W
RLD
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH
Inside
where is your treasure?
feast of holy theophany
Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick reflects on the beginning of The Great Fast Page 4
Parishes of the Archeparchy celebrate the first Holy Day of 2021 Pages 5 to 6
VOL. 66 NO. 2 FEBRUARY 2021
Take me to the river
in the planning St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair Pa. unveils logo for upcoming 50th anniversary Page 8
eternal memory
Father Anthony Skurla, OFM
MAY 27, 1928 ‑ DEC. 28, 2020
With the Monaca-Rochester Bridge as a backdrop, members and friends of the three Byzantine Catholic parishes of Beaver County, Pa. — St. Mary, Ambridge; St. George, Aliquippa; and St. Nicholas Chapel, Beaver — gathered on Sunday, Jan. 10, the Sunday after Theophany, for the Great Blessing of Water. Led by pastors, Father Will Rupp and Father Geoffrey Mackey, they gathered at Bridgewater Crossing, a Beaver County park, to bless the waters where the Beaver River flows into the Ohio. Photo by Janessa Fisk. For more photos, see page 6.
Like the Magi, look to the heavens for hope
pope francis offers message on feast of the theophany by Junno Arocho Estvees Catholic News Service
In times of doubt and suffering, Christians must not focus on their problems, but instead lift up their eyes to God, who leads them toward the hopeful promise of great things to come, Pope Francis said on the feast of the Epiphany. “This does not mean denying reality, or deluding ourselves into thinking that all is well. Rather, it is a matter of viewing problems and anxieties in a new way, knowing that the Lord is aware of our troubles, attentive to our prayers and not indifferent to the tears we shed,” the pope said. The pope celebrated Mass with a little over 100 people, all wearing masks and seated socially distanced from each other, at the Altar of the Chair St. Peter’s
Basilica Jan. 6. In accordance with an ancient tradition, after the proclamation of the Gospel on Epiphany, a singer from the Sistine Choir chanted the announcement of the date of Easter 2021 (April 4) and the dates of other feasts on the church calendar that are calculated according to the date of Easter. After celebrating Mass, the pope prayed the Angelus in the library of the Apostolic Palace. In his Angelus address, the pope said that Christ is “the star who appeared on the horizon, the awaited Messiah, the one through whom God would inaugurate his kingdom of love, of justice and of peace. “He was born not only for some, but for all men and women, for all peoples,” the pope said. Christians, he added, “must also be the star for our brothers
and sisters” and shine bright “by drawing near to the other, encountering the other, assuming the reality of the other. This is the only way that the light of God, who is love, can shine in those who welcome it and attract others.” “Woe to us if we think we possess it, that we only need to ‘manage’ it!” he exclaimed. “Like the Magi, we too are called to allow ourselves to be fascinated, attracted, guided, illuminated and converted by Christ.” Earlier, in his homily at Mass, the pope focused on three phrases proclaimed in the day’s readings that offered “a few useful lessons from the Magi” on “what it means to be worshippers of the Lord.” “Like them, we want to bow down and worship the Lord,” he Story continued on page 10
Father Anthony Skurla, O.F.M. fell asleep in the Lord after a short illness on Dec. 28, 2020. A friar of Holy Dormition Byzantine Catholic Friary in Sybertsville, Pa. for more than 72 years, he was well-known for his ministry at the friary and his service to many Byzantine churches. Father Anthony was born to Andrew and Mary (Uchal) Skurla in Syracuse, New York on May 27, 1928. His early education, both elementary and secondary, was in the public schools of Chisholm, Minn. He was prepared for the priesthood at St. Basil College, Stamford, and St. Mary Seminary, Norwalk, both in Connecticut. After making his solemn profession on Sept. 7, 1952, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1954 by Most Rev. Constantine Bohachevsky at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Philadelphia, Pa. At the friary, Father Anthony held the following offices and appointments: Master of Novices, Custodial Counselor, Local Superior, Provincial Counselor, and Provincial Custos. From 2011 to 2017 he served as chaplain to the Byzantine Carmelite Nuns of Sugarloaf, Pa., Story continued on page 2
Father Anthony Skurla, OFM
PAGE 2
FEBRUARY 2021
in preparation for
The Great Fast 2021
regulations for the season
UPS 081500 ISSN 07442289 Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
The fasts of the liturgical year are to be kept in accordance with the Norms of Particular Law of the Byzantine Metropolitan Church sui iuris of Pittsburgh.
simple abstinence
•The law of simple abstinence forbids the use of meat, but permits the use of eggs and dairy products.
