Jack Figel's contributions as a Byzantine Catholic layman have, indeed, been extraordinarily valuable, and he deserves thanks for them, not just from his fellow Ruthenians, but from Eastern and Oriental Christians in general and from those of the West with an interest in and love for the Eastern Churches. Likewise, Adam DeVille's site, referenced by Deacon Tony, is becoming known for the quality of its reviews of works related to the East. These are and hopefully will continue to be valuable resources for the education and edification of not only our own faithful, but the wider Christian community.

There are and have been others who have made valuable contriubutions, although they, admittedly, don't always immediately jump out at one.

The very existence of this site, with some 4,320 members over its 14 years of existence (the earliest post that I've been able to find was made on October 15, 1998*), 29,297 topics, and 366,830 posts, certainly suggests one such.

Were it not for John Vernoski, we'd not be having this discussion - there would not be this venue in which Eastern and Oriental Christians, Catholic and Orthodox, and others not of the East, but interested in it, learn more about it, discuss, debate, educate one another, pray for one another, share, and sometimes just chit-chat.

Reading the very oldest threads, it's clear that - its name aside - the forum, from the outset, reached out across ecclesial lines. That in itself is a huge part of what evangelization is all about. It's not just about converting others to one's faith. It's teaching them about it, and it's teaching your own about it, so it can be understood and appreciated - and that's what this forum has offered since its inception and continues to do. Thank you, John, for affording us this place.

Many years,

Neil

*For the benefit of both the trivia aficianados and the historians:

the lowest recorded member number is #3 and belongs to Dave Brown/DTBrown who originally registered on 8/24/1998. (However, Dave apparently forgot his password or something and re-registered on 11/03/2001, as member #59, the number under which he still posts);

the lowest male member number in continuous use to this day (still actively posting) appears to be #9 and belongs to Deacon Lance, who registered on 8/29/1998 (Anthony Dragnani has a lower number, but has neither posted nor been recorded as on-line at the site for a few years now);

the lowest female member number in continuous use to this day (still actively posting) is #10 and belongs to Lory Nemeth, the Director of Communications for the Byzantine Eparchy of Parma. Lory registered on 11/27/1998.

Well, my number is 12, registered on March 27, 1999.

What was my number, before you blackballed me for claiming bingo and pirogi were the overriding priorities of a certain Church?

Stuart,

Not sure to whom 'you' refers, but it wasn't me. I wasn't here except as a lurker/reader back then - not registered and in no position to blackball anyone. You show as #144, with a registration date in 2001, but the earliest post from you under this nick that I can track was made in 2002, in which you make reference to 'being back'.

By posts in which people reply to you by name, I can deduce that you (recorded as 'Anonymous', an unregistered poster) were posting earlier than that. The earliest instance that I found being on 08-20-1999, in response to Medved. As you weren't 'signing' your posts, a nick must have been in place, rather than 'Anonymous'. (There are more than a few 'Anonymous' - unregistered posters, not all of whom were you - I saw an instance of one that looks to have been Father Elias.)

As to how such nicks dropped off and came to be replaced by Anonymous, the answer will likely have to wait until John is back on his feet. I'm still rather amazed that I was able to track down as much info as I did.

Many years,

Neil