Divine Services
Friday, March 6 - 6:30 PM - Akathist Prayer Service / Confessions: 6 PM - 6:20 PM
Saturday, March 7 - 9:30 AM - St. John’s Liturgy: “All-Souls Saturday” / Confessions: 9 AM - 9:15 AM
Saturday, March 7 - 3:45 PM - Memorial Prayer Service (First Anniversary): +Thomas Zelesnik
Saturday, March 7 - 4:30 PM - Vespers / Confessions: 4 PM - 4:20 PM
Sunday, March 8 - 10 AM - St. Basil’s Liturgy: “Lent: 2nd Sunday - St. Gregory Palamas”
Wednesday, March 11 - 6:30 PM - Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts / Confessions: 6 PM - 6:20 PM
Friday, March 13 - 6:30 PM - Akathist Prayer Service / Confessions: 6 PM - 6:20 PM
Saturday, March 14 - 9:30 AM - St. John’s Liturgy: “All-Souls Saturday” / Confessions: 9 AM - 9:15 AM
Saturday, March 14 - 4:30 PM - Vespers / Confessions: 4 PM - 4:20 PM
Sunday, March 15 - 10 AM - St. Basil’s Liturgy: “Lent: 3rd Sunday - Sunday of the Cross” /
Prayers for the Departed: +Helen Andrus (3rd Anniversary of Repose / 100th Birthday)
NOTES:
* All parish members are expected to participate in the Mystery of (Private) Confession and then receive the Holy Eucharist (Communion) during the Great Fast here in the parish. Only those believers who have participated in Private Confession prior to Holy Pascha should come to receive Holy Eucharist on April 12th or thereafter.
* Individuals wishing to receive Holy Eucharist (Communion) at the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts during Lent should (minimally) maintain a Eucharistic fast (i.e., no food or drink - except for required medications) from lunch time until the 6:30 PM Presanctified Liturgy. Individuals capable of extending this Eucharistic fast longer from the morning hours are encouraged to do so. Individuals following a doctor-ordered medication regimen should maintain that pattern as medically required.
* Attendees of the Lenten services are encouraged, if possible, to leave their pews and enter the nearby aisle to do the Lenten poklons (i.e. bows to the floor). Parents are reminded to please guide your children concerning this, so they learn good Orthodox spiritual practices from an early age.
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+ GREAT LENT, our “School of Repentance,” continues - come home to Christ! He’s lovingly awaiting your return as did the prodigal son’s father! +
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Sunday Liturgy Laity Functions
MARCH 8 THIRD HOUR: T. Zehnder
MARCH 8 EPISTLE: (T.B.A.)
MARCH 8 COLLECTION: R. Grano / A. Lauer
MARCH 15 THIRD HOUR: D. Ilchuk
MARCH 15 EPISTLE: R. Markvan
MARCH 15 COLLECTION: R. Markvan / P. McKeown
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Prayer List/ Get-Well Greetings
* Dan Telep: Recuperating at home following surgery
* Natalie Vale: Recuperating at home following a hospitalization
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* DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins on Sunday, March 8 - remember to move your clocks ahead one hour this Saturday night. Also, your local fire department reminds you that this is a good time to change the batteries in your home’s safety alarms.
* ADDITION TO THE SCHEDULE! The Ladies Altar Society’s annual LENTEN SOUP AND SALAD LUNCH fundraiser will take place downstairs in the church hall immediately following THIS SUNDAY’S St. Basil’s Liturgy - - we hope you can come! (Free-will offerings are gratefully accepted by the L.A.S.!) Anyone able to provide a homemade Lenten recipe soup for this event is asked to let project chairs Mat. Vicki Stahoviak or Patty Lear know soon. A sign-up list has also been placed on the vestibule candle desk for those who can provide a Lenten soup. Guests are welcome, too!
* The next CHURCH SCHOOL / TEEN GROUP CLASSES / (and) SUNDAY DIALOGUE sessions are scheduled for this Sunday - 9 AM. (FYI: The first topic at the Sunday Dialogue for the adults is a description of what the Orthodox Church believes happens to the soul after our physical death - - a question posed to Fr. Bill recently by a parish member asking, “Why do we think Liturgies for the Departed” are important?)
* CHOIR REHEARSALS are scheduled to immediately follow the 6:30 PM Akathists on March 6, 13, and 27. We encourage new members to come and help strengthen our singing!
* Advance planning! The postponed LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING is rescheduled downstairs in the church hall immediately following the March 29th Liturgy. Both current and prospective new members are needed!