Serving parish communities in central and western Pennsylvania, Louisiana, eastern Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia
•All faithful of the Archeparchy who receive the Eucharist are obliged to observe simple abstinence when prescribed. Abstinence is obligatory on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the Great Fast.
Published monthly (12 issues) plus two seasonal special issues
•The law of strict abstinence (fasting) forbids the use and consumption of all meat, eggs and dairy products.
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
strict abstinence •All faithful of the Archeparchy who receive the Eucharist are obliged to observe strict abstinence when prescribed.
•Strict abstinence (fasting) is to be observed in 2021 on Pure Monday, Feb. 15. (the first day of the Great Fast), and on Great and Holy Friday, April 2. dispensations •Priests and parents are to ensure that minors are educated in the authentic sense of penance.
•Pastors and administrators, with just cause and taking into account acceptable reasons due to personal circumstances, may grant to the individual faithful as well as to individual families, dispensations, transferals, or commutations of abstinence and strict fast into other pious practices. Superiors of religious houses or clerical institutions enjoy these same faculties relative to their constituents.
Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM Copy Editor
liturgical services
David Mayernik Jr. Editor
•The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts only is to be celebrated on Wednesdays and/or Friday evenings of the Great Fast and also on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week. n
•The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts takes precedence over all other Lenten Devotions.
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 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for address changes to take effect. Submissions deadline: 21st 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 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.
9:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021, Lenten Bible Study Thursdays with Sister Melita Marie, OSBM. Offering: $5 per session or $20 for all five sessions Register by Feb. 18. n n
Bulletin Board Online Church singing classes The Metropolitan Cantor Institute offers an online, two-year program in church singing for both new and experienced cantors. Tuition is $75 for each eightweek class, which includes feedback to help improve your singing and cantorial skills. Initial classes on liturgy and church singing are free. For details, visit https://mci. archpitt.org/classes or call Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski at 412-7351676. Classes are offered at no charge to qualified students from any parish with no current cantor. n
House of Prayer online programs
Mount Saint Macrina House of Prayer, 510 W. Main St., Uniontown Pa. has announced upcoming virtual online programs on Zoom. For more information or to register, call 724-438-7149 or email hpmsm@verizon.net. n 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 18, 25; March 4, 11, 2021, Tuesday Evening Reading Series. “Crossing the Desert: Learning to Let Go, See Clearly, and Live Simply” with Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM. Offering: $5 per session or $15 for all four sessions. Register by Feb. 11.
Carpathian Cookery cookbook available
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook —in its 17th printing and having sold nearly 18,000 copies — 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 PreChristmas Fast. 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
the byzantine catholic world
Father Anthony Skurla, OFM continued from page 1
and upon retirement in 2017, he resided at Mt. Macrina Manor Nursing Home in Uniontown, Pa. A kind and gentle priest, Father Anthony was blessed with a most pleasant disposition marked by his constant smile, an outgoing personality, and a pleasing sense of humor. Preceded in death by his brothers George and John, he is survived by the nephew Archbishop William C. Skurla, Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh, and many nieces and nephews and their families. A brief visitation and Panachida Service were held Saturday, Jan. 2 at Mt. Macrina Monastery Chapel in Uniontown, Pa. with all coronavirus restrictions applying. Archbishop William was the celebrant for the service with Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich and Rev. Father Jerome Botsko as concelebrants. Rev. Fathers Ronald P. Larko and Will Rupp, and Deacons Raymond Zadzilko and Dennis Prestash were in attendance. Archbishop William’s remarks noted that Father Anthony was a Franciscan force by his life and ministry to many Byzantine Churches and to Religious Communities of both men and women throughout the United States. He was also very well known and liked by a great number of people. Interment was in Mt. Macrina Cemetery. In blessed repose grant O Lord eternal rest to your departed servant the Priest Anthony and remember him forever! n
FEBRUARY 2021
PAGE 3
reflection from father vasyl
The Second Commandment You Shall Not Take the Name of the Lord Your God in Vain By Father Vasyl Symyon Assumption of the Mother of God, Weirton, W.V.; Saint John the Baptist, Avella, Pa.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever! We continue our short meditations on the Ten Commandments of our Lord. Throughout this article, we will meditate on the Second Commandment: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” God, having created all people in His image and likeness, invites them to communicate with Him. This relationship becomes stronger and deeper when His people discover God’s love for them. As a result, their love for Him grows and they strive to live for God and do what is pleasing to Him. The Second Commandment, You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, is an invitation to discover who God is, to discover His love for us and to build a relationship with Him based on that love. The key words of the Second Commandment are “the name of Lord.” In the Bible the meaning of the name is very deep. The name is reality in its deepest identity. Therefore, whoever bestows a name upon someone is, in some way, its master. For example, Adam provides names to the animals in Genesis 2, 19-20 and in this way affirms his dominion over them. Thus, whoever knows a person’s name knows that person and his/her identity and establishes an intimate and profound communion with that person. Now let’s ponder this question: do we know God’s name? In the Book of Exodus 3, 13-14, we find an extraordinary moment when God reveals His Name to Moses and to all of us: “But,” said Moses to God, “if I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what do I tell them?” God replied to Moses: “I am who I am.” Then he added: “This is what you will tell the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” Surprisingly, God reveals His name not as a noun but as a
verb “I AM.” Why this mystical answer? Is this definition “I am who I am” the revelation of God’s actual name? The answer is found in the meaning of the name in the Hebraic tradition. If the name is the reality and identity of a person, then God’s name is unknown and ineffable, just like his mysterious being and the verb. “I AM” shows us an effective presence and action of God in human history and in the life of each of us, so here we must understand that God is life. Where God is present, everything there is filled with life. So what does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain? Our Mother Holy Catholic Church teaches us: The Second Commandment enjoins respect for the Lord’s name. The name of the Lord is holy. The second commandment forbids every improper use of God’s name. Blasphemy is the use of the name of God, of Jesus Christ, of the Virgin Mary and of the saints in an offensive way.
