Attending Divine Liturgy at St Michael's yesterday was the most memorable experience I've ever had at an Eastern Rite Church. A friend and I worshipped with less than 20 parishoners, almost all elderly, on a day that was bitterly cold and the streets were not adequately plowed, not to mention that the neighborhood isn't particularly safe. In spite of that I've never been made to feel so welcome at a church in my life. Almost everyone present, personally invited us to come downstairs afterwards for coffee and cake, and before we left, my friend was given a large jar of home made honey by one of the parishoners.

The liturgy was conducted beautifully by Father John Lucas, in Ukrainian, and perhaps because of the small numbers in attendance, everyone got to come up and kiss the bible during the Liturgy. This visit will stay with me a long time.

Beautiful church. Thanks for posting these, Lawrence.

Many years,

Neil

Beautiful! Have the parishioners had any luck evangelizing the surrounding African-American community?

Thank you Neil and Ivan for your comments. Unfortunately the picture in the West Pullman area is rather bleak. Assumption BVM a RC parish was at the opposite end of the block, and they had a few black parishoners, but the Archdiocese closed the church in 1990. Same story, a mile to the NW, where St Catherine of Genoa (RC) was a bit more successful in the surrounding area. Closed by Cardinal Bernadin in 1990. Now it's just SS Peter and Paul (RC) a mile to the SW, with a few black parishoners, just barely surviving into the 21st century.

I doubt St Michael's has done much in the way of evangelism in the area, because the liturgy is in Ukrainian, and the parishoners are rather elderly.

This parish is Julian Calendar.

It's quite possible that St Michael's is still on the Julian Calendar. I know from former parishoners, that the church was particulary resistant to both changing the calendar, and eliminating Church Slavonic. In fact during the liturgy I noticed some words I wasen't familiar with, and later when I asked Father, he said they were holdovers from Church Slavonic. That I can remember, the words for Hosanna In The Highest were different from the Ukrainian liturgy at my church.

Almost forgot. The congregation was formed in 1916, but until 1960 when the church was built, they worshipped in a home in the area.

It's more than possible - ask Fr. John, as they are definitely Julian Calendar. He is a wonderful priest who is also the chief editor of the Eparchial newspaper.

He was originally ordained in the BCCA and came to the Eparchy of St. Nicholas during the Metropolitan Dolinay era.

I'll take your word for it then. And now that I'm learning something new everyday, I'm quite certain the liturgy was in Church Slavonic. Quite a few people had already told me it's quite similar to Ukrainian, but I was excepting something quite different.

Yes, I was aware that Father John came from the BCCA.

This story is simply too good not to share with the Byzcath Forum. After our visit to St Michael's, the friend who accompanied me, printed the responses here and sent them to Father Lucas. Here's the contents of the letter she received yesterday.

Dear, April

Thanks for forwarding the photos and printout along with your note. The page from Byzantine Forum was read to the parishioners Sunday--and they were delighted to be so appreciated for their hospitality. [The only thing they thought was unneccessary was a reference to the neighborhood not being safe. That may have been truer a few years ago, but not now]
It was good to see that their practice of faith and sharing their gift is noticed.

Sincerely yours,
Fr John Lucas

Lawrence,

That is great! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Many years,

Neil

I made some incorrect statements regarding this church. They do not use Slavonic in the liturgy. I made a big mistake when I assumed that what I believe is older usage of some Ukrainian words, was actually Slavonic, when in fact it was not.