St. Michael Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic Church: Pictures

HERMITAGE — The Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God is a special celebration in every Byzantine Catholic Church. This major feast day mark the falling asleep of the Holy Virgin and her bodily transposition into heaven. We hear from non-canonical literature that when Mary fell asleep in the Lord, the Apostles who were proclaiming the Good News of Jesus all over the world, were suddenly transported back to Jerusalem. They prepared her body for burial on Mount Sion and then carried her to her resting place in the Garden of Gethsemane. After rolling the rock over the entrance of her tomb, they returned only to find Thomas who was absent for the funeral. He asked the other to take him to the tomb so that he could pay his proper respects and pray. As they apostles rolled the rock aside and entered the tomb, they came to the place of burial. The Holy Virgin's body was no where to be found. Resting in her place was an aromatic fragrance of beautiful flowers.

Once again, thanks to St. Thomas's persistence, they knew that she was assumed into heaven by her Divine Son.

It is on this day that the Byzantine Catholic Church solemnly blesses flowers and herbs. Flowers are a symbol of the beauty that awaits us in heaven; and the aromatic fragrance of herbs accentuate this heavenly state. Herbs are used by men and animals for many purposes, once of which is the medicinal quality that restores our health — MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, SAVE US!

HERMITAGE, PA & NILES, OH — “Take me out to the ball game ...” initiated St. Michael Parishioner, Tim Byers to organize a baseball outing. The Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians’ Class A – short season team) were dueling it out with the Stanton Island Yankees (New York Yankees’ Class A – short season team).

Nearly 56 parishioners and friends met at 5:00 p.m. at St. Michael Social Center for a tail-gate party. Hotdogs, hamburgers and all the fixins’ filled the air with baseball fever. A raffle for some Scrapper memorabilia was held to help cover the cost of the food.

The Fans then departed at 6:15 p.m. for a 25 minute ride to the Eastwood Field, Niles, OH, (Game started at 7:05 p.m.) the home ball park of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Great seats placed us between third base and left field. A great place for foul balls! Two in our group happened to snag the souvenir pieces. Donning Jubilee St. Michael Patriotic Tee-shirts, the group made a “spectacular hit.”

A special thank you is extended to Tim Byers for making the event possible, and naturally, to Michael J. Vasil for providing spectacular photos for our web-page. Oh, by the way, the Scrappers lost, but still, all had a good time!

Brandon Byers snaps a photo at Michael J. Vasil as Matt Wansack looks on

St. Michael’s O’Neil Family enjoy themselves at the tail-gate party

Tim Byers calls the winning number for Scrapper memorabilia

Determined St. Michael Baseball fans check their potential winning ticket

John Koza chides with Fr. Frank (the gray haired one sitting on the left next to his brother, Tim) as the Scrappers take the field.

St. Michael’s Fans just over the head of Stanton Island’s third baseman

Yes, there were even “brave” St. Michael Steelers and Pirates fans donning their teams wears at a Cleveland affiliate stadium

This group didn’t know their picture was being taken, did they ?!?

HERMITAGE — The Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ on August 6^th is a very special time in the liturgical life of the Church. We commemorate our Lord Jesus taking with Him, Peter, James and John to the summit of Mount Tabor and their “transfigured” his humanity with His divinity. The sight was so bright and spectacular that Peter wanted to setup three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah who appeared with Him. They didn’t want to leave the presence of the Lord!

The Holy Transfiguration is one of twelve major fests of the Byzantine Catholic Church. A tradition grew up around it in which the faithful brought grapes and other fruits (sometimes even vegetables) to Church to be solemnly blessed by the priest since they were the harvest of the Summer. It was a gesture of thanksgiving to Almighty God for providing nourishment to His faithful. This very special sacramental blessing is God’s favor to His people for acknowledging Him as the Creator of all things. Without God, nothing is possible. Grapes are blessed because they are the fruit of the vine that becomes our spiritual drink at the Divine Liturgy when they are transfigured, or as we say in more theological correctness “transubstantiated” into the Living-giving Blood of Christ.

St. Michael parishioners who attended the evening Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy and the following day’s Divine Liturgy, continued the Carpatho-Ruthenian custom of its founders and benefactors who founded this parish 100 years ago. May we continue to live and pass on this tradition which spiritually enriches all who participate with fervor.



The mirovanije (anointing with the blessed oil) is distributed with the blessed bread and fruits to the faithful following Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy.	Michael Bebech offers the Transfiguration icon to the faithful for veneration.



Stephen holds a container of complimentary blessed grapes for those who didn’t bring a basket while Altar Server, Michael Pochatko offers the blessed bread.	Fr. Firko beseeches God’s blessing upon the grapes, other fruits and vegetables that the parishioners brought with them.



MORGANTOWN, WV — Fr. Kevin E. Marks, St. Michael's home-pride vocation, solemnly blesses fruit at his Parish of St. Mary’s in Morgantown.