This answer is truly clear and comprehensible, and here are some examples of using God’s name in vain in our culture: when we say “Oh my God” or “Jesus Christ” and we are saying it in a negative way, we are using God’s name in vain. Very often we hear “O my God” or “Jesus Christ” and it is used as if it wasn’t a big deal, but it really is. We should praise God instead of taking his name as an expression of our emotions! But let’s look at this commandment from another point of view. For even more clarity, let’s contemplate what the words “in vain” mean. In the dictionary we find they mean, “to no avail, useless.” Therefore, we discover another meaning of the Second Commandment. The true blasphemy is to exchange the name-person of God with something useless, something with no sense and no life, something that does not offer salvation. For example: A Catholic
the byzantine catholic world
uses different esoteric practices or joins different nondenominational communities. A person ignores church on Sunday morning and on holy days of obligation preferring to stay home and watch televison, surf the internet or attend a sporting event. A person disregards morning and evening prayers to use Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. These are just some examples of how easily we can exchange God for things that remove us from our time and life with Him. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, all of us have been baptized in the name of the Lord. All of us bear the seal of the Holy Spirit, so let us worthily live our lives according to our vocations — to be holy as our Lord is holy. Do not exchange God for things that do not offer life and salvation. God wants to enter into your life so that you may live it full of His love and tender mercy. n
PAGE 4
FEBRUARY 2021
TEXT MESSAGES
Photo opportunity by David Mayernik Jr. Editor
relive my glory years. Or maybe I’m just old. But everything’s not all bad about digital photos. It certainly makes it easier for readers to send me photos or retrieve them from parish Facebook pages for publication in The Byzantine Catholic World. They’re also much more durable than photos printed on paper. The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh’s Chancery is taking another step into the digital age. Very Rev. Vasyl Polyak, Chancellor and pastor at SS. Peter and Paul in Tarentum, Pa., has been working at the Chancery for the past few months, taking digital photos of baptismal, wedding and funeral registers obtained from parishes of the Archeparchy. He has a photo studio set up near his desk and computer, complete with lights and a tripod to keep his camera steady to take the best digital photos of each page. Two days each week he takes photos of each page of each book — covering 1972 to the present year — and stores them on an external hard drive. Near the end of January, he told me he was about 70 percent completed with the project. The photos will be invaluable to future generations if anything should ever happen to the registers. Very Rev. Vasyl’s work will certainly pay off — likely in many unexpected ways — in future years. Perhaps I should refer to it as a “photo opportunity.” n
The new year has caused me to take a look back. I just realized I began my career in the newspaper business exactly 20 years ago in Jan. 2001. When I first started working as a reporter for Gateway Newspapers’ line of weekly community newspapers — which, a few years later, was purchased and integrated into the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review family of newspapers — one of my duties was to drive to the local Giant Eagle near the intersection with Interstate 576 in Robinson, Pa. to pick up photos at their lab. As difficult as it may be to believe, our photographers were still loading their cameras with film one year into the 21st century. Our photographers finally moved into the digital age a couple of years later and we were able to cut out the supermarket middle man. Do people even take photographs using actual film these days? I’m guessing that’s going to be a “no.” The days of dropping off a roll of film at the local drug store or Fotomat (remember those?) are long gone. Since photos are so easy to take in the 21st century — we all have photo studios built into our phones these days, for goodness sake — photos are taken of everything not usually fitting the description of “photogenic.” Did you have a great ham sandwich for lunch yesterday? It’s more likely than not to end up posted on your Facebook or Twitter page with the hashtag #GreatHamSandwich. With the ease of taking digital photos, they’re now stored on hard drives instead of in photo albums. Thank goodness there are still an armful of photo albums, year by year, at my parents’ house. I think something may unequivocally be Very Rev. Vasyl Polyak, Chancellor and pastor of lost in the experience SS. Peter and Paul in Tarentum, Pa., takes digital if I had to plug a hard photos of baptismal, weddng and funeral registers obtained from parishes of the Archeparchy. drive into my laptop to
reflection from mount st. macrina
Where is your treasure? by Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM Sisters of St. Basil the Great Mount St. Macrina, Uniontown, Pa.
Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick posts videos of her reflections each week at the Facebook of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great. View them at: https://www. fa ce book.com/siste rsof stbasil. uniontown/. This is a transcript of her Feb. 21. 2020 reflection. Glory to Jesus Christ! With this coming week, we will be launching the Great Fast – the Lenten season is upon us. We know that it’s a time when we stress prayer, fasting, almsgiving. We know that it’s a time for becoming stronger, spiritually, and these are the means that we often use. In the Gospel this Sunday, it begins with the invitation to forgive and the Call that is so much a part of our Christian life: “If you forgive others, Your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will Your Father forgive your transgressions.” So, in many churches, we will begin with the Forgiveness
the byzantine catholic world
Service. But the same Gospel goes on to talk about fasting and not being hypocrites when we do it. But there’s a third part to that same Gospel and it’s about treasure. Let me read it: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy and then thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroy nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” That’s so important. It’s our invitation for the Lenten season: Where is your treasure? Who is your treasure? What is your treasure? In the Lenten season, we are called back to putting our focus on the Lord and recognizing Him – His love, His grace – as, indeed, our treasure. Our treasury of strength, mercy, forgiveness, grace, virtue; all that is worth seeking. May the Lord lead us in this Holy Season back to our central treasure; back to a life of joy, grace, peace and blessing in Him. Remember to share Him with others, as well. May we live in such a way that others know who is our treasure. God bless you. n
parish news FEBRUARY 2021
PAGE 5
Feast of the Holy Theophany
st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
st. michael in campbell, ohio
Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich officiated the Vigil Divine Liturgy celebrating the Theophany of Our Lord Jan. 5 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. n
The Great Sanctification of Water took place at the Jan. 6 Theophany Divine Liturgy at St. Michael in Campbell, Ohio. Father Kevin Marks is pastor. n
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa. Father Valerian Michlik celebrated the Feast of the Theophany Divine Liturgy Jan. 6 at St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa. n
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
st. mary in windber, pa. Father Ivan Rusyn celebrated the Solemn Blessing on the Feast of the Theophany Jan. 6 at St. Mary in Windber, Pa. n
the byzantine catholic world
PAGE 6
parish news
FEBRUARY 2021
continued
Feast of the Holy Theophany
st. george in alliquippa, pa. st. mary in ambridge, pa.
st. elias in munhall, pa.
River’s edge
continued from page 5
Father Vitalii Stashkevych celebrated the Feast of the Theophany Divine Liturgy Jan. 6 at St. Elias in Munall, Pa. n
Father Geoff Mackey. pastor at St. George in Alliquippa, Pa. and St. Mary in Ambridge, Pa.; and Father William Rupp, pastor at St. Nicholas Chapel in Beaver,
Pa., blessed the waters of the Ohio and Beaver rivers Jan. 10 with parishioners from the local Beaver County churches. n
holy ghost in mckees rocks, pa. Father Frank Firko celebrated the Divine Liturgy with the Blessing of Water for the Theophany of Our Lord Jan. 6 at Holy Ghost in McKees Rocks, Pa. n
st. jude in ernest, pa.
