SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
* (Tonight) March 7 - 6:30PM - Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts (Eucharist): Confessions: 6 PM - 6:20 PM
* Saturday, March 8 - 4:30 PM - Vespers // Confessions: 4 PM - 4:20 PM
* Sunday, March 9 - 10 AM - St. Basil Liturgy: “First Sunday of Great Lent - Sunday of Orthodoxy”
* Wednesday, March 12 - 6:30 PM - Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts (Eucharist) // Confessions: 6 PM - 6:20 PM
* Friday, March 14 - 6:30 PM - Akathist Service // Confessions: 6 PM - 6:20 PM
* Saturday, March 15 - 9:30 AM - St. John Liturgy: “Memorial Saturday” // Confessions: 9 AM - 9:20 AM //
Prayers for the Departed (9th Day): +Tom Zelesnik
* Saturday, March 15 - 4:30 PM - Vespers // Confessions: 4 PM - 4:20 PM
* Sunday, March 16 - 10 AM - St. Basil Liturgy: “2nd Sunday of Lent - St. Gregory Palamas” //
Prayers for the Departed (2nd Anniversary of Repose): +Helen Andrus
[A PASTORAL NOTE! Please contact me if necessary to schedule a special time during these weeks of Great Lent for PRIVATE CONFSSION in addition to those times listed above. It is my prayerful hope as your parish priest that all parish members will participate in the Mystery of Confession prior to the celebration of the Holy Pascha on April 20. Please approach for your Private Confession spiritually prepared by reviewing the available Confession materials in the vestibule pamphlet rack or on our parish web site. Please contact me if you have questions about this Holy Sacrament or if you need additional materials. Only those Orthodox Christians who participate in Private Confession during Holy Lent 2025 should come forward to receive Holy Communion on Holy Pascha or thereafter.]
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SUNDAY LITURGY LAITY FUNCTIONS
* MARCH 9 - THIRD HOUR: C. Schulte
* MARCH 9 - EPISTLE: (T.B.A.)
* MARCH 9 - COLLECTION: S. Yakich / N. Domitrovic
* MARCH 16 - THIRD HOUR: D. Neill
* MARCH 16 - EPISTLE: D. Ilchuk
* MARCH 16 - COLLECTION: P. Evans / R. Markvan
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* DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME resumes this Sunday (March 9) - - be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour. Your local fire department reminds you that this is also a good day to change the batteries in your home’s various emergency alarms to keep them in good working order.
* No COFFEE HOUR this Sunday following the Liturgy.
* CHURCH SCHOOL-TEEN GROUP CLASSES will meet again this Sunday. Also, this Sunday will be a SUNDAY DIALOGUE SESSION for all adults in the parish (and visitors) with me in the nave of the church.
* The first LENTEN CHOIR REHEARSAL is scheduled to follow the 6:30 PM Akathist service on March 14.
* The four Orthodox parishes of Ambridge will be serving an OUTREACH MEAL at the Ambridge Towers on Saturday, March 15. VOLUNTEERS are needed! Please CLICK HERE for information.
* The Pan-Orthodox TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY VESPERS will be celebrated at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mt. Lebanon this Sunday, March 9 (4:30 PM.) The church is located at: 123 Gilkeson Road, Pittsburgh 15228. Try to come!
* The annual SOUP AND SALAD LENTEN LUNCH sponsored by our Ladies Altar Society will take place downstairs in the church hall immediately following the St. Basil Liturgy on March 23 - please come for this fund raiser! A sign-up list will be placed on the vestibule candle desk for anyone in the parish who can bring a home-made Lenten recipe soup for this March 23 event. Please contact project chairs Mat. Vicki Stahoviak or Patty Lear if you have questions about this lunch. Thanks for your support!
* There will be a meeting of the Ladies Altar Society’s TEA-BASKET PARTY COMMITTEE downstairs in the church hall immediately following the March 16 St. Basil Liturgy. (The party is scheduled to take place at the Youth Center on Saturday, May 10. Attached is a flier soliciting assistance in helping to make this important annual fund raiser a success - - please help - it’s appreciated!)
