your personally reaching out to friends and family who have not understood or have forgotten the real meaning of Christmas. We live in hope that everyone who hears will be reborn in the Spirit of Christmas. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh
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CHRISTMAS 2019
Go to confession, let yourself be consoled
UPS 081500 ISSN 07442289 Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Serving parish communities in central and western Pennsylvania, Louisiana, eastern Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia Published monthly (12 issues) plus two seasonal special issues Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org Archbishop William C. Skurla President David Mayernik Jr. Editor Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM Copy Editor Donna Obsincs Subscription/Circulation Manager Deacon Robert J. Shalhoub Business Manager Annual Subscription Rates US $14 Canadian $17 International $20 Periodicals Postage PAID at Pittsburgh, PA
Postmaster: send address changes to: The Byzantine Catholic World ATTN: Donna 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Please allow 2-3 weeks for address changes to take effect. Submissions deadline: 15th of the month prior to the month of publication.
The Byzantine Catholic World is a member of the Catholic Press Association.
mission The mission of The Byzantine
Catholic World is to spread the Gospel message in the rich tradition of the Byzantine
by Cindy Wooden Catholic news Service
VATICAN CITY — Anyone who wants to experience the consolation and tenderness of God simply needs to go to confession, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass. Celebrating the liturgy Dec. 10 in the chapel of his residence, Pope Francis recited an imaginary conversation: "Father, I have so many sins, I've made so many mistakes in my life." "Let yourself be consoled." "But who will console me?" "The Lord." "Where must I go?" "To ask pardon. Go. Go. Be bold. Open the door. He'll caress you." The Lord draws near to those in need with the tenderness of a father, the pope said. Paraphrasing the day's reading from Isaiah 40, the pope said, "He is like a shepherd who pastures his sheep and gathers them in his arms, carrying the lambs on his bosom and sweetly leading them back to their mother ewes. That's how the Lord consoles us." "The Lord always consoles us as long as we let ourselves be consoled," he said. Of course, he said, God the father also corrects his children, but he does that, too, with tenderness. Often, he said, people look at their own limits and sins and start thinking that there is no way God can forgive them. "It is then that the voice of the Lord is heard, saying, 'I will console you. I am close to you,' and he tenderly reaches us." "The powerful God who created the heavens and earth, the hero-God — if you want to say it that way — became our brother, who carried the cross and died for us, and is capable of caressing us and saying, 'Don't cry’." n
Your Birth, O Christ our God * Has shed upon the world the Light of Knowledge * for through it, those who worshiped the stars * have learned from a star to worship you, the Sun of Justice * and to know you, the Dawn from on High * Glory to you, O Lord! — Troparion of the Nativity
Christos Raždajetsja! Slavite Jeho! Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Catholic Church; to encourage faithful to reflect the image of Christ in everyday activities of life; to offer spiritual formation through changing times; and to celebrate community among Byzantine Catholics in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, throughout the Metropolitan Church in America, and around the world.
Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Dec. 10, 2019. The pope said God will console anyone who lets himself or herself be consoled; all that is needed is to ask forgiveness. Catholic news Service photo/Vatican Media.
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text messages
Security blanket Bulletin Board
by David Mayernik Jr. Editor
I’m a big fan of Easter eggs. Of course, I enjoy seeing the many colorful pysanky meticulously designed each year to signify the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But there’s another kind of Easter egg. They’re unexpected messages or features hidden in movies and television shows. For example: Rapunzel from Disney’s “Tangled” showing up in a crowd scene in “Frozen,” hieroglyphics of C-3PO and R2-D2 in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and Twin Pines Mall changing its name to Lone Pine Mall at the end of “Back to the Future.” I recently discovered another hidden message in the classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” which I can’t believe I never noticed before in my decades of watching it during the Christmas season. Everyone knows this story of Charlie Brown, who is trying to discover the true meaning of Christmas and is drafted to direct the annual Christmas play. Lucy, Sally, Schroeder and Snoopy are more interested in dancing than rehearsing, so Charlie Brown and Linus brave the outside cold to buy a Christmas tree. All the aluminum trees are overlooked in favor of a little tree, its needles falling off one by one. When his friends’ laughter finally subsides, Charlie Brown tries to find solace. "I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree," he says. "Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I don't really know what Christmas is all about. Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" "Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about," says Linus. Linus walks to the center of the stage and after requesting “Lights, please” begins to recite Luke 2:8-14 from the King James version of the Bible: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory
“Carpathian Cookery” cook book available “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. If you’re watching this scene at home, did you catch it? At the moment Linus says the words “Fear not,” he drops his security blanket. The blanket he perpetually has clutched to his body. In a stroke of genius by creator Charles Schulz, Linus drops his blanket to subtly illustrate the realization we no longer have anything to fear because of the birth of Christ. Jesus is the only security blanket we need. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. n I’ll end 2019 in this space as I have the past few years with the final lines of my favorite Christmas poem, “E.B. White’s Christmas.” It was published in The New Yorker on Dec. 20, 1952 and is written by the author of beloved children’s books “Stuart Little” and “Charlotte’s Web.” Again, it’s worth a Google search to read the entire poem.