* The Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and W PA (OCA) ANNUAL LENTEN VESPERS SERVICE is scheduled for March 15 (5 PM) at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (8290 Thompson Run Road, Allison Park) with a Lenten meal to follow downstairs in the church hall. Plan on attending!
* Fr. Bill continues his LENTEN PASTORAL VISITATIONS to our parish members unable to unite with our Lord in the Mysteries of Confession and Eucharist at church - something critical for our eternal salvation. He will contact the known parish members on his list in need of such visits, but you are also welcome to contact him to schedule this as needed for yourself or another person. His goal is to complete these sacramental visits before “The Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem” on April 5.
* Our annual LENTEN CHARITY DRIVE continues! Please bring donations of non-perishable food and household items downstairs to the church kitchen for donation. These donations will benefit the Fair Oaks Fire Department food pantry, neighbors around the church, and parish members as needed. Cash donations are also greatly appreciated - forward those donations directly to Fr. Bill. Please make checks payable to “Holy Ghost Church,” marking the meme line: “Charity Drive.” THANKS for helping in the Name of our Savior! (Do you need such help yourself or someone you know in your family or neighborhood? Don’t hesitate - - - contact Fr. Bill privately!)
* Are you interested in doing a special kind of “HANDS-ON” LENTEN PROJECT? If so, Fr. Daniel Mathewson, parish priest of the Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Edinboro, makes this invitation. He and his parish crew invite you to join their Lenten alms construction project at the home of a person in Ellwood City on Saturday, March 21, and Saturday, March 28 (9 AM - 2 PM). If interested, please call/text Fr. Daniel at his cell # (570-225-8555) so he can give you more details. At this point they are planning drywall, doors, and flooring installations. (Also, please inform Fr. Bill if you might be participating.)
* The parish priests of the OCA Northwest Deanery cordially invite you to join them in a joint DEANERY HOLY UNCTION SERVICE. This Holy Mystery for all Orthodox Christians to be anointed for the “healing of soul and body” will take place at on Sunday, March 29 (5 PM) at the Holy Assumption of St. Mary Church in located in Pittsburgh (Southside) at 105 S. 19th Street. Parking should NOT be a problem as per Fr. Patrick Carpenter’s information: “Parking in the Southside includes on street, public parking lots on 18th Carson and between 19th and 20th (free on Sunday), and the school parking lot behind the Church.”
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Our Daily Prayer Life - an Essential Habit for an Orthodox Christian
While Great Lent is often looked upon as being a time of increased prayer - and it surely is - it must be pointed out that prayer is ALWAYS an essential part of an authentic Orthodox Christian spiritual life daily. What is “prayer?” Prayer is “communion with God” - a “dialogue.” Our prayer should regularly take various forms: thanksgiving - worship - petition. (NOTE that “petitioning” God is LAST!)
The power of authentic prayer cannot be underestimated - IF - we do it properly.
FIRST, we must pray with FAITH. We must BELIEVE that God CAN help us - according to HIS will.
SECOND, we must pray PERSISTENTLY. We are often too impatient when we pray - DON’T give up!
THIRD, we must pray with HUMILITY. We must never forget that GOD is our Father and WE are His children. HE is the Master and WE are the servants. TRUST Him to do what is best for you - even if you DON’T “like” it at that moment! We must never forget the awesome words of Christ to His Father while in the Garden of Gethsemane - “…not MY will, but THY will be done.”
Laity Liturgy Functions
DATE THIRD HOUR EPISTLE__ COLLECTION______
MARCH 1 T. Evansky (T.B.A.) T. Yakich / I. Yakich
MARCH 8 T. Zehnder (T.B.A.) R. Grano / A. Lauer
MARCH 15 D. Ilchuk R. Markvan R. Markvan / P. McKeown
MARCH 22 N. Yakich (T.B.A.) O. Mycyk / B. Nelko
MARCH 29 N. Domitrovic (T.B.A.) M. Soroka / S. Yakich
^ Please notify Fr. Bill in advance if you are unable to perform your liturgical function so that a substitute can be found in an orderly manner. Please mark your calendar since we do not send individual reminders.
^ Please contact Fr. Bill if you have any questions about these ministries. New participants are encouraged as well!
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Pastoral Reminders from Fr. Bill
~ EUCHARIST PARTICIPATION GENERAL GUIDELINE for the parish: individuals who do not receive Holy Eucharist for more than two consecutive Sunday Liturgies should return for a Private Confession before approaching to receive Holy Communion. Please contact Fr. Bill about this since there is always the possibility of an extenuating circumstance.
