SCHEDULE OF SERVICES:
* Saturday, January 11 - 4:30 PM - Vespers // Confession: 4 PM - 4:20 PM
* Sunday, January 12 - 10 AM - Liturgy: “Theophany Afterfeast”
* Saturday, January 18 - 4:30 PM - Vespers // Confession: 4 PM - 4:20 PM
* Sunday, January 19 - 10 AM - Liturgy
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SUNDAY LITURGY LAITY FUNCTIONS
* JANUARY 12 - THIRD HOUR: D. Ilchuk
* JANUARY 12 - EPISTLE: A. Lauer
* JANUARY 12 - COLLECTION: O. Mycyk / B. Nelko
* JANUARY 19 - THIRD HOUR: T. Evansky
* JANUARY 19 - EPISTLE: M. Soroka
* JANUARY 19 - COLLECTION: S. Yakich / (T.B.A.)
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PRAYER LIST/ GET-WELL GREETINGS
* Tom Zelesnik: Hospitalized
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* Click this link information about the first 2025 event being sponsored by the Youth Committee of the Archdiocese of PGH and W PA - a SKATING PARTY at the beautiful PPG-Place ice skating rink in Pittsburgh on February 2 - 3 PM to 4:45 PM. Reservations and payment as described in the flier must be received no later than January 27. Note - ALL are invited - not just families with children! Guests are welcome, too.
* The next COFFEE CHOIR is scheduled for this Sunday - please stop downstairs after Liturgy. We thank the parish members who volunteered to host this event. We still need sponsors for additional 2025 coffee hours; please sign the 2025 SIGN-UP LIST posted downstairs on the church hall bulletin board if you can take a turn. Please contact Matushka Debbie if you have questions about sponsorship food-drink details or want her to add your name to the sponsorship list on your behalf. Also, our SCRIP CARD PROGRAM should be available downstairs during this coffee hour for you to purchase/order additional cards for 2025.
* This Sunday is the date of the next CHURCH SCHOOL-TEEN GROUP 9 AM CLASSES. Also, all adults are encouraged to join me in the nave this Sunday for our January SUNDAY DIALOGUE DISCUSSION. The discussion topic to begin the session is: “What does the Orthodox Church teach about what happens after we die?”
* The 2025 LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING is scheduled to take place downstairs in the church hall immediately following the January 19 Liturgy. Both current and prospective L.A.S. members are needed at this meeting.
* NOMINATIONS for (4) parish council positions and (3) auditing committee members to be elected at the February 16, 2025, Annual Parish Meeting are now being accepted. Please forward these nominees to Ron Markvan, Nominating Committee Chair, or me by the end of January so these names can be vetted for eligibility in advance of the public presentation of names. (Nominees must be in good sacramental standing currently in this parish to be considered for any of the positions.)
* February 2 is the deadline for ANNUAL MEETING REPORTS to be forwarded electronically to me so the Annual Meeting report packets can be prepared in advance of the February 16 Annual Meeting.
* Reports for the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING scheduled for January 20 (6:30 PM) should be forwarded to me electronically no later than January 16 so they can be collated and distributed in advance to the council for review prior to the meeting.
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A CALL TO ACTION FOR EVERY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN!
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” (Proverbs 3.27)
This scripture verse is a call for every member of this parish to live a life of generosity every day - - we’re to be “models of Christ” to the world! There are needs all around you. All we need to do, as busy and distracted human beings, is take the time to notice. Once you notice, decide to do something about it! Generosity come in all shapes and sizes. What resources has God given you to be a blessing to those around you? Can you offer a smile, a hug, a thinking-of-you card, a financial gift, a prayer, a material gift like clothes and food? God has blessed you with the power to do good. Don’t waste the blessing! Do something good for someone today. Reveal Christ to the world by your life!
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Fr. Bill
Laity Liturgy Functions
DATE THIRD HOUR EPISTLE___ COLLECTION_______
JANUARY 5 D. Neill N. Yakich I. Yakich / A. Wiglesworth
JANUARY 12 D. Ilchuk A. Lauer O. Mycyk / B. Nelko
JANUARY 19 T. Evansky M. Soroka S. Yakich / T. Zelesnik
JANUARY 26 T. Zehnder D. Ilchuk N. Domitrovic / P. Evans
^ 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
~ January 1 through January 4 are fast-free days as we continue to rejoice at the Birth of Christ.