Congratulations, Stryker!
by Patricia Yamrick St. Jude, Ernest, Pa.
st. mary in weirton, w. va. Father Vasyl Symyon celebrated the Vigil Divine Liturgy with the Blessing of Water for the Theophany of Our Lord Jan. 5 at St. Mary in Weirton, W. Va. n
The year 2020 was a fruitful year for St. Jude Byzantine Catholic Church in Ernest, Pa. Stryker Little received the mystery First Confession Oct. 11. Father Vasyl Kadar was the celebrant at the Divine Liturgy. Stryker is the son of Staff Sgt. Christopher Little, who is currently deployed with the United States Marine Corps, and Kathryn Little. He also is the brother to Addy, Zoe, and Isabelle. Kathryn and her children moved to Indiana, Pa. during the summer to be closer to family, and began to attend St. Jude’s Byzantine Catholic Church. Stryker’s grandparents, Monica and John Kowalski of Indiana, Pa, and his great grandmother, Agnes Klyap of Ernest, Pa helped to
the byzantine catholic world
Kathryn Little, Stryker Little and Father Vasyl Kadar
celebrate this joyful occasion. It has been many years, since St. Jude parish has been honored to be a part of such a holy event in the life of a young person. Congratulations, Stryker, and May God Grant You Many Years. Glory to Jesus Christ! n
FEBRUARY 2021
parish news
holy ghost in mckees rocks, pa.
Virtual visitation
SS. Peter and Paul Parish Club in Duquesne, Pa. once again held their bi-annual Election Day Hoagie/Haluski Sale. This has been an ongoing project for them for the last 18
Heavenly Patron, the Christ-lover of all children, may he ask Christ, our God, to bring you complete health! n
ss. peter and paul in punxsutawney, pa.
A beautiful solution by Deacon Steven White SS. Peter and Paul, Punxsutawney, Pa.
SS. Peter and Paul in Punxsutawney, Pa. completed a long-needed repair of the steeple roofs just before the new year.
years. During the year they also have a lottery raffle and a spaghetti dinner in the Spring. All proceeds, as always, benefit the Church. n
st. elias in munhall, pa.
Elaina Trapl
After years of patching and temporary measures, Father Vasyl Kadar and the council “bit the bullet” and decided on this permanent and beautiful solution. We are very pleased with the result. n
PAGE 7
ss. peter and paul in duquesne, pa.
Election Day eats
by Father Frank Firko Holy Ghost, McKees Rocks, Pa.
The year’s COVID-19 pandemic could not keep the traditional visitation of our Holy Father Nicholas from reaching out, especially to children. North Side parishioner, Eliana Trapl, who had been battling with illness and continues to be treated by Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh, for more than a year has been quarantined by her doctor to remain at home. Through social media, Elaina, was able to greet St. Nicholas in the comfort of her home via a You Tune live telecast from Holy Ghost Church in McKees Rocks, Pa. Her parents are Leah and Damian Trapl. God Bless you, Eliana, and through the intercession of our
continued
Fish fry preparations Preparations are underway for the famous Lenten Fish Fries. held every Friday during the Great Fast from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. at St. Elias in Munhall, Pa. Available for take out only will be delicious fried fish sandwiches and dinners, haluska, pirohi, and csoroge for dessert. n
by Mary Caryl Planiczki St. Elias, Munhall, Pa.
St. Elias in Munhall, Pa. thanks the GCU for matching the funds from the parish’s successful holiday pirohi sale. Parishioner Cheryl Fischer of Lodge 255 presented Father Vitalii Stashkevych with the check after liturgy. The funds will be used for much needed kitchen improvements. n
the byzantine catholic world
PAGE 8
parish news
continued
FEBRUARY 2021
st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
Works of Mercy outreach by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
As part of our Advent-Nativity Fast journey, the pandemic did not stop our parishioners from being part of the Works of Mercy outreach to Chartiers Center in nearby Bridgeville, Pa. Chartiers Center is a private, non-profit corporation, which is committed to providing compassionate support to those in need who face behavioral health, co-occurring disorders, or IDD challenges as they transform their lives. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, Mary Kay Bonn, Director of Special Projects at Chartiers Center was at St. Gregory’s to accept all the donations that our parishioners collected.
Honoring our patron saint by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
The weekend of Jan. 23 to 24 was special at St. Gregory’s as we celebrated the opening of the 50th Anniversary year of our parish family. At the conclusion of the Divine
Speaking on behalf of Chartiers Center, Mary Kay expressed her gratitude and thanks to all St. Gregory’s parishioners who participated in this Advent project. n
New Year’s Day by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Friday, Jan. 1, the Blessing of St. Basil's Bread (Vasilopita) took place in our parish family. The bread was then distributed to our faithful. Parishioner Milada received the bread piece which contained the coin of Saint Basil. Congratulations! The tradition of Saint Basil’s Coin dates back to the fourth century, when St. Basil the Great, the father of philanthropy, wanted to distribute money to the poor in his eparchy/diocese. He commissioned some
women to bake sweetened bread, in which he placed gold coins. Thus the poor families in cutting the bread to nourish themselves were pleasantly surprised to find the coins. This custom is kept to this day amongst Eastern Christians, who on Saint Basil’s Day, Jan. 1, place gold coins inside a loaf of sweetened bread in honor of the Saint’s care for the poor. The one who finds the coin in his or her piece is considered commissioned by St. Basil to carry on his work for the poor, and in exchange he will ask the Lord for whatever is needful for the New Year. n
the byzantine catholic world
Liturgy, the unveiling of the St. Gregory Anniversary Logo took place. As a community of faithful let us prayerfully begin the celebration of this significant milestone of our Church history. n
FEBRUARY 2021
parish news
Christmas snapshots st. nicholas in nanty-glo, pa.
by Eugene Ostinowsky St. Nicholas, Nanty-Glo, Pa.