~ THE GREAT FAST (HOLY LENT) continues throughout this month. Each Orthodox Christian should try to maintain a rigorous ascetical fast during this most solemn of the annual fasting periods in the Orthodox Church. Of course, this should be accompanied by personal repentance (including participation in the Mystery of Confession and reception of the Holy Eucharist) almsgiving, increased church worship, and increased personal prayer/Scripture readings.
~ Those intending to receive the Holy Eucharist at a Lenten LITURGY OF PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS are reminded to maintain a Eucharist fast (i.e., no food / drink except for required medications) after a light lunch until receiving Communion at the 6:30 PM Liturgy.
~ Except for individuals required to EAT / DRINK small amounts out of necessity for medical conditions, Communion recipients are expected to conduct a Eucharistic fast prior to receiving the Sacrament. This means refraining from eating or drinking from midnight until receiving Holy Eucharist. Individuals who find it necessary to eat or drink “larger” amounts on Liturgy days should refrain from receiving Communion that day. The Eucharistic fast for evening Vesperal Liturgies begins following a (light) lunch, continuing until the time of the Liturgy. Children who have not come to First Holy Confession are, of course, exempt from this guideline. Individuals with medical conditions that require a modification of the Eucharist fast should discuss it privately with Fr. Bill.
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^ Please forward your preferred email address to Fr. Bill if you are not receiving the parish E-BULLETINS and other parish informational updates but would like to receive them. Please note that email addresses are not shared. A limited number of copies of each week’s bulletin are put in the vestibule wall pamphlet rack.
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PARISH ON-LINE GIVING
No envelope, no checks, no cash? No problem! ON-LINE giving is always available! Go to our website under “Online Giving” (https://www.holyghostoca.org/onlinegiving) and make your donation today. You even have the option to donate to the General Fund or Memorial Fund, and we will add Special Projects as opportunities arise. There is even an option to make a recurring donation so you can set it and forget it! Please note there is a small credit card processing fee to donate online. Please contact Nicole Domitrovic or Fr. Bill if you have any questions about this on-line method of stewardship
^ Fr. Bill is now beginning his LENTEN PASTORAL VISITATIONS to our parish members unable to unite themselves to our Lord in the Mysteries of Confession and Eucharist at church. He will contact the known parish members on his list in need of such visits, but you are welcome to contact him to schedule this as needed. His goal is to complete these sacramental visits before “The Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem” on April 5. Also, please remember to contact Fr. Bill any time you, or a loved one who is a member of the parish, is HOSPITALIZED so that a pastoral visit can be done to administer either Holy Unction or Eucharist at the time of need.
^ The parish council and Fr. Bill THANK everyone who responded positively during February to the parish’s annual STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM SIGN-UP. You can still sign up by contacting Fr. Bill or by seeing a parish officer in the vestibule to obtain a 2026 pledge form. Please help your parish in 2026! THANKS!
^ DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins on March 8 - remember to move your clocks ahead one hour. Also, your local fire department reminds you that this is a good time to change the batteries in your home’s safety alarms.
AREA LENTEN SERVICES NOTES
(1) the “Triumph of Orthodoxy” Pan-Orthodox Vespers will be held on March 1 (4 PM), at the All-Saints parish in Canonsburg
(2) the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and W PA annual Lenten Vespers service is scheduled for March 15 (5 PM) at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (8290 Thompson Run Road, Allison Park) with a Lenten meal to follow
(3) the OCA Northwest Deanery priests will concelebrate at a Holy Unction service on March 29 (5 PM) at the Holy Assumption of St. Mary parish (105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh 15203) with a Lenten meal to follow.
^ The 2026 PARISH COUNCIL AND AUDTIING COMMITTEE MEMBERS will be officially installed at the conclusion of the March 22 Liturgy. These laity leaders are reminded to please participate in the Holy Mysteries of (Private) Confession and Eucharist prior to this installation service. The 2026 Parish Council will meet downstairs in the church hall on Monday, March 23 (6:30 PM). The meeting will begin with the election of the 2026 Executive Board.
^ Our annual LENTEN CHARITY DRIVE has begun! Please bring donations of non-perishable food and household items downstairs to the church kitchen for donation. These donations will benefit the Fair Oaks Fire Department food pantry, neighbors around the church, and parish members as needed. Cash donations are also greatly appreciated - forward those donations directly to Fr. Bill. Please make checks payable to “Holy Ghost Church,” marking the meme line: “Charity drive.” THANKS for helping in the Name of our Savior! (Need such help yourself? Don’t hesitate - - - contact Fr. Bill privately!)