~ Theophany Eve (January 5) is a strict fast day - no meats or dairy products are consumed.
~ Except as noted above, all Wednesdays and Fridays during this month are days on which we abstain from eating meat.
~ The reception of the Holy Mysteries of Private Confession and Holy Eucharist (Communion) at least annually is required to be considered an active member of the Orthodox Church and this parish. Please contact Fr. Bill privately if you have any questions about your important sacramental standing.
~ Eucharist participation general guideline for the parish: individuals who do not receive Holy Eucharist for three or more consecutive Sunday Liturgies should return for a Private Confession before approaching the Holy Chalice. Please contact Fr. Bill about this since there is always the possibility of an extenuating circumstance.
~ All parish members who participated in Private Confession since the beginning of the 2024 Nativity Fast may continue to receive the Holy Eucharist during January. The next General Confession is scheduled for February 2 (Of course, Private Confession is always offered throughout the year!)
~ Reminder: except for individuals required to eat or drink for diagnosed medical conditions, Eucharistic participants are expected to conduct a Eucharistic fast prior to Holy Communion. This means refraining from eating or drinking from midnight until receiving Holy Communion. The Eucharistic fast for evening Vesperal Liturgies begins following (light) lunch time until the time of the Liturgy. Children who have not come to Confession are, of course, exempt from this guideline. Question? Contact Fr. Bill any time.
< A lifetime of godliness develops one choice at a time daily. >
^ 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 electronic bulletin are put in the vestibule wall pamphlet rack for those individuals wanting a paper copy with the same being true for the monthly newsletter. This e-bulletin is prepared in lieu of a Sunday paper bulletin.
^ Please contact Fr. Bill any time throughout the year when you know of a parish member HOSPITALIZED for more than a single night so he can visit that person’s hospital room and administer the Holy Sacraments (either Holy Unction or Communion) “…for the healing of soul and body.”
^ A sign-up list is on the vestibule candle desk for individuals desiring a 2025 THEOPHANY HOUSE BLESSING beginning after the Great Blessing of Water on the January 6th Theophany Holyday. You can also email Fr. Bill or call/text him to get on the list for this home prayer service during January and early February. Don’t neglect this source of Christ’s Grace offered annually by the Holy Church! Please see the notes included in this newsletter concerning the preparation for this home prayer service.
^ The ANNUAL MEETING of the LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY is scheduled to take place downstairs in the church hall immediately following the January 19 Divine Liturgy. Both current and prospective new members are urged to attend this meeting that will include the election of 2025 L.A.S. officers.
^ NOMINATIONS for (4) parish council positions and (3) auditing committee members to be elected at the February 16, 2025, Annual Parish Meeting are now being accepted. Please forward these nominees to Ron Markvan, Nominating Committee Chair, Tom Zelesnik, or Fr. Bill by the end of January so these names can be vetted for eligibility in advance of the public presentation of names. (Nominees must be in good sacramental standing in this parish to be considered.)
^ February 2 is the deadline for ANNUAL MEETING REPORTS to be forwarded electronically to Fr. Bill so the Annual Meeting report packets can be prepared in advance of the February 16 Annual Meeting.
^ All who are on the parish group email list are reminded as we enter the winter season to check your emails for PARISH SCHEDULE CHANGES due to INCLEMENT WEATHER. This is especially important to remember on Saturday concerning Vespers or early Sunday morning concerning parish educational classes or the Liturgy since Fr. Bill will send out a parish group email with that schedule change if needed. You may also call/text his cell, but please note that Fr. Bill may NOT answer that call/text after 7:45 AM on Sundays since he leaves the parish house for church to prepare for the Liturgy.
^ Administrative Secretary Patty McKeown will mail via the USPS CONFIDENTIAL INDIVIDUAL 2024 PARISH CONTRIBUTION REPORTS to each household by February 1. Please contact Patty if you do not receive that report by February 1 or if you have questions about its accuracy. You may also contact Fr. Bill or Tom Zelesnik if necessary.
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.