SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
* Saturday, February 4 - 4:30 PM - Vespers // Confessions - 4 PM - 4:20 PM
* Sunday, February 5 - 9:30 AM - General Confession
[General Confession is only for those parish members who have participated in Private Confession since the beginning of Advent 2022; others wishing to receive Holy Communion should come to Private Confession before approaching the chalice.]
* Sunday, February 5 - 10 AM - Divine Liturgy: “Sunday of the Publican & the Pharisee” / “Meeting of the Lord Afterfeast” //
Prayers for the Departed: +Michael Ehnatko (9th Day Commemoration) / +Olga Petkash (109th Birthday Remembrance)
* Saturday, February 11 - 3:45 PM - Memorial Prayer Service: +Dorothy - John Vernak / +William Bowan
* Saturday, February 11 - 4:30 PM - Vespers // Confessions - 4 PM - 4:20 PM
* Sunday, February 12 - 10 AM - Divine Liturgy: “Prodigal Son” // Prayers for the Departed (1st Anniversary of Repose): +Mildred Metelsky
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SUNDAY LITURGY LAITY FUNCTIONS
* FEBRUARY 5 THIRD HOUR: D. Neill
* FEBRUARY 5 EPISTLE: A. Lauer
* FEBRUARY 5 COLLECTION: B. Sopko / I. Yakich
* FEBRUARY 12 THIRD HOUR: Taylor Stahoviak
* FEBRUARY 12 EPISTLE: M.D. Stahoviak
* FEBRUARY 12 COLLECTION: R. Markvan / P. McKeown
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FEBRUARY SPECIAL OCCASIONS!
* FEBRUARY 4: Tom Evansky
* FEBRUARY 9: Omelan Mycyk
* FEBRUARY 12: Ruth Koloski
* FEBRUARY 14: Curtis Corson
+ May God grant you many years! +
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* Attached are this Sunday’s Liturgy SCRIPTURE READINGS - you are encouraged to pre-read them before attending Liturgy. There will be a paper copy available on the vestibule candle desk Sunday as well - - be sure to take one as you enter for Liturgy and read them while you prepare spiritually for the Liturgy to begin.
GOOD NEWS! The caterer has given us an extension to give him the final meal count for the parish’s 115TH (1/2) ANNIVERSARY DINNER at the Youth Center immediately following the Liturgy on February 12th! This Sunday(February 5) is your last chance to purchase tickets - please see Ron Markvan, Nicole Domitrovic, or Danielle Ilchuk downstairs in the church hall during this Sunday’s coffee hour to make the required reservation(s).
Please see the attachment to this e-bulletin for more information. PLEASE COME … and invite a guest, too! Tickets MUST be purchased in advance since this is a catered meal requiring food pre-ordering per meal.
* The CHURCH CANDLES blessed in conjunction with the Holyday of “The Meeting of the Lord in the Temple” at the Vesperal Liturgy Wednesday night are still available for you to purchase and burn in your home prayer/icon corner. These blessed stick candles (both decorated and plain), small votive lights, and six-day glass vigil lights are on a table on the back left side of the nave - please take the candle(s) you wish to take home and see a parish officer in the vestibule.
* The 2023 OFFERING ENVELOPE BOXES delivery is still delayed - please continue to use any leftover 2022 envelope if you are using offering envelopes - - just scratch out the “2022” date and write in the “2023” date on the day you are using it. It is also fine to use a “plain” envelope, but please be sure to include on the envelope your name, date of stewardship, and amount enclosed. We will update you concerning this as soon as we can.
* The next COFFEE HOUR is scheduled for this Sunday - February 5 - please join us downstairs. We thank the parish members who signed-up to sponsor this coffee hour. PLEASE NOTE! There are still SIX MONTHS without COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS during 2023 - - please sign the list posted downstairs on the bulletin board if you can take a turn. Please contact Matushka Debbie if you have any questions about being a sponsor. THANKS!
* Our SCRIP CARD PROGRAM should also be active downstairs during coffee hour Sunday. Please stop by the table and purchase/order your Scrip cards for local stores and restaurants since the parish received a rebate for each card purchased here.