Due to the COVID-19 precautions/restrictions,an abbreviated celebration was held in commemoration of the Feast of St. Nicholas at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Nanty-Glo, Pa. During the Dec. 6 Divine Liturgy Father Robert Oravetz's sermon centered around why we honor St. Nicholas. And despite all the changes this year St. Nicholas did make an appearance. n
continued
PAGE 9
st. john the baptist cathedral in munhall, pa.
Dinner is served St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. sponsored a take-out Breaded Pork Chop Dinner Jan. 16 to 17, under the direction of Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich.
The two-day fund raising endeavor was supported by parishioners and community alike. The event was a sellout and quite successful. n
Charlie McQuay receives a treat from St. Nicholas.
ascension of our lord in clairton, pa. by Trish Roberts Ascension of Our Lord, Clairton, Pa.
Ascension Byzantine Church in Clairton celebrated St. Nicholas Day Dec. 6 with Father Ivan Mina. ECF classes led by Cindy Schlessinger, Jessica Dufalla and Tiffany Tomkowitz presented the story of the Jesse Tree. Using handmade ornaments that depicted Bible stories from the creation to the Christmas miracle,
the children decorated the tree. The reader, Alexandria Lassige, explained the story of each of the ornaments and their symbols. After Liturgy, the children walked through the church to present everyone with a gold chocolate coin in the spirit of learning to be a giver. Afterward, everyone joined in singing “O Kto Kto Nikolaja L'ubit� as St. Nicholas arrived with a treat bag for each child. n
Photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.
the byzantine catholic world
PAGE 10
FEBRUARY 2021
eternal memory
sister pius yavor, osbm After struggling with multiple health issues for a number of years, Sister Pius (Irene) Yavor fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, December 14, 2020. She fell seriously ill with the coronavirus. With permission, Sister Pius had been living apart from the community. She was staying with her family, and it was from her home in Perth Amboy, N.J. that the Lord called her to Himself. Sister Pius was born in Perth Amboy, the daughter of the late George and Anna (Andrejo) Yavor. She entered the community from St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ on Sept. 4, 1951 and made her Final Profession of Vows on Aug. 15, 1957 in the presence of the late Bishop Nicholas Elko. For several of her years in active ministry, Sister Pius was involved in teaching and catechesis. Of
those years, from 1979 through 1983, she was teacher and principal in St. Michael’s School in her hometown of Perth Amboy. While there, she was ahead of her time in initiating computer classes after school for those interested. Evangelization then became her focus, and with great enthusiasm, she answered the request of Rev. John Zeyack of St. Thomas Church in Rahway, N.J. to serve in this parish ministry. What became Sister Pius’s bestloved ministry followed in 1988 when she was hired to serve in Campus Ministry at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. It was her joy to be available to the students there, and her engaging personality lent itself to this work. Additionally, Sister Pius served as an instructor in the Adult Enrichment Program of the Passaic Eparchy and as a
member of the Passaic Diocesan Catechetical Board Even though no longer engaged in active ministry for the community, Sister Pius was often on the phone with those who sought her comfort and counsel. It was heartening to her to be a healing and praying presence for those who called upon her. Sister Pius was preceded in death by her parents, her brother George (Gerry) and her sisters, Marie and Anna (Malik). A day after her passing, her sister Margaret followed Sister Pius into eternity. In addition to the members of her community, she is survived by her niece Venus Majeski. The Funeral Divine Liturgy was celebrated Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Perth Amboy. Interment in St Nicholas
Theophany
Cemetery, Perth Amboy. May God grant to his handmaiden, Sister Pius, eternal memory and peaceful repose! n
Readers of The Byzantine Catholic World want to know what’s happening in your parish!
