The First Churches
The earliest Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants settled initially in northeastern Pennsylvania and took jobs as miners in the anthracite coal fields of the region. The émigrés, however, soon began to realize that what had identified, preserved and sustained them in the “Old Country” and in the long journey to America was painfully missing in their strange, new and difficult surroundings. They had no spiritual home, no place of worship that they could call their own, and no church where they could practice their distinctive Greek Catholic faith. Thus, they began to organize parishes, build churches and petition for priests to be sent from Europe.
Leading the Metropolitan Church and the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Following the decrees of the Second Vatican Council, Archbishop Stephen promptly set about the task of restoring the Church generally and Pittsburgh Archeparchy in particular to its authentic religious traditions. To achieve this important goal, Archbishop Stephen undertook a number of initiatives.
Excerpts from Metropolitan Basil’s Homily during Enthronement Divine Liturgy – July 9, 2002
“‘By the grace of God, I am a Christian, by my actions a sinner, by my calling a pilgrim traveling from here to there. In my knapsack is the Bible […]
Excerpts from Metropolitan Basil’s Homily during Enthronement Divine Liturgy – July 9, 2002
“‘By the grace of God, I am a Christian, by my actions a sinner, by my calling a pilgrim traveling from here to there. In my knapsack is the Bible […]
Pastoral Message for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord – December 25, 2002
Christ is born! Glorify him! To the clergy, monastics, and the laity of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh “Behold the time of salvation is drawing near, O cave, prepare yourself, for […]
Pastoral Message for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord – December 25, 2002
Christ is born! Glorify him! To the clergy, monastics, and the laity of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh “Behold the time of salvation is drawing near, O cave, prepare yourself, for […]
Pastoral Message for the Great Fast – February 2003
To the clergy, monastics, and the laity of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh: “The light of your grace has shone upon our soul, O Lord. Behold, this is the favorable time, […]
Pastoral Message for the Great Fast – February 2003
To the clergy, monastics, and the laity of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh: “The light of your grace has shone upon our soul, O Lord. Behold, this is the favorable time, […]
Pastoral Message for the Feast of the Resurrection – April 20, 2003
To the clergy, monastics, and the laity of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh: “Today all things are filled with light – earth and heaven and the world beneath. Then, let all […]
Pastoral Message for the Feast of the Resurrection – April 20, 2003
To the clergy, monastics, and the laity of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh: “Today all things are filled with light – earth and heaven and the world beneath. Then, let all […]