* CHURCH SCHOOL-TEEN GROUP CLASSES meet again Sunday, February 12 - 9 AM. Classes are also scheduled in February on February 26, the date of the next Sunday Dialogue as well.
* The PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE meeting is scheduled for February 16 - 6:30 PM.
* The 2022 INDIVIDUAL PARISH CONTRIBUTIONS REPORTS were mailed via the USPS to each parish household recently. Also included with this report is the 2023 PARISH STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM information and STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE FORM to be completed and returned. It is TRULY important that each parish member pray about their level of 2023 parish support before submitting their pledge form - - we must have a healthy financial situation for the parish to continue its mission to bring the awesome news of salvation in Christ that Holy Orthodoxy brings to the modern world. (P.S. - Last year’s Stewardship Program pledging was, by far, the largest since we eliminated parish minimum dues in 2017as we instituted authentic Christian stewardship instead! Let’s continue that healthy spiritual trend in 2023!) THANKS!
Please contact Patty McKeown, Tom Zelesnik, or me if you did not receive this USPS mailing - or - if you have questions about report discrepancies that can be documented.
* The last page of the stewardship mailing this year is a special SLAVIC FOOD FESTIVAL INTEREST SURVEY. The results of the surveys returned will be discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting on February 19 to determine whether the parish is willing to provide sufficient help to do a 2023 Festival. Please take the time to return the survey by returning it with your 2023 pledge form or by sending it separately. You can also complete and scan the survey to me at this email address so it can be included in the tabulation. The deadline to participate in this interest survey is February 12.
* Individuals responsible for preparing ANNUAL MEETING REPORTS for the February 19th post-Liturgy meeting are reminded to please forward those reports to me electronically by this Sunday evening (February 5). This is necessary to prepare the meeting packets for distribution to the parish prior to the meeting for review. (We will NOT be reading these reports verbatim at the meeting to ensure an efficient meeting.)
* Karen Mulroy, daughter of the newly departed +Michael Ehnatko, THANKS everyone in the parish for their prayers and expressions of sympathy during her time of loss. She was truly “touched” by the parish’s love and care!
* We congratulate the newly elected members of the 2023 LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY EXECUTIVE BOARD - President: Sharon Yakich / Vice-President: Mary Wagner / Secretary: Sandy Nelko / Treasurer: Susan Bufalini. We THANK them for assuming these leadership positions! +MAY GOD GRANT YOU MANY YEARS!+
* A “bit” of a LITURGICAL NOTE: His Eminence, Archbishop MELCHISEDEK plans to be the main celebrant at our Liturgy this Sunday (2/5). This will be the archbishop’s first time to vest and be the main celebrant at a service anywhere in the diocese since his fall in August. As a result, please do not be alarmed should he “disappear” for extended periods of time during the Liturgy to sit down out of your sight!
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Announcement – PARISH ON-LINE GIVING NOW AVAILABLE!
No envelope, no checks, no cash? No problem! ON LINE DONATIONS are now LIVE! Go to our website under “Online Giving” - - - (https://www.holyghostoca.org/onlinegiving) and make your donations today. You even have the option to donate to the General Fund or Memorial Fund and we will add Special Projects (such as the Center for Hope) as opportunities arise. There is even an option to set 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 if you have any questions or have a problem setting this up.
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Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these weeks before the Forty-day Fast (i.e., Lent) as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called “Harbinger,” since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights. The week following this Sunday is a fast free week.
KONTAKION - Tone 4
Let us flee from the pride of the Pharisee!
Let us learn humility from the Publican's tears!
Let us cry to our Savior:
“Have mercy on us,//
O only merciful One!”