continued from page 1 said. Reflecting on the first reading from the prophet Isaiah, the pope said the words of encouragement — “lift up your eyes” — spoken to the exiled people of Israel are a call to “lay aside their weariness and complaints, to escape the bottleneck of a narrow way of seeing things, to cast off the dictatorship of the self, the constant temptation to withdraw into ourselves and our own concerns.” Trusting in the Lord, despite problems, gives rise to gratitude, he said, and “our hearts become open to worship.” On the other hand, he said, focusing exclusively on problems and not looking to God for hope causes “fear and confusion to creep into our hearts, giving rise to anger, bewilderment, anxiety and depression.” “When we lift up our eyes to God, life’s problems do not go away, but we feel certain that the Lord grants us the strength to deal with them,” the pope said. “The first step toward an attitude of worship, then, is to ‘lift up our eyes.'” The second phrase — “to set out on a journey” — recalls the Magi’s journey to Bethlehem to worship baby Jesus, he continued. A journey, he said, always sparks a “transformation, a change” in which one learns new things and finds “inner strength amid the hardships and risks” he or she may encounter along the way. “Like the Magi, we too must allow ourselves to learn from the journey of life, marked by
Sister Pius Yavor, OSBM
Pope Francis walks near a figurine of the baby Jesus as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6. (Catholic News Service photo/Paul Haring.
the inevitable inconveniences of travel,” he said. “We cannot let our weariness, our falls and our failings discourage us.” Even one’s sins, when one recognizes and repents of them, “will help you to grow,” the pope added. Pope Francis said the final phrase — “to see” — invites Christians to look “beyond the veil of things visible, which often prove deceptive,” and instead follow the example of the Magi who observed the world with a “theological realism” that allowed them to perceive “the objective reality of things and leads to the realization that God shuns all ostentation.” It is “a way of ‘seeing’ that transcends the visible and makes it possible for us to worship the Lord who is often hidden in everyday situations, in the poor and those on the fringes,” the pope said. It is “a way of seeing things that is not impressed by sound and fury, but seeks in every situation the things that truly matter.”n the byzantine catholic world
Send stories and photos to: bcw@archpitt.org
FEBRUARY 2021
PAGE 11
thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
the anaphora: the communion of the holy spirit The primary blessing of the Divine Liturgy as we pray is that we become aware of the presence of God, and that, as creatures made in his image and likeness, we are able to acknowledge him and glorify him. When the priest prays the epiclesis — and only he can do so through the gift of the grace of the Spirit given him in ordination — he asks God to "send down your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here set forth" that our reception of these gifts in Communion may be fruitful and saving. Here we see clearly the goal of the anaphora, which is not simply to transform bread and wine — though certainly a theological case could be made that this salvation is achieved in union with all creation — but that through their transformation, we can become holy children of God brought to the fullness of life through communion in them. Here we stand at the very center of our redemption. Therefore, after we ask God to send his Holy Spirit “to make this bread the precious body of your Christ, and that which is in this chalice the precious blood of your Christ,” the anaphora of St. John Chrysostom enumerates five effects of this transformation that brings about our own spiritual transformation: a spirit of vigilance, the forgiveness of sins; communion (fellowship) in the Holy Spirit; the fullness of the heavenly kingdom; and confidence in God. The
central aim of the Liturgy is expressed in the third gift, that of communion. This central aim of the Liturgy, the gift of communion is expressed also in the anaphora of St. Basil: "...that all of us who become partakers of this one bread and cup may be united with one another in the communion
The Divine Liturgy is the continuation and concrete expression of the mystery of the incarnation... of the one Holy Spirit..." The English word “communion” is from the Greek word koinonia, a word whose basic meaning is "association," or "connexion," and in the life of the Church is applied to "communion," or "sharing" or "participating in." It can be applied to the divine life, to the eucharist, and to the Christian community. It has, of course, in our times become a word with many theological meanings for our faith, because in Greek, it has so many dimensions. St. Irenaeus already uses it in regard to our union with God: "To as many as continue in their love towards God, does he grant communion with him, which is life and light, and the enjoyment of all the