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REFLECTION to begin HOLY LENT
“Hear, O heaven, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord has spoken, saying, I have begotten and reared up children, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel does not know me, and the people has not regarded me… Your fasting, and rest from work, your new moons also, and your feasts my soul hates: you have become loathsome to me; I will no more pardon your sins. When you stretch forth your hands, I will turn away my eyes from you: and though you make many supplications, I will not hearken to you; for your hands are full of blood. Wash you, be clean; remove your iniquities from your souls before my eyes; cease from your iniquities; learn to do well; diligently seek judgment, deliver him that is suffering wrong, plead for the orphan, and obtain justice for the widow. And come, let us reason together, saith the Lord: and though your sins be as purple, I will make them white as snow; and though they be as scarlet, I will make them white as wool…” (Is 1: 2-3, 14-18)
This is one of the readings from the first day of Lent. And what an unexpected reading it is. God tells us, among other things, “Your fasting…my soul hates.” What kind of fasting does God’s soul “hate”? The kind that is out of touch with Him and His purpose, which is to “remove iniquities” from our souls and “diligently” to “seek judgment” and “deliverance” for those “suffering wrong.”
God seeks to make Himself “known” to us, so that we “come, and reason together” with His justice and mercy. He does this in part through external disciplines like fasts and feasts. Because these disciplines bring us together, out of self-isolation, and also slow us down, in our disparate and distracting pursuits. But they are not ends in themselves, and they lose their meaning outside of God. The “end” that God pursues, in slowing us down through fasting and feasting/resting periods, is our communion with Him, our harmony with His love and mercy.
So, as we begin to move through this Lenten season, let us not lose sight of the “forest,” which is the “big” picture of God’s all-encompassing justice and mercy, for the “trees,” which are the fasting-rules. We “ought” to follow the latter, as our Lord tells us, “without neglecting” the former (Mt 23: 23). As we begin the salvific discipline of Lent, let us “come and reason together” with God as He calls us to, in heartfelt prayer, and in humble reliance on His grace, so He can make our sins “white as snow” in and with Him.
May your Lent be a spiritually productive one as we prepare for the awesome day of the HOLY PASCHA on April 12!
(- Adapted from the writings of Sister Vassa)
Today, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Ambridge, we should pause in our festivities and reflect thoughtfully on its beginnings.
Shortly after the turn of the century, many Europeans sought to escape the religious and cultural persecutions of the Austro-Hungarian rulers by sailing to America.
Approximately 14 families, including those of John Bowan Sr., Wasil Blishak, Constantine Dzubinsky, Samuel Evans Sr., Daniel Holovach, A. Kohan, Nicholas Kraynak, Theodore Kushnir, Wasil Kuhta, Wasil Towcimak, Michael Turko, and John Zawoysky, settled in the North Side and South Side of Pittsburgh, where they attended St. Alexander Nevsky and St. Michael's Orthodox Churches.
However, these pioneers soon moved on to Ambridge where employment opportunities were greater. The American Bridge Company, which erected its first plant in Ambridge in 1902, offered such security.
Although settled in Ambridge, they continued to attend church in Pittsburgh. Each Sunday morning they walked the railroad tracks, more accessible than the unpaved roads, to Leetsdale, where they boarded a train to Pittsburgh. This continued until the group established a makeshift altar in May's Hall, Third and Merchant Streets, Ambridge. There, under the guidance of the Rev. J. Sechinsky, they continued their religious devotions. A little later, services were conducted in the residence of Samuel Evans, Sr., and still later in a little shelter on a vacant lot near Third and Merchant Streets. The reverends J. Sechinsky, P. Kohanik and Nicholas Koshevich were among the early pastors.
In October of 1907, guided by Fr. Nicholas Koshevich, this determined group purchased two lots at Second and Maplewood Avenue for $1,650. With their hands, they laid the foundation of their long-awaited church. It took them two months and cost approximately $6,000 -- lots, construction and materials included. The American Bridge Co donated steel for the foundation. This contribution so overwhelmed the group that they gathered on the grounds of the American Bridge plant with their icons and glorified the donors with prayers and singing.
On November 27, 1907, the first Divine Liturgy was served in the newly built church basement. Named trustees of the fledgling church were Wasil Blishak, John Bowan Sr. Samuel Evans Sr. and Daniel Holovach. Others who contributed their services were families of Timko Romanov, Paul Romanov, Dimitri Skomsky, Theodore Lapihuska, Timko Guch, Harry Kohanik, Stephen Felk, John Evans Sr., A. Zbigley, Nicholas Kuhta, Theodore Fecik, Wasil Liseyko, Joseph Hafiez, Anton Shpak, Nicholas Kulavchik, N. Polovischak, E. Polovischak, Timko Blishko, Harry Shepella, Michael Roman, John Towcimak, Wasil Zawoysky Sr., Wasil Guch, Michael Psinka and Wasil Hritzik.
