the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
faith communities
Inside
From past events to upcoming events, parishes and communities of faith share joyful news Pages 6-7-8
vol. 61 no. 3
sunday february 28, 2016
pirohy everywhere
happy retirement
After serving for 25 years, North Huntingdon cantor has final ‘curtain call’ Page 7
Parishes of the Archeparchy are pinching the plump pillows for sale during the Great Fast Page 9
Pysanky featured at Uniontown parish event
ORE to present ‘ABCs of a Beauty-full Life’
‘eggstravaganza’ to draw crowds for 11th year
Ordained to the Holy Diaconate Sunday, Jan. 24, Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski (front row, far left) is pictured at St. Elias Church, Munhall, Pa. with Archbishop William, concelebrating and attending clergy and five St. Elias altar servers (back row). Clergy pictured to the left of Archbishop William are Deacon Brian Norrell, Father Valerian Michlik, Deacon Jeffrey, and Syncellus for Deacons Archpriest Dennis M. Bogda. To the right of Archbishop William are Protosyncellus Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich, Archpriest John G. Petro, Father John Cuccaro, Father James Spontak, Father Robert Karl, Deacon Timothy Corbett, Father Michael Huszti and Father Donald Bolls. Archpriest John and Father Valerian are co-directors of the Deacon Formation Program, from which both Deacon Brian and Deacon Jeffrey recently graduated, along with classmate Deacon Gary Stafford, who along with deacon Brian were ordained by Archbishop William Jan. 17 at their home parish, St. Basil the Great in Irving, Texas. Additional photos, page 4
‘Neither snow nor rain . . .’ — nor ice, nor sleet
Nick Havrilla, Sr.
Pysanky continued on page 10
Nick Havrilla, Sr.
UNIONTOWN — The 11th ‘Egg Eggstravaganza’ will be held at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church Social Hall, 201 E. Main Street in Uniontown, Pa. on Sunday, March 13. Over the past ten years, thousands have passed through the doors of St. John’s social hall to peruse, enjoy and take home an exquisite piece of Slavic tradition. For 2016, the 11th Eggstravaganza is sponsored by Greek Catholic Union Lodge #81, local egg artists, and St. John’s Ethnic Craft Club. Hours are noon to 5:00 p.m. Twenty-five egg artists are scheduled to demonstrate, display, and sell their particular brand of egg-art, which will include various East European pysanky, Polish drop-and-pull wax relief eggs, Hungarianstyle eggs, onion-skin-dyed etched or scratched goose eggs, vinegar-etched emu eggs, tiedyed eggs, wood burned eggs, and other collectible Tiffanystyle eggs. In addition to the egg artists, there will be an Egg Bazaar featuring dyes, beeswax, tools, books, videos, parish cookbooks and pysanky kits for sale. Traditional items used in Easter (Pascha) baskets also will be available, such as embroidered covers, candles, lamb butter molds, egg wraps,
Much like the U.S. Postal Service motto, treacherously icy road conditions did not detain an impressive number of hale and hearty clergy who braved the morning hazards to attend the Archeparchy’s Clergy Formation Day, Tuesday Feb. 16 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. The unfavorable weather also necessitated a revamping of the day’s program lineup, which was accomplished with equal parts of ingenuity and grace. Additional photos, page 3
13th annual women’s day of reflection
PITTSBURGH — The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh’s Office of Religious Education (ORE) and Director Sister Marion Dobos, OSB have announced details of the 13th annual Women’s Day of Reflection. The event will take place Saturday, April 16 at St. Elias Church Social Hall, 4200 Homestead-Duquesne Road in Munhall, Pa. Themed “The ABC’s of a Beauty-full Life,” the day will feature three speakers, each of whom who will address a timely topic related to the 2016 theme: “A – Attitude is Vital” will be presented by Sister Janet Mock, CSJ. Sister Janet is the former Executive Director of the Religious Formation Conference and past Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). “B – Blessings Received and Given” is the topic which Molly Rush will present. Cofounder of the Thomas Merton Center, Ms. Rush is active in peace, justice and equality for women issues. “C – Compassion: A Walk Towards Life” will feature Bonny Diver, afternoon traffic reporter on Pittsburgh’s CBS Local radio affiliates. Bonny is a breast cancer survivor and founder of Hair Peace Charities. Vendors will have religious Women’s Day continued on page 4
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2016
FINAL NOTICE:
BCW to adopt monthly publication 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 every third Sunday (17 issues) by: 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 Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM Copy Editor Darlene Fejka Layout / Graphics Donna Obsincs Subscription/Circulation Manager Gregory S. Popivchak Business Manager Annual Subscription Rates US $12 Canadian $14 International $16 Periodicals Postage Paid at Pittsburgh, PA
Postmaster: send address changes to: The Byzantine Catholic World ATTN: Donna 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214
In an effort to keep The BCW affordable for both subscribers and the publisher, Archbishop William, President of the Byzantine Catholic Press Associates, has made the decision to adopt a monthly publication schedule for The Byzantine Catholic World newspaper. With a decreased hard copy subscriber base (the number of parish and individual subscriptions has decreased with the advent and popularity of electronic news, and many now prefer to receive The BCW electronically), it now has become critical to either significantly increase the hard-copy subscription rate in order to continue delivering 17 issues of The BCW, or decrease the number of issues produced annually with a modest subscription price increase. The basic per-subscription price necessary to cover the ever-increasing expense of producing, printing, and mailing the newspaper every three weeks (17 issues) would be well over $20, a price which would be a financial burden to both parishes and individual subscribers. Therefore, The BCW now will be published monthly (12 issues) with two special editions for the major holy days of Pascha (Easter) and Nativity (Christmas), for a total of 14 hard-copy issues and electronic updates annually. The new subscription price will be $14, and will take effect with the July 2016 issue, which is the beginning of the new fiscal year, and following the 61st anniversary of the June 1955 establishing of the Archeparchy’s official newspaper. In addition to this published notification, current subscribers, both parish and individual, who wish to continue receiving The BCW via postal mail also will be reminded of this increase and publication schedule change when their annual subscription is up for renewal.