And last, we greet all skaters on small natural ponds at the edge of woods toward the end of afternoon. Merry Christmas, skaters! Ring, steel! Grow red, sky! Die down, wind! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good morrow! Have a blessed Christmas and a healthy 2020! n
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook has entered its 18th printing and is now available for purchase. “Carpathian Cookery” has a new look and features a protective plastic cover. It includes sections on Christmas and Easter customs and recipes, traditional Rusyn and Slavic foods, other ethnic dishes, and many other tried-and-true recipes of parishioners of St. John the Baptist in Uniontown, Pa. There is a variety of paska bread and kolachi (filled roll) recipes, as well as meatless dishes and Lenten recipes, suitable for the Great Fast, as well as the Pre-Christmas Fast. Having sold more than 17,000 copies, the 330-page cook book was requested by the Library of Congress to be in their ethnic cooking collection. The cost of the cookbook is $14 plus $4 postage and handling ($18 total). If ordering from Canada, please send a $28 U.S. Postal money order payable in U.S. dollars to reflect the difference in the exchange rate and postage cost. To order, send a check or money order to: Ethnic Craft Club, St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 201 E. Main Street, Uniontown, Pa. 15401, or call 724-4386027 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday to Friday. The email address is carpathiancookery@gmail. com. n
Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission forms in North Carolina A Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has formed in the Greater Charlotte, N.C. area. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Saturday at 4 p.m. by Father Steven Galuschik of All Saints Byzantine Church in Ft. Myers, Fla. and Bi-Ritual Deacon Ron Volek. The community gathers at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church,
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292 Munn Road, East, Fort Mill, S.C. in the Ministry Center across from the church. As you travel south on I-77, stop by and visit our welcoming mission. Visit us at www. carolinabyzantine.com for information and upcoming activities or call Ron Somich at 440-477-6389. n
Seminary Library seeks cantor papers The library of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary is assembling a collection of music and papers from our cantors and choir directors since the founding of our church in the United States. These collections are being indexed and preserved so that that they can be used for research by scholars as well as for fostering our church singing in the future. If your parish or a retired cantor you know has music, memorabilia, or recordings which might have a place in this collection, contact Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski, 412-7351676 or mci@archpitt.org, or library director Sandra Collins, 412-321-8383 or scollins@bcs. edu. The Library also invites donations of materials from family and friends of our cantors who have reposed. This collection will serve as a permanent memorial to their labors. n
Events at the House of Prayer The following events will take place at Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer, 510 W. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. To register for programs or more information, call 724-438-7149 or email hpmsm@verizon.net. Sacramental Healing In Mystery — Experience Healing in a Sacramental Church n 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Feb. 29, 2020. Presented by Father John Marcucci. Offering: $35 includes lunch. Registration due Feb. 24. Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick with validated Scriptural Presentations. Lenten Bible Study n 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, March 5 to April 2, 2020. Presented by Sister Melita Marie, OSBM. Free will offering. Registration due Feb. 20. Bible Study sessions will develop Great Fast themes and include appropriate prayer of praise and petition. Bring your favorite Bible. n
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CHRISTMAS 2019
Preparing the next generation of priests 63rd annual st. nicholas charity dinner celebrates good news at the seminary
by David Mayernik Jr. Editor
