www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Photo Gallery St. Michael's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, St. Clair, PA

This is the next installment of St. Clair, PA's byzantine collection...

A beautiful church; I was there in time for a Sunday Liturgy in October of 2007. The liturgy turned out to be choral - all choir in magnificent four-part harmonization and such. I was wowed.

This Church, before the foundation of the ACROD, was the mother-church of St. Clair area Byzantium (for lack of a better word). It was originally Greek-Catholic. Some of the interior iconography is very western in feel - such as the beautiful ceiling mural of the Blessed Mother and St. Michael.

The Iconostasis is absolutely marvelous!

Fast forward - the Saturday before New Years I went out to breakfast after morning Mass with the visiting priest and the parish sexton at one of the local Latin parishes. I thought I recognized a gentleman sitting across the booth-area. When he was leaving, he recognized my priest-friend. I asked him "Where have I seen you before." It turns out that back in October he was the subdeacon at this church. He told me he was recently ordained a deacon. I then asked for his prayers, as I am scheduled to be ordained to the diaconate in May. His warm response was wonderful - and the mutual promise of prayers heartening.

It is good that the unity of Holy Orders transcends unfortunate circumstances. Let us pray for mutual understanding in this New Year.

Thank you for sharing the magnificent pictures of this beautiful House of the Lord!!!! A fitting temple in which to honor the patronage and memory of Saint Michael the Archangel!!!!! The state of Pennsylvania certainly has some magnificent Churches. God Bless you as you prepare for your vocation to the Deaconate.

Again, thank you, for sharing the pictures with us!

John Doucette

For many years, Father Andrew Slepecky was the priest serving this parish - he was somehow the leader of the "Carpatho-Russian Administration" of what was then the "Metropolia" and is now the Orthodox Church in America. The "Administration" is long since dissolved and almost all the parishes returned to the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese.

Fr. Serge

According to Mapquest there are 4 distinct towns of St-Clair in PA. Perhaps someone can identify the exact town this church is in. The iconostas is a beautiful.

I.F.

St. Clair, Schuylkill County, a very short distance away from Pottsville - home of Yuengling beer

It is in St. Clair. 4 Orthodox/Eastern Catholic churches in Pennsylvania is a rather common. So yes, mapquest is correct, it is St. Clair.
Let's see, there is the UGCC right behind the ACROD. Then another UGCC two blocks away. Then a few blocks down is an OCA parish.
Then near the OCA parish is the Ruthenian Byzcath parish.

I meant "4 Orthodox/Eastern Catholic parishes in one Pennsylvanian town is common" in the above post.

Although Western-style iconography is not to my taste (ironically), it does have a beautiful merit all its own.

Alexis

Any pics of the "Bethlehem Carolers" from St. Michael's Church? I believe they are one of the last parishes who still observe this Rusyn Christmas tradition!

Christos Razhdajet'sja! Slavite Jeho!

Ung

It is beautiful...thanks for posting. I am quite enjoying this series on byzantine churches in Pennsylvania!

God bless and keep you....

It is a beautiful church, through and through. The former pastor is splendid, the parish fostered a priest that was ordained August 28, 2006, the current priest is wonderful and the congregation are some of the most welcoming, caring and loving people you could ever meet.

I was blessed beyond measure to have served yesterday on the Cantoring team for the Funeral of Deacon Robert "Bobby" Kuchta, ministerial son of this parish.

It was my first visit to Saint Clair...had a feeling of deja vu and later realized it was thanks to the efforts of our Fr. Jon for having provided a virtual tour of this community many years ago.