Submission deadlines also will change to the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication. Hence, the submission deadline for all materials will begin June 15, 2016 for the July 2016 issue. The remaining 8 issues on the 17-issues-annually schedule through June 2016 will be: Issue Date Submission Deadline Jan. 17 Jan. 5 Feb. 7 (Great Fast issue) Jan. 26 Feb 28 Feb. 16 Mar 20 (Pascha issue) Mar. 8 April 10 Mar. 29 May 1 Apr. 19 May 22 May 10 June 12 May 31 Then as of July 2016, The BCW will be published monthly: Issue Date Submission Deadline July 2016 June 15 August 2016 July 15 September 2016 Aug. 15 October 2016 Sept. 15 November 2016 Oct. 15 December 2016 Nov. 15 Special Christmas issue Dec. 5 (January 2017)
Dec. 15
This revised schedule results in 15 total issues which will be published in 2016. As of January 2017, the publication will produce 14 issues annually. For GUIDELINES and SUBSCRIPTION information, visit www.archpitt.org/publicationguidelines and www.archpitt.org/subscriptions.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for address changes to take effect. Submissions deadline: 2nd Tuesday before publication date (12 days prior).
The Byzantine Catholic World is a member of the Catholic Press Association.
Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril & Methodius 3605 Perrysville Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15214 | www.bcs.edu
MARCH 2016 Schedule of Services Guests are invited to join the Seminary community at liturgical services.
mission The mission of The Byzantine
To access the Seminary Chapel, please use the chapel doors facing Perrysville Ave.
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
It is suggested that you call the Seminary Office (412321-8383) a day in advance so we may anticipate your arrival.
Christ in everyday activities of life; to offer spiritual formation through changing times; and to celebrate community among Byzantine Catholics in the Archeparchy
All are welcome!
of Pittsburgh, throughout the Metropolitan Church in America, and around the world.
(R) = Ruthenian Tradition
(M) = Melkite tradition
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Clergy Formation Day
National Catholic Sisters Week March 8 - 14 focusing on the lives and impact of incredible women
Rev. Justin M. Matro, OSB, Assistant Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., was the featured speaker for the Feb. 16 Clergy Formation Day at St. John Cathedral in Munhall, Pa., Father Justin addressed, among other topics, Pope Francis and the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Father Justin holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University, an M.A. and M. Div. from St. Vincent Seminary, an M.A. from Duquesne University, and S.T.D. from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) is an annual celebration that takes place from March 8–14. Created to honor women religious, it is a series of national and local events that instruct, enlighten, and bring greater focus to the lives of these incredible women. It’s our chance to recognize all they have done for us. It also is our hope that as more young women learn about women religious, more will choose to follow their example. Women religious (monastics in the Eastern Churches) serve God through a diversity of ministries. Some live cloistered lives in contemplative prayer, while others work on the frontlines of global change, striving to improve various aspects of society, from environmental change to healthcare reform to human rights issues. All find ways to make the world a better place. They may have had a positive impact in your life through their work in your community, even if you didn’t know they were women religious. NCSW invites you to learn more and get to know the sisters near you! National Catholic Sisters Week continues to grow. Every year there’s more excitement and even more events around the country. We want you to be part of this living history. You can join the celebration in many ways: attending established events, planning your own event, or perhaps sharing your story of how a sister helped to shape the person you are today at https://www.sisterstory.org/. If you’d like to learn more or would like to write a story about NCSW, visit http://www.nationalcatholicsistersweek.org/ or email contact@nationalcatholicsistersweek.org. n National Catholic Sisters Week is headquartered at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn., and is supported by a three-year, $3.3 million grant which the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation awarded to the university in late 2013. Everyone is invited to participate in National Catholic Sisters Week through local community events and outreach, volunteer opportunities and social media. National Catholic Sisters Week also features community-submitted content through its Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest channels. Learn more at nationalcatholicsistersweek.org and follow the campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Father Robert Pipta (left) Rector of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary, and Father John Petro (right), Co-director of the Archeparchy’s Deacon Formatrion Program gave overviews of their respective programs’ activities.
Father Dennis Bogda welcomes attendees and displays the book which all received, Pope Francis’ “The Name of God is Mercy.”
The BCW urges readers to participate in NCSW by submitting to the above web and email addresses stories of the women religious who serve the Archeparchy - particularly the Sisters of St. Basil and Byzantine Benedictine Sisters - and how a sister made a difference in your life and our world.
Father Will Rupp and Father Bob Karl traveled to the Cathedral from their respective State College and Sykesville locations in central Pa. to participate in the Feb. 16 formation day.
Taking a break during the Clergy Formation Day presentations are Father Andrew Deskevich, Father Frank Firko and Father Don Voss. photos by Nick Havrilla, Sr.
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2016
Windows to an ordination
Having been presented for ordination to the diaconate by the archdeacon, Subdeacon Jeffrey kisses the hand of Archbishop William, who has impartesd his blessing upon the candidate.