* Please support our LENTEN CHARITY DRIVE of non-perishable food and household items by bringing some items to the downstairs kitchen area each time you come to the church. These donations will support any parish member needing assistance as well as our partners at the Fair Oak Fire Department Food Pantry. (Please contact me privately if you, or someone you know, needs some help!) Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted - - you can give cash or make your check payable to “Holy Ghost Church,” while marking the memo as “Charity Help.” You can mail that donation to the parish office, give that donation to me, or give it to a parish officer at the vestibule candle desk. Please do not leave monetary donations in the food bags downstairs. Food donations can also be dropped off directly at the Fair Oaks Fire Department on Ambridge Avenue if preferred.
* I have already begun my LENTEN PASTORAL VISITS to our parish members unable to receive the Holy Sacraments of Confession and Communion at church because of physical limitations. I will be contacting the known names on my list, but feel free to also contact me if you, or someone you know in the parish, needs such a pastoral visit prior to Holy Week. I pre-schedule a number of visits each weekday during Lent with the hope of completing them prior to Palm Sunday (April 13).
* The 2025 PARISH COUNCIL AND AUDITING COMMITTEE will officially be installed following the March 16th Liturgy. They are reminded to please participate in the Holy Sacraments of (Private) Confession and Eucharist prior to that oath of office. The Parish Council will meet downstairs in the church hall Monday - March 17 - 6:30 PM. This includes the election of the 2025 Parish Council Executive Board.
* The annual ARCHDIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH AND W PA (OCA) LENTEN VESPERS will be celebrated at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Allison Park on Sunday, March 23 - 5 PM. A Lenten meal will immediately follow downstairs in the church hall. Plan on coming!
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The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian
[This prayer should be added to our daily prayer rule at its conclusion until Holy Week begins. A full prostration is done between each prayer verse if possible.]
+ “O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.” (Prostration)
+ “But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.” (Prostration)
+ “Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins, and not to judge my brother, for blessed are Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Prostration)
+ “O God, cleanse me, a sinner” (12 times, as we make the sign of the cross upon ourselves each time).
(If desired, the prayer’s first three petitions can be repeated as one, followed by a final prostration.)
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Fr. Bill
Laity Liturgy Functions
DATE THIRD HOUR EPISTLE___ COLLECTION_______
MARCH 2 M. Soroka M. Soroka I. Yakich / P. Wiglesworth
MARCH 9 C. Schulte (T.B.A.) S. Yakich / N. Domitrovic
MARCH 16 D. Neill D. Ilchuk P. Evans / R. Markvan
MARCH 23 D. Ilchuk (T.B.A.) A. Lauer / R. Grano
MARCH 30 Mat. D. Evansky (T.B.A.) P. McKeown / O. Mycyk
^ 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
~ GREAT FAST (LENT) begins with Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, March 2 (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 20. You are welcome to contact Fr. Bill at any time to discuss your personal ascetical fasting regime for Holy lent if you have questions.
~ All parish members are called upon to participate in PRIVATE CONFESSION and then receive HOLY COMMUNION (EUCHARIST) during Great Lent – this act of personal repentance is what ultimately marks us being members of the Holy Orthodox Church. Please come to Private Confession spiritually prepared by reviewing the material concerning Holy Confession in the pamphlet rack in the vestibule, on the parish web site, or by contacting Fr. Bill privately. If necessary, please contact Fr. Bill to schedule a special time for Private Confession during the week in addition to the multiple opportunities scheduled in the March calendar attached to this March newsletter. Come to Christ for healing soon!
~ REMINDER! Except for individuals required to eat or drink small amounts with medications, Communion recipients are expected to conduct a EUCHARISTIC FAST prior to Holy Communion. 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 (or Lenten Presanctified 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 your situation privately with Fr. Bill.
~ The reception of the Holy Mysteries of (private) Confession and Holy Eucharist (Communion) at least annually is required to be considered in “good standing” in 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. Remember that “General Confession” participation (alone) is NOT a substitute for a periodic “Private Confession” during the calendar year.
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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 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.
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
^ 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.”
^ Reminder! Please remember to inform Fr. Bill anytime throughout the year if your PERSONAL INFORMATION CHANGES - - mailing address / phone number / email / etc. It is important that our membership list remains accurate. (This has especially been the case recently with phone numbers since most people are eliminating land lines in favor of cell phone numbers only.)
^ DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME resumes on March 9 when we move our clocks ahead one hour. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your home’s various safety alarms.
^ Although February, PARISH STEWARDSHIP MONTH, has ended, the parish will still gratefully accept your 2025 PLEDGE FORM during March. Please be generous - large or small, each parish contribution strengthens this parish for the future! Please return your completed form to the envelope on the vestibule candle desk, mail it to the parish office marked “Stewardship,” or email to me. All pledges are kept confidential, of course.
^ The 2025 parish council, as well as the auditing committee, will receive the OATH OF OFFICE following the March 16 Liturgy. They are reminded to participate in the Holy Sacrament of (private) Confession prior to the day of installation. The 2025 Executive Board will be elected during the March 17 (6:30 PM) parish council meeting downstairs in the church hall.
^ Fr. Bill will begin his LENTEN PASTORAL VISITS during the second week of Lent (March 10) with our parish members unable to receive Confession and Holy Communion (Eucharist) at a Liturgy in church. You may also contact Fr. Bill at any time you, or someone else you know of in the parish, need such a sacramental visit. His goal is to complete these visits prior to Lazarus Saturday (April 12).
^ Our annual parish LENTEN CHARITY DRIVE of non-perishable food and household items is now beginning. Please bring your donated items downstairs to the church hall kitchen area when arriving at church for services. Monetary donations are also MOST appreciated! Please give those types of donations directly to Fr. Bill making checks payable to “Holy Ghost Orthodox Church” with the memo line “Lenten Charity Drive.” These donations benefit any Holy Ghost parish member in need as well as our friends and neighbors serviced by the Fair Oaks Fire Department Food Pantry. PLEAE HELP! If preferred, you can also drop off your items being donated at the Fair Oaks Fire Department.
^ The annual Pan-Orthodox SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY VESPERS will be celebrated at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, Mt. Lebanon, on Sunday, March 9 - 4:30 PM. The parish’s address is: 123 Gilkeson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228.
^ The annual Archdiocese of PGH and W PA (OCA) DIOCESAN LENTEN VESPERS will be served at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Allison Park on March 23 - 5 PM. The church is located at: 8290 Thompson Run Road, Allison Park, PA 15101.
^ For the first time in quite a long time, OUR parish will host the Northwest OCA Deanery for a LENTEN VESPERS SERVICE on April 6 - 5 PM, followed by a Lenten meal. Let’s have GREAT parish attendance that day!
^ The annual LENTEN SOUP AND SALAD LUNCH fund raiser sponsored by our parish Ladies Altar Society will follow the St. Basil Liturgy on March 23. The L.A.S. is asking for donations of homemade Lenten soups for lunch - - - watch for more info in future e-bulletins. Also, watch for info during March about the annual PASCHA BREAD SALE - including how to place a pre-order. Baking is scheduled at the Youth Center on Saturday, March 29 - HELP will be needed!
Exciting news of progress at Holy Ghost! The Annual Parish Meeting in February unanimously approved the contract to begin the replacement of the ICONOSTASIS ICONS that were installed in 1941 and are now at the end of their “service life.” “Be on the lookout” for information about how YOU can participate in this historic project by purchasing an icon (or more?)! Additional information will also be made available soon downstairs in the church hall from the Icon Committee (P. Evans / R. Markvan / T. Needham / Fr. Bill) about reserving the iconography you prefer to sponsor - including the icons available and the cost of each.
^ As discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting, we are seeking two members of the parish interested in serving on a LONG-RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE being developed by the parish council. These individuals will serve alongside three council volunteers to meet with Fr. Bill and take a “hard look” at our strengths/weaknesses for this community’s future. This report will eventually be submitted to the parish council for assistance in setting parish annual goals. Please contact Bill Nelko or Fr. Bill if you would like to submit your name for consideration. We will randomly select the participants if more than two parish members make submissions.
^ The four Ambridge Orthodox parishes, in cooperation with FOCUS North America, are planning another OUTREACH DINNER for the Ambridge Towers on Saturday, March 15. This will take place following our 9:30 AM Liturgy that morning. Watch the March e-bulletins for assistance information.
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.