LIGIONIER, PA — The Archieparchial Byzan-TEEN Rally attracted nearly 40 Byzantine Teenagers to a special program for youth at the Antiochean Village. The agenda covered several topics such as Byzantine Church History and an explanation of the Divine Liturgy. The gathering took place from July 28 through the 31^st. Six Byzan-TEENS of St. Michael Church, Hermitage, PA, attended the four day gathered thanks to many good-hearted and generous parishioners. The youth stood in the narthex of the Church several weeks prior wearing signs stating: “Please sponsor me for the Byzan-TEEN Rally.” The youth attending were: Colleen O’Neil, Donavan O’Neil, Ian O’Neil, Angela Pochatko, Mary Pochatko and Maggie Wansack. A special thanks is extended to Mrs. Theresa Pochatko who organized the St. Michael committee.

Byzan-TEENS from the various Archieparchial Parishes pose for this group photo

St. Michael Parishioner, Mary Pochatko finds a non-Byzan-TEEN friend on the Village grounds

Donavan O’Neil (left standing) and Maggie Wansack (Right seating) combine a team effort with other Byzan-TEENS in the recreation room

Our St. Michael Byzan-TEENS that attended the Rally share complimentary expressions

WEST MIFFLIN, PA — The 85th Annual Byzantine Catholic Family Day gathered hundreds of Byzantine Catholic together under a bright, hot sunny summer day. Over 40 parishioners traveled by way of a parish sponsored chartered bus, and another 20 went by car. Nearly all who attended the fun-filled day donned their new red, white and blue patriotic Centennial Jubilee Tee-Shirts, proclaiming to all that they are "Celebrating 100 years Upon the Rock of St. Peter."

The day start with a Moleben to the Mother of God. At 1:30 p.m. The G.C.U. sponsored a competitive games event. Several of our young parishioners attended and even took some prizes.

At 3:30 p.m. The Cultural/Entertainment Program commenced. Our parish vocation, Fr. Kevin E. Marks delivered an inspiring message on the Holy Eucharist as the entire Catholic Church celebrates "The Year of the Eucharist." Immediately following the Slavjane Folk Ensemble provided the entertainment in song and dance conveying their pride in Ruthenian Cultural Heritage.

After a full and tiring day, we boarded the bus at 8:30 p.m. and arrived back in Hermitage at around 10:00 p.m.

A special "thank you" is extended to Kim (Matvey) Ivan for organizing the tickets and tee-shirts this year. Thanks Kim, We couldn't do it without you!

Religious and laity respond to the Moleben: "O Mary, Mother of God, intercede with God for us

Archbishop Basil and the clergy lead the celebration in honor of the Holy Virgin

Competitive games drew the attention of Amanda and Sarah Goda

Amanda Goda takes the lead over other Byzantine Catholics and wins the race!

Mothers and Sons: (L-R): Ben Byers, Brandon Byers, Matt Wansack, Annamarie Byers and Lori Wansack get ready to "rock & roll."

Ben Byers and his father Tim take a few moments with Fr. Richard Whetstone at the Park

The Hrishenko and Wansack Families take advantage of the All-Day Ride Ticket. Michael Hrishenko (back left with the shades) celebrated his 44th birthday taking his family to Kennywood

Finding shade under a tree and resting some tiring feet are (L-R): Alyssa Vasil, Anne Chuchanic, Millie Firko, Stella Kernisky and Nell Bobish

HERMITAGE — As the Lord sent a chariot from heaven to carry the Holy Prophet Elijah to heaven, as recorded in 2 Kings, so does our means of transportation carry us to glorify God at the Liturgical celebration and provide opportunities to assist our neighbor. The beautiful and meaningful custom of blessing vehicles developed among Byzantine Catholic s on the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elijah. This immovable feast day falls on July 20th. Fr. Firko performs this sacramental ministry following Great Vespers and the Divine Liturgy.

"O Lord our God, Who make the clouds your conveyance and walk on the wings of the wind. Who sent to your servant the Holy Prophet Elijah a chariot of fire, Who have guided man to invent this vehicle which is as fast as the wind, we render thanks to You...."

"Therefore, 0 Master, pour now upon it your heavenly blessings; assign to it a guardian angel to preserve it against all evil."

"This vehicle is blessed by the sprinkling of this holy water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

HERMITAGE — Members of the "H (Holupki) - Team" gathered together, despite humid and hot temperatures, to make the traditional Ruthenian Holupki. These Church volunteers meet app. 3 or 4 times a years to make this tasty Slavic cuisine which the public loves. The group had to fill over 1,200 orders of Holupki. They are sold for one dollar each.

A possible future H-Team recruit, Alyssa Vasil, with her horsey hat, takes lessons from (L-R): Millie Firko and Anne Pajak on how to prepare the cabbage.

H-Team Members working together in synergy (L-R): Frank Laudo, Marcie Gates, Stella Kernisky, Anne Pajak, Dolores Raiti and Peggy Laudo

Len Gates uses special muscle power to mix the secret blend

Carolyn Vasko checks orders as Ann Paczak (seated), Lucy Mallick and Team Leader, Irene Andriyo look on.

Photos are copyrighted by Michael J. Vasil.

If anyone is interested they may contact Michael at:

30 Reno Road, Hermitage, PA (724) 342-3909

Relive the great day of our centennial celebration. The slideshow only works with high-speed internet. A DVD is available; call the rectory.

Picture Archive - 2005