Cathedral parishioner and photographer Nick Havrilla Sr., a frequent contributor to The BCW, provides a series of “windows” to the Jan. 24 diaconal ordination of Jeffrey Mierzejewski at St. Elias Church, Munhall, Pa. n
Following the first blessing at the beginning of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Archbishop William is surrounded by Archpriest John G. Petro, Deacon Tim Corbett, Deacon Brian Norrell and Father Valerian Michlik.
The candidate kneels on his right knee, laying the palms of his hands on the holy table in the form of a cross, and places his forehead on his hands. Archbishop William places the end of his omophorion upon his head, and blesses him three times. Following a chorus of “Axios!” (He is worthy!), Deacon Tim Corbett adjusts the newlyreceived orarion upon the left shoulder of Deacon Jeffrey.
Archbishop William with newly ordained Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski, wife Kseniya and son Christopher.
Candidate Jeffrey Mierzejewski assists in the washing of the hands of Archbishop William.
Women’s Day
continued from page 1
items for purchase. The popular basket auction also will be held. Anyone wishing to donate a basket for the Benefit Auction, please contact Marjorie Glaid at (412) 835-3873 or Sister Marion at mdobos1@gmail. com. Proceeds from the Benefit Auction will be given to local women’s shelters.
Doors to the event open at 9:00 a.m. for check-in and morning coffee, followed by prayer. The day will end at 2:30 p.m. following the “silent auction.” Pre-registration for the 2016 Women’s Day is required. The $25 offering includes lunch. Deadline for registration is April 1. Use registration form
below or download/print event brochure, available online at www.archpitt.org by clicking the sliding banner link at the top of the Archeparchy’s home page. For questions regarding registration or vendors seeking information, phone the ORE at 412-322-8773. n
BYZANTINE D I V I N E LITURGY
ONLINE view liturgical services (various times) streamed LIVE online at:
St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa. www. stjohnsbyzantinecathedral .com Holy Ghost Church McKees Rocks, Pa. www.holyghostbyzantinecatholic.org St. John Chrysostom Church - Pittsburgh, Pa. www.sjcbcc.com
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Day of Prayer for Catechists and Interested Adults “Iconography: No Separation Between Humanity and Divinity”
Presenter: Very Rev. Elias L. Rafaj Through presentation and reflection Father Elias will help us to: • See the connection between humanity and divinity • Recognize how humanity is charged to care for the world and its creatures • Experience an ongoing restoration of one’s “original image” • Gain an appreciation of the educational potential of icons and how they can be a vehicle for helping us develop a deeper sense of the sacred.
St. John the Baptist Cathedral
210 Greentree Road – Munhall, PA 15120
Saturday, March 12, 2016
REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE CATECHIST AND INTERESTED ADULTS DAY OF PRAYER IS MARCH 7
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Father Elias holds a Licentiate in Eastern Christian liturgical studies from the Universita Gregoriana in Rome and has taught the Theology of Icons all over North and South America. He currently is Protopresbyter of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh’s Southern Protopresbyterate and Pastor of St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church in Houston, Texas.
Serra Club mini-retreat
‘jesus christ, the perfect priest: in word and deed’ with father jason charron The Byzantine Catholic Serra Club of Pittsburgh invites the faithful to a mini-retreat (half-day) on the theme “Jesus Christ, the perfect priest: In word and deed.” This day of prayer and meditation will take place on Saturday, March 12 at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary, located at 3605 Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214. For directions, visit the Seminary’s website, www.bcs.edu. We are blessed this year to have with us Father Jason Charron, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, Pa. SCHEDULE 9:30 AM: Registration 10:00 AM: Prayer Service Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, followed by the first presentation by Father Jason 12:00 noon: Luncheon 1:30 PM: Penitential Service, followed by the second presentation by Father Jason At the conclusion of the second presentation, the faithful in attendance will have the opportunity to receive the Mystery (Sacrament) of Reconciliation. 2:30 PM: Conclusion
To register for this event, please contact Patricia Bovee at 412-462-6385. Cost is $15. n
Father Jason Charron is a priest of the Ukrainian GrecoCatholic Church serving at Holy Trinity, Carnegie, Pa. and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wheeling, W.Va. He is a graduate of Wadhams Hall Seminary-College, University of Ottawa and University of Toronto, with a B.A. double major in Philosophy and Religious Studies, a B.Th. in Eastern Christian Theology, a B.A. in Education and a Master of Arts in Theology (Patristics/ Asceticism). His conviction is that there is nothing better than being used by Christ to bring people to His kingdom through great prayer, great preaching and great pastoring.
Support U.S. Armed Forces usc bethany ministry welcomes former chaplain’s presentation march 13 The Bethany Ministry of St. Gregory Church in Upper St. Clair, Pa. invites the public to join the St. Gregory parish family and pastor Father Valerian Michlik on Sunday, March 13 following the 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy, when the Ministry will have as their guest Father Thomas Dansak. The ministry of Father Thom, a bi-ritual priest assisting our Archeparchy, includes 30 years as a Chaplain in the United States Navy. Ordained for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Father Thom first served as an assistant pastor before receiving a commission as a Navy Chaplain. Before retiring from the Navy in 2007, Father Thom served tours of duty in Japan, the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, Okinawa, and Italy, as well as Naval bases in the United States. For 11 years, he was assigned to U.S. Marines units and also served on the battleship USS Missouri and the aircraft carrier USS Independence.