On August 21, 1911, the parish was incorporated as the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost. The congregation adopted as its patron, the Descent of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) upon the Apostles.
The first recorded christening was that of Nicholas Kuhta on October 27, 1907. The first marriage solemnized in the church was that of Theodore Hopta and Anna Hnath on February 8, 1908.
The parish grew steadily, and soon plans were being formulated for completion of the church. In 1912 a building committee was established. The church was completed in December 1914 at a cost of $14,000. The Rev. Andrew Ivanishin officiated at the first Divine Liturgy in the new edifice. The cornerstone, donated by Samuel Evans Sr., and the newly built church were consecrated by the Most Rev. Archbishop Alexander, assisted by Fr. Ivanishin and visiting clergy. The dream had become a reality. Just one year later, a parish home next to the new church was purchased for $5,100.
Now thoughts turned to the church interior. In 1927, led by the Rev. Damian Krehel, the church commissioned Michael Kupetz, a parishioner, to paint the murals for $2,200.
Two years later the present three bells were purchased. Metropolitan Platon blessed them.
The Great Depression ruled out further improvements until November 27, 1941, when, under the leadership of the Rev. Emilian Skuby, a new iconostas and newly renovated church interior were blessed by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin, Bishop of Pittsburgh and West Virginia. The new iconostas was designed and erected by the famous architect-artist Gennady Gordeyev.
That same year saw the outbreak of World War II, and 1950 brought with it the Korean conflict. Twelve young men of the parish were killed in those wars: Michael Chaykowsky, Edward Chumak, Peter Dudenich, Paul Durniak, John Kucer, Michael Kucer, Frank Pastrick, Steve Pastrick, Nicholas Sapovchak, Michael Sudik, George Torhan and Dimitri Wrobleski.
On November 21, 1954, a crystal chandelier was installed and dedicated to the memory of twelve young men from the parish that gave their lives to the service of their country in World War II and the Korean conflict.
In July 1974 a new parish home was purchased on Pilgrim Drive, Leet Township. The old parish home next to the church was converted into an educational center. There the church school organization, which was initiated by the Senior R Club (FROC) during the presidency of Mildred Erdelyn Mitcheil in 1947, continues to meet.
In February 1975 a fire started in the front of the church, severely damaging one corner of the interior. Fr. Vladimir Soroka and Church Council President Irene Bell led the ensuing restoration.
In 1975 The Holy Ghost Orthodox Youth Center began as a gift. The merged Russian Community Society and Russian Society of St. Michael donated the empty building at 405 Maplewood Avenue that formerly housed the Russian Community Society. A building committee was appointed, led by co-chairmen Frank Markvan and Ted Hritsko. The former building was mostly razed and a new structure erected under the guidance of architect George Ruscitto and builder Jerry Steinmetz Construction Corporation. In 1977, two years after the ownership was transferred to the congregation, the transformed building was opened as a center for both parochial events and public events. Today the Center is a hub our Annual Slavic Festival and other church related activities.
In the early 1990's, the parishioners of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Aliquippa were welcomed as members of the Holy Ghost congregation when their parish was closed.
In November 1996 the congregation undertook one of the most ambitious renovation projects since the founding of the church in 1907. Cupolas of reinforced gold fiberglass replaced the four deteriorating copper cupolas. This project was the centerpiece of a series of renovation projects that included the complete repainting of the interior of the church, enhanced internal and external lighting, and re-pointing the brick exterior of the church. All of these major projects were completed prior to the congregation's celebration of its 90th anniversary in 1997.
The congregation has just completed a 10-year capital improvements plan in time for the parish's 100th anniversary. These projects included all new iconography in the altar, including a new Platitera icon in the apse over the sanctuary, the total refurbishment of the chandelier, renovated restrooms in the church basement, new wall-to-wall carpeting, and new iconography on the proscenium arch above the iconostas.
From the original 14 families the parish has grown to over 200 adults and 30 children.
From those hard working immigrant families who formed the nucleus, to the present pastor, V. Rev. William Evansky, church council, church organizations and congregation, we are deeply indebted. To those now deceased -- May God grant them eternal rest. To those still in our midst--thank you for a job well done! God bless you and guide you in your continued efforts.