Chris Singel, master of ceremonies for the 63rd annual Saint Nicholas Charity Dinner, said many heartfelt words extolling the virtues of seminary life. But he said you don't have to take his word for it. "Listen to Mr. (Fred) Rogers. A new book I'm reading talks about how one of the most positive influences throughout his entire life was his theology professor from (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary). "Fred ended up taking every course he offered. He visited him each week when he was in a nursing home. And he let the insights he learned from this professor strengthen his spirituality throughout his entire life." Of course, the same can be said of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. “These classes are accessible to anyone. Please consider them. Because once you learn something, it deepens your spirituality and you are changed forever.” The annual dinner, held Dec. 8 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral Center in Munhall, Pa, is co-sponsored by the Greek Catholic Union and the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Proceeds benefit the Seminary. "We have a lot of good news to celebrate tonight as the Seminary is again reaching some major milestones," Singel said. Next year, the Seminary will celebrate the 70th year of its founding. "The Byzantine online program has grown so much that this month, two of its students will become the first graduates ever who have earned their Masters degrees entirely online.” Story continued on page 5 the byzantine catholic world
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63rd annual st. nicholas charity dinner
St. Nicholas Charity Dinner continued from page 4
Father Robert Pipta, rector, thanked everyone present. "The Byzantine Catholic Seminary strives to be worthy of the magnanimous generosity of the GCU. The prayerful and material support represented by all those here present this evening remains a blessing to us throughout the year," he said. "I am filled with thanksgiving for my life in the Seminary. For being able to work with colleagues and students and the wonderful and surprising ways God takes care of the Seminary through your goodness." George Juba, president and chief executive officer, Greek Catholic Union, presented Archbishop William with the fraternal organization’s annual contribution to the Seminary, which this year totaled $110,000. The organization has donated $3.37 million to the Seminary since 1960. "Here we are gathered in a cozy and warm facility with all the conveniences and amenities anyone could ask for, celebrating the life of St. Nicholas of Myra, who is also the patron saint of the GCU." He also presented $250 checks funded by the GCU Foundation to this year's 12 seminarians. The Foundation was organized in 2007 and makes monetary grants for charitable, educational and religious purposes. Seminarians receiving grants are: Reader Christopher Davel, Subdeacon Timothy Fariss, Luke Iyengar, Reader Robert Jones, Michael Kunitz, Mikhael Naddaf, Nathaniel Tapsak, David Vonderohe, John Welch, Deacon Paul West, Reader Riley Winstead and Reader Kyprian Wojciechowski. Archbishop William Skurla said he is thankful for the opportunity to come together at the end of the year to give thanks to St. Nicholas and our Holy Father in Heaven. "The seminarians work very hard to make this a very fine academic institution and a place where we will prepare the next generation of priests." The Greek Catholic Union, the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the Seminary and the St. Nicholas Celebration Committee thank everyone involved with the 2019 event who helped in any way to ensure its success. n the byzantine catholic world
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CHRISTMAS 2019
63rd annual st. nicholas charity dinner
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
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parish news PAGE 7
CHRISTMAS 2019
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
“A Taste of Heaven” by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
On Dec. 7, all was ready for this year’s “A Taste of Heaven Cookie Sale. Early in the morning our patrons were lining up at the door to be amongst the first to choose from a variety of 75 different kinds of cookies. Again, it was confirmed by many who came, that this is the best cookie sale they attend. We thank all our dedicated parishioners for making this holiday event a great success! n
Photos by Jennifer Kehm
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CHRISTMAS 2019
st. mary in windber, pa.
st. nicholas in perryopolis, pa.
A visit from St. Nicholas
Brunch honors patron saint
by Father Ivan Rusyn St. Mary, Windber, Pa.
We were full of joy to welcome St. Nicholas in our St. Mary parish Dec. 8 in Windber, Pa. He was much awaited by everyone, especially the children. Before the arrival of St. Nicholas, the children partcipated in various activities. They were
carefully listening to the story of the life of the saint, responded well to the quiz about him, practiced the skills of throwing gifts into the chimney and covering the cookies with icing. St. Nicholas was very generous to everyone and promised to visit Windber next year. n
by Frances Kranik St. Nicholas, Perropolis, Pa.
