I came to the website looking for information on this, so I'm sorry if I've missed a conversation already taking place:

From what I understand, Sunday, February 12, 2005, at 4 pm, Deacon Joseph Marquis became the first US-ordained, married Byzantine priest. This took place in Parma, and Father Marquis will take over as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Livonia, Michigan.

Please add information to this thread as you learn of it, as well as praise to God for this groundbreaking development. Father Nicholas Ivan, the former pastor there, also needs our prayers as he recovers from a stroke suffered in November, 05; he is in his 50th year of ministry.

I am a close personal friend of Fr. Ivan, and we discussed this topic many times. The hierarchy could not have chosen a better man as the prototype. Formerly a bi-ritual deacon, Father Marquis has an encyclopedic knowledge of church history and doctrine, a booming bass voice, and a shepherd's heart, formed through years of hospital chaplaincy, seminary instructorship, and service to God's flock.

It has finally happened!!!

This is wonderful news. I just heard about it this past week and am also a friend of Father Ivan's. Let us pray that ordaining married men in part based upon past experience will set a trend.

CDL

Axios!

How wonderful.

God bless Bishop John

Warm congratulations to Bishop John and Father Joseph. However, a correction: Father Joseph is most definitely NOT the first married Byzantine Catholic priest ordained in the USA. Bishop Soter ordained some, Bishop Basil (Takach) ordained some, and others have been ordained recently.

(Hint: the expression "Byzantine Catholic" is not the exclusive property of any one jurisdiction!)

Incognitus

When Fr. Nick told me about it on the phone this afternoon, I thought he might be hallucinating from the strong stroke-related medications. "No," said one of the nurse-parishioners, "he is in complete control of his faculties on this one!"

Incognitus, as I am not familiar with the jurisdictions of the hierarchs you mentioned, please clarify where else this is being done. Thanks!

And it has begun.....

Yes there are Ukrainian and Melkite deacons who were ordained to the priesthood in recent years I believe. However, what rite is the above mentioned priest in?

Byzantine Rite, Eparchy of Parma

That that would be the first Ruthenian Deacon ordained for sure! Glory to God!!!!!

I know we have had lots of discussions on this, but not certain where they are. Here are a few old links, I didn't really read them, but I think they might add some thought...
http://www.byzcath.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001363;p=1
http://www.byzcath.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=001425#000006

Many years to our courageous Bishop John, the new priest Reverend Father Joseph and his Pani!

So, it seems that this is the first ordination of a married man for us Ruthenian Catholics in the U.S.A. since 1929. 77 years is a long time!

And the restoration of our rich Eastern Spirituality continues!

Axios!

finally...

I think our dearly beloved Father Icognitus is saying that there are many sui juris churches that celebrate the Byzantine Rite. In Canada they ordained a married man to the Slovak Diocese not too long ago (Canadian equiv. to Ruthenian).
There are the Romanians, Melkites, Ruthenians, Ukrainians,Slovaks (Canada) and Russians. Did I miss anyone? help me out.. something like 14 sui juris churches that use the Byzantine Rite.
How many are in the states, and yes a quick look at the main page will tell me.

Axios! Prayerful congratulations to Fr. Joseph!

and to Bishop John, Eis polla eti Despota!

His first Divine Liturgy is next weekend if anyone is up near Michigan. Many years to the newly ordained Priest Joseph and his family.
FDD