Acknowledging the parish Bethany Ministry’s current “Work of Mercy” project, Father Thom will speak about the importance of reaching out to and supporting those who serve to safeguard our country. With his vast experience ministering to men and women in uniform, Father Thom is uniquely qualified to share insights on what can make a difference to them. Please join us on Sunday, March 13 as we welcome Father Thom Dansak to St. Gregory’s. n
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY Sundays at 9:00 a.m. WEDO Radio • 810 AM • McKeesport, Pa. Broadcast live from Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks
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parish news PAGE 6
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2016
Spirit-filled events in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood holy spirit church shares photos of recent happenings to begin new year by Mary Dzurichko
On January 24, Holy Spirit Parish, in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh was pleased to host a group of the Pittsburgh Catholic Moms, along with their husbands and children. Most of this group had never attended a Byzantine Divine Liturgy and it was a joyful experience for these young families and the Holy Spirit parishioners to share the Liturgy and the social afterward.
All homes require maintenance and Holy Spirit is lucky to have the intrepid Catherine Warhola to handle the high projects. Cathy recently replaced spot light bulbs on the baldacchino and elsewhere in the sanctuary and had a bird’s eye view of the church. Her fearless endeavors are much appreciated by her fellow parishioners!
Phyllis and Joe O’Donnell celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with their family and friends at Holy Spirit Church during the January 31 Divine Liturgy. Monsignor Russell A. Duker led the parish in prayers and blessings for their continued happiness together.
Also on January 31, a Fašiangy (Mardi Gras) was celebrated by Holy Spirit parish following the Sunday Divine Liturgy. Adding to the enjoyment of the church fellowship was a delicious and plentiful buffet prepared by the parishioners, and an impromptu duet by church members Milan Revilak Sr. and his grandson Emanuel.
Many more years!
holy ghost couple’s milestone anniversary Celebrating the milestone 60th anniversary of the wedding of Peter and Norma Kacsur were the couple’s family (pictured right), who gathered for a commemorative photo before the iconostas of their home parish, Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks, Pa. The Kacsurs’ three children (and their spouses), 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren were joined by Holy Ghost parishioners on Sunday, Feb. 7 as they sang “Many Years/Mnohaja L’ita.” Parish pastor Father Frank Firko imparted a blessing upon the happy couple, who were married in the very same church on Feb. 17, 1956 by Monsignor Basil Smochko. n
Archbishop William and the Chancery staff also wish Pete and Norma, their indispensible campus beautification team, peace health and happiness for many blessed years! the byzantine catholic world
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2016
parish news
continued
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North Huntingdon parish cantor retires george mihalick rendered 25 years of faithful service to st. stephen church by Kristen Keleschenyi
parish pastor Father John G. Petro expressed the gratitude of the parish family to George for his faithful service during these years. Mihalick developed an interest in cantoring as a young boy at his home parish of SS. Peter and Paul Greek Catholic Church in Dunlo, Pa. “My grandfather was the cantor and I always enjoyed participating actively in the liturgical chant,” recalls Mihalick. He began his vocation as a high school student, which transitioned into leading the congregation solo. Many significant changes have come about during Mihalick’s tenure including: converting the liturgy from primarily Church Slavonic to English; introducing Presanctified Liturgies as a common practice; and introducing St. Basil’s melodies into regular
Kristen Keleschenyi
On Sunday, January 31 the parish of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church in North Huntingdon, Pa. gathered to celebrate the 25-plus years service of their cantor George Mihalick. Mr. Mihalick chanted the 10:30 liturgy and afterward, a reception was held in the social hall to wish the dedicated cantor a happy retirement. “I am looking forward to participating in the Divine Liturgy as a regular parishioner and attending a full schedule of my grandson’s activities,” says Mihalick. At the reception, Mihalick was presented with a framed proclamation from Archbishop William Skurla and a beautiful European icon of St. George. The ECF students also made homemade cards to celebrate his well-earned retirement. In making these presentations,
Cantor George Mihalick and his wife Diane.
usage. Mihalick has also had to adapt to a number of changes that have occurred within our liturgical texts. Over the years, he supplemented his training by participating in the Metropolitan Cantor Institute of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. In the institute, there has been a concentrated effort to upgrade and standardize the liturgical
singing of the plain chant tradition in our church. This training has allowed Mihalick to maintain those standards at St. Stephen’s. Mihalick says, “Leading the congregation in the prayerful dialogue with God using our collective voices in song is one of the things I have most enjoyed during my time as cantor.” n
Great Fast at St. Gregory’s pre-fast and first sunday events recalled by Father Valerian Michlik
St. Gregory Church hall in Upper St. Clair, Pa. was packed for the Friday, Feb. 5 Comedy Night. The night began with Pittsburgh’s King of Comedy, David Kaye, who was happy to be back for this now 7th annual event. The evening continued with Mark Riccadonna, a standup comedian on “Live at Gotham.” Following the intermission, the audience was looking forward to the headliner for the evening, Tom Anzalone, a musical comedy superstar. Our kitchen was open, serving delicious ethnic foods prepared by our parishioners. As part of the evening we also had a 50/50 raffle to support our parish youth outreach ministry who serve at a local soup kitchen. Swarovski and Sabika jewelry, donated by generous friends of St. Gregory’s, also were part of a special raffle. We express our sincere thanks to all who attended this pre-Lenten event which has been enjoyed by many patrons for the past seven years! n photos by Jennifer T. Kehm
In preparation for the First Sunday of the Great Fast, Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) students at St. Gregory Church in Upper St. Clair, Pa. were busy preparing icons for this special day. This Sunday which is dedicated to the Restoration of the Holy Icons commemorates the ending of the Iconoclast (icon-smashers) heresy which had troubled the Church for about 120 years. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, our ECF students witnessed the Blessing of Icons and participated in the procession around the Church holding Holy Icons depicting Christ, the Theotokos, and all of those saints who have walked the Christian life before us. This “Sunday of Orthodoxy” is also a reminder for all of us that we are called during this Lenten season to recover and restore within us the image of what it means to be an authentic human being, a genuine person created in the image and likeness of God. n
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2016
Season of penitence
series of great fast vespers begins at the cathedral Images of the weekly Great Fast Vespers - the first of which was held Feb. 14 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. are shared below by photographer Nick Havrilla, Sr. The homilist for the first of the five Vespers celebrations was Father Thomas Schaefer of St. John Chrysostom Church and St. John the Baptist Church (South Side), Pittsburgh. Over 70 faithful from various parishes of the Greater Pittsburgh area attended the hour long service, after which a meager meal was served in the social hall in the lower level of the church, prepared and served by Cathedral parishioners. These celebrations are sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Protopresbytery. See schedule on page 12 for the remaining Great Fast Vespers dates and locations. n
Homilist Father Tom Schaefer
Deacon Jeff Mierzejewski and cantors lead congregation in prayer.