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Fr. Bill
Laity Liturgy Functions
DATE THIRD HOUR EPISTLE___ COLLECTION______
FEBRUARY 5 D. Neill A. Lauer B. Sopko / I. Yakich
FEBRUARY 12 Taylor Stahoviak M.D. Stahoviak R. Markvan / P. McKeown
FEBRUARY 19 Mat. D. Evansky (Deacon) O. Mycyk / B. Nelko
FEBRUARY 26 T. Evansky (Deacon) S. Yakich / T. Zelesnik
^ 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
~ The week following the “Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee” (February 6-12) is a fast-free week. We are reminded as we prepare for the Holy Lent that true ascetical fasting, a fast acceptable to God, is a fast of the heart requiring repentance – NOT a legalistic fasting concerned merely about rules concerning food and drink.
~ All Wednesdays and Fridays during this month, with the exception of the Wednesday noted above, are days of personal ascetical fasting.
~ The GREAT FAST (LENT) begins with the Forgiveness of Vespers on Sunday, February 26 – 4:30 PM. This is the most rigorous of the four Orthodox fasting seasons of the year as we prepare our bodies and souls for the Lord’s Glorious Resurrection (Pascha) on April 16. (Begin thinking about YOUR Lenten fasting regimen NOW – and STICK TO IT!)
~ The General Confession service scheduled for February 5 (9:30 AM) is only for parish members who have participated in Private Confession since beginning of Advent 2022 – all others wishing to receive Holy Communion should come to Private Confession before receiving the Eucharist. Any communicant unable to attend General Confession should come for a Private Confession before approaching the chalice to receive (unless you have come to Private Confession during the past 30 days). Believers who have come to Private Confession during the past 30 days are not required to attend General Confession.
(We will NOT have General Confession during Great Lent since all parish members are called upon to participate in PRIVATE CONFESSION prior to the Holy Pascha.)
~ The reception of the Holy Mysteries of Private Confession and Holy Eucharist (Communion) at least annually is required to be considered a member of the Orthodox Church and this parish. Please contact Fr. Bill privately if you have any questions about your important sacramental standing.
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^ Please forward your preferred email address to Fr. Bill if you are not receiving the parish E-BULLETINS 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.
^ All are invited to attend the parish’s BIBLE STUDY GROUP that is tentatively scheduled to meet downstairs in the church on Thursday, February 23– 6:30 PM. Please let Fr. Bill know no later than February 21 if you plan to attend since he is tracking attendance responses for a “quorum number.” (This will be the final Bible Study until we have celebrated the Holy Pascha. Our Lenten spiritual journey IS a “Bible study” through the divine services of the Orthodox Church!)
^ The PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE is scheduled to meet on Thursday, February 16 (6:30 PM). Committee members will receive a group email from Fr. Bill about this meeting as we approach the date.
^ The ANNUAL PARISH MEETING is scheduled downstairs in the church hall immediately following the Liturgy on February 19. We hope all parish members attend this meeting as we review 2022 and make plans for 2023. Reports will be distributed prior to the meeting since we hope to keep this meeting concise by NOT reading each report verbatim during the meeting.
* The 2022 INDIVIDUAL PARISH CONTRIBUTIONS REPORTS were mailed via the USPS to each parish household during the past week. Also included with your report is the CRITICAL 2023 PARISH STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM information and STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE FORM to be completed and returned. It is TRULY important that each parish member pray about their level of 2023 parish support before submitting their pledge form - - we must have a healthy financial situation for the parish to continue its mission to bring the awesome news of salvation in Christ that Holy Orthodoxy brings to the modern world. (P.S. - Last year’s Stewardship Program pledging was, by far, the largest since we eliminated parish minimum dues in 2017 as we instituted authentic Christian stewardship instead of dues and constant fund raisers. Let’s continue that healthy spiritual trend in 2023!) THANKS!
* The last page of the stewardship mailing this year is a special SLAVIC FOOD FESTIVAL INTEREST SURVEY. The results of the surveys returned will be discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting on February 19 to determine whether the parish membership is willing to provide sufficient help to do a 2023 Festival. Please take the time to return the survey by returning it with your 2023 pledge form or send it separately. You can also complete and scan the survey to me at this email address so it can be included in the tabulation.