Dec. 1 was the annual brunch and parish gathering in honor of our patron saint, St. Nicholas. Good food and fellowship was enjoyed by all present. The highlight was a visit by St. Nicholas, which was enjoyed
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
New leash on life by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
On Nov. 24, our ECF students were preparing for this year’s Thanksgiving at St. Gregory. This year, our children were reaching out to Angel Ridge Animal Rescue, which is nokill shelter and sanctuary for dogs, cats, and horses located on a 50-acre farm in Washington, Pa. In anticipation of Thanksgiving Day, our children were collecting pet supplies for the
shelter. Our children, with the assistance of parents and ECF teachers, made homemade dog toys, made from old t-shirts, braided and knotted. Our younger students prepared cards for the shelter and personalized them with their own drawings. We are thankful to our older students who prepared Thanksgiving cards for our retired priests, religious sisters, and parish homebound. n
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by a number of our youngest parishioners for the first time as well as a number of young at heart parishioners. Thank you to all who helped set and cleaned up, attended, and of course to St. Nicholas for joining us and keeping this wonderful tradition alive. n
CHRISTMAS 2019
parish news
st. mary in weirton, w. va.
Bowling for St. Nick by Father Vasyl Symyon St. Mary, Weirton, W. Va.
Children and parents of our parish enjoyed a very festive and fun St. Nicholas Day party this month at Holiday Lanes in Weirton, W. Va. St. Nicholas even stopped by for a visit and handed out treats to the children. Thank you to all who organized this fun evening! n
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CHRISTMAS 2019
thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
always and everywhere After the solemn commemoration of God’s wondrous deeds for our salvation, the priest introduces the peoples’ hymn, “We praise you, we bless you, we thank you, O Lord, and we pray to you, our God,” by intoning “Offering you your own, from your own. Always and everywhere.” We may hear this as one thought, but in reality it is two separate phrases.The phrase “your own from your own, ” is the offering of Christ as God’s only Son, of ourselves as in union with Christ as his Body, the church, and as the gifts of bread and wine, given to us by God, transformed by us from wheat and grapes, but now transformed by God into the Body and Blood of our Lord. The words, “Always and everywhere,” are separate, and they are a part of what follows, that is, that we praise, bless, thank, and pray at all times and places. This translation was very difficult because it seems literally to mean “on behalf of all and for all.” A theologian at the Oriental Institute, Father Louis Ligier, explained why. It is a matter of the use of the Greek prepositions “on behalf of, (‘kata’) and for (‘dia’). In Greek these usually are followed by nouns in the dative case. However, here they are in the accusative case. English does not have such cases. Because of the case, therefore,
the phrase is about the circumstances in which we “pray,” and not for whom we pray. Perhaps these words are an expression of what the Prophet Malachi foretold, “From the rising of the sun to its setting, my name is great among the nations; incense offerings are made to my name everywhere, and a pure offering” (Malachi
The epiclesis is a sign that we act by virute of the gift of the Spirit given through the sacramental mystery of orders. 1:11). Our sacrifice is the perfection of the Old Testament offerings, and they too are offered always, “from the rising of the sun to its setting,” and everywhere, “incense offerings are made to my name everywhere.” The response of the faithful is a proclamation of what we are doing in the Liturgy. We have praised God for his wondrous deeds, we bless him for his salvation, and we thank him “for this liturgy which [he] is pleased to accept from our hands,” which not only transforms bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, but also transforms and saves and makes God-like those who partake of these gifts. This,
of course, does not happen by any human power, but only through God’s Holy Spirit, for which we are now about to ask and beg for. After the people sing, "... and we pray to you," the priest begins to "pray," that is, he calls upon the Father to send the Holy Spirit upon the gifts. In Greek, "invocation," is the “epiclesis,” literally, a "calling upon." It is the closing petition of the anaphora. We ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit upon us and upon the gifts we offer. It is, therefore, an affirmation of the Holy Trinity. When we pray the Anaphora, we address the Father, who sent his Son into the world and revealed the eucharist, and who sends the Holy Spirit upon the gifts, for it is certainly not by human power that the transformation of the gifts is accomplished. The epiclesis is an essential part of the Divine Liturgy. Basil the Great refers to this in his writings on the Holy Spirit: "Have any saints left for us in writing the words to be used in the invocation over the Eucharistic bread and the cup of blessing? As everyone knows, we are not content in the liturgy simply to recite the words recorded by St. Paul or the Gospels, but we add other words both before and after, words of great importance for this mystery” (On the Holy Spirit 27.66). St. John Chrysostom preaches about how the gifts are transformed by the words of Christ, "This is my body," "This is my