Andrew Glaid and Lorraine Havrilla serve Lenten soups with a smile.
Cathedral parishioners welcomed guests with soup and bread.
Father Mykhaylo Shkyndya samples the homemade green bean soup.
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9
PIROHY • PIROHY • and more!
The Lord is my Rock and my Refuge
FEARLESS
AMBRIDGE – St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 624 Park Road Ambridge, PA 15003 awaits your order for pirohy pickup. Come down by the river to Ambridge for fresh madeto-order pirohy! The church is located right off of Pa. route 65 (also known as Ohio River Boulevard). Father Joseph Raptosh and St. Mary parishioners welcome pirohy-seekers to phone in their advance orders on Wednesday mornings 9:00 a.m. to noon for pick-up on Fridays during the Great Fast (excluding Good Friday), from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To place orders or for more information, call Rita Shuster at 724 266-8642.
Sponsored by the Inter-Eparchial Youth Commission of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolia of Pittsburgh
Notre Dame College, South Euclid, Ohio
Keynote Speaker: Father Damian Ference (Priest, Musician, Philosopher, Youth Minister)
7-10
Dance will be at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
July
ByzanTEEN National Youth Rally
2016 www.byzanteen.com
Cookbooks available
make your own dishes for the great fast, pascha, and other holy days & holidays Cooking Traditions is a 130-page cookbook featuring Great Fast (Lenten), Pascha (Easter), and many other holiday recipes according to the Rusyn-Slavonic cultural traditions within the Byzantine Catholic (Ruthenian) Church. This book also showcases many great recipes for other Eastern European foods and contemporary American favorites such as holubky, potato dumpling halushky, soups, casseroles, entrees and baked goods. Cooking Traditions is available from St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church of McKeesport, Pa. for $12 at the church or $15 per mail order. Please remit check or money order for $15 per book payable to St. Nicholas Church, 408 6th St., McKeesport, PA 15132. For more information call 412-664-9131 Mon-Fri from 9 am to 4 pm. Please allow 3 weeks for mail delivery. The Carpathian Cookery cookbook has entered its 17th printing, having sold nearly 16,000 copies. Again available for purchase, this cookbook was requested by the Library of Congress to be included in their ethnic cooking collection. The 330-page volume includes sections on Christmas and Easter customs and recipes, traditional Rusyn and Slavic foods, other ethnic dishes, and many other triedand-true recipes of St. John’s parishioners. There is a variety of paska bread and kolach (filled rolls) recipes, as well as meatless dishes and Lenten recipes suitable for the Great Fast, as well as for the PreChristmas (Philippian) Fast. The cost of the cookbook via mail is $18 ($14 plus $4 postage and handling). If ordering from Canada, please send a $27 U.S. Postal money order payable in U.S. dollars to reflect the difference in the exchange rate and postage cost. To order please send a check or money order to: Ethnic Craft Club, St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 201 E. Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. Call 724-208-6771 (M-F 6-8 p.m.) or email carpathiancookery@gmail. com for more information.