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An important factor in TRUE REPENTANCE is a changed direction. This change of mind and heart in repentance is so thorough that it leads to a changed direction of life. The Greek word for “repentance” means literally “a change of mind.” This is exactly what true repentance is: a turning away from evil and sin that each of us, unfortunately, continue to do despite our Holy Baptism, and a turning instead towards God. Our annual opportunity to come home again to God begins with Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, February 26 (4:30 PM), inaugurating the 40-day Fast. Come and let God give you a “spiritual hug” through His Body, the Church!
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Announcement – PARISH ON-LINE GIVING NOW AVAILABLE!
No envelope, no checks, no cash? No problem! Online Donations are now LIVE! Go to our website under Online Giving (https://www.holyghostoca.org/onlinegiving) and make your donations today. You even have the option to donate to the General Fund or Memorial Fund and we will add Special Projects (such as the Center for Hope) as opportunities arise. There is even an option to set a recurring donation so you can set it and forget it! Please note there is a small credit card processing fee to donate online. Any questions or issues, contact Nicole Domitrovic.
ORTHODOXY “101” – PART IV
“What is SACRED TRADITION?” The Orthodox hymn, “We have seen the true light,” actually contains the explanation. It says, “We have received the heavenly Spirit.” Sacred Tradition is nothing less than the life of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ, the Church. The Holy Spirit has guided the Orthodox Church into unchanged truth for over 2,000 years, just as Jesus said He would. (See: John 14.25). As St. Peter points out in his second epistle, it is the Holy Spirit who inspired the Holy Scriptures. And it was the Holy Spirit who filled the holy men and women of God who wrote against the false doctrines and divisions in the Church. The Holy Spirit inspired the bishops and priests of the Church as the services were written and used; for what else is prayer but communion with the Holy Spirit and a manifestation of that love and communion?
The Holy Spirit inspired the great masters of the spiritual life who wrote to those struggling along the way in holiness. The Holy Spirit filled and empowered the ecumenical councils to correctly draw a border around the True Faith and preserve the Church from heresy. Because Sacred Tradition is the expression of the deposit of Faith, it cannot be limited to only one part of that Tradition.
Sacred Tradition is understood to have been given to the Church by the Holy Spirit. The Tradition is seen in the multitude of ways the Spirit has moved the Church, but the elements especially revered are the books of the Bible, the Creed, the decrees of the ecumenical councils, the writings of the Fathers, the canons (i.e., rules) of the Church, the church services, the holy icons, the entirety of sacred doctrine, and church government.
We know that not all of what Christ did or taught the apostles was written down. (See: John 20:30; 21:25) Nevertheless, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, these things were handed down from the apostles to those men whom they mentored to lead the local church. St. Paul refers to this in writing to St. Timothy (2 Timothy 1:13): “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” And again to St. Timothy (1 Timothy 6:20): “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust.” St. Paul obviously believes these other aspects of the Faith are important for Timothy to keep and protect.
Nevertheless, a preeminence in Holy Tradition is given to the Holy Scriptures, the Creed, and the definitions of the ecumenical councils. These things the Orthodox accept as absolute and unchanging; they can neither be canceled or revised. The other parts of Holy Tradition do not carry the same “weight” and authority as these three. For example, the writings of St. John Chrysostom and are not equal in authority to the epistles of St. Paul in the New Testament.
[In Part V next time we will discuss “Orthodox Spirituality.”]
| September | 11 | Class | |
| 25 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | ||
| October | 9 | Class | |
| 23 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | ||
| November | 13 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | |
| December | 4 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | |
| 11 | (tentative Christmas Program rehearsal) | ||
| 18 | Christmas Program | ||
| January | 8 | Class | |
| 22 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | ||
| February | 12 | Class | |
| 26 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | ||
| March | 12 | Class | |
| 26 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | ||
| April | 9 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | |
| 16 | PASCHA! | ||
| 30 | Class / Sunday Dialogue | ||
| May | 14 | Class / Sunday Dialogue |
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Center for Hope Outreach Dinner - 11/03/2022
Our parish did our fall community outreach dinner on November 3 at the Center for Hope in Ambridge. Seventy hot meals were prepared and served by the parish for the community.
(6 images)
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.