blood," which echo throughout history. The priest mouths these words, but the power comes from the Holy Spirit. The priest does not say, "This is the Body of Christ," but "This is my body," obviously not meaning his own body, but the body of Jesus, though one can discern another level of meaning here, that the Church, which now says these words through the priest, is, in fact, the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). What is clear, though, from all the fathers and theologians is that the priest does not transform the gifts by his own human power. This is done only in the power of the Holy Spirit. The priest is able to do nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit (As the people often address the priest, "And with your spirit"). The words of institution are a manifestation of the power and gift and revelation of the love of Christ. The epiclesis is a sign that we act by virtue of the gift of the Spirit given through the sacramental mystery of orders. St. John Chrysostom is quite clear about this point: "The priest does nothing, nor is the right accomplishment of the offered gifts due to human nature; but the grace of the Spirit being present, and coming down on all - (on every altar) makes complete that mystical sacrifice; for even though a man be present, it is God who works through him" (Homily 50 on Pentecost). n
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY View Liturgical Services (various times) streamed LIVE online at:
St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa. www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com
Holy Ghost, McKees Rocks, Pa. www.youtube.com then type Holy Ghost Church Live Stream
St. John Chrysostom, Pittsburgh, Pa. www.sjcbcc.com St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa. www.facebook.com/stgregoryusc
SS. Peter and Paul, Braddock, Pa. https://www.facebook.com/SSPeterPaulBraddock/
St. Michael, Campbell, Ohio www.facebook.com/st.michaelsbyz.campbell
St. Elias, Munhall, Pa. www.facebook.com/St-Elias-Byzantine-Catholic-Church-157868411675213
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Christmas at Mt. Macrina Manor girl, boy scouts deliver gifts of time, music to residents The activities staff at Mt. Macrina Manor in Uniontown, Pa. was busy this month with planning, decorating, and preparing dining rooms for the Resident and Family Christmas Buffet. They transformed the entire Manor into a magical Christmas setting The Girl Scout troop from St. John the Baptist in Uniontown visited the Manor Dec. 9 to sing Christmas carols and do crafts with residents, and Boy Scouts from St. Mary’s #620 filled hallways with holiday music in the evening by Caroling around the facility. Mt. Macrina Manor is a 130-bed, not-for-profit, skilled nursing facility which offers 24-hour nursing care, rehabilitative services, memory care, and pastoral care to all denominations. Its mission is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Basil the Great. n
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CHRISTMAS 2019
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Chancery will be CLOSED
Schedule of Services - Christmas 2019 Very Reverend Andrew Deskevich, Rector
on Dec. 25 for Christmas and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day The Chancery’s regular hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 66 Riverview Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15214 | 412-231-4000
Reindeer tracks! following ol’ saint nick
Tuesday, Dec. 24 — Vigil, Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Christmas Eve PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is getting ready to track Santa’s yuletide journey! The NORAD Tracks Santa website, www.noradsanta.org features a Countdown Calendar, a Kid’s Countdown Village complete with games and activities that change daily, and video messages from students and troops from around the world. The web site is available in eight languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese and Chinese. n
9 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m.
Royal Hours Compline with Carols Divine Liturgy
Wednesday, Dec. 25 — Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord — Christmas Day
9 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Thursday, Dec. 26 — Commemorating the Theotokos and Joseph 7 p.m.
Divine Liturgy
Friday, Dec. 27 — Feast of St. Stephen
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY
9 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Sundays 9:00 a.m. • WEDO Radio • 810 AM Broadcast live from Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks
Also view liturgical services (various times) at: www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com www.sjcbcc.com
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist 210 Greentree Road | Munhall, Pa. 15120 | 412-461-0944 View services LIVE on the web at www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com
dates to remember DEC. 25 Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ DEC. 26 Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Theotokos dec. 27 Feast of the Holy Protomartyr Stephen dec. 31 Vigil of the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord Vigil of the Feast of St. Basil the Great New Year’s Eve jan. 1 Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord Feast of St. Basil the Great New Year’s Day
See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
the byzantine catholic world
Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org
next issue: JANUARY 2020
submissions DEADLINE: DECEMBER 23