CARRICK – St. Pius X Byzantine Catholic Church, 2336 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh (Carrick), PA 15210 offers homemade PIROHY and halušky for sale every Friday during the Great Fast (Lent), excluding Good Friday (March 25). Hours of sale are 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. Pirohy varieties available are potato/cheese, cabbage, sauerkraut, and cottage cheese. Prices start at $7 per dozen. Eat-in or take-out; pirohy may be purchased cooked or frozen. Questions or advance orders, phone the church at 412-881-8344 HERMINIE – St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 7 Second Street Herminie, PA 15637 and Father Leonard Cornelius, OFM welcome the public to its “Weekly Pirohy Sale” every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Take home frozen (uncooked) potato/cheese pirohy for $8 per dozen. For more information call George Krolik at 724-433-5527. McKEES ROCKS – Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church - 225 Helen St. in McKees Rocks, Pa. 15136 - will present its Pirohy Project on the remaining Fridays of the Great Fast: March 4, 11, & 18. Patrons may eat-in or take out. Only potato with cheese will be sold. To place advance orders (highly recommended and appreciated!), phone the Pirohy Project Kitchen on these Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 412-331-5155. All proceeds benefit church projects. MUNHALL – St. Elias Byzantine Catholic Church, 4200 Homestead-Duquesne Road, Munhall, PA 15120 will open their popular LENTEN KITCHEN every remaining Friday during the Great Fast: Mar. 4, 11, & 18 (sorry, no sales on Good Friday Mar. 25). Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MENU: Soup, PIROHY, noodle halušky, baked fish dinner or fried fish (sandwiches or dinners), shrimp dinner and a bake sale. Dine in or take out. Please phone 412-461-9271 for takeout. Visit the “LENTEN KITCHEN” link at http://steliasmunhallpa.weebly. com/ for coupon, photos and more information! TRAUGER (Latrobe) – St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 4480 Route 981 in Trauger (Latrobe) Pa., the parish Pirohy Committee and Father Paul-Alexander Shutt, OSB welcome all to stock up on delicious homemade potato/cheese pirohy, available every Friday during the Great Fast from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary Center. Orders may be placed in advance for pickup or “just drop by.” Pirohy are frozen; take home several dozen to enjoy now or later, $7 per dozen. Call Marlene at 412-526-0285 or Joyce at 724-423-6418. Visit online at http://www.archpitt.org/pirohy-2016/ for more information and links
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2016
thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION As human beings, the inner life of God is beyond our understanding. The Anaphora of St. John Chrysostom in the Divine Liturgy prays, “For you are God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing, yet ever the same.” What we know of God is what he has told us about himself. We have seen in previous articles that there is one God and as the commandments tell us, “You shall not have other gods beside me.” (Exodus 20:3) The one God has revealed himself as Father, as Son and as Holy Spirit, “three in one ... three persons, and yet a single power and essence and Godhead.” (Doxasticheron, Psalm 140, Pentecost) As human beings, in our pride we foolishly try to imagine the divine life, and inevitably make mistakes, as the dogmatic history of theological error clearly reveals. The second great mystery is the Incarnation. We profess this in the Creed at every Divine Liturgy. “For us and for our salvation, [the Son of God one in essence with the Father] came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became man.” “Incarnate” means literally “in flesh,” but it means more than that the Son of God took on human flesh, but that he became in human being in every way, with a human body, a human mind, a human will, a human soul, yet he remained one person in two natures, perfect God and perfect man. God remains God and humanity remains humanity, but in Jesus the eternal enters into time, and God is revealed to us in
Pysanky
human form, as proclaimed by the Letter to the Hebrews, “in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word.” (Hebrews 1:2-3)
Jesus is perfect God and perfect man. As is the case with the Trinity, we cannot understand how one person can at one and the same time be God and yet exist as a created man. Theologians have given this mystery the term “hypostatic union,” that is, that Christ’s humanity and divinity are united in one person, one individual existence. Yet again, as human beings, we feel we must try to understand, and again inevitably fall into misconceptions. Today, those who are more conservative tend to imagine the inner life of Jesus as a kind of “apollinarianism.” They are certainly not heretics, as Apollinaris was, for he thought that Jesus did not have a rational human soul, but was the divine spirit functioning in a human body. Nobody would now believe that, but in our imagination we see the divinity of Jesus completely overpowering his humanity. Those less conservative may tend to the opposite extreme, emphasizing the practical ways in which Jesus is entirely like us, some even denying that he really is the Son of God. The correction to these is the vision of the apostles. They lived with
Jesus, and experienced the reality of God’s love in him as he interacted with us and drew us to the Father. Jesus revealed this to Phillip, “whoever has seen me has seen the Father,” that is, has seen God. (John 14:9), and as Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) This mystery is important for us. Because Jesus is a human being, like us in every way except sin, he can give us a model of how to live a full human life. This is why the goal of the first seven ecumenical councils was to define who Jesus the Messiah (Greek: Christ, “the anointed one”) is so that we could imitate him. The main message of the councils was that Jesus is truly God, the Son and Word of God, and that he is truly a human being, as the Council of Chalcedon (451) said, “one in essence with the Father and one in essence with us.” The seventh council was the high point and conclusion of this process, and said that we could depict Christ in icons, because he had taken human form and that in some way we come to the Father, as Jesus taught Phillip, “whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”(John 14:9) As he is a human being, we, in our human nature, can imitate him, as he taught, “whoever would be my disciple must take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) In this way, since Jesus is the express image of the Father, (Hebrews 1:2) by imitating him we can be, as he commanded, “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) If it is important that we, as human beings, imitate Christ, it is equally important that we know that he has a complete human nature, with a human body, a human mind, a human