benefits he has in store" (Against the Heresies 5, 27, 2). The best expression of communion is from St. Gregory the Theologian: "Jesus himself in an Upper Chamber gave the koinonia (communion) of the sacrament to those who were being initiated into the higher mysteries, that thereby might be shown on the one hand that God must come down to us,...and on the other that we must go up to him, and that so there should come to pass a communion of God with humans..." (Homily 41, 12, On Pentecost). St. Gregory of Nyssa applies communion to the mystery of the incarnation, in which Christ becomes human, and the "human weakness is changed for the better by its communion with the imperishable divine power" (Against Eunomius 6.2). Communion may also mean "table fellowship," or "community life." Clement of Alexandria said that the virtue of "love," is "communion in life" (Stromata 2, 9). In the fourth century, the word communion becomes a technical term for our partaking in the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ in the eucharist (St. Basil the Great, Epistle 217, Canon 82). This gift of the Liturgy, then, completes the blessing at the beginning of the anaphora, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and Father and the communion in the Holy Spirit, be with all of you" (2 Corinthians 13:13). The Divine Liturgy, then, is certainly the continuation and concrete expression of the mystery of the incarnation, by which God and humanity is united, and we are
united together in community, becoming the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). In the fourth century, then, it became the word used for the reception of the Eucharist. Communion may also mean table fellowship or community life, indicating that all the faithful must live with a Christ-like love for one another. The Divine Liturgy is the continuation and concrete expression of the mystery of the incarnation, the Word of God taking human nature, by which God and humanity are united, and by which we also are united together in community, becoming the Body of Christ. This, therefore, is how St. Paul defines the Church, “And [God, the Father of glory] put all things beneath [Christ’s] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way (Ephesians 1:22-23). Indeed, we fulfill Christ’s mission, when he prayed, “Holy Father, keep them (his disciples) in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are .... I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me” ( John 17:11.20-21). Indeed, we are united with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and enter into a union with God and with each other that is like the unity of the Trinity itself. There can be no greater glory. n
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY View Liturgical Services (various times) streamed LIVE online at:
St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa. St. John Chrysostom, Pittsburgh, Pa. www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com ww.sjcbcc.com
Holy Ghost, McKees Rocks, Pa. www.youtube.com then type Holy Ghost Church Live Stream
SS. Peter and Paul, Braddock, Pa. https://www.facebook.com/SSPeterPaulBraddock/
St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa. www.facebook.com/stgregoryusc St. Michael, Campbell, Ohio www.facebook.com/st.michaelsbyz.campbell
St. Elias, Munhall, Pa. www.facebook.com/StEliasByzantineCatholicChurch/ St. Michael, Hermitage, Pa. https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelbyz.hermitage St. Stephen, North Huntingdon, Pa. www.facebook.com/ststephenbyzantinecatholicchurch
the byzantine catholic world
PAGE 12
FEBRUARY 2021
around the archeparchy COOKS CATALOGS — St. Michael in Hermitage, Pa. is selling a reprint of Cooks Catalog 1, originally published in 1963, and Cooks Catalog 3, originally published in 1998. Each cook book contains nearly 800 recipes of traditional ethnic foods along with other soups, meats, vegetables, main dishes, desserts, and lots more. Each catalog is $13, which includes shipping/ handling. If you would like Cooks Catalog 1 or Cooks Catalog 3, mail a request to: St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, ATTN: Teena Kovach, 2230 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA. 16148 with your payment, quantity, and which edition you want. VIRTUAL FUNNY FUNDRAISER — St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa. presents a Virtual Funny Fundraiser 7 p.m. Feb. 12. A live stream event featuring comedians Jeff Shaw, Missy Hall and David Kaye. Tickets: $25. watch party for two; $100, household party for 10; Corporate Sponsorship for 30 guests; and Golden Jubilee Event Sponsor for 50 guests. Auctions and bidding open now. Tickets for Half the Pot 50/50 Raffle/ Purchase at: https//StGregoryBCC.givesmart.com.
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
WEDO Radio • 810 AM • McKeesport, Pa. Broadcast live from Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks
Readers of The Byzantine Catholic World want to know what’s happening in your parish! Send stories and photos to: bcw@archpitt.org
FAMOUS FISH FRY —St. Elias, 4200 Homestead-Duquesne Road, Munhall, Pa. will hold its Famous Fish Fries on Fridays starting 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 19. They will continue throughout the Great Fast on Feb. 26 and March 5, 12, 19, and 26. Available for take-out only will be delicious fried fish sandwiches and dinners, haluska, pirohi, and csoroge for dessert! Call the church hall at 412 461-9271 if you wish to place an order in advance. ONLINE CHURCH SINGING CLASSES — The Metropolitan Cantor Institute offers an online, two-year program in church singing for both new and experienced cantors. Tuition is $75 for each eight-week class, which includes feedback to help improve your singing and cantorial skills. Initial classes on liturgy and church singing are free. For details, visit https://mci. archpitt.org/classes or call Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski at 412735-1676. Classes are offered at no charge to qualified students from any parish with no current cantor.
dates to remember FEB. 7 Sunday of Meatfare FEB. 14 Sunday of Cheesefare Valentine’s Day FEB. 15 First day of the Great Fast
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 Email: bcw@archpitt.org Website: www.archpitt.org
next issue: MARCH 2021
See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
the byzantine catholic world
submissions DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 19