will, a human soul, which the councils insisted on over and over again. Since we are “only human,” however, we tend to speculate on what the inner life of Jesus was like. This speculation is useless, unnecessary and impossible, just as we are unable to comprehend the inner life of God, one in the Holy Trinity. What we do know is from revelation. Jesus lived a full human life from infancy to adulthood. As a child, he was obedient to Mary and Joseph, and grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:51-52). As God, he knew what we do not know, “no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son.” (Matthew 11:27) As a human being, his knowledge was limited, as for the last days, “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32) As God, he has the power to heal the sick and to raise the dead, and to see what is hidden, but as a human being asks, “Who touched me? ... Someone has touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me. ” (Luke 8:45-46) As a human being, he is tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11), but he was completely without sin. The fathers and teachers of the Church often speculated about these revelations, but have always come up with the same answer: Jesus is perfect God and perfect man. As a human being, he had to suffer the pain of death, as do we all, but as God, he was not subject to corruption, and trampled upon death by his death. As for us today, it is necessary to open ourselves up to Christ as he is revealed in the gospels, and to love him and follow him without reservation. n
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and much more. There also will be Easter crafts for sale made by St. John’s Ethnic Craft Club. Information for creating and assembling Easter basket foods for blessing such as hrutka/sirets (Easter “cheese”), horseradish/beets, braided long rolls, and Paska Bread design making will be available. A parish bake sale will include long rolls (nut, apricot, poppyseed, cottage cheese), paska bread, decorated medovniki (honey heart cookies), small nut rolls, cookies, homemade candies, and much more. Visitors can try a hands-on workshop to learn how to decorate
eggs. There will be a Children’s Corner featuring egg-related crafts, storytelling, cookie decorating, and a jigsaw puzzle area. A Lenten Luncheon Menu, including St. John’s “famous” pirohy, halushky, pagach, pirohy pizza, soups and more will be available for purchase. There is no admission fee. A Basket Raffle also will take place, and door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Plenty of free parking, handicapped accessible. For further information, contact the church office 724-208-6771 (M-F from 6 to 8 p.m.). n
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OBITUARIES: Fallen Asleep in the Lord
Deacon Richard Ciganko
Father Robert E. Halus
Dr. Richard A. Ciganko, known to many as Father Deacon Richard, entered eternal life on February 5, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Ciganko was a professor of Art Education at many universities, including Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The Ohio State University, and State University of New York at New Paltz. Born June 5, 1943 to Alexander & Claudia Ciganko, he was multitalented as an artist, musician, author and poet, and also was a business owner, as well as a mentor. Deacon Richard was ordained to the diaconate for the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh by Archbishop Basil M. Schott at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer City, Pa. in 2007, where he continued to serve until his passing. He also served St. Anne Byzantine Catholic Church in Clymer. Deacon Richard had been afflicted with Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA), a degenerative neurological disorder, and faced the challenges of his condition with great faith. He is survived by Susan, his loving wife of 49 years; four children: daughter Lara (Daniel) Balach, son Mickel, daughter Tanya (Matt) Woods, and son Chrystom (Brittany Brown); six grandchildren Nicholas, Damian, Avian, Katarina, Isabelle, and Olivia; brothers Alexander (Carol) and David (Irena), and their children. He was predeceased by his parents. Friends were received Sunday and Monday Feb. 8-9 at St. Mary’s Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic Church,
Rev. Robert E. Halus, 60, of Perryopolis, Pa. (formerly of Campbell, Ohio), fell asleep in the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Father Robert, the son of Edward and Mary Gargano Halus, was born Jan. 29, 1956 in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended Byzantine Catholic Central School in Youngstown and graduated from Campbell Memorial High School in 1974. He received a Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences and philosophy from Youngstown State University in 1978 and then went on to attend SS. Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh from 1978 to 1982. After his seminary formation and education, he was ordained a priest by (then) Archbishop Stephen J. Kocisko on June 6, 1982. Father Robert served several Byzantine Catholic churches as Assistant Pastor and Administrator: SS. Peter and Paul in Warren, Ohio, St. John the Baptist in Youngstown, Ohio, St. Stephen in North Huntingdon, Pa., St. Mary in Herminie, Pa., St. John the Baptist, Pittsburgh (Southside), St. Nicholas in Youngstown and St. Michael in Pleasant City, Ohio. From 1999 to present he was the pastor of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Perryopolis, Pa. On the Archieparchial level Father Robert had been the Associate Editor of the Byzantine Catholic World newspaper, Notary of the Marriage Tribunal, and a member of the Clergy Pension Board. A 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, he also had served as chaplain for the councils in both North Huntingdon and Perryopolis and was a past director of the Perryopolis Historical Society. Father Robert leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Edward and Mary of Campbell, and a sister, Sheryl Goodrich of Poland, Ohio.
artist, professor, poet, mentor
+ Dr. Deacon Richard Ciganko
Homer City where a Parastas was prayed Monday evening, celebrated by St. Mary Church pastor Father Jerome Botsko and Very Rev. Vasyl Polyak, Protopresbyter of the Johnstown Protopresbytery. Funeral Divine Liturgy was celebrated Tuesday morning Feb. 10 at St. Mary Church, with Archbishop William Skurla officiating, concelebrated by Syncellus for Deacons Very Rev. Archpriest Dennis M. Bogda, and Father Jerome Botsko. Also serving were Deacon Tim Corbett and Deacon Luke Crawford, who were classmates of Deacon Richard in the Deacon Formation Program. The service also was attended by fellow clergy of the Archeparchy. Interment followed at Mount St. Macrina Cemetery in Uniontown. n
May God grant to his faithful servant the deacon Richard Eternal Memory and Blessed Repose.
Rev. Dr. W. Lee Hicks
christian associates founding director With great sadness, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania notes the passing of Rev. Dr. W. Lee Hicks, founding Executive Director of Christian Associates, who died Saturday, February 13, 2016. Dr. Hicks, an American Baptist minister, joined the staff of the Council of Churches of the Pittsburgh Area as Associate Executive Director in 1965, and became Executive Director of that Council in 1968. Under his leadership,
the bishops and judicatory executives of our region created a first-of-its-kind ecumenical agency - Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania - on April 15, 1970. In his 18 years as Christian Associates’ Executive Director, Dr. Hicks guided Christian Associates to become a nationally-recognized leader in regional ecumenism and an essential part of Southwest Pennsylvania’s religious landscape. n
served archeparchy since 1982
the byzantine catholic world
+ Rev. Father Robert E. Halus
Family and friends were received on Tuesday evening Feb. 16 in St. Nicholas Church, Perryopolis, where the first part of the funeral service for a priest was celebrated that evening by Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich, Protosyncellus of the Archeparchy. The Halus family received family and friends again on Wednesday evening Feb. 17 at their home parish, St. Nicholas Church in Youngstown. There, the second part of the funeral service for a priest was celebrated that evening by Very Rev. Richard I. Lambert, Protopresbyter of the Youngstown Protopresbyterate (Deanery). The Funeral Divine Liturgy was celebrated Thursday, Feb. 18 by Most Reverend William C. Skurla, Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh. Interment was in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Campbell, Ohio. n
May God grant to his faithful servant the priest Robert Eternal Memory and Blessed Repose.
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2016
Pittsburgh Protopresbytery Great Fast Vespers schedule of services 4:00 p.m.*
Sunday February 28 | St. John the Baptist Church – Lyndora, Pa. Father Andrew Deskevich, homilist | Deacon Paul Simko Sunday March 6 | Holy Ghost Church – McKees Rocks, Pa. Abbot Leo Schlosser, homilist | Deacon Sean Petrisko Sunday March 13 | St. Elias Church – Munhall, Pa. Father Frank Firko, homilist | Deacon Michael Meaders * Mystery of Reconciliation (Confession) available at 3:30 p.m. Lenten soup and bread will be served after Vespers in the social hall of each parish.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR OBSERVANCE OF GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY AND THE FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION, MARCH 25 In 2016, the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) falls on Holy and Great Friday (Good Friday). The strict fast which is customarily observed on this day of the Great Fast still applies. (Special details regarding this simultaneous observance may be viewed in the 2016 Typicon of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church sui juris, pages 26-27). Metropolitan William has directed that the NEW translation/edition (texts and music) of the services for both Holy and Great Thursday and Holy and Great Friday (with the Feast of the Annunciation) be used by all parishes in every eparchy of the Metropolitan Church. Special new booklets for these holy days, prepared by the Intereparchial Commissions for Sacred Liturgy and Music and promulgated by the Council of Hierarchs, are being printed by the Byzantine Seminary Press and will be distributed to all parishes for use during these upcoming Holy Week observances.
around the archeparchy SOUP SALE — St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church of Herminie, Pa. and Father Leonard Cornelius, OFM welcome the public to its “Last Sunday Soup Sale” Feb. 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. On the menu: Ukrainian-style creamy potato soup and solyanka, a kolbasi vegetable soup. $7 per quart. The church is located at 7 Second Street in Herminie 15637. For more information call George Krolik at 724-433-5527. BREAKFAST BUFFET — All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Breakfast sponsored by St. Mary’s Youth Group at St. Mary’s Center, Route 981 in Trauger (Latrobe), Pa. Sunday, March 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Adults $6; Children ages 5-10 $ 3; ages 4 & under FREE. SPAGHETTI DINNER — The parishioners of SS. Peter and Paul Church, 701 Foster Avenue in Duquesne, Pa. and pastor Father John Cuccaro welcome all pasta lovers to their Spaghetti Dinner, Sunday April 3. Take a break from the paska, ham and kolbassi for a delicious plate of pasta! Serving hours are 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Adults $7; children (10 and under) $4; Children 5 and under are FREE. Raffles and auction also will be held. Phone the rectory for more information (412) 466-3578. ICONOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS — Marylyn Barone will conduct two weekend iconography workshops in April for adults at all levels of experience: April 7-10 at Saint Mary Romanian Catholic Church in McKeesport, Pa. Participants will write an icon of Christ the Good Shepherd on a 10” x 12” gesso-covered board. Class meets Thursday & Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday from noon until finishing. Must be able to attend all four days to produce a completed icon. $125 fee covers all supplies. April 29-30/May 1 at Mount St. Macrina, Uniontown, Pa. with optional overnight lodging at The Mount. Class meets Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday from noon until finishing. Participants will write an icon of Our Lady of Kasperov on an 8” x 10” gesso-covered board, and must attend all three days to have a completed icon. Offering of $225 will cover the overnight retreat and supplies. Offering for non-lodging commuters is $200. For both workshops, Snacks, coffee and tea will be provided on all days. Each class is limited to 20. For further information on the McKeesport workshop call Marylyn Barone at 412-678-9453 or email her at mwbarone@comcast.net. For the Mount Saint Macrina workshop, call the House of Prayer (retreat center) at 724-438-7149. FASHION SHOW — The CAMEO Club of St. John’s Cathedral will host a Spring Fashion Show on Sunday, April 10. Fashions will be by Phyllis’ Fashions of White Oak; cash and carry also will be available. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. A soup and salad luncheon buffet will begin at noon. Additional attractions include a Spring Fling Auction, Lottery Tree and 50/50 drawing. For information regarding reservations/tickets please call Carol Lawson at 412-464-1666.
see PIROHY and other Great Fast food sales on page 9.
dates to remember february 28 3rd Sunday of the Great Fast - Veneration of the Holy Cross march 12 Catechist Day of Prayer Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Munhall, Pa. march 19 Opening the Holy Doors, Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer - Uniontown, Pa. march 20 Palm Sunday - Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem march 21-26 Holy Week march 25 Great and Holy Friday Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos march 27 Pascha - the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord 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 DATE